Page 13 – The Pulse of Football

Mar

2024

Riqui Puig: The playmaker hoping to lead the LA Galaxy back to the play-offs

Lionel Messi isn’t the only former Barcelona star who wears the number 10 shirt in Major League Soccer. Indeed, Riqui Puig also fell into this category after choosing to change jersey number for the start of the 2024 season. He is, after all, the player around which the LA Galaxy revolves as a team – he might as well have a shirt number that reflects it.

By Graham Ruthven

Of course, Puig is a different sort of number 10 to Messi. While Messi is primarily on the pitch to score goals, Puig is most effective in a slightly deeper role where he can influence possession play the most. On his day, he is the best midfielder in MLS. The problem is those days haven’t been frequent enough for the Galaxy.

To date, Puig hasn’t been set up to succeed in California. 2023 was a messy season for the LA Galaxy as they missed out on the play-offs for the fifth time in seven years. While the Galaxy might be the most successful franchise in league history, they have been surpassed in recent years by more ambitious rivals with a better front office.

The Galaxy conceded more goals than any other team in MLS last season. Their defence was porous and their goalkeeper – Jonathan Bond – was statistically the worst in the league. On top of this, Douglas Costa and Javier Hernández were limited by injury (and age), giving Puig far too much to do on his own.

Off the field, fans made their anger known over the running of the club. Matches were boycotted and a general sense of unrest seeped into the insipid performances on the pitch. From these protests, though, came change. LA Galaxy president Chris Klein was fired with technical director Jovan Kirovski also let go.

Will Kuntz has been elevated to the general manager position. Kuntz was an important member of the Los Angeles FC front office that is widely considered one of the best front offices in MLS and has been brought in to provide fresh ideas. The Galaxy are making moves to put the last few years of failure behind them.

It’s still early days, but the 2024 season promises to be a more positive one for the Galaxy who have started their campaign with two impressive results – a draw against Messi’s Inter Miami and a 3-1 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes in the Cali Clásico. No trophies are handed out after two matches, but there are encouraging signs.

Joseph Paintsil has made a big difference. Signed from Genk in Belgium for $9m, the Ghanian has given the LA Galaxy the wide threat they have lacked for years. He has electrified the matches against Inter Miami and San Jose, scoring a stunner in the latter. Galaxy fans can expect more of those moments from Paintsil this season.

Puig needs players like Paintsil to play his best football. He needs an outlet for his creativity and the arrival of the Ghanian winger for the 2024 season has given him this. The LA Galaxy also have Brazilian winger Gabriel Pec (signed from Vasco da Gama in the off-season) to integrate into their starting lineup.

Vanney favours a possession-orientated approach, but has compromised his footballing principles to point his team in a new direction. The LA Galaxy’s squad is better suited to playing a more transition-heavy, even counter-attacking style of play with their defensive line in a low block and Puig harnessed as a deep-lying playmaker.

This was an approach that very nearly produced a victory over Inter Miami and it provided a solid basis for the Cali Clasico win over San Jose too. It might be too early to claim the LA Galaxy are back, but they have certainly established themselves as one of the most entertaining teams to watch in the league.

When Puig signed for the Galaxy, Vanney compared his arrival to that of Sebastian Giovinco’s at Toronto FC. Giovinco went on to become a league legend and an MLS Cup winner. That sort of glory has evaded Puig so far, but he might finally have the platform to prove himself as the best player in his position anywhere in MLS.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every MLS game live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Mar

2024

Sporting are in a title fight but will manager Ruben Amorim still be in demand without impressing in the Europa League?

Judging by the team selection, the half-time substitutions, and overall approach in their last-16 first leg clash with Atalanta, the Europa League might not be Rúben Amorim’s absolute priority for Sporting this season.

By Karl Matchett

Given they are top of the Liga Portugal by a point and have a domestic cup semi-final second leg against Benfica to play next month, perhaps that’s not the biggest surprise at this stage. But on the other hand, it certainly raises a question mark over Amorim’s ambitions at a time when he is coveted by many of Europe’s top clubs, in most of the top divisions.

A Portuguese league and cup double would of course be a great silverware haul to have on the CV at a potential juncture in his career, but there’s also an argument that some top teams, some top leagues, might see progress in Europe as a bigger marker of his quality on the touchline.

