The European Leagues & Competitions Thread V2

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watch Tapsoba

pure young talent

 

[MoroccanBlue 5,194]

Christ, how much of a head start were other clubs given this time?

Another season where Bayern win. So boring. 

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great reading of the flow of play and a block by Tapsoba

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Is Alphonso Davies already the world’s best left-back?

https://theathletic.com/1836557/2020/05/26/alphonso-davies-bayern-munich-bundesliga-left-back-canada/

When a 17-year-old Alphonso Davies signed for Bayern Munich in July 2018, expectations were tempered. Sure, the base transfer fee of $13.5 million (USD) was at that time the most ever paid for an MLS player (until Miguel Almiron’s move to Newcastle), but how would he fare in a stacked Bayern squad?

The Canadian’s 74 minutes in six appearances last season seemed to support the notion that a loan out to a smaller club in order to acclimatise to the Bundesliga with less scrutiny on him could benefit his development. But now you can’t scroll through Twitter during a Bayern match without seeing many wonder if Davies is the best left-back on the planet.

He’s the only Bayern player to have started every match since Hansi Flick took over as manager on November 3. He’s improved at both ends of the pitch, and has done so in Bayern’s most important matches. He reached another high-water mark on April 20 by signing a contract extension until 2025, making him a key part of Bayern’s future.

“Being so young, (opportunities) coming so early, it’s more and more motivation to me,” said Davies. “I want to inspire young Canadian athletes, as well — especially footballers — to set their mind to something and go after it.”

But what’s behind Davies’ rapid ascent? Ahead of Der Klassiker, one of the most anticipated matches on the Bundesliga calendar, we examine his climb this season.

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It’s fair to question how different Davies’ season would look were it not for October injuries to Niklas Sule and Lucas Hernandez. Both players were first-choice defenders. These injuries forced long-time left-back David Alaba to centre-back and gave Davies a chance on the left side. 

At left-back, a position he didn’t always play in Vancouver, his penetrating runs down the flank are a huge part of a rejuvenated and potent Bayern attack under Flick. On those runs, Davies draws in opposition defenders and frees up space for Bayern’s central players. But he’s not isolated while making those runs: he’s pushing Bayern, as a whole, forward. In a role that sometimes looks more like a wing-back, his pace has become vital to Bayern’s build-up play.

Consider xG buildup, the stat that measures the total expected goals of every possession players are involved in, minus final passes and shots. It often measures the importance of defensive players to a team’s build-up play.

According to Understat, Davies ranks second in the Bundesliga (among players with at least 1,500 minutes) in xG build-up per 90 minutes with 0.91. Essentially, Davies’ touches make him responsible for around one expected goal per game for Bayern. That’s only behind one of the league’s best central playmakers, his team-mate Joshua Kimmich (0.92). Not bad for a teenager who was playing in MLS less than a year-and-a-half ago.

For comparison’s sake, Alaba’s xG build-up during the previous five seasons at left-back has never been higher than 0.59/90 minutes. And Davies’ attacking numbers look respectable compared to Liverpool’s Andrew Robertson, generally regarded as one of the world’s best left-backs. 

Davies has a place in Bayern’s build-up because Flick has got the most out of his skill set. His dribbling and pace were what attracted Bayern to him in the first place. He needed to be deployed in a manner that suits those skills, and given the confidence to play to his strengths.

“My progression here in Germany has been a really good one,” Davies told reporters on a conference call last month. “I have good supporting staff around me, good team-mates encouraging me every single day to perform on the field, to perform in training. I set myself high standards as well, knowing Bayern Munich is one of the best teams in the world.”

In his appearances with Bayern last season under former Bayern boss Niko Kovac, Davies looked tentative and more inclined to play balls laterally and backwards instead of pushing forward. But under Flick, Davies epitomises the modern left-back, often functioning as a winger. According to Football Reference, only Jadon Sancho has dribbled past more players this season than Davies in the Bundesliga. And he ranks sixth in crosses into the penalty area (16).

