Page 62 – The Pulse of Football

Nov

2024

Preview: All eyes on Portman Road for Amorim’s first game as United boss

Two students of José Mourinho go head-to-head as the Tractor Boys and the Red Devils meet in England’s top-tier for the first time in 22 years.

By Filip Mishov

New beginnings and a meeting of minds

A new era begins at Manchester United as the Premier League‘s match against the Tractor Boys will mark Rúben Amorim‘s debut as new head coach of the 20-time champions of England. The ambitious Portuguese coach joined the Red Devils from Sporting during the international break and the 39-year-old will become United’s youngest man to take charge of the first team since Wilf McGuinness (31) back in 1969. With that being said, the world football’s eyes will definitely be on Amorim & co. over the next few weeks at least, and on how his young coaching staff will fare with Old Trafford’s dressing room egos.

Another promising head coach sits in the home dugout as Kieran McKenna secured Ipswich Town‘s first win (1-2 vs. Tottenham Hotspur) in England’s top-tier since 2002 ahead of the international break, which was also the Northern Irish coach’s first-ever Premier League win. The studious McKenna (38) is only a year younger than Amorim and they have much in common, as the former was promoted to Manchester United’s first-team coach during José Mourinho‘s reign at the Theatre of Dreams, while the latter does not only share the same nationality with the Special One, but Rúben spent a week-long internship at Carrington under him back in 2018. Furthermore, McKenna and Amorim’s paths have crossed once again over the summer, when they both found themselves on the shortlist of Erik ten Hag‘s potential replacements before the INEOS-led hierarchy ultimately decided to stick with the Dutchman.

Team news

The Blues will welcome a few players back in to the squad with Kalvin Phillips spearheading the list following his return from suspension, while Jacob Greaves, Jack Taylor, Wes Burns and Nathan Broadhead are allnearing a return on the pitch.

The international break was a turning point for the Red Devils’ injury headaches as Amorim will enjoy having not one, but two fit left backs as both Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are back in full training, with the Dutchman even playing 45 minutes for the U21s in the EFL Trophy. Additionally, Leny Yoro is finally ready to make his debut after recovering from the metatarsal injury which kept him out since August. Harry Maguire remains the only absentee.

*Possible United XI built with the FotMob Lineup Builder – available at FotMob.com*

A familiar key player

With Amorim destined to switch to his favoured 3-4-3 formation, it is more than certain that something has got to give and the squad is readying for a few changes, but the undisputed captain – Bruno Fernandes should continue to play a vital role in the starting XI going forward. His compatriot on the sidelines favours having a couple of no. 10s behind the main striker and Fernandes is set to occupy one of those spots. Also, Bruno’s form has been on the rise since Ten Hag was shown the door and everything points to United’s No. 8 continuing his good form. Needless to say, Fernandes is the team’s most creative player and whether Amorim will be a success or not, Bruno’s performances will have a big say in that.

Prediction

Undoubtedly, the pressure will be on Amorim & co. to deliver and continue Manchester United’s two-match winning streak, but Kieran McKenna has a point to prove and his players are surely readying themselves to spoil the Portuguese’s debut at Portman Road. The Red Devils sit in 13th place ahead of the away trip, while Ipswich are further down in 17th and with the hectic Christmas schedule coming up, each point becomes vital. An away win for United should be expected, but one can never be too sure with this crop of players, and Liam Delap & co. are not to be underestimated, just ask Spurs.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Nov

2024

Preview: Top vs. Bottom as Liverpool travel to Southampton

Southampton host Liverpool at the St Mary’s Stadium in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon in a game that pits the side bottom of the table against the leaders. The Saints have won just once all season, while the Reds sit on 28 points having dropped points in just two games.

By Matt Smith

Saints will be missing key star

Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale will be missing for Southampton against Liverpool after picking up an injury in the last couple of weeks. The England international has undoubtedly been one of the Saints’ key players this season despite their struggles in keeping the ball out of the net.

