Page 36 – The Pulse of Football

Jul

2024

Olympics Women’s Football Tournament Preview: Emma Hayes faces toughest competition in USWNT debut

The women’s football tournament at the 2024 Olympics is set to be the toughest to date. Only 12 of the world’s best teams have been granted a spot in a format that starts with a four-team group stage before concluding with three knockout rounds. The Gold Medalists will be decided after six games in just 16 days, so everyone is going to be tested to their limit. Here is a look at all the contestants.

By Neel Shelat

France

Hosts France avoided the qualification drama of the UEFA Nations League, although they would have earned a spot either way as they reached the final of that tournament.

Led by Hervé Renard who is set to depart after the tournament, Les Bleues will back themselves to go all the way. The 55-year-old tactician has a reputation as a tournament specialist which he has lived up to, having led France to the quarter-finals of the last World Cup and the aforementioned Nations League final. In the process, he has taken them to their highest-ever FIFA ranking.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Screenshot-2024-07-19-at-14.36.38-1024x222.png

Experience will be the key to their success as they have four players with over 100 caps in their squad, namely Lyon forward Eugénie Le Sommer and Kadidiatou Diani, captain Wendie Renard and midfielder Amandine Henry. Given their age and the tight schedule, though, the younger players will need to step up as well.

Colombia

Colombia have never progressed past the group stage at the Olympics in their two previous appearances, but they will want to change that this time around.

They are entering the tournament in strong shape having finished as the runners-up at the last Copa América and followed it up with their best World Cup to date, reaching the quarter-finals after topping a group that included Germany, South Korea and Morocco.

Colombia were quite an exciting team to watch in Australia as they had a solid defence and dynamic attack led by Mayra Ramírez. The 25-year-old forward helped Chelsea defend the WSL title last season after joining the club in January, but she will want to improve her record of just three goals in 31 matches for the national team.

Canada

Defending Gold Medalists Canada are not in the strongest shape going into the tournament, but then again they found a way to win it last time around despite drawing four of their six games. Their last World Cup did not go well at all as they were knocked out at the group stage, but they decided to stick with Beverly Priestman and give her a second chance. The Canucks did look improved in the Gold Cup earlier this year as they reached the semi-final with 14 goals scored and none conceded across four games before losing out to the USWNT on penalties, but this will be a much bigger test.

This will be the first time that Canada go to the Olympics without legendary forward Christine Sinclair, so the goals will have to come from elsewhere. Between active top-scorer Adriana Leon, Europe-based forwards Cloé Lacasse and Evelyne Viens, Janine Beckie and Jordyn Huitema, they should be able to generate enough attacking threat.

New Zealand

Just a year after recording their best-ever World Cup performance at home, New Zealand enter the Olympics in a bit of turmoil.

Head coach Jitka Klimková has taken a leave of absence for the tournament “while an investigation is concluded into an employment related matter.” She announced this decision less than a month before the tournament kicked off, so one of her assistants Michael Mayne will have to take over on an interim basis.

They also made a huge selection decision in dropping veteran forward Hannah Wilkinson, doubling down on a defence-first approach. Either way, the Football Ferns will be the clear underdogs in Group A as three tough opponents await them.

United States of America

The USWNT are by far the most successful team in Olympic history having won four of the seven editions of the women’s football tournament. As a result, Emma Hayes will have to contend with very high expectations in her very first major international tournament.

Of course, she is quite used to such pressure from her time at Chelsea, so the USWNT have to be considered among the firm favourites for the title, They have top-class quality all over the squad including some stars of the new generation such as defenders Naomi Girma and Jenna Nighswonger, and a host of exciting attackers including Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman and Jaedyn Shaw.

Hayes has a bit of a reputation as a tinkerwoman as she is never afraid to experiment with different combinations and player roles, so her style of management could prove particularly effective in such a tournament where an 18-player squad will have to contend with three games a week.

Zambia

Zambia are enjoying the best period in their footballing history having made their World Cup debut last year and returning for their second straight Olympics after making their first appearance last time around.

They made some waves in Japan, not least thanks to Barbra Banda who became the first woman to score back-to-back hat-tricks at the Olumpics. The 24-year-old forward enters this tournament in even stronger shape as she currently sits atop the NWSL scoring charts after terrorising defences week in week out for the Orlando Pride.

She is not the only superstar forward in Zambia’s squad either, as she will be more than ably supported by Racheal Kundnanji, who became the world’s most expensive female footballer when she left Madrid CFF for Bay FC.

However, having been drawn in the group of death with a dearth of quality in defence, the Copper Queens could well face the same issue they did last time when they scored a good few goals but conceded far too many more.

Germany

Germany just about qualified for the Olympics by defeating the Netherlands in the third-place play-off of the Nations League, escaping another bad result in what is a turbulent period for them on the pitch.

They failed to qualify for the last Olympics and suffered their first-ever group-stage exit at the last World Cup, which eventually cost Martina Voss-Tecklenburg her job. Horst Hrubesch has taken over the role on an interim basis, so his future will likely be decided on the basis of the team’s performance in France.

They are definitely not short of talent as their run to the final in the last Euros showed, but finding the right balance in the squad has since proven to be challenging. Hrubesch’s job was made much more difficult by Lena Oberdof’s injury in their last match, so a lot could ride on how well she can be replaced at the heart of midfield.

Australia

Australia will also be without their star player at the Olympics as Sam Kerr has not yet recovered from her ACL injury, but their overall form has been much more positive. They recorded their best-ever performances in the last edition of both the World Cup and Olympics, reaching the semi-finals.

The Matildas have played some good tournament football under Tony Gustavsson, prioritising defensive solidity in a compact 4-4-2 block and posing a good counterattacking threat through their star forwards. Of course, replacing Kerr’s goals will be the key to their success in France, and part of the answer may well lie in 36-year-old forward Michelle Heyman.

Having retired from international football in 2019, she had to reverse that decision when she was called up earlier this year for the Olympic qualifiers while topping the A-League scoring charts. She scored as many as five goals in the play-off against Uzbekistan, so she could yet enjoy one last hurrah with the Matildas.

Spain

Spain had no international trophies to their name this time a year ago, but they have since gone on to win both the World Cup and the UEFA Nations League. Naturally, then, they are among the favorites for Olympic Gold even though this is their tournament debut.

Besides the results, the manner of their victories was incredibly impressive, particularly in Australia and New Zealand. La Roja employed their typical possession-dominant style of play, passing their way around opposition defences and creating truckloads of great chances.

With world-class players all over their side, Spain will be a force to reckon with at the Olympics.

Japan

As the above stat suggests, Japan also had a pretty good World Cup. They made a memorable run to the semi-finals, looking like strong dark horses for the title at a point as put four past Spain in the group stage.