On a team like Bayern that doesn’t play an aggressive, pressing game, Davies’ talents might be suppressed at left-back. But Flick allows him to join the attack, transitioning to a back three. There’s also an understanding that Davies can recover defensively with his pace. When he commands the wing, he allows wingers to find space inside and give Bayern yet another potent shooting option in the middle of the pitch.

Although Davies barely played in the second half of 2018-19, having that half-season to train with, and learn from, some of the world’s best players rather than going on loan is now paying dividends in his physical and tactical responsibility. 

“Since he’s been here, he’s learned a great deal, tactically speaking,” said Bayern forward Thomas Muller of Davies in February.

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Early concern about Davies being deployed at left-back often stemmed from his shaky defensive play. The most glaring example came in the 76th minute of the 2019 Gold Cup quarter-final between Canada and Haiti, when Davies was controversially played at left-back. His poor marking allowed Haitian midfielder Wilde-Donald Guerrier to score their third goal in a Canadian collapse.

But this season, his tactical awareness has allowed him to become more defensively sound. It’s largely due to him utilising the weapon that makes him so dangerous at the other end of the pitch: his speed.

“Where he’s probably surprised most people is his defensive acumen,” Canada head coach John Herdman told Sportsnet’s A Kick in the Grass on Monday. “He just knows that he can take those extra steps to cheat because of the pace he’s got, and I think people are starting to realise, as well, that he defends very uniquely and idiosyncratic to his skill set.”

According to Football Reference, Davies has applied pressure to an opposition player receiving, carrying or releasing the ball 341 times this season for a 42.2 per cent success rate this season, third among all Bundesliga players. Robertson has 323 pressures and a 34.4 per cent success rate this season in the Premier League.

For a team that likes to press as Bayern does under Flick, Davies’ speed is even more of a weapon than usual. He has not been turned into a completely different player. He is simply becoming the best version of himself. Despite no Bayern player logging more sprints (649) or tackles per 90 minutes (2.3) than Davies this Bundesliga season, he has also played a defensively responsible game. He ranks 24th in the Bundesliga in fouls per 90 minutes among regular defenders.

“Davies brings his strengths to the pitch and wins a lot of defensive balls with his pace,” Flick said after the Champions League first leg against Chelsea. “He was originally signed as a winger, but he’s doing an incredible job at left-back. His development has been phenomenal.”

Whether his development has made him the world’s best left-back is still up for debate. But it’s clear he has already become a resoundingly complete, modern left-back who contributes at both ends of the pitch.

Ironically, it’s Davies’ quick rise that might prevent some from believing he should be in the conversation. He’s in incredible form, but he’s played just 1,845 minutes in the Bundesliga and 360 minutes in the Champions League. Not bad for a 19-year-old, but also a fraction of what left-backs like Andrew Robertson and Jordi Alba (Barcelona) have played. Being able to maintain this run of form over a sustained period is a significant part of being the best. 

Of course, succeeding in the biggest matches, as Davies has done this season, is another aspect to consider.

Let’s go back to the last Bayern-Dortmund match on November 9. Davies was starting just his third ever Bundesliga game. Facing one of the league’s best wingers in Jadon Sancho, he led all starters with seven tackles and completed 93.6 per cent of his passes. He pressed high up the pitch and his three successful dribbles were up there with wingers Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry. Bayern won 4-0.

Then came the match that propelled Davies into mainstream football consciousness against Chelsea in the first leg of the Champions League last 16. It was probably the best of his career. He completed 89.9 per cent of his passes and his six successful dribbles were the most of any Bayern player. His most celebrated run set up a Robert Lewandowski goal. 

It was after this game that, according to Davies’ agent Nick Huoseh, the contract extension was signed.

It’s his play in the games when Bayern has needed him most that makes him look far more experienced than most 19-year-olds.

“Anyone who can consistently play at the top level at Bayern at such a young age can have a great career ahead of them,” said Bayern executive board member and legendary German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn after Davies’ extension was signed.