In drawing 1-1 at home with Atalanta, it allows the balance of the tie to be firmly with the Italians – who should have won across 90 minutes anyway, in truth. Three times they were denied by the woodwork – once too Sporting were – and a series of late interventions and goalkeeper saves kept the score down after a very bright start from the hosts. Even so, five shots in the game, one big chance, four corners and eight touches in the opposition box were all way down on Atalanta’s tallies in each category.

And yet there’s reason behind being second best on the night: First-choice goalkeeper Antonio Adán is injured, top scorer Viktor Gyökeres was left on the bench, key starters Pedro Gonçalves and Gonçalo Inácio weren’t even in the matchday squad. Gyökeres entered at half time, along with regular midfield starter Morten Hjulmand, but otherwise this was a mix of squad players and fringe options: Paulinho started up front and scored a great opener, but has made seven league starts this term. The assist for the goal was a wonderful through pass from Trincão, who has made the same number.

Amorim’s decision now will be over whether to keep a Europa League team in place for the second leg, or go for victory at full strength and perhaps open a path to challenge the likes of Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen in the latter stages – and highlight his own tactical proficiencies and committment to silverware for anybody watching on.

Their regular setup certainly suggests they have the balance of organisation and attacking power to trouble Atalanta.

In their 3-5-2, Sebastian Coatés anchors the defence with mobile, ball-playing options either side of him. Hjulmand and Hidemasa Morita present a combative midfield duo who can drive forward in possession. And further forward, each of Paulinho, Gonçalves and Gyökeres average at least 0.74 goals or assists per 90. Among them, Gonçalves has long been a sought-after talent and is now aged 25, on the cusp of ten goals and ten assists in league play once more.

But it’s Swedish striker Gyokeres who has taken the biggest steps after signing from Coventry in summer on a club record deal worth up to €24m. 18 league goals in 22 games is impressive enough, but add in eight assists – four in one game – and he comfortably leads the Primeira with a combined tally of 26 goal contributions. In FotMob’s player traits chart, he ranks in the 93rd percentile for goals scored, the 95th for touches and the 99th for chances created, underlining both his incredible campaign so far and his massive importance for the team.

The 19-cap international, who turns 26 in summer, has quickly found himself linked with Champions League regulars in some of Europe’s top few leagues, while he has also promised to reveal the long-guarded secrets behind his hands-over-the-mouth goal celebration if Sporting win the title.

That, at least, looks highly possible. Sporting have won nine and drawn one in their last ten, have a 100 per cent home record this term and host Benfica in early April before travelling to Porto later that month. Of course they’ll need consistency in other matches too but they are seven points clear of Porto and one clear of Benfica, who they beat in the cup semi-final first leg recently – and have a game in hand over both. Importantly, they also score far more than both their rivals, suggesting that even on an off-day, they have the firepower to maintain their title charge.

Not as possession-oriented as Porto perhaps, and not as defensively mean as Benfica. But Sporting do have the excitement and individuality in their team, the goalscorers and some decent depth to make them very hard to stop. And maybe, if Amorim goes all-in on that second leg against Atalanta, the all-round quality to challenge on three fronts this year.

(Image from IMAGO)

You can follow every Sporting game – with xG, deep stats, and players ratings on FotMob. Download the free app here.

Mar

2024

Philippe Clement’s Rangers revolution

Rangers were sleepwalking towards a crisis under Michael Beale. Following a season without any silverware tucked away in the Ibrox trophy room, ten players departed, including crowd favourites Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent.

Beale spent lavishly on Sam Lammers, Danilo, and Cyriel Dessers as replacements, yet the opening weeks of the 2023/24 campaign were underwhelming, to say the least.

By Ross Kilvington

Something was missing. As first team coach under Steven Gerrard, Beale was seen as the architect behind the stunning title triumph during 2020/21, as the Gers were a rampant attacking force, scoring 139 goals in all competitions.

His tactical blueprint as a coach simply did not translate towards success as a manger. Rangers looked a shadow of their former selves as they slipped to four defeats in their opening 14 games, scoring just 23 goals in the process.

Who would have thought that a loss to Aberdeen at Ibrox could turn into a blessing in disguise. A chorus of boos rang out around the stadium after the 3-1 defeat which left the Light Blues trailing Celtic in the league by seven points after just seven matches.

This was unthinkable territory for the club. Ange Postecoglou may have left Celtic in the summer, but Brendan Rodgers was the destroyer of dreams during his first stint in charge of the Parkhead side between 2016 and 2019 and momentum was clearly in their favour.

Gerrard departed to join Aston Villa in November 2021, Giovanni van Bronckhorst was sacked in November 2022 and just ten months later, Beale was also dismissed.