Under Futoshi Ikeda, they have shown good flexibility between being able to absorb pressure defend solidly before counterattacking against stronger teams and adopting a more front-footed approach in matches where they are the favourites. The former approach will be tested to its limit in France, and they could well use it to cause a couple of upsets.

Nigeria

Nigeria gave a decent account of themselves at the last World Cup too as they went undefeated, only getting knocked out on penalties against eventual finalists England. They managed to keep three clean sheets too, so opponents should expect a tough time against their sturdy defence.

The Super Falcons will hope to see a little more from their attackers, though. They definitely have enough quality in their forward options, so if they can manage to get the goals flowing as well, they too could be a problem for some of the big hitters.

Brazil

Unlike their competitors in Group C, Brazil had a very disappointing World Cup which led to the dismissal of Pia Sundhage. Her successor is Arthur Elias, a man with a great domestic track record and fresh tactical ideas.

He has backed a lot of domestic players as almost half of the players in the Olympic squad are contracted to Brazilian clubs including as many as six players from Corinthians, whom he was coaching before being given the national team job. So, the Seleção are taking quite a changed squad to France, save for one ever-present name.

All the players will be extra motivated to do well knowing that this is going to be Marta’s last major tournament. The legendary forward has announced that she will hang up her international boots at the end of 2024. She is still going strong at 38 years old, so opposition defences must remain wary of her.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the men’s and women’s Olympic Football Tournaments live with FotMob – Download the free app here.

Jul

2024

Fabian Ruiz excelled at EURO 2024 but what happens next for Spain’s hero?

Fabián Ruiz was one of the best players during EURO 2024 as he helped Spain lift the trophy for the third time in the 20th century. But as the regular football season gets set to return, there is a question to be asked about whether he can replicate those heroics at club level.

By Kaustubh Pandey

There was palpable surprise after the conclusion of the EURO 2024 final when Rodri was handed the official Player of the Tournament accolade. While the Manchester City man always brings value to the table, there was a feeling amongst a majority of fans that Fabián Ruiz should have won the award. He had played the entirety of the final – unlike Rodri, and had been impressive throughout the tournament.

*The three best rated players at EURO 2024*

The Paris Saint-Germain man was FotMob’s highest rated player in the tournament, as he scored twice and racked up as many assists. A goal and an assist came in Spain’s all-important tournament against Croatia that set the tone for the rest of the tournament. He bore responsibility against Georgia in the Round of 16, helping La Roja come back from a goal down to win 4-1.

Having said that, Fabián isn’t generally just about the goals and assists and his stints at PSG and Napoli show that he is more about conducting play, carrying the ball from deep, and helping his side construct attacks.

The 28-year-old created the fifth-most big chances in the tournament and was tied alongside Arda Güler and Dani Olmo.

*Fabián Ruiz’s passing stats from EURO 2024*

He essentially operated as the connector between the midfield and the frontline, playing in an advanced role that wasn’t always synonymous with him during his Napoli stint. In a way, the positions that Fabián took up on the left were of a massive help to the mercurial Nico Williams, as the Athletic Bilbao man regularly used the numerical overloads to take opposition defenders on and beat them.

In the final against England though, a slightly different version of Fabián was witnessed. Generally, that is what he is known for – operating deeper. With Rodri taken off due to injury, the PSG man was often the deepest midfielder when Spain built from the back, as he exchanged positions with Martin Zubimendi in the heart of the park. And Fabián impressed in that role, helping in ball progression and showing what a multi-faceted midfielder he is.

That aspect of his playing style has generally been known to many since his time at Napoli, where he even played as a defensive midfielder in times of need and often played out wide, and as the attacking midfielder. But there was a constant feeling that he is a midfielder who can do everything quite well and his stint at PSG is perhaps a reflection of that.

Under compatriot Luis Enrique, Fabián has either played as the defensive midfielder or the central midfielder, with the Parisiens constantly shifting between a double pivot and a midfield three. More often than not, he has played on the right side of the midfield than the left, with Lee Kang-In‘s regular inclusion often forcing him to play deeper. Warren Zaire-Emery‘s emergence has impacted Fabián’s gametime and Vitinha continues to become a rising force for club and country.

As a result, Fabián could play only 21 times in Ligue 1 last season and towards the end of the campaign, he constantly found himself on the bench. In the 2022/23 season, he played 27 times and his exclusion was generally due to injury. But his game time seems to be reducing with every passing season and even though Manuel Ugarte could be on his way to Manchester United, it may not impact Fabián positively because of the potential arrival of João Neves at the club.

Reports have mentioned that Fabián could be seen as a sellable entity by Luis Campos (PSG’s sporting director) and his club and in a way, an exit might benefit the Spaniard.

At the back of the performances at the Euros, the 28-year-old deserves to play much more regularly and in a setup that suits him. Playing on the right – as he has last season, is a different kettle of fish for him and playing on the left always suits him much more, as he did in the summer. Zaïre-Emery too seems to prefer the left of the midfield and he would definitely come on leaps and bounds in the future, potentially endangering Fabián’s situation at the club.

A lot of it, perhaps, also comes down to the system Luis de la Fuente had in place and the element of directness that it had. Enrique’s system, on the other hand, is more insistent on keeping hold of the ball and numerical superiority in midfield.

Even at Napoli, Fabián never quite played in systems where his teams constantly sought to dominate possession. It was more about directness and playing quickly through the lines, which is something the ex-Real Betis man himself likes to do. And right after a major European tournament where he thrived in a similar role, it would be hugely beneficial for Fabián’s career if he does the same at club level.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Jul

2024

Transfer of the Week: Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid, a match made in heaven

Over the course of the summer transfer window, we will take a close look at some of the best business with our ‘Transfer of the Week’ columns. To kick things off, we will focus on what will surely go down as the biggest move of the season – Kylian Mbappé to Real Madrid.

By Neel Shelat

Some transfers demand a lot of analysis in various aspects – the player’s profile, the club’s tactical setup, whether or not the two match and so on and so forth. Some others, though, are very straightforward. One of the world’s very best players joining one of the world’s very best clubs falls firmly in the latter category, at least as far as Kylian Mbappé and Real Madrid are concerned.

The two had been courting each other for quite a while, and for good reason too. Mbappé and Real Madrid are a perfect match, not just because of their world-class quality but also from stylistic and tactical perspectives.

With Carlo Ancelotti in charge, Los Blancos have adopted a very player-oriented approach to their tactics. Last summer’s star signing, Jude Bellingham is a prime example of that. Following his arrival (and the departure of Karim Benzema at the same time), the Italian tactician surprised everyone by switching to a 4-3-1-2 formation with Bellingham as the number ten and no recognised striker more often than not – including in the UEFA Champions League final.