In the last 10 years, the only other 19-year-olds to log over 1,500 minutes with Bayern in a single season are Coman and Alaba. Perhaps it’s no wonder that Davies said in September that Coman is the player he tries to model his game on at Bayern, and Alaba is one of his other primary influences.

Because of his age and limited experience, it’s possible his white-hot form is unsustainable and he levels off. Or perhaps he’s just scratching the surface of what he is capable of. His performances in Bayern’s biggest matches this season support the latter scenario, though.

Right now, it’s rare to see other left-backs influencing matches at both ends of the pitch for top clubs like Davies has this season. And it’s even rarer to find one as young, and with as much upside as Davies. So the debate whether he is the world’s best left-back likely won’t quiet down any time soon.

[killer1257 3,282]

Is there a reason why people outside Germany call Bayern vs BVB "Der Klassiker"? I have never in my life heard the match between Bayern vs BVB described as "Der Klassiker" here in Germany. Nobody I know said that term in that specific context. It seems that German football made good marketing outside Germany but not so much in Germany lol. Almost everyone here calls Barcelona vs Real "El clasico" or Inter vs AC as "Milan Derby". It is sad that Bayerns biggest rival has 20 titles less than them lol. Even Nürnberg has more titles than BVB. At least Inter and AC have same amount of League titles. Barca vs Real is close in terms of how many League titles they have. Can't really speak about a rivalry between those clubs when they are miles apart. Maybe in 50 years, after BVB closed the gap, I would see it that way

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[Atomiswave 6,072]

5 minutes ago, killer1257 said:

Is there a reason why people outside Germany call Bayern vs BVB "Der Klassiker"? I have never in my life heard the match between Bayern vs BVB described as "Der Klassiker" here in Germany. Nobody I know said that term in that specific context. It seems that German football made good marketing outside Germany but not so much in Germany lol. Almost everyone here calls Barcelona vs Real "El clasico" or Inter vs AC as "Milan Derby". It is sad that Bayerns biggest rival has 20 titles less than them lol. Even Nürnberg has more titles than BVB. At least Inter and AC have same amount of League titles. Barca vs Real is close in terms of how many League titles they have. Can't really speak about a rivalry between those clubs when they are miles apart. Maybe in 50 years, after BVB closed the gap, I would see it that way

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It was much more der klassiker when klopp was there, but I agree overall boring as fuck.

[NikkiCFC 7,565]

17 minutes ago, killer1257 said:

Is there a reason why people outside Germany call Bayern vs BVB "Der Klassiker"? 

People in media here are even calling it this way.

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nil 3

Leverkusen are getting smashed

if not for Tapsoba and Lukáš Hrádecký, it could be nil 6 or nil 7

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Schalke lose top-scorer Serdar for rest of season

https://sports.yahoo.com/schalke-lose-top-scorer-serdar-rest-season-153700137--sow.html

Berlin (AFP) - Schalke 04, who are struggling for form in the Bundesliga, have lost their top-scorer Suat Serdar for the rest of the season with a torn leg ligament, head coach David Wagner confirmed Tuesday.

The 23-year-old Serdar, who has scored seven league goals this season from defensive midfield, suffered the injury in the second half in Sunday's 3-0 home loss to Augsburg.

Serdar, who made his Germany debut last November, will undergo further tests to decide "whether an operation is necessary at the end of the week," said Wagner.

Serdar is expected to be sidelined for from three to four months, missing their last seven league games.

For Wednesday's league match at Fortuna Duesseldorf, who are third from bottom, France Under-20 midfielder Jean-Clair Todibo, who is on loan from Barcelona, is fit after recovering from an ankle injury.

The loss of Serdar is the latest blow to Schalke, who are winless in their last nine league games, conceding 22 goals and scoring just twice.

Having been in the title race before Christmas, Schalke have dropped from third in December to eighth in the table.