Whatever happened next, the board were under intense pressure to get the next managerial appointment absolutely spot on, otherwise the financial gulf would get bigger.

Fast forward nearly six months and the decision to take a gamble on Philippe Clement is beginning to look like a shrewd one indeed.

Why Philippe Clement?

There were no shortage of candidates to take over at the club, as names such as Kevin Muscat, Pascal Jansen and even Frank Lampard were touted as potential saviours.

Clement on the other hand, appeared out of the blue. The Belgian tactician was out of work having been sacked by AS Monaco in June 2023 after they failed to qualify for Europe.

His credentials were excellent, however. Not only had the former defender won three league titles in his homeland – one with KRC Genk and two with Club Brugge – but his preferred use of a 4-2-3-1 formation was the perfect fit for the players at his disposal in Glasgow.

Furthermore, Clement’s penchant for developing young talent was second to none. Charles de Ketelaere, Benoît Badiashile, Noa Lang and Aurélien Tchouaméni were all unearthed by the 49-year-old during his stints in Belgium and France, with all four going on to bigger and brighter things.

A winning mentality, tactical nous, and the ability to spot and develop teenage starlets made him the standout candidate.

Improvement was instant under Clement

Clement’s first game in charge was against Hibernian, at Ibrox, in what was a potentially tricky encounter, but the new manager bounce only took 90 minutes to take effect.

Goals from Abdallah Sima, Nico Raskin and Dessers sealed a momentum boosting win, setting the tone for what would be an excellent start to life under the former Club Brugge manager.

Premiership wins were recorded against Hearts and Dundee, while the Tynecastle side were also put to the sword in the League Cup semi-final, giving Clement a chance to secure his first piece of silverware in charge of the Gers, a mere two months after joining.

Just three days before the showdown against Aberdeen at Hampden, Rangers managed to win their first ever game against Spanish opposition in Spain, recording a stunning 3-2 victory over Real Betis which saw the club progress to the last 16 of the Europa League as group winners.

Clement’s man management skills were clearly working a treat ahead of the League Cup final, while he was also able to keep a calm head under pressure, as several midfielders were either injured or suspended ahead of the tie.

This meant the 49-year-old had to rejig his starting XI. In came utility man Dujon Sterling to partner John Lundstram at the heart of the midfield and the decision was monumental, as he won the man of the match award in the 1-0 victory.

A loss to Celtic in their last game of 2024 was a disappointing way to end 2023, but the building blocks were in place and Clement had the opportunity to refresh his squad during the transfer window.

Clement has already improved the Rangers squad

Clement’s philosophy has been to build a successful player trading model at Ibrox. Mohamed Diomande arrived on loan with an obligation to buy, while Óscar Cortés is another youngster who joined on a temporary deal with an option to buy.

Diomande is 22 while Cortés is just 20 years old and combined, the duo have registered five goal contributions already, suggesting that they have hit the ground running at Ibrox.

This is exactly what is required if the Light Blues are to maintain their remarkable title challenge. Celtic have been sloppy recently, dropping points in three of their previous six league matches, as Rodger’s men are feeling the heat from an ever improving Rangers side.

The recent 2-1 defeat to Motherwell, while poor, is not the end of the world as minor bumps in the journey are to be expected.

Clement will be hoping that result was only brief turbulence ahead of their encounter against Benfica at the Estádio da Luz – this evening.

Six months ago, any self-respecting Rangers supporter would have conceded that challenging for the league title was beyond this group of players, such was Celtic’s advantage.

Clement has not only clawed back that seven point gap but added a first League Cup success since 2011 and progression in Europe.

In October, the club was on its knees. Now? They are on the verge of something special.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every Rangers game on FotMob – with deep stats, xG, and players ratings. Download the free app here.

Mar

2024

Making a case for Federico Chiesa’s Juventus exit

Juventus’ Federico Chiesa found the back of the net in the side’s vital clash against Napoli last weekend, but his future remains uncertain. In fact, the summer transfer window would be the best time for the Italian to depart the Bianconeri.

By Kaustubh Pandey

Chiesa’s goal against Francesco Calzona’s Napoli felt like a slap in the face of doubters, as it handed Juve a lifeline in the game. While it didn’t lead to Max Allegri’s side picking up a win as a late Giacomo Raspadori goal helped Napoli get their most important three points of the campaign, Chiesa’s goal sent a message to many.