Jan Bednarek also picked up an injury during the international break while playing for Poland, and the towering centre-back will also miss the Liverpool clash. It’s two huge blows for Russell Martin’s side heading into one of the toughest games of the campaign.

Possession isn’t leading to points

Surprisingly for a side battling towards the bottom of the table, Martin’s men have the fourth-highest average possession in the Premier League, keeping 56.9% of the ball (just behind Liverpool’s 57.4%). Their major issue has been failing to turn possession into clear-cut opportunities, creating just 21 big chances, ranking them 18^th in the table for that metric.

The Saints are also giving up a host of chances, with only Ipswich conceding more expected goals (xG) than the South Coast outfit. With Ramsdale missing, who averages four saves per 90 minutes, ranking him third in the league, Southampton’s defence is going to have to be water tight.

Alisson returns to training

Arne Slot received a huge boost heading into this game, with goalkeeper Alisson Becker returned to training after a recent hamstring injury. It will be interesting to see whether Slot brings him straight back into the side, with backup goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher impressing.

Trent Alexander-Arnold pulled out of the latest England squad due to injury, so Liverpool supporters will be waiting nervously to see if the talented right-back is passed fit for this one.

Liverpool deserving of first place

Creating more big chances than any other sides while conceding fewer goals per game than the rest of the Premier League is a recipe for sitting at the top of the table. Slot’s men have been free flowing in attack, creating 20.5 xG, while conceding just 9.5.

Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah is showing no signs of slowing down, and is arguably in the form of his life heading into this game. Salah has provided 14 goals and assists combined in the Premier League so far, more than any other player.

Prediction

Last time the two sides met in the Premier League, we saw eight goals as they played out a 4-4 draw at St Mary’s. Neutrals will be desperate for a similar outcome in the Sunday lunch-time kick-off but we’re predicting a comfortable 3-0 victory to Liverpool this time around and considering the form they are in at the moment.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Nov

2024

Preview: Celta hoping to prove a tough nut to crack for visiting Barcelona

LaLiga returns this weekend after a lengthy international break, and Celta Vigo host Barcelona in what is a meeting of one of the league’s biggest xG underperformers against the biggest overperformer – and more relevantly, the league leader.

By Karl Matchett

Celta languish in 11th, three points fewer on the board than the underlying numbers suggest they should have – only Getafe, with a whopping ten fewer, have fared worse in that regard. But Barcelona are not just tough opponents this term, they are one of those who Celta struggle with constantly. They’ve won just twice in nine attempts in the post-pandemic era, or once in the post-Messi era. One was courtesy of a last-minute winner after a Barcelona red card, highlighting the infrequency with which points are accrued in this clash. Can they hope to change that this time?

Barca looking to get over their most recent blip

It was seven straight wins in all competitions for Hansi Flick’s Barcelona before the international break – until they went to Real Sociedad and lost. Plenty of possession but zero penetration was a shock turnaround for the table toppers, who have been largely excellent in the final third but offered little to trouble Álex Remiro in La Real’s goal. An improvement on that is needed, but is also usually present, and all teams in rebuild mode have off-days. Outside of the odd shocker, they’ve been a well-oiled machine this term. Celta’s own form is something of a mirror: one win in six to almost the end of October, but unbeaten in three since then including a draw at Betis last time. It’s also worth noting only Atlético and Real Madrid have won at Balaidos this term.

Clean bill of health for Celta, not so much for Barca

Celta are, impressively, clear. It’s a full squad to choose from for Claudio Giráldez, which may just mean an unchanged lineup from the win over Getafe. For Barcelona, there remain a host of absentees for the long haul, including Marc-André ter Stegen, Andreas Christensen, Ansu Fati and Marc Bernal. In addition, Ferran Torres remains a doubt, Lamine Yamal could miss out with ankle trouble and Ronald Araújo will be eased back in after another hamstring injury.