*Madrid starting line-up, Champions League Final 2023/24*

Truthfully, though, there is no point in understanding Real Madrid’s approach through shapes and numbers. The key to everything they did involved giving their best players the freedom and roles that best suit their style of play. So, Vinícius Júnior regularly peeled out all the way to the left touchline in this formation to receive the ball and dribble out wide while Bellingham picked up pockets of space between opposition lines in central regions, Rodrygo drifted inside from the right and Federico Valverde or Dani Carvajal added width to the attacks on the right.

That was just one of many variations Los Blancos used depending on their XI and the opponent, but the point is Ancelotti will do anything to give his players the best platform possible to shine.

One consequence of the makeup of Real Madrid’s attack was that it naturally became heavily left-biased – as many as 40% of their attacks developed down that side. So, the big question many have posed about Mbappé’s signing is whether adding another left-sided attacker to such a side is a good idea.

The answer is a resounding yes. For most teams, going too heavy on one wing in attack is a bad thing because it makes them predictable and easy to defend against, but there is an exception when the players on that wing are as good as Vinícius, Mbappé and Bellingham are. The opponents could get half their team to support the full-back, and they’d still have a very tough time stopping these attackers.

The other concern that has been raised on the back of Vinícius’ stellar seasons is whether his influence will be limited by Mbappé’s presence or if the two might get in each others’ way a bit. That is a non-issue as well, as both have the quality and intelligence to form a great partnership and soon should develop great understanding. Moreover, while they may play on the same side, they do not tend to occupy the same zones. As aforementioned, the Brazilian winger likes to drift out wide and start his dribbles close to the touchline, whereas the French forward is better off in the channel from where he can drive towards goal and always be close to shooting range.

Of course, Mbappé brings goals to the table more than anything else having scored at least 39 goals across all competitions for Paris Saint-Germain in all but two seasons since joining them in 2017.

Unlike most prolific forwards, though, he does not necessarily get on the scoresheet by taking up dangerous positions in the box and getting on the end of crosses and cut-backs. While he can do that, he is much better at getting shots off after carrying the ball, typically driving inside onto his right foot from the left. His shotmap from the last Ligue 1 season illustrates that tendency.

Of course, his finishing quality needs no description, so in this way, Mbappé could be the crowning jewel in Real Madrid’s already-exceptional attack as someone who can consistently return with 40 goals a season.

He is sure to be supported by Vinícius and Bellingham, but the fourth attacking spot on the right side might be up for grabs. Rodrygo will be the most established candidate but youngsters such as Endrick and Arda Güler will pose a good challenge, while someone like Valverde could be an option in certain games where Ancelotti wants to add some defensive balance to the side.

The defending side of things is the only aspect the Italian tactician will really have to think about. Even last season, Real Madrid were far from the best team in the world out of possession as their high press was generally disjointed and poor. Quite often, Bellingham would step up to chase the ball but not receive adequate backing from his teammates, allowing the opposition to easily play around him. Adding another player who does very little defensive work to the side will have to be carefully managed, and will possibly require more tracking back from Vinícius.

On the flip side, though, having Mbappé up top makes Real Madrid even more of a scary counterattacking prospect, so many sides will have to be incredibly cautious while attacking them. In most games, that should be enough to support the defence even if the current issues are not fixed.

All things considered, it seems impossible that Mbappé’s move to Real Madrid is anything but a blockbuster success. Florentino Pérez wheeled out his side’s 15 Champions League trophies for his unveiling, and they should have a few more to manage by the time they sign their next superstar.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Jul

2024

Roberto De Zerbi’s appointment at Marseille is a gamble for all parties concerned

Not so long ago, it seemed Roberto De Zerbi would have his pick of some of Europe’s biggest clubs. AC Milan, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Liverpool, Juventus, Napoli and Manchester United were, at one time or another all, all linked with the Italian coach who made a profound impact over nearly two seasons at Brighton.

By Graham Ruthven

It is therefore somewhat surprising that De Zerbi has ended up at Marseille this summer. The 45-year-old has signed a three-year contract with the Ligue 1 club and has outlined his plan to “help the club regain the position that Marseille deserves.” According to Marseille owner Frank McCourt, De Zerbi “shares our vision for the future of the club.”

Marseille, of course, aren’t a small club. By many metrics, they are the biggest club in France. OM are still the only French club to have ever won the Champions League and there is genuine upside to De Zerbi’s decision to make the move to Stade Velodrome. With the right manager – and the right investment – Marseille could challenge Paris Saint-Germain.

Despite this, De Zerbi’s move to Marseille could be a career-defining gamble. While nobody doubts the 45-year-old’s tactical acumen, questions surfaced over his temperament and adaptability towards the end of his time at Brighton. De Zerbi needs to succeed at Marseille to resume his upward trajectory.

Brighton finished last season with just one win from their final 10 league fixtures. This led to the Seagulls finishing a lowly 11th place in the Premier League table as De Zerbi openly speculated about his future at the club. After defeat to Roma in the Europa League round of 16, there was a sense that De Zerbi took his hands off the wheel.

The Italian coach and Brighton owner Tony Bloom clashed over transfer strategy before De Zerbi’s exit was announced. Brighton, of course, are renowned for their ability to find value in untapped parts of the transfer market (see Argentina, Ecuador and Scandinavia), but De Zerbi reportedly wanted more experience in his squad.

De Zerbi even talked about his interest in one day coaching Marseille when Brighton were paired with the French team in the Europa League last season. “The club reminds me a bit of Napoli when I was there as a player, in terms of the passion,” said De Zerbi just a few months before his appointment at Stade Velodrome.

After André Villas-Boas, Jorge Sampaoli, Igor Tudor, Marcelino, Gennaro Gattuso and Jean-Louis Gasset, De Zerbi is Marseille’s seventh permanent manager in the last three years. American businessman and former Los Angeles Dodgers owner McCourt bought the Ligue 1 club in 2016 and promised improvement, but not one trophy has been lifted during his tenure. Chaos, however, hasn’t been in short supply.

If De Zerbi had an issue with Brighton’s transfer strategy, it’s unlikely he will tolerate Marseille’s approach to the transfer market any better. Villas-Boas left Stade Velodrome after a disagreement over transfers. 16 months later, Sampaoli vented similar frustrations after just one full season in charge.

Nonetheless, De Zerbi has the opportunity to mould Marseille’s squad in his own image with a rebuild under way this summer. Central midfielder Ismaël Koné has arrived from Watford after his high energy performances for Canada at the Copa America, with promising centre-back Bamo Meïté lured from Lorient. On top of this, Mason Greenwood has completed a move from Manchester United in a transfer opposed by Marseille’s mayor.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was the only Marseille player to even get close to double figures in Ligue 1 last season, but the Gabonese striker has departed the club for Al-Qadsiah in the Saudi Pro League. This will provide an early test of the new union between De Zerbi and Marseille – can the club’s ownership find a replacement as good as Aubameyang?