The former Fiorentina man has been doubted by many in recent weeks. It isn’t just his performances that have been questioned, as doubts have extended to his fitness as well. Some doubts are rather valid, as the 26-year-old has picked up over ten injuries since he recovered from an ACL injury towards the end of 2022.

Despite the occasional inconsistency, he has still scored seven times this season and has overperformed on his Expected Goals metric by a good margin despite his injury issues. Doing that in a defensive-first system under Allegri is vital, but sections of the club’s supporters still seem unhappy.

Chiesa’s contract runs out in the summer of 2025 and La Gazzetta dello Sport have previously reported that the Italian is inching towards an exit in the summer, with talks about a renewal not having progressed.

And while the idea of an exit does seem disappointing considering that the Bianconeri paid a package of over €50m to Fiorentina for Chiesa, there are multiple reasons why the departure from Turin will make definite sense. We explore those reasons here.

Lack of suitability to Allegri’s system

Allegri has constantly shown the tendency to use a 3-5-2 shape since last season and while he has often used a back four, the Italian has regularly fallen back to using a 3-5-2. Within that, Chiesa has played in the front two but surprisingly enough, he has also been used as a wing-back multiple times.

Chiesa has the skill set of being someone who excels at ball-carrying and chance creation, as he has completed 2.56 dribbles per 90 minutes and has created 2.14 chances per 90. But using those qualities at wing-back would make sure that he operates deeper.

Even though it might help the team because his raw skill set might suit the wing-back role, Allegri’s pragmatic system uses wing-backs deeper than a more attacking approach. In a more attacking setup, Chiesa would operate further forward and his skillset and output would be much more utilised in the final third and he will score and assist more than he has.

Juventus might have already replaced him

While Chiesa is still a fairly valuable resource because he still provides goals at a healthy rate despite his injuries, Kenan Yildiz’s emergence probably suggests that there might already be a replacement at the club.

In Chiesa’s absence, Yildiz has impressed and he represents a similar profile as well.

While he may not be as prolific as Chiesa in some aspects, it is easy to look at them and see how similar they are. Yildiz is raw and would only improve from where he is and would play more over time.

The young Turk also formed a very good partnership with Dušan Vlahović upfront and that is what many Juve fans would like in a Chiesa-Vlahović partnership. That hasn’t quite happened, but Yildiz has done that in the absence of his Italian teammate.

More than that, Juve have concretely been linked with more wingers for the summer transfer window. One is Felipe Anderson, whose contract at Lazio expires. Another is Genoa’s Albert Gudmundsson, who has scored nine times for the Rossoblu this season and he can also operate upfront in a 3-5-2 shape.

So even if Chiesa leaves, Juve may not miss him. And Chiesa is replaceable for them.

Takers in England

During his time at Fiorentina, there was never any shortage of links with clubs in England and that is still the case. Considering how Manchester United, Tottenham and even Arsenal have looked to Italy in recent seasons to seek solutions, they would definitely be aware of Chiesa’s situation at the Bianconeri. Spurs and United have, in fact, dealt with Juve fairly recently and reports have already suggested that ex-Old Lady chief Fabio Paratici still holds a certain sway at the Lilywhites despite his suspension.

Chiesa earns a little over €200k a week at Juve and that money weighs a lot in the club coffers considering the realities of the Serie A and also keeping in mind Chiesa’s injury problems. Those wages may not be a massive issue for English clubs due to their obvious financial advantages in the European game. Italian clubs are unlikely to be able to afford the 26-year-old’s transfer fee and that is another area where English clubs would have an advantage.

On top of that, Chiesa knows fluent English and his jolly off-pitch profile would appeal to fans, as the Italian comes across as a marketable asset who also comes from a renowned footballing family.

A fresh chance to prove himself?

The move to Juve was supposed to be the platform for Chiesa to prove himself and due to factors such as the club’s instability and his own injuries, things haven’t gone to plan. He is now at the ripe age of 26 and he now needs a club where he can be a leading light and it has to be somewhere he could resurrect himself.

Juve could yet change managers in the summer and move on from Max Allegri and that could prove to be another period of transition for not just Chiesa, but the club in general. But for the Genoa-born star, it could be a case of some more months being wasted away with there being limited guarantee of an outcome.

A move elsewhere would be a fresh start and with the Premier League having clubs that operate in systems that are progressively attacking, that would benefit Chiesa right away and he could easily join and start operating in a preferred role all over again. That could be exactly what he needs.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every Serie A game on FotMob – with deep stats, xG, and players ratings. Download the free app here.