The pressure is mounting on ex-Huddersfield Town boss Wagner, who admits the situation is "not pleasant", having also been hammered 4-0 at Dortmund ten days ago.

"At the moment we are no longer the team we were in the first half of the season," said Wagner.

"You can't compare the kind of football we played back then."

 

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nil 4, lolol

[killer1257 3,282]

How is Havertz playing?

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[Jase 43,479]

It's Home S̶w̶e̶e̶t̶ Shit Home in the Bundesliga since the restart.

3 home wins and 12 away wins out of 22 games played.

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44 minutes ago, killer1257 said:

How is Havertz playing?

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other than a decent header attempt, he was pretty much handled most of the game

Leverkusen were dogshit, save for Tapsoba and the keeper

[NikkiCFC 7,565]

Horrible Upamecano reaction for Grujic goal. Chelsea level corners defending 😄

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3 hours ago, NikkiCFC said:

Horrible Upamecano reaction for Grujic goal. Chelsea level corners defending 😄

Tapsoba looks to be a better buy IF RB go back to crazy valuation on Dayot

stories are all over the place on what they want for him (Dayot)

surely we can get Gabriel at a decent price first

will not lose my mind if we just do him this window (as he is left footed, which is what Lamps is demanding) for CB's

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The Americans (and Canadian) to watch for as the Bundesliga returns

https://theathletic.com/1813506/2020/05/14/bundesliga-return-alphonso-davies-tyler-adams-bayern-leipzig/

There is a strong contingent of American players who will be in action when the Bundesliga resumes this weekend. What makes this group so interesting is how varied they are in age, experience and skills. There are veteran defenders, two-way midfielders and promising attackers. Each of the 12 American players (and one Canadian) listed below have different objectives that they will be working towards over the remainder of the season. 

Of course, the complicating factor is that football returning without fans amid a global pandemic will result in a never-before-seen match-day dynamic. Every player’s mentality and preparation will be tested. How coaches manage players’ fitness and the extra substitutions that they’ll be allocated will be scrutinized, as well. In short, games will not look the same and the circumstances could affect starters and fringe players in unique ways.

The veterans

Fabian Johnson — Borussia Monchengladbach
57 U.S. caps | 210 Bundesliga appearances

When Gladbach began this season, key injuries in their back line and midfield forced manager Marco Rose to turn to the 32-year-old Munich-born American. Johnson is normally utilized as an attacking wing-back on either flank, but Rose moved the versatile defender to the midfield and employed him in a box-to-box role. At the time, Rose referred to Johnson as an “all-purpose weapon”. He started the first two matches, but his playing time became sporadic when Gladbach captain Lars Stindl and midfielders Tobias Strobl and Jonas Hofmann returned from injury. 

Gladbach currently occupies the fourth and final Champions League spot with little margin for error. Johnson’s role will depend on how often Rose decides to rotate his starting XI. 

Next fixture: Saturday vs. Eintracht Frankfurt (a)

John Brooks — Wolfsburg
38 U.S. caps | 146 Bundesliga appearances

Brooks has 16 starts this season for Wolfsburg, including the last five matches before the league’s suspension. Born in Berlin, Brooks, 27, is a tall central defender who is tidy on the ball and dangerous in the air. He has had regular call-ups to the national team since featuring for the U.S. at the 2014 World Cup, and he remains one of Gregg Berhalter’s top defenders. 

Brooks is a physical force and a technically adept center-back. But injuries and a lack of consistent, quality minutes have hampered him throughout his career. As it stands, Brooks is in line to feature prominently for the remainder of Wolfsburg’s Bundesliga season.

Next fixture: Saturday vs. FC Augsburg (a)

Timothy Chandler — Eintracht Frankfurt
29 U.S. caps | 209 Bundesliga appearances 

Chandler is another German dual-national defender who is enjoying a solid spell of first-team minutes. The 30-year-old has made 14 appearances this season, starting 10 matches. What’s most surprising about Chandler’s 2019-20 campaign are the four goals and one assist he has contributed from his nominally defensive position. 