Culturally, De Zerbi could be a good fit for Marseille. Indeed, this is a fanbase that will embrace the Italian’s high-intensity brand of football. It is, after all, a high-intensity sort of club. However, the coach Pep Guardiola labelled “one of the most influential managers of the last 20 years” has a point to prove in his new job. De Zerbi must use Marseille to show he could cut it at the very top.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every Ligue 1 game live with FotMob – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Jul

2024

The MLS Team of the Week: Matchday 27

Our Major League Soccer expert James Nalton explains his two votes for the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) MLS Player of the Matchday and picks out three more standout players from the latest round of action.

By James Nalton

The Top Two

9.5 FotMob rating: Federico Redondo, Inter Miami

It was an outstanding all-round performance from 22-year-old Redondo in the absence of Inter Miami’s star players Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets.

His assist for the opening goal showed great vision, lofting a ball over the Toronto defence into the path of Diego Gómez.

He scored a header at the far post from a free-kick crossed in by Julian Gressel and then turned one in on the edge of the six-yard box from Gómez’s pull-back.

Inter Miami ran out 3-1 winners, and Redondo – son of former Madrid midfielder and Argentina international Fernando – was the star.

He completed 92% of his passes, had 81 touches, won four tackles and made three interceptions.

9.7 FotMob rating: Tai Baribo, Philadelphia Union

Philadelphia Union haven’t featured much in this column this season because, in short, they haven’t been very good.

The usually competitive Union sat bottom of the Eastern Conference going into this game, but there was still plenty of attention on them this week.

That’s because the highly-rated 14-year-old Cavan Sullivan was set to feature in the first-team squad, potentially making his debut and becoming the youngest-ever MLS player, taking the record Freddy Adu has held since 2004.

And Sullivan did come off the bench to make his debut aged 14 years and 293 days, breaking Adu’s record by 13 days, but this game was also a much-needed Union win, 5-1 against New England, led by forward Baribo.

His striking instincts saw him turn in the opener inside the six-yard box at a set-piece routine, and he was then on hand to finish well from Mikael Uhre’s cutback for a second.

His hat-trick goal was a well-hit first-time finish across the ball from a typically great delivery from Kai Wagner, who also stood out.

The comfortable lead allowed Sullivan to enter the field with no pressure and take Adu’s record.

The goal scored by his older brother, Quinn, was the best of the game, and the younger sibling did not look out of place once in the action, nor in his post-match interview.

Three more standout performers

8.7 FotMob rating: Chris Brady, Chicago Fire

FC Cincinnati have stumbled in recent weeks in their quest to defend their Supporters’ Shield crown, and their latest attempt to keep pace with Inter Miami and Columbus Crew in the Eastern Conference saw them thwarted by an excellent performance from the Chicago Fire goalkeeper.

He made seven saves in total, preventing an xG of 1.15, including stops from Luca Orellano, Aaron Boupendza, and Yamil Asad.

At the other end, on the back of Brady’s work, Brian Gutiérrez gave Chicago the 1-0 win after great work from Hugo Cuypers.

9.4 FotMob rating: Christian Benteke, DC United

Benteke hasn’t been his usual goal-getting self in recent weeks. He had only scored once in DC United’s last eight games, something that wasn’t helped by the fact he was suspended for two of them.

But he was back in the groove against Minnesota United, scoring two goals and assisting another.

Benteke is the clear focal point for this team and took advantage of some poor Minnesota defending to charge through and score the opener.

Minnesota were 2-1 up as the 90th minute approached, but Benteke headed the ball across goal from a corner for Aaron Herrera to score the equaliser and then scored the winner himself, picking up on a Lucas Bartlet header from a free kick.

It was a typically aerially dominant display from the Belgian to go along with his goals, winning 14 aerial duels on the night.

8.9 FotMob rating: Gabriel Pec, LA Galaxy

The Big FotMob 2024 MLS preview picked out Pec as one of the new signings to watch in the league this season.

His regular appearances among the top players of the week have backed up this suggestion, and he was once again in top form for LA Galaxy as they returned to winning ways, defeating fellow Western Conference contenders Colorado Rapids 3-2.

A delicate chip across the field found Diego Fagúndez in acres of space to give his side the lead, and a surging run down the right ended with a cross for Joseph Paintsil to tap in.

Paintsil and Riqui Puig also stood out, but Pec finished the game having created four chances, completed four dribbles, and 91% of his passes attempted as the performance and the win saw LA Galaxy return to the top of the Western Conference.

(Cover Image 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.

Jul

2024

In Joao Palhinha, Bayern now have the player they were crying out for last season

Bayern Munich’s need for a new number six was obvious last season. The Bavarians’ lack of structure and security in the centre of the pitch was brutally exposed in several matches as Bayer Leverkusen ran away with the Bundesliga title. More than once, Thomas Tuchel bemoaned his team’s lack of a top class midfield anchor. João Palhinha was meant to be that player.

By Graham Ruthven

The Portuguese midfielder travelled to Germany to complete a transfer from Fulham last summer. A fee was agreed. The medical took place. Pictures of Palhinha in the Bayern Munich kit were even taken. Fulham, however, couldn’t find a replacement before the deadline and the transfer collapsed.

A year on, Palhinha has made the move to Bayern Munich, completing a transfer worth a reported €50m plus add-ons earlier this month. Through no fault of his own, the 29-year-old is already having to make up for lost time. What happened last year was regrettable. Now, though, Palhinha has the opportunity to prove why Bayern were right to return for him.

“It was important that we never lost touch,” said Bayern Munich sporting director Max Eberl, referencing what happened last summer. “João really wanted to come to Bayern, and we need players like that. He’s an important building block for our future. He will give us greater stability in the centre.”

Palhinha revels in doing the dirty work. Last season overall, he averaged 5.1 tackles per 90 minutes for Fulham, placing him in the top 1% of Premier League midfielders with a success rate of 2.5 tackles per 90. He also averaged 1.5 interceptions per 90 minutes, placing him in the top 10% for that metric, and 1.9 blocks per 90 minutes, ranking him in the top 5% in this category. These numbers illustrate the sort of midfielder Palhinha is.

*Palhinha’s defensive stats for Fulham in the Premier League 2024/25*

Physically, the Portuguese is an imposing presence in the centre of the pitch. Standing at 6ft 3”, Palhinha’s long stride allows him to cover a lot of ground and win aerial duels. He also boasts excellent football intelligence and general reading of the game. There were few better in the Premier League at disrupting opposition moves than Palhinha. His positional awareness is elite.