Mar

2024

Quiz: Champions League Wednesday

Get ready for Man City vs. Copenhagen and Real Madrid vs. RB Leipzig

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can play more football quizzes like this one at fcQuiz.

Mar

2024

Analysis: Roma back on the up under Daniele De Rossi

After parting ways with José Mourinho and appointing Daniele De Rossi as his successor, Roma have suddenly transformed into one of the best teams in Serie A. They have won six of their seven league matches so far, losing only to runaway league leaders Inter, and also advanced past Feyenoord to reach the Europa League’s Round of 16.

By Neel Shelat

When Daniele De Rossi was announced as Roma’s new head coach, few would have predicted that he would have registered nearly half of Roma’s league wins this season in just a month and a half. That is exactly what has transpired, though, as the 40-year-old coach has proved his doubters wrong.

In fairness to those who had reservations about this move, they had good reason for it. De Rossi’s only prior experience as a senior head coach was in charge of Serie B side SPAL. He was brought in in October 2022 to pull the club away from a relegation battle but failed to do that and was sacked in February with his record reading 3-6-8. With that, as well as the fact that De Rossi was only given a contract until the end of the season, many felt that he was simply brought in as a crowd-pleaser to keep the Giallorossi faithful happily supporting the team in the aftermath of the departure of a fan-favourite.

Whether or not that was the case is a separate question, but it cannot be denied that De Rossi’s status as a club legend from his playing days helped him win instant support from all relevant parties. Equally, though, it must be acknowledged that he has done a fantastic job as a coach.

In his very first game in charge of the club against Hellas Verona, Roma ditched the back three that Mourinho had lived and died by in favour of a 4-3-2-1 shape.

This new formation helped inject some much-needed creativity in Roma’s play by simply sending out a lot of creative players in the midfield. De Rossi did not do anything too audacious tactically, but he was very quick to devise suitable roles for some of his best players right from the off.

For instance, although Paulo Dybala nominally starts towards the right, he was allowed to adopt a very central attacking midfielder role as Rick Karsdorp pushes up on the flank. On the left, Stephan El Shaarawy tends to stay a lot closer to the touchline, enabling Lorenzo Pellegrini to advance and almost operate alongside Dybala. The other two midfielders – generally Leandro Paredes alongside either Eduardo Bove or Bryan Cristante – often form more of a double pivot to help the team comfortably play out of the back, but the presence of Romelu Lukaku up front also offers Roma the option to go long if need be.

The raw numbers paint a great picture of just how good Roma’s attack has been since De Rossi has taken over. They have scored in every single match under him so far with an average of 2.4 goals per game having netted 22 times in their last nine fixtures. Over the course of the season, no team in Serie A has maintained a better attacking output – not even runaway league leaders Inter.

Of course, that is not to say that Roma should be expected to sustain this level of goalscoring. There are a lot of indications that their output will drop off sooner rather than later. For one, they have faced four of the bottom five in their seven league games under De Rossi so far, so many tougher tests await them. More pertinently, they have significantly overperformed their xG tally of 12.8 in the last nine matches, so they are not creating nearly enough to keep scoring well over two goals a game. Still, there can be no doubting the fact that Roma have looked a very changed team in possession under their new head coach, who has afforded a lot more attacking freedom to his creative players which has helped them make the difference on many an occasion already.

At the other end of the pitch, Roma’s defence has not been too sturdy. A foundation of a Mourinho team is a solid defence, so its unraveling unsurprisingly led to his departure. However, De Rossi seemingly has not invested a lot of time to fix that just yet as Roma have kept just two clean sheets under him having conceded 11 goals with an xGA tally of 8.7.

The Giallorossi do not seem to be comfortable pressing sides high up the pitch, so it remains to be seen whether that is something they develop in the coming weeks and months. For now, they mostly tend to sit in a compact mid-block and aim to frustrate opponents rather than immediately win the ball back. It should be noted that they have improved somewhat in this regard, as De Rossi’s initial blocks had clear holes in them which have now been plugged, while the team is also comfortable switching to a back five on occasion.

All things considered, it is safe to conclude that Roma are heading in the right direction once again. While their initial run of results might be too good to stay true over a longer course of time, the team looks a lot better and far more free-flowing going forward now. There is work to do in all aspects, but the restoration of a positive atmosphere around the club, among the fans in the stadium, and the squad itself is a critical development under a new head coach.

The Europa League tie against Brighton & Hove Albion should prove to be De Rossi’s toughest test yet, so that should give us a good idea of exactly what level Roma are operating at currently.