Key players

Celta will be focused on trying to tighten up defensively, perhaps inspired by La Real shutting Barcelona out prior to the break. For Barcelona, that therefore means Raphinha – a massively improved and creative force for them this term – will be key to finding a way to break them down. An xG per 90 of 0.58, 14 big chances created in league play, 13 goals or assists so far this term and even the Barcelona captaincy on occasions shows just how much he’s thriving under Flick. Wherever he has played in that attacking supply line behind top scorer Robert Lewandowski, the Brazilian is finding a way to shine. Even in a low-key outing in the defeat to Sociedad, no Barcelona attacker had more touches in the box, created chances or completed dribbles than Raphinha.

Prediction

Barcelona could reasonably be seen as being on the cusp of getting even stronger, with a few important returns from injury of late. Another three points for Flick’s side – 2-1 to Barca.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from LaLiga with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Nov

2024

Preview: Manchester City desperate to get back on track against bogey team Tottenham

Manchester City’s shock run of four consecutive defeats in all competitions kicked off with a loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the EFL Cup. About 25 days later, the defending champions will be desperate to get back to winning ways in the two sides’ first Premier League meeting of the season.

By Neel Shelat

Key returnees for Manchester City

There are various factors that explain Manchester City’s rotten run of recent results, but ultimately their long injury list which included a host of key players was the big problem in the short term. As many as five first-team players could make their return this weekend, so the defending champions can reasonably expect to see a much-improved performance.

The defensive department was especially affected by this injury crisis with four key players out of action. John Stones and Rúben Dias have both been out since City’s last match against Spurs, while neither Manuel Akanji nor Nathan Aké were fully fit before the international break. The Dutchman will still be out of action after picking up another hamstring injury, but the rest could all start or be on the bench. In all likelihood, Kyle Walker will not need to continue playing at centre-back and teenager Jahmai Simpson-Pusey will be taken out of the starting lineup.

In midfield, Kevin De Bruyne may well make his first start since September. The Belgian creator has been riddled with injuries of late, but he should be good to go now having made a couple of appearances off the bench earlier in the month before sitting out the international break.

Tottenham looking to continue troubling City

Tottenham Hotspur have famously been Manchester City’s bogey team in the Pep Guardiola era. Apart from Liverpool, Spurs are the only side who have prevented the Catalan tactician from winning more than half of the games played between them during his reign. Since joining City in 2016, Guardiola has come up against them 21 times but only managed to win 10, with Spurs victorious on eight occasions.

City finally managed to break their curse at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium earlier this year, but their recent history against Spurs at the Etihad is also quite interesting. They have won just one of their last three meetings, which was a memorable 4-2 victory in January 2023. Both other matches also had goals galore, as the 3-3 draw last season and the dramatic 2-3 defeat in 2022 contributed to a total of 17 goals across this run.

Ange Postecoglu’s side are certainly not boring as their attack-minded style of play tends to yield goals at both ends. Their last three games have seen 13 goals go in, though they conceded more than they scored both against Ipswich Town and Galatasaray most recently. So, Spurs are also not in the finest of form going into this fixture.

Prediction

Manchester City will be raring to get a win not just to end their losing streak but also to celebrate Guardiola’s two-year contract extension. With key players returning, they should just about have enough to manage a narrow victory.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Nov

2024

Preview: Maresca makes his return as Chelsea travel to Leicester City

The international break is finally over, not to be seen again until March 2025. Club football takes precedence once again as Leicester and Chelsea kick off the Premier League’s hectic schedule in the run up to the festive period.

By Alex Roberts

Enzo Maresca returns to the King Power Stadium for the first time since guiding Leicester back to the to the promised land last season as pressure builds on his predecessor Steve Cooper.

Neither club is in particularly good form. Chelsea are winless in three games domestically while Leicester have lost three of their last four across all competitions. Unlike Cooper’s side, however, Chelsea have had luck on their side as clubs around them falter.

Enzo Fernández finally finding some form

It’s been a tough start to the season for the Argentinian, losing his place in Maresca’s preferred league XI to Roméo Lavia and his fellow £100millon+ man Moisés Caicedo starting to show exactly why Chelsea spent the big bucks.

