When you get the chance to see the highlights check out his "defending" on Roma's goals. His "finishing" on three huge chances too. I hope he proves me wrong like Kulusevski did, but I'm not expecting it.
2024/25 Europe League / Conference League - league phase
- Thread starter gary69
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cgf
FireBednarsSuccessor
Not surprised either lost, but how did Hoffenheim & Heidenheim look yesterday? Did Wanner or Bischof do anything of note? How was Arrey Mbi?
Wee Baby Seamus
Yo, Goober, where's the meat?
Wanner was extraordinary. Easily Heidenheim's best player, creative and tricky, consistently able to take advantage of Chelsea playing two non-DMs in the double pivot. Had one great chance where he basically wriggled through multiple defenders and got a great snap shot off (Jorgensen made a very good save on it).
Heidenheim were very open, very offensive. Chelsea played a pretty offensive XI (Caicedo didn't travel, and so the double pivot was Dewsbury-Hall and Casadei, both of whom are 8s), which left a lot of space for Heidenheim to work with. But Heidenheim were also very accommodating in providing space for Chelsea to work with! The final shot (on target) tally was 16 (11) to 17 (9). Major issue for Heidenheim was simply that they could not figure out how to adjust to Chelsea's high line. Even when defending deep, Chelsea hold a firm line on 18 yds (they do it in the league also, there was a great write-up about it in The Athletic recently). Heidenheim were caught offside 6 times. Multiple goals disallowed on offsides that were not even close. It was almost strange.
2-0 likely a harsh result on Heidenheim - there's a reason why Jorgensen was given MOTM (the first time this season he's actually seized an opportunity to look good and potentially displace Sanchez) - but the Chelsea win was fair. It just simply should've been, like, 5-3 instead of 2-0.
cgf
FireBednarsSuccessor
Glad he met the challenge well, Heidenheim has been a good step for him this season. I won't blame him if he eventually opts for Austria...but it's hard not to get excited at the thought of Wanner playing alongside Wirtz & Musiala after the WM.
Jussi
Registered User
robertmac43
Forever 43!
- Mar 31, 2015
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Jussi
Registered User
Can't really blame them for the first one, that was a great shot. Second one was poor defending and Malacia's rusty play.
Wee Baby Seamus
Yo, Goober, where's the meat?
With today's Chelsea game further east than Mumbai, kickoff is at 1030 EST.
3 academy kids in the starting lineup - Tyrique George (who has played in every Conference game so far, including a start against Noah), Samuel Rak Sakyi (who has made two appearances off the bench), and - most excitingly - Josh Acheampong, whose contract situation is on the cusp of being resolved. Very very excited for him to make his second senior appearance, having previously made a cameo last year against Spurs.
Bench is exclusively Cobham, including (not limited to) Michael Olise's younger brother Richard Olise and Harvey Vale, who made a handful of first team appearances at 18 under Tuchel before then really struggling on loan in the Championship.
3 academy kids in the starting lineup - Tyrique George (who has played in every Conference game so far, including a start against Noah), Samuel Rak Sakyi (who has made two appearances off the bench), and - most excitingly - Josh Acheampong, whose contract situation is on the cusp of being resolved. Very very excited for him to make his second senior appearance, having previously made a cameo last year against Spurs.
Bench is exclusively Cobham, including (not limited to) Michael Olise's younger brother Richard Olise and Harvey Vale, who made a handful of first team appearances at 18 under Tuchel before then really struggling on loan in the Championship.
Wee Baby Seamus
Yo, Goober, where's the meat?
2-0 inside 20 minutes here in Almaty, first is a great show of strength from Guiu to power inside and then deftly chop it in at the near post, second is likely an OG following some great wingplay from Neto. Perfect start on a very cold day (-11 right now).
Wee Baby Seamus
Yo, Goober, where's the meat?
3-0, Veiga off a corner. His marker is behind him, doesn't even move into space, just jumps up and heads it in.
Jussi
Registered User
Poor passing choice there from Amad. Bruno was on.
Typical United really, final third decisions and passes are terrible.
Typical United really, final third decisions and passes are terrible.
hatterson
Registered User
bluesfan94
Registered User
Jussi
Registered User
Wee Baby Seamus
Yo, Goober, where's the meat?
Only half watching while at work, but Mount has seemed bright since he came on. Would be nice to see him able to return to the form he showed from 2020-22.
Jussi
Registered User
hatterson
Registered User
I don't really understand how Mazraoui gets a yellow in that situation. If you think it's time wasting them clearly Onana should be the one to get it for being slow to get to the ball.
Jussi
Registered User
The Abusement Park
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- Jan 18, 2016
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He's going to be really good in Amorim's system. It suits him well. He's showed some flashes here and there under him and I think just getting back into rhythm of game time will be massive for him.
Jussi
Registered User
Yeah, feel like he fits Amorim's system much better than whatever ten Hag's was.
The Abusement Park
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- Jan 18, 2016
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Hojlund is still clearly pretty raw and has some stuff to work on. But damn... give the man some service and he will score. Feel like Amorim and his coaching should be hugely beneficial for him.
Jussi
Registered User
Holy shit United just keep messing counter after counter... What used to be United's top weapon under SAF.
Jussi
Registered User
Didn't know they were that good at home.
Wee Baby Seamus
Yo, Goober, where's the meat?
Service is part of it, but my cousin (a United fan) recently argued to me that the underlying cause of the service issue is Hojlund's poor positioning. I'm inclined to agree.
A few stats to chew on, each of which follows from the previous:
- Hojlund's xG per shot is 94th percentile amongst strikers in Europe.
- Hojlund's shots/90 is in the 1st (!!!!!!) percentile amongst strikers in Europe.
- Hojlund receives 3.86 progressive passes/90, which is in the 6th percentile amongst strikers in Europe. This would support the claim that the problem is his service.
- But wait! Erling Haaland receives just as few progressive passes/90 (3.93)! Does Haaland also get no service?
- Of course not. Look at their touch maps. Hojlund takes more touches/90 than Haaland does (24.6 to 20.0), and they receive a similar amount of progressive passes, but Haaland has almost triple the amount of in-the-box touches as Hojlund (7.13 to 2.54). Over 1/3 of Haaland's touches are in the box, compared to 1/10 for Hojlund.
- What naturally follows from the difference in where they're receiving the ball? Haaland takes over 4x as many shots per 90 as Hojlund.
The thesis? Hojlund gets service, but because he's not positioning himself in dangerous areas he's not getting service that would lead to scoring opportunities. He barely shoots, as he's barely in a shooting position.
I love that you went from intense Ten Hag apologist to "whatever Ten Hag's was" once he was no longer in the job.
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