Some players simply love the big occasions. During Borussia Dortmund’s Champions League semi-final first leg clash against Paris Saint-Germain, Jadon Sancho showed that he will come up with the goods in high profile clashes, more often than not.
There was a sense of anticipation about not just Dortmund, but also around Sancho right before kick-off at the Westfalenstadion. The backdrop of the England international’s recent troubled past at Manchester United made many place special emphasis on Sancho’s performance and little did they know that even during a period of struggle at Old Trafford, he often shone during the biggest of games. That knack of coming up with moments of magic when the spotlight is on him shone through again on Wednesday.
Even though Dortmund picked up a 1-0 win thanks to a Niclas Füllkrug goal in the first half, there is an underlying feeling that Edin Terzic’s men should have scored more goals. Paris Saint-Germain themselves hit the post twice in the same passage of play but apart from Vitinha, there wasn’t exactly a standout performer for them. Even Kylian Mbappé, who can usually be expected to put on a show, couldn’t really make a mark on a night when Sancho was setting records.
He completed 13 dribbles while attempting 18. The next best dribbler in the game was Bradley Barcola, who completed three and his English counterpart was miles ahead of everyone else.
Sancho did that when dribbling isn’t actually his biggest strength. His street footballer identity makes him someone who loves combining with teammates around him in tight spaces, while using his impeccable touch and control to go past defenders and carry the ball progressively.
The 24-year-old also created three chances and a case can be made of the fact that at least two should’ve been buried.
One chance saw him play a delightful threaded through ball to Julian Brandt from a central area and another saw him play a low, pin-point cross to Füllkrug, who fluffed his lines from close range.
While the ongoing loan stint in Germany hasn’t exactly been spectacular by any means, yesterday was a breath of fresh air also because of how Sancho seemed raring to go. He won 14 duels, far more than anyone else and from the very start, he came across as an active presser – something which isn’t always seen from him. As a result, Sancho also made seven recoveries in the game.
He was constantly engaged in a battle with Nuno Mendes, who had a difficult night and was never allowed a moment’s peace. He was simply on the wrong side of a mission aimed at proving many wrong and more than that, it was also a lesson for teams as to how to bring the best out of Sancho.
While he was, on paper, nailed down as a right winger, Sancho rarely hugged the touchline. He was always some yards inside and his role wasn’t to hold width. Dortmund usually build in a back-three that sees Ian Maatsen drop in as a central defender and Julian Ryerson holds an advanced position on the right. The Norwegian’s constant presence on that flank makes sure that Sancho is never isolated. The team’s operation is often slow yet structured and defined.
Whenever Dortmund advance and Sancho receives the ball, there is always the support of Julian Brandt and Ryerson that he can rely on. He can play one-twos, depending on their movement around the defenders for spaces to open up and using that, he can dazzle past defenders and then create openings. More often than not, he is closer to the half space than the wide space and this also helps him stay close to his teammates, turning games into closely packed, street football games where he can demolish the opposition in multiple ways.
Compare that to how things were at Manchester United, the difference is incredibly stark. Be it during the end of Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s reign, Ralf Rangnick’s tenure or this season under Erik ten Hag, United have struggled to have any semblance of control in possession. Last season under Ten Hag, United did regularly build with a back-three but more often than not, it was the full-back on Sancho’s flank that would drop into a central area, isolating the England international.
There was a misconception about Sancho at United and it made many believe that he is an incredible 1v1 dribbler. There was a belief that he can come up with wizardry while taking on defenders on his own. The truth is far from that. While Sancho is decent one-on-one, he always needs players around him to make specific movements to help him open up situations and create chances.
There were times at United when Sancho was the player tasked with holding width and being an off-the-ball entity. Yesterday, the world saw that Sancho is an active, on-the-ball performer who needs the ball to be at his best. United existed (still do, perhaps) in complex tactical conundrums throughout Sancho’s period and approaches changed every few months. A player like Sancho needs stability and the certainty of a fixed structure to be truly himself.
Discipline issues did exist and while Sancho can be blamed for that, there is a culture at United which is largely toxic and makes sure that individuals aren’t pushing hard enough in their roles.
Dortmund are on the other side of the conversation. They have, for years, had an identity culturally and tactically. While Terzic has brought about a more pragmatic style of play, there is always an identity in possession that elevates the level of players. They know what they’re doing in every phase of play and in every situation. They know where their teammates will be and that adds to the certainty. A player like Sancho needs that.
This isn’t to say that Sancho has been excellent at Dortmund this season – he hasn’t. There have been some games that are reminiscent of his time at United. But yesterday was truly a performance that many will remember for a while and it will always be an example of how to bring the best out of Sancho. Dortmund do it very well. United simply have no clue and they are too stuck in constant transitions.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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