At Euro 2024, Palhinha earned a place in Portugal’s midfield unit with his ability to switch play quickly key to getting Rafael Leão into one-on-one situations against opposition defenders. This is something that could help Bayern get the best out of their wide attackers. Palhinha’s biggest strengths can be found against the ball, but he offers something in possession too.

*Portugal’s XI vs. Slovenia, with Palhinha earning the highest FotMob rating*

All this highlights why Bayern Munich were so keen to land the Portuguese international. Theoretically, Palhinha should be the perfect safety net for the Bavarians’ counter-pressing style. A lot will be demanded of the 29-year-old to cover for his new attacking teammates higher up the pitch, but he has the skill set to succeed at the Allianz Arena.

After a protracted managerial search that saw Bayern Munich approach several candidates including Xabi Alonso, Julian Nagelsmann and Ralf Rangnick, Vincent Kompany has been hired to restore the Bavarians as the Bundesliga’s dominant force. The pressure is on after Bayer Leverkusen’s runaway title triumph last season.

Michael Olise’s arrival from Crystal Palace should give Bayern Munich more creativity higher up the pitch with the young French winger a consistent goal threat and assist provider. Olise was strongly linked with Chelsea and Manchester United, so it was something of a coup for Bayern to get the deal done for a reported €60m.

Hiroki Ito has also been signed by Bayern Munich after an impressive 2023/24 campaign for Stuttgart. The Japanese centre back is an exceptional defensive all-rounder who will give the Bavarians another option at the back as doubts continue to linger about Dayot Upamecano whose lapses in concentration were a problem last term.

Palhinha, however, will almost certainly be the most impactful signing made by Bayern Munich this summer. Olise is an exciting addition, but the Bavarians already had attacking difference-makers. Ito will strengthen the defensive ranks, but it’s unclear if he is a true upgrade on Kim Min-Jae, Matthijs de Ligt or Upamecano. Palhinha, on the other hand, offers something different. Something much-needed.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Jul

2024

Angel Di Maria bows out of international football as an Argentina legend

Argentina narrowly prevailed 1-0 in Sunday’s Copa América Final against Colombia, with substitute Lautaro Martínez sealing the deal in the 112th minute and avoiding a penalty shootout in Miami. Whilst Colombia were unable to end a victorious era for the Albiceleste, one cycle did come to an end in Florida: Ángel Di María’s time with the Argentina national team.

By Zach Lowy

Humble Beginnings in Argentina

Whilst Di María may not be regarded in the same vein as compatriots Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona when it comes to the greatest footballers of all time, he will nevertheless go down as one of the most clutch footballers in the history of the sport. A player who rises to the occasion in the most decisive moments, who shines the beacon in the most turbulent of storms, and who, no matter how hot the emotions are running, always retains ice in his veins. Call it clutch or divine intervention, it has been with him since he was a toddler – one day when he was three years old, Di María had wandered onto the street in his stroller and came within inches of getting hit by an oncoming car, only for his mother to rush out of their house and push him out of the way.

Growing up on the mean streets of Rosario, Di María helped his father bag charcoal so that he could sell it on the market, and whenever his boots came apart, his mother would glue them back together. Desperate for a career that could shepherd his family out of poverty, Di María continued to hone his skills at Rosario Central’s academy after joining the club at the age of three, but by the time he was 16, his development seemed to have reached a standstill. His father handed him an ultimatum: return to his academic studies, work alongside him in his charcoal business, or break into Rosario’s first team within a year. With just weeks remaining in their agreement, Di María finally made his professional debut on December 14, 2005.

Di María registered 6 goals and 2 assists in 39 total appearances for his boyhood club, but it wasn’t until 2007 that his first huge break came. Playing alongside future Albiceleste internationals like Sergio Romero and Sergio Agüero, Di María led Argentina to glory in the U-20 World Cup, and his stellar tournament caught the attention of Benfica, who signed him for an initial fee of €6 million. The lanky teenager from Santa Fe had finally hit the big time – he was going to be playing for one of the most successful teams in Europe. He bought a house for his mother and sisters, and asked his father to quit his job and move with him to Lisbon, where he made 44 appearances in his debut campaign.

One year after guiding Argentina to the title in Canada, Di María headed to China and made a name for himself in the Summer Olympics. With the score level in the 105th minute, Di María latched onto a through ball from Lionel Messi and evaded the lunging tackle of a Dutch defender before sliding it into the bottom right corner of the net. Argentina were going to the semifinals, where they would annihilate Brazil 3-0 and set up a date with Nigeria in the final. With an opportunity for the gold medal on the line, Di María once again made the difference, picking up a pass from Messi in the 58th minute and hustling from the centre circle all the way to the edge of the box before chipping the incoming Nigerian goalkeeper with the grace and composure of a veteran forward. As the rest of the players waited with bated breath to see if the ball would trickle in, Di María was already relishing the moment, with arms wide open and a mile-wide grin that spread like wildfire throughout the traveling Albiceleste support in Beijing.

Road to Superstardom

Di María’s father broke both of his knees as a youngster, whilst his grandfather lost both of his legs in a train accident. His patriarchal role models were unable to pursue their footballing dreams due to grave injuries, but as for Di María, he has been blessed with the luck of not having to cope with lengthy spells on the sidelines. According to Transfermarkt, Di María has not missed more than five weeks due to a single injury (apart from a 52-day spell in the summer of 2015).

“My dream was close to dying so many times” stated Di María in an interview with the Player’s Tribune. “But my father kept working under the tin roof, my mother kept pedalling, I kept running into space.”

Never one to take this good fortune for granted, Di María made the most of it and quickly cemented his reputation as one of the most promising wingers in football, leading Benfica to the 2009/10 Primeira Liga title and Taça da Liga title whilst also finishing as the top assist provider in the Portuguese league. It wasn’t long before Maradona was hailing him as Argentina’s next top superstar, with ‘El Pelusa’ calling him up for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Di María started four out of five matches as Argentina were sent packing from the tournament by Germany, and his impressive displays would draw the attention of Real Madrid, who signed him for €25 million plus €11 million in incentives.

After an inconsistent start to life in Spain, Di María was able to finally make some inroads in the 2011/12 campaign under José Mourinho, winning a place in the starting XI and scintillating the Santiago Bernabéu with his rapid dribbling and immaculate crossing. With Di María working his magic on the flanks, Real slammed the door shut on Barcelona’s dynasty, claiming a LaLiga record 100 points and 121 goals. Two years later, Di María was forced to adapt to a new role as an attacking midfielder in Carlo Ancelotti’s 4-3-3 following the arrival of Gareth Bale. Not only did he make the transition, but he thrived in the centre of the pitch, finishing as LaLiga’s top assist provider (17) and opening the scoring against Barcelona in their 2-1 win in the 2014 Copa del Rey Final. Di María returned to his former stomping grounds and delivered a Man of the Match performance in the UEFA Champions League Final, dribbling past a sea of Atlético Madrid defenders before forcing a point-blank save from Thibaut Courtois and giving Bale the chance to head home from close range in the 110th minute. Real won 4-1 at the Estádio da Luz, ending a 12-year wait for an elusive 10th Champions League title.