(Images from IMAGO)

You can follow every Bundesliga game live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Mar

2024

The MLS Team of the Week: Matchday 3

We’re already at Matchday 3 of the 2024 MLS season and there are some familiar names in the latest FotMob TOTW

One of our MLS experts, James Nalton, picks two standout performers based on his votes in the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) Player of the Week awards and discusses a few more of the contenders.

By James Nalton

From the Sunshine State to the Utah snow, Major League Soccer threw up some entertaining clashes in its second full round of action.

The reason this is Matchday 3, not 2, is due to the lone midweek season opener between Inter Miami and Real Salt Lake last month being considered Matchday 1.

Players from both of those teams made my NASR ballot this week.

The Top Two

9.5 FotMob rating: Luis Suárez – Inter Miami

There were signs in pre-season that Suárez was struggling with the well-documented knee issue that had to be managed during his impressive spell with Brazilian side Grêmio, and this led to worries as to how effective he could be in MLS in 2024.

In the second game of Inter Miami’s season, Suárez allayed those worries with a standout performance that steered his team to a 5-0 win against fellow Floridians Orlando City.

Competitive Suárez is a different proposition to pre-season Suárez, and though the physical struggles are still evident in some moments, when it matters the Uruguayan looks like he could challenge Lionel Messi for MVP honours come the end of the season.

In the final 10-15 yards of the field, his movement and link-up play for two goals and an assist was first class.

A first-time finish from a Julian Gressel cross showed great finishing technique for his first, and another linkup with Gressel showed how dangerous he can be around the area.

When through on goal later in the half, Suárez had the chance to net a hat-trick in under 30 minutes but instead squared to Robert Taylor who had an easy tap-in.

An assist for Messi, crossing left-footed for the Argentine to head home rounded off his display.

A statement performance if ever there was one.

FotMob rating 9.3: Carlos Andrés Gómez – Real Salt Lake

After a couple of weather delays, there were questions as to whether this game in Utah should have gone ahead in the snowy conditions, but once it got the green light one player took control of the bright orange ball, and of the game.

Gómez’s first goal in this 3-0 victory against Los Angeles FC saw him leave Mexican defender Omar Campos on the ground before bursting through and scoring with aplomb past Hugo Lloris.

At times the LAFC defence looked like it was playing on ice rather than snow, and Lloris appeared to be struggling due to poor visibility.

But Gómez was able to keep his feet and his balance to take a great setup from Diego Luna and score his second.

A cross into the box for former LAFC forward Cristian Arango rubbed real salt into LAFC’s wounds as RSL drifted to a convincing victory.

Three more standout performers

9.2 FotMob rating: Lionel Messi – Inter Miami

Messi is now happy to be the support act while others—in this case, Suárez and Gressel—are getting the job done.

But even in this more relaxed role for Miami, he remains a standout player in every game he plays.

He was having his shirt pulled by an Orlando player in the box as the ball rebounded off the crossbar following some great play from Suárez and Jordi Alba, but they still couldn’t stop him from scoring.

Unable to get a foot to the ball, he still managed to score with his chest.

Throughout his career, Messi has occasionally been able to show he’s a good header of the ball, too, and a Suárez cross from the left was well placed and the Argentine met it with a perfectly executed header back across goal.

8.8 FotMob rating: Santiago Moreno – Portland Timbers

The Timbers drew 2-2 with DC United on the back of a 4-1 defeat of Colorado Rapids in their opening game, and this week it was Colombian winger Moreno who stood out.

The 23-year-old assisted the opener for Dairon Asprilla and could have had another assist in the first half when he slid Eryk Williamson through on goal.

In the second half, he was on hand at the far post to finish a looping cross from Eric Miller that eventually found its way to him through a crowd.

The Timbers couldn’t hang on to their 2-0 lead which disappointed supporters, and DC United will be encouraged by their comeback, but for the second week in a row, a Portland Timbers player makes our list of standout players.

Moreno doesn’t quite make the FotMob TOTW due to several impressive performances in his position, but maybe something is brewing in Portland?

8.8 Fotmob Rating: Célio Pompeu – St. Louis City

St. Louis were able to see off a weak New York City side, winning 2-0 thanks to the contributions of their 24-year-old left-winger.

The Brazilian showed his intent early on with a shot that rifled off the post.

Later in the half, he used that confidence gained to drive the ball directly at the heart of New York City’s defence.