In manager Adi Hutter’s high-tempo pressing system, Chandler has been pushed higher up the field. He responded earlier this season with two goals in an 11-minute span against FC Augsburg. Chandler’s ability to aggressively defend in the opponent’s half and get to goal has been an interesting revelation for someone who has not played for the U.S. since 2016. 

Next fixture: Saturday vs. Borussia Monchengladbach (h)

The established internationals 

Weston McKennie — Schalke
19 U.S. caps | 67 Bundesliga appearances

 

McKennie’s undeniable talent and positional versatility have helped him quickly become a valuable Bundesliga midfielder. At 21 years old, the Texas-born FC Dallas academy product is a prototypical two-way player who has grown tactically since arriving in Gelsenkirchen three years ago. McKennie has more freedom to get forward when he plays for the U.S., but under the tutelage of Schalke’s manager, former U.S. international David Wagner, McKennie has played all over the pitch, including at center-back when the club struggled with injuries. 

McKennie is an aggressive ball-winner and a capable distributor in Schalke’s midfield. His presence alone enhances Schalke’s ability to press and counter. 

Next fixture: Saturday vs. Borussia Dortmund in the Revierderby (a)

Alfredo Morales — Fortuna Dusseldorf
16 U.S. caps | 101 Bundesliga appearances

At the beginning of this season, the question for Morales was whether or not he could play himself into Berhalter’s national team midfield. The answer proved to be that he could. After playing sparingly for the U.S. following his first cap in 2013, Morales won more call-ups in 2019, offering a physical and tough-tackling dimension to the U.S. midfield. 

Morales has 15 starts for Fortuna Dusseldorf and will continue to feature as they prepare for a relegation battle in the coming weeks. 

Next fixture: Saturday vs. SC Paderborn 07 (h)

Josh Sargent — Werder Bremen
12 U.S. caps | 28 Bundesliga appearances

 

Sargent’s 2019-20 has been a bit of a mixed bag. The 20-year-old center-forward has struggled to consistently maintain a place in Werder Bremen’s starting XI. However, in 2019, he made six appearances for his national team and scored three goals. Despite his solid frame, Sargent is still growing mentally.

The native of St. Louis is an agile No 9 who is comfortable playing with his back to goal. Sargent is good on the ball, which allows him to drop into midfield and play possession football. Bremen are 17th in the Bundesliga table and trying to escape relegation. Sargent started their last match and scored his third goal of the season in a 2-2 draw against Hertha Berlin. If he continues to show he can help the club improve its fortunes, more starts should come his way down the stretch. 

Next fixture: Monday vs. Bayer Leverkusen (h)

Zack Steffen — Fortuna Dusseldorf
17 U.S. caps | 17 Bundesliga appearances

Steffen suffered a knee injury in April when Dusseldorf resumed limited training sessions. The No 1 goalkeeper for the U.S. will not play this weekend, and his return is unknown. It’s a shame, because Steffen had established himself as the club’s starting keeper. On loan from Manchester City, Steffen is an acrobatic goalkeeper with quick instincts who was expected to make a big jump in his development this season.

Next fixture: Saturday vs. SC Paderborn 07 (h)

Tyler Adams — RB Leipzig
10 U.S. caps | 15 Bundesliga appearances

One could argue that Adams is the most talented American in the Bundesliga. He was tactically, technically and mentally ready for Germany’s top flight upon arriving in Leipzig from the New York Red Bulls in 2019. Unfortunately for Adams, lingering injuries have forced him off the pitch, robbing U.S. and Leipzig fans of an emerging talent. 

What’s most impressive about Adams, 21, is his ability to play with composure anywhere on the pitch. He can play as a ball-hawking defensive midfielder, a pressing full-back or as a No 8. He came on as a late substitute during Leipzig’s 3-0 Champions League win over Tottenham on March 10, and will likely continue to battle for minutes in the final nine Bundesliga fixtures.