Di María headed to Brazil, where he would continue his big-game heroics by breaking the deadlock in the 118th minute of their Round of 16 match against Switzerland before assisting Gonzalo Higuaín’s goal in their quarterfinal tie. That same match, he injured his hamstring and missed out on the rest of the World Cup, with Germany prevailing 1-0 in the final courtesy of Mario Götze’s late winner. A few weeks later, Di María packed his bags for England and joined Manchester United for a Premier League record £59.7 million, with James Rodríguez’s arrival making him surplus to requirements at Real. However, he was never quite able to convince under Louis van Gaal and found himself on the move after one year in England, taking his talents to Paris Saint-Germain for £44 million.

The Argentine quickly gained a new lease on life in France, setting a Ligue 1 record with 18 assists in the 2015/16 season and winning four domestic trophies. However, his improved fortunes failed to translate to the international level. For the third straight year, Di María picked up an injury midway through the tournament, and for the second straight year, he watched from the sidelines as Chile edged Argentina on penalties in the Copa América Final.

After the Storm Comes the Rainbow

Nicknamed “El Fideo” or “The Noodle” for his slender frame, it seemed that the only thing thinner than Di María body were his chances of winning a trophy with Argentina. More heartbreak and anguish ensued for Di María, with his Albiceleste side losing to eventual champions France and Brazil in the 2018 World Cup and the 2019 Copa América. And whilst he did add 19 trophies to his cabinet during his time at the Parc de Princes, he was unable to guide PSG to a maiden Champions League trophy. Six years after spurring Real Madrid to La Décima at the Luz, Di María’s PSG came up short and lost 1-0 to Bayern Munich in the 2020 final at the Luz. The following season, they lost to Manchester City in the semifinals and missed out on the Ligue 1 title to Lille on the final day of the campaign. Little did Di María know it, but redemption was just around the corner.

Argentina returned to the Copa América Final for the third time in four attempts, and apart from a 1-0 win vs. Paraguay in the group stage which saw him tee up Papu Gómez’s 10th-minute goal with an expertly timed through ball, Di María would come off the bench in four of Argentina’s first five fixtures. However, Lionel Scaloni would change his tune for the last match as Nicolás González dropped out for El Fideo. For the first time in 13 years, Di María was going to have the opportunity to contest an international final for Argentina.

Going up against the host nation and the defending champion, Argentina took the advantage in the 22nd minute as Rodrigo de Paul sliced through Brazil’s defense with surgical precision, and when Renan Lodi failed to clear the danger, Di María was there to cushion the ball down and delicately chip it past the onrushing goalkeeper and into the back of the net. Argentina held on for their first senior trophy since 1993, kicking off a pattern of excellence that has remained until this day.

By the time the 2022 FIFA World Cup commenced in Qatar, plenty of things had changed: Di María and Leandro Paredes had swapped PSG for Juventus, Messi had left Barcelona for PSG, whilst De Paul had made the move from Udinese to Atlético Madrid. Argentina would begin the tournament by losing a World Cup opener for the first time since 1990, with a shocking defeat to Saudi Arabia throwing their silverware hopes into disarray. Unable to find a way past a resolute Mexico backline, it seemed that Argentina were headed for an early exit until the 64th minute as Di María attracted the attention of several green shirts before sliding the ball towards Messi, who obliged with a ferocious shot from distance. Argentina would go on to win 2-0 against Mexico and Poland to finish atop their group, but they suffered a damning blow as Di María incurred a muscle overload in his left foot. He managed just eight minutes in the quarterfinal against the Netherlands and didn’t suit up for either knockout round match vs. Australia and Croatia – it seemed that once again, Di María in an international final was a luxury that Argentina could not afford.

Eternal Greatness

Eight years before, Di María had been denied the opportunity of contesting a World Cup Final by Real Madrid, who had feared exacerbating his injury and jeopardizing a potential transfer. He wasn’t going to let anyone stop him this time.

He ran rampant on the left flank and showed off his sensational close control and change of direction, and it didn’t take long before he had given Argentina the advantage, feigning to cross before maneuvering past Ousmane Dembélé and making a break for the box, where Ousmane elected to push him to the ground. Messi converted from the penalty spot whilst Di María doubled the lead before halftime, putting the finishing touches on a well-worked counter-attack and lasting until the 64th minute, before making way for Marcos Acuña. The next hour would see Messi and Kylian Mbappé trade blows like a pair of veteran prizefighters, but ultimately, it was Gonzalo Montiel’s penalty that sealed a historic victory for Argentina. After 36 years of heartbreak, Argentina were finally world champions.

Di María returned to Benfica in the summer of 2023 on a free transfer, racking up 17 goals and 15 assists in 48 appearances before heading to the United States for the Copa América. This time, his body cooperated: Di María started all but one match as Argentina returned to the biggest stage in South American football, scoring eight goals and conceding just once. Once again, Di María came up clutch in the final, completing six out of seven crosses, creating three chances, registering two shots on target and eight recoveries, and winning CONMEBOL’s Player of the Match. With Messi hobbling off in the second half due to an ankle injury, Di María held down the fort and led the line with customary poise and dynamism until Martínez finally opened the scoring against Colombia in extra time. Desperate to shore up the backline and protect their lead, Scaloni subbed Di María off for Nicolás Otamendi for the final minutes of his international swan song. As Sunday turned into Monday in Miami, Di María walked out with his teammates for the final time and basked in the splendor of the occasion.

At 36 years of age, El Fideo leaves behind a monumental legacy for club and country: only Messi (187) and Javier Mascherano (147) have more caps than Di María (145), only Messi (55) has more assists than him (29), whilst only Messi (109), Gabriel Batistuta (56), Agüero (41), Hernán Crespo (35) and Maradona (34) have scored more than Di María (31). Moreover, only Cristiano Ronaldo (42) and Messi (40) have racked up more assists in the UEFA Champions League than Di María (39). It remains to be seen whether or not Di María will renew his contract at Benfica and attempt to leapfrog his two former teammates in the assist charts, or if he will depart his club on a free transfer for the third straight year and pursue a new opportunity outside of Europe, but one thing’s for sure: Ángel Di María will go down as one of the greatest players of his generation.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Jul

2024

Statistical standouts and surprises from Euro 2024: Gakpo, Ronaldo, Kadioglu

Euro 2024 has come and gone, with Spain not exactly pre-tournament favourites – but ending as expected champions given their performances as the summer progressed, beating England in the final. There were plenty of surprises along the way and while some were team-wide, others were tournament-based and could be measured in numbers – such as a remarkably low tally of three goals being enough to seal a share of the Golden Boot for six different players.