Having left three defenders trailing in his wake, on this occasion Pompeu was able to find the inside of the post.

A neat through ball for Samuel Adeniran to finish powerfully from the left added an assist to Pompeu’s performance and sealed the victory.

(Images from IMAGO)

You can follow every match from MLS live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Mar

2024

Quiz: Champions League Tuesday

Get sharp for Bayern vs. Lazio and Real Sociedad vs. PSG tonight

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can play more football quizzes like this one at fcQuiz.

Mar

2024

Premier League Team of the Week: Matchday 27

After yet another demolition job in the Premier League, Arsenal dominate the Matchday 27 FotMob Team of the Week. The Gunners ran out 6-0 winners over Sheffield United to heap the pressure onto Liverpool and Manchester City ahead of their top of the table clash next weekend. Who else made the XI though?

By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert

Goalkeeper: Alphonse Areola

Areola is a regular in the Team of the Week. His exploits for West Ham have been a key reason as to why the Hammers find themselves in seventh position. The 31-year-old was the Player of the Match in the recent 3-1 win over Everton.

The West Ham keeper saved a penalty at 0-0 and made a total of nine saves at Goodison Park on Saturday. He faced shots with an Expected Goals on Target value of 4.11, preventing 3.11 goals on the day with a dominant display between the sticks.

Right-Back: Conor Bradley

The 20-year-old hasn’t missed a beat since coming in to replace the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold. This time around, he didn’t score or assist, but he played a pivotal part in Liverpool keeping a clean sheet against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

The young full-back won the most tackles (four of five) while also winning the most duels (10 of 18). Bradley also made seven ball recoveries while managing to carve out two chances as the Reds secured top spot for another week.

Centre-Back: Cristian Romero

The 25-year-old Spurs defender scored the goal to give his side the lead after Ange Postecoglou’s men came from behind to claim all three points against Crystal Palace. Romero also completed the most passes (117 of 126) in the 3-1 win on Saturday.

The Argentine defender was accurate with 75% of his long passes while also winning 6/8 aerial duels in what was an almost perfect performance as Spurs kept their top four hopes alive.

Centre-Back: William Saliba

Another clean sheet for the rampant Gunners, another big William Saliba performance in the heart of the defence. The 22-year-old finished with a pass success rate of 97% on Monday night with 167 of his 172 passes finding a teammate. He played an incredible 16 passes into the final third and recovered the ball on nine occasions, as he played his part at both ends of the pitch.

Left-Back: Jakub Kiwior

Kiwior joins Arsenal teammate Saliba in the FotMob Team of the Week. The 24-year-old scored in the 6-0 win over Sheffield United and he also created a chance. Defensively, he was switched on. The versatile defender won 100% of his tackles, five out of seven duels, and recovered the ball a total of four times on his way to an 8.3 rating.

Midfield: Phil Foden

Foden ensured Manchester remained blue with a dominant derby display. He fired the hosts level with a rocket just after half time and then lashed a second past André Onana with just 10 minutes remaining. He had a total of nine shots and created two chances, one of which was a big chance. The versatile forward had a total of 18 touches in the United penalty area and was the most fouled (four) player on the pitch.

Midfield: Rodri

Rodri was once again the metronome for this Manchester City side. He claimed two assists in the 3-1 win over Manchester United on Sunday. The Spanish playmaker completed the most passes (103) of anyone on the pitch, he created three chances, won five of his eight duels and 50% of his tackles in his 9.0-rated showing.

Midfield: Edson Álvarez

Álvarez really caught the eye in the middle third for West Ham away to Everton. The 26-year-old scored the all-important third goal in the 3-1 win to put the game to bed but his overall showing was ridiculously dominant.

For example, he finished with a pass success rate of 83% while also completing all four of his dribbles. The Mexico international won 10 of his 12 ground duels, made five interceptions and recovered the ball on seven occasions. At times, he was almost a one-man wrecking ball.

Attack: Kai Havertz

Havertz put on a clinic in attack for Arsenal on Monday evening. The former Chelsea man scored and assisted against Sheffield United. He carved out a total of four chances for teammates, finished with a pass success rate of 93% and successfully completed 50% of his attempted dribbles as he went on to claim a match high 8.8 rating.

Attack: Ollie Watkins

After his two-goal showing in Aston Villa’s 3-2 win over Luton Town, only Erling Haaland (18) has more goals than Watkins (16) in the Premier League this season.