Next fixture: Saturday vs. SC Freiburg (h)

Alphonso Davies — Bayern Munich
17 Canada caps | 27 Bundesliga appearances 

Davies isn’t American, but the 19-year-old Canadian is now one of North America’s most highly rated talents, following his $22 million transfer from Major League Soccer to Bayern Munich in 2018. During his two MLS seasons, Davies’ best position was a topic for a debate. Was he a full-back or a winger? While he can excel in both roles, Davies has been molded into an elite modern full-back in Germany. 

Davies has claimed the starting left wing-back role by outplaying Lucas Hernandez, who was part of France’s World Cup-winning squad in 2018. 

Next fixture: Sunday vs. FC Union Berlin (a)

The next generation

Giovanni Reyna — Borussia Dortmund
0 U.S. caps | 8 Bundesliga appearances

 

The comparisons to Christian Pulisic have already begun, but Reyna is a much different type of player. Still, Reyna seems destined to follow Pulisic’s path. Both debuted as young Americans in Europe wearing Dortmund’s famed black and yellow. And both are expected to star for the U.S. for the next decade. 

While Pulisic uses tight touches and speed to beat defenders, Reyna’s more controlled approach and physical strength on the ball have allowed him to reduce his learning curve in Germany. At just 17, Reyna is an attacker who’s comfortable playing behind a striker as a No 10, or as a second forward. 

Reyna, who was born in Durham, England, became the youngest American in Bundesliga history and has been making consistent appearances off the bench this season. That’s quite an accomplishment considering Dortmund’s talented squad, with England’s Jadon Sancho, Germany’s Julian Brandt and Norway’s Erling Haaland for company. 

Next fixture: Saturday vs. Schalke 04 in the Revierderby (h)

Chris Richards — Bayern Munich II
0 U.S. caps / 0 Bundesliga appearances (22 third-tier appearances)

 

Richards is developing into a formidable central defender for Bayern Munich’s reserves. Another product of the FC Dallas academy, the 20-year-old Richards was a regular starter for the U.S. team that advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2019 U-20 World Cup. Richards is a confident backline distributor with a mature confidence on the ball. His style of play resembles that of Everton’s Yerry Mina. Although Richards has not yet broken into Bayern’s 18-man squad, he has reportedly been targeted by Premier League clubs Arsenal and Chelsea. 

Taylor Booth — Bayern Munich Under-19s
0 U.S. caps (4 U.S. Under-19 caps) | 0 Bundesliga appearances

The 18-year-old attacking midfielder has taken full advantage of his elite surroundings at Bayern. Booth is a skilled and versatile player with excellent vision and a high work rate. He’s comfortable starting possession as a deep-lying midfielder or pushing the ball upfield as a modern No 10.

Booth was signed by Bayern from Real Salt Lake’s academy and played regularly in the UEFA Youth League. His recent performances have garnered reported interest from Tottenham Hotspur. 

Ulysses Llanez — Wolfsburg Under-19s
1 U.S. cap | 0 Bundesliga appearances

When Wolfsburg resumed training in April, manager Oliver Glasner promoted Llanez to the first team. It was a well-earned opportunity for the 19-year-old striker from California, and though the quick, two-footed attacker’s development continues to trend upward, Llanez will not make this weekend’s 18-man squad.

Llanez, who scored in his first appearance for the U.S., was praised by Glasner for his ability to take on defenders and finish confidently. While he is most effective as an inverted winger, Llanez can also drop into central midfield to recover possession and initiate an attack.

[NikkiCFC 7,565]

 

UCL ref arrested for drugs, prostitution

https://www.kickoff.com/news/articles/world-news/categories/news/uefa-champions-league/uefa-champions-league-referee-arrested-over-drugs-prostitution-ring/679028

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1 hour ago, NikkiCFC said:

 

UCL ref arrested for drugs, prostitution

https://www.kickoff.com/news/articles/world-news/categories/news/uefa-champions-league/uefa-champions-league-referee-arrested-over-drugs-prostitution-ring/679028