By Karl Matchett

2012 was the last time that happened, back when there was still a proper ruling in place to award a single boot to one player – Fernando Torres – rather than this year’s strangeness of basically sharing a toe apiece.

While “own goals” officially got the most, with ten, that’s one shy of Euro 2020’s record. Arda Güler, meanwhile, set the record for youngest debutant goalscorer at 19 years 114 days, with Lamine Yamal of course breaking the all-time youngest scorer in the semi-finals against France at 16 years and 362 days.

One other anomaly from Spain’s triumph: Jesús Navas set a new record as the player with the most years between his two medals at the European Championship: a winner back in 2012 as well as this summer, his 12-year gap beats Rainer Bonhof’s West Germany wins in ‘72 and ‘80. That man remains the only non-Spaniard to win the Euros twice.

The fastest goal was set by Nedim Bajrami, gifted an Albania goal by Italy after 23 seconds, while Hungary’s goal ten minutes into stoppage time to kill off Scotland was the latest one ever scored at a Euros in 90 minutes.

Individually, though, and away from just goals, come some of the more surprising stand-outs.

There is, for example, the previously out-of-form Cody Gakpo turning up to fire Netherlands through to the semi-finals – not just with goals though, but also creativity. Had some of his teammates matched his finishing they might have gone further: Gakpo finished with four big chances created to go with his three goals – only Yamal created more than him. However, Gakpo registered just one assist from an xA of 1.9; Spain’s two wingers claimed five between them from 4.1 xA.

From creating to missing, the worst culprit at the Euros for spurning statistically defined big chances was Germany’s Kai Havertz. The centre-forward missed seven big chances, but as he had an overall 10.5% conversion rate, there’s perhaps less blame on his shoulders than two others for early exits. Romalu Lukaku, for example, missed six big chances. Cristiano Ronaldo missed five, to complete a big top three of worst offenders. But while Lukaku’s cumulative xG for the tournament was 1.7, Ronaldo’s was 3.6 – and both of them managed precisely zero per cent conversion, with zero goals. Compared to Havertz’s two goals from a 4.1xG, it makes the fading Portuguese forward the tournament’s worst offender by a distance.

It’s not all about big chances, though, with consistency of chance creation naturally leading to sustained pressure, a team being on top and still the opportunity to score.

That makes two players impressive from outside of the ranks of forwards: in the top ten for overall chances created, a succession of wide forwards and central midfield playmakers and set-piece takers crowd the list. However, two full-backs also appear: Joshua Kimmich of Germany on the right (15 total, 2.8 per 90) and Ferdi Kadıoğlu (12 total, 2.4 per 90). The latter was genuinely excellent at the tournament, defensively resilient as well as clearly impacting going forwards: better than 92% of players at chance creation as well as both cross accuracy and tackles won, above 89% for successful dribbles and above a massive 95% of players for duels won per 90. All this impact including the most tackles and duels attempted by any player at the tournament – and just one foul made, with no bookings at all.

Finally a word for the goalkeepers, though really it’s just for one as the top stopper in most regards. Giorgi Mamardashvili was of course kept busy as Georgia made it to the last 16 on their tournament debut, and they conceded plenty along the way.

But it would have been an astronomical value if not for him and certainly their story would have ended in the group stage.

Mamardashvili made an average of 7.5 saves per 90 minutes – the second-placed keeper in that regard made just 4.3. Across the whole tournament he prevented 4.7 extra goals going in across just four games (by their xG value), again well clear of Jan Oblak in second. He was top stopper for sure and this tournament will only add to him being in-demand at club level.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Jul

2024

Thierry Henry is targeting nothing but gold for France at this summer’s Olympics

Thierry Henry carried the Olympic torch through Paris in preparation for this summer’s Olympic Games in his home city and the former Arsenal forward will carry the hopes of the home nation as France manager in the men’s football tournament. After Euro 2024 disappointment, the Olympics present Les Bleus with another shot at glory.

By Graham Ruthven

40 years have passed since France last won gold in the men’s football tournament. For 16 years between 2000 and 2016, they didn’t even qualify for the Olympics. The Games haven’t always been a priority for France, but with Paris hosting the 2024 Olympics a deep run is being targeted this summer.

New Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise has been included in Henry’s 22-man squad for the tournament with his now former-Crystal Palace teammate Jean-Philippe Mateta also picked. Alexandre Lacazette will feature as an overage player with Rayan Cherki another Lyon player who has the potential to make his mark.

France’s performances at this summer’s Olympics could offer a hint of what the country’s senior team could look like in the years to come. Mateta, for instance, could succeed Olivier Giroud as France’s first-choice centre forward after the 37-year-old’s decision to retire from international duty. The Palace striker is a more traditional focal point than either Randal Kolo Muani or Marcus Thuram.

Castello Lukeba is another with the potential to feature for France’s senior team with the 21-year-old a first team figure for RB Leipzig. The central defender is physically strong, covers ground quickly and is comfortable in possession. He fits the mould of a modern centre back and is still improving with Chelsea reportedly interested in signing him.

Manu Koné is a ball-carrying midfielder whose dynamism could have been useful for France at Euro 2024. The 23-year-old was linked with Liverpool last summer and could use this summer’s Olympic Games as a platform to prove his readiness for the elite level. His defensive work will be key to Henry’s overall team structure.

The hope was that Kylian Mbappé would play at the 2024 Olympics with the Real Madrid star open to playing at the tournament. However, clubs aren’t obligated to release their players for the Olympics, making it unlikely that Real Madrid would let their newest superstar leave just weeks after joining.

That makes Olise the most reliable difference-maker in France’s Olympics squad, particularly after bagging a brace in last week’s warm-up friendly against the Dominican Republic. The London-born winger is tipped to play for France’s senior team one day and could give Les Bleus some much-needed creativity higher up the pitch after a Euro 2024 campaign that saw Didier Deschamps’ team unable to impose themselves on opponents.

Deschamps is expected to stay on as France manager despite much discussion about his future, but changes are required ahead of the 2026 World Cup. This is where Henry’s Olympic team could offer some solutions. The tournament will be a chance for several promising young players to prove they could make the step up.

For Henry, though, winning is all that matters for his French Olympic team on home soil. “When I arrived here, I spoke to the president of the FFF (French Football Federation) and I told him that I was visualising gold. No matter who is on this team, we must try to get that gold medal,” said the 46-year-old who has been France U21 head coach for the past year.