The Villa No. 11 had a total of five shots and hit the woodwork but still managed to add two goals to his haul for the campaign. His form over recent weeks has seen him score five goals in his last three outings for the Villans. This coincides with Unai Emery’s men picking up maximum points.

Attack: Gabriel Martinelli

Martinelli is another Arsenal forward who finished the game against Sheffield United with a goal and an assist. The explosive attacker had a total of four shots and assisted two chances for the Gunners. Martinelli had an incredible 11 touches in the opposition penalty area and involved himself in 14 duels before having to be substituted due to injury.

(Images from IMAGO)

You can follow every match from the Premier League live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Mar

2024

MLS Is Back: Five storylines from Matchday Three

There was drama across Major League Soccer as the second full weekend of the 2024 season saw 14 matches played. Inter Miami are setting the pace at the top of the Eastern Conference while Phil Neville has enjoyed a good start to life at the Portland Timbers. Here are five of the biggest storylines from the weekend in MLS.

By Graham Ruthven, MLS Expert

Luis Suárez has come alive for Inter Miami

Luis Suárez still has it – “it” being a sharper eye for goal than almost any other striker of his generation. Questions have been asked of the veteran Uruguayan since joining Inter Miami with many doubtful that he will avoid injury and fitness troubles this year, but Suárez provided some emphatic answers in Saturday’s 5-0 demolition of Orlando City.

His first finish – a first-time, near-post shot from a Julian Gressel pass – was classic Suárez with his second strike also reminiscent of the sort of thing Barcelona and Liverpool fans grew accustomed to seeing. Suárez would have had a first half hat trick had it not been for a marginal offside call, but he did finish with another goal involvement and also got into an argument with an opposition substitute. Suárez has come alive in MLS.

Blizzard was snow problem for Real Salt Lake

A match between Real Salt Lake and Los Angeles FC eventually took place on Saturday after a two-hour delay for heavy snow, not that anyone could actually make out what happened during it. “I think I threw more snowballs at [assistant coach] Ante [Razov] than I did watch the game,” said LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo after a 3-0 loss in blizzard conditions at America First Field.

RSL adapted better and more quickly than the visitors. Andrés Gómez made the difference by registering two goals and an assist, but the conditions dominated the narrative just as much as RSL dominated the match. Players did snow angels on the pitch, fans celebrated with their shirts off and the referee drew 10-yard lines in the snow because his vanishing spray wouldn’t show on the pitch. Scenes – snowy scenes.

Miles Robinson is already showing his worth to FC Cincy

Miles Robinson gave FC Cincinnati their first win of the season with a finish from a Lucho Acosta corner against the Chicago Fire on Saturday, but the USA international showed his worth to his new team in other ways. Indeed, Robinson is already settling in as Cincy’s new dominant centre back with the 26-year-old impressive in all areas of the game.

Starting alongside Matt Miazga for the first time, Robinson was a commanding presence at Solider Field. FC Cincinnati have yet to concede a goal from open play in four competitive matches this season and their latest defensive addition deserves credit for his role in this. Robinson looks the part in orange and blue.

Lewis Morgan shows there’s more to RBNY than Emil Forsberg

Much of the early-season talk about the New York Red Bulls has understandably focused on Emil Forsberg. However, Lewis Morgan’s match-winning performance against the Houston Dynamo served a reminder of what the Scot can offer. Morgan barely featured for RBNY in 2023 due to injury. Now fit again and back in the team, he could be set for a big season in 2024.

Forsberg was influential in a free role against the Dynamo on Saturday, but it was Morgan who netted the winning goal in spectacular fashion. Morgan was RBNY’s top scorer in 2022, notching 15 goals in 33 games, and so his return to form and fitness could be impactful. “I feel like I’ve got some time to make up for,” said Morgan after the 2-1 win over Houston. He’s on his way to doing that.

A motivated Lorenzo Insigne is a game-changer for Toronto FC

Last season was a disaster for Toronto FC as they picked up the Wooden Spoon, so when an off-season overhaul of the squad failed to materialise many feared the worst for the Canadians. If new manager John Herdman can motivate Lorenzo Insigne to find top form, though, it could be a game-changer for TFC. This is something that could genuinely move the needle for them.

Insigne scored a stunning chipped winner away to the New England Revolution on Sunday, producing what might have been his best moment in a Toronto FC shirt. The 32-year-old was signed to be a difference-maker in MLS and he could still be that figure for TFC in 2024. Herdman must get more moments like Sunday’s cheeky chip out of his best player.

(Images from IMAGO)

You can follow every match from MLS live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.