Henry himself has a point to prove this summer. While the 1998 World Cup winner is still revered for what he achieved as a player, his managerial record leaves much to be desired. Indeed, Henry was dismissed after just 20 games in charge of Monaco and failed to make much of an impression in his time as head coach of MLS side CF Montreal either. Henry needs the Olympics to go well.

Olympic football isn’t as prestigious in the men’s game as it is on the women’s side, but this tournament could be a testing ground for some of France’s most promising young players like Olise, Cherki and Lukeba. This is about more than just going for gold. This could be where Deschamps gets some much-needed new ideas.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Jul

2024

Analysis: Argentina have replaced the world’s best player with one of the best teams

Argentina became the most successful team in Copa América history by lifting the trophy for the 16th time in Miami last weekend. They also are the most successful international team in the 2020s so far having won every major tournament they have participated in – two Copas América and one FIFA World Cup. That is quite a remarkable turnaround for a nation that failed to win any silverware for almost three decades prior to this run.

By Neel Shelat

In fact, Argentina have lost just two of their 63 fixtures since being eliminated from the 2019 Copa América against Brazil. Clearly, Lionel Scaloni has done an incredible job of taking them to the top and keeping them there, and even more impressively, he has done so while their best player – and one of the best the world has ever seen – is in the twilight of his career.

A Constant Quest for Balance

Ever since he broke through at Barcelona, it has been abundantly clear to everyone in the world that Lionel Messi is one of the greatest to ever play the beautiful game. He quickly won everything he possibly could with his club, but despite eight attempts, an international trophy with his beloved Argentina continued to elude him. Sometimes, he was not adequately supported by his teammates on the pitch, sometimes the weight of pressure on him was simply far too much, but either way, it was clear that he could not single-handedly lead Argentina to glory no matter how good he was.

The Albiceleste’s Round of 16 loss to France in a seven-goal thriller in the 2018 World Cup proved to be a real turning point. It was the first international tournament Messi played in after turning 30, so at the time, people began to seriously reckon with the possibility that the great man could one day have to bow out from the international stage without lifting a trophy. For their part, the Argentine FA did what they always seemed to do – change managers after another disappointing tournament.

This time, though, they did something different. They made Lionel Scaloni – a member of the previous coaching staff under Jorge Sampaoli – their next manager despite his lack of experience, drawing a lot of criticism from fans at the time. A year later, he would lead them into an international tournament for the first time in the 2019 Copa América, losing to Brazil in the semi-final after a shaky campaign.

This time, though, the FA did not sack the manager and instead doubled down on their decision to back him by extending his contract until 2022. Again, fans were not happy, but just two years later, everything would change.

Scaloni learned from his mistakes and put out a much more balanced XI in the 2021 Copa, making some tough calls such as benching Sergio Agüero. Among the new faces in the side was Emiliano Martínez, whose penalty shoot-out legend was born when he saved three Colombian attempts in the semi-final. Brazil were the final opponent, and this time it was Argentina who triumphed thanks to the only goal of the game.

Finally, Argentina’s long trophy drought was broken, but that was far from the end of the story. They kept up the momentum and entered the 2022 FIFA World Cup on a 36-match unbeaten run – just one shy of the men’s world record. The proven XI took to the field against a Saudi Arabia side they would have expected to blow away, but instead, they suffered a shock defeat in one of the World Cup’s greatest upsets.

Balance had been the key to Scaloni’s previous success, but the trouble with balance is that it is not only tough to attain but even more difficult to maintain. To his credit, he realised that some changes were needed to get the best out of his side and immediately enacted them. Argentina reverted to the 4-3-3 formation with Alexis Mac Allister as the third midfielder, and soon enough, fellow youngsters Enzo Fernández and Julián Álvarez forced their way into the XI with their game-winning performances off the bench.

With those changes, Argentina got to the final against defending champions France, and the rest is history.

Moving On from Messi

The 2022 World Cup triumph was the crowning jewel of Messi’s unimaginably illustrious career. Not only did he finally get his hands on the elusive trophy, but he did so after an incredible tournament on an individual level as he won the Golden Ball with seven goals and three assists.

That was his glorious peak which could never be matched again. Everyone, himself included, recognised this immediately after the World Cup, but that did not spell the end of his international career. If anything, it was a new beginning as Messi could finally fully enjoy playing for Argentina with absolutely no pressure on his shoulders having won everything there was to win.

And so the show went on in the 2024 Copa América. Argentina got to the final without ever having to get out of second or third gear, as they eased past a simple group with Canada, Chile and Peru, emerged victorious on penalties in a tough quarter-final against Ecuador and once again got the better of Canada to reach another final.

Their opponents, a Colombia side who were on a long unbeaten streak themselves, gave them a real run for their money at first as they exposed some defensive gaps in the Argentine side that were previously untested, but the back line held firm. By now, Martínez’s presence in goal made them favourites in any penalty shoot-out, but winning without all that drama obviously was the preferred outcome.

The starting XI could not get the job done, and worse yet, Messi had to go off injured after twisting his ankle. The match went to extra time, and it was then that Scaloni made a triple change and called upon two of the players he displaced from the starting XI at the World Cup. The goal that then won the game could not have been scripted any better. Leandro Paredes won the ball back in midfield with a brilliant tackle before linking up with Lautaro Martínez, who spun in behind the opposition defence via a through ball from Giovani Lo Celso (the third substitute) before emphatically finding the back of the net.

The nature and context of that goal – created by three substitutes while a heartbroken Messi had to watch on from the sidelines – provided a glimpse into the future for the Albiceleste. The Inter Miami forward no longer is the best player in the world and will soon have to hang up his boots, but Argentina will still stay one of the world’s strongest sides.

All over the XI, they already have great balance even without superstar quality. Emiliano Martínez is the perfect man between the sticks for international football, the Cristian Romero–Lisandro Martínez centre-back partnership is supremely solid and helpful on the ball, and the full-backs are all serviceable if not remarkable. The midfield is almost perfectly composed between the deep-lying playmaking of Enzo Fernández, hard work and water-carrying of Rodrigo De Paul and creativity of Alexis Mac Allister. Up front, both Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez can decide games from the starting XI or the bench.

Of course, no one can possibly replace Lionel Messi, but Argentina also have to contend with the loss of Ángel Di María, who has already retired. The Benfica winger was arguably the best player of the old generation – apart from Messi – as he always worked his socks off, did whatever was asked of him without complaint even if he had to be shifted out of position and, unlike most of his peers, stood up and delivered on the biggest of days.

In a way, Argentina have replaced the world’s best player by assembling a squad of Di María-like players. Most of them are not the very best in the world in their position (but obviously are quite good nevertheless), but all of them fulfil the above checklist. As a result, they now have one of the world’s best teams which should continue to compete at the highest level for years to come.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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