Fernández replaced Lavia in their 1-1 draw with Arsenal before the break after the youngster picked up a knock, providing the assist for Pedro Neto’s equaliser. Lavia remains a doubt going into the game on Saturday, just as Fernández was seemingly finding his feet.

With five assists in his last four games for club and country, the central midfielder may have turned a corner. Even if three of them were in the 8-0 thrashing of FC Noah.

Pressure growing on Steve Cooper

Given his history with rivals Nottingham Forest, winning over the Leicester faithful was always going to be tricky for Cooper. The best way to get them on his side would be to win games, unfortunately that’s not happened.

All the momentum earned from their consecutive victories over Bournemouth and Southampton seems to have gone out the window. Star man Jamie Vardy was heavily missed in their 3-0 defeat to Man United as Leicester failed to convert any of their five shots on target while conceding all three of United’s.

We’re heading into the time of year where Chairmen and women up and down the country start to look at their club’s season and evaluate. Cooper’s job won’t depend on results against clubs like Chelsea, but a point wouldn’t hurt.

A selection headache for Enzo Maresca ahead of his return

Maresca has one of those ‘good problems’ people like to go on about. The wealth of talent available to him makes him the envy of managers everywhere but it’s a problem none the less.

The likes of João Félix and Christopher Nkunku have barely featured in the Premier League so far, despite the latter being the club’s top goal scorer. Both have impressed with the limited opportunities they’ve been handed and keeping them happy will be at the top of Maresca’s to-do list.

There has been little evidence to suggest it will happen, given the manager’s seemingly stringent two-squad system, but a game against opposition like Leicester is the perfect opportunity for Maresca to give a few other players a run out.

Prediction

Chelsea are seemingly better than Leicester in every area so football logic dictates that this has a 1-1 draw written all over it!

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Nov

2024

MLS Cup Playoffs: The LA Clubs will fancy their chances in a wide-open draw

The elimination of Columbus Crew and Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami from Major League Soccer’s post-season playoffs has left the field wide open. The two Los Angeles clubs — LA Galaxy and LAFC — are best positioned to take advantage of this and there’s the prospect of a big LA derby in the Western Conference final.

By James Nalton

It was widely expected that the Eastern Conference representative in the MLS Cup final would be one of the two MLS Cup favourites Columbus Crew or Inter Miami, but both suffered shock exits in the first round.

Defending MLS Cup champions Columbus were the first to fall, losing the first game of their round one best-of-three series against New York Red Bulls at home before going on to lose the second on penalties in New Jersey.

The much-lauded team who, under coach Wilfried Nancy, have been one of the most entertaining sides in MLS history, were out without even taking the Red Bulls to game three.

This left the Eastern Conference door wide open for Inter Miami whose best-of-three series with wildcard qualifier Atlanta United was poised at 1-1.

Tata Martino’s Inter Miami side had produced the best regular season in MLS history on their way to winning the Supporters’ Shield — the trophy awarded to the overall league leaders at the end of the season when the Eastern and Western conferences are combined. Their tally of 74 points broke the previous record of 73 set by New England Revolution in 2021.

With Messi back from injury, Miami were expected to put the icing on the cake with an MLS Cup triumph but lost the game three decider against Atlanta United in what was the biggest upset in MLS playoff history.

While this provides an opportunity for the other teams in the Eastern Conference to make an unlikely run to the MLS Cup final, it is even more of a boost for the two Los Angeles clubs on the opposite side of the bracket who will now have their eye on winning it.

LA Galaxy and LAFC finished level on points in the Western Conference regular season standings, with LAFC topping the table on goal difference by just one goal.

Now Supporters’ Shield winners Inter Miami and runners-up Columbus Crew are out of the playoffs LAFC, who finished third in the overall standings, are the highest seed remaining in the post-season and will enjoy home advantage for as long as they remain in the playoffs. Similarly, should the Galaxy make it all the way to the MLS Cup final, they will host.

LAFC face Seattle Sounders in the conference semifinal. It won’t be an easy task as the Sounders went into the playoffs with the fewest goals conceded in the regular season and a solid defence can take a team far in the playoffs.

If there is to be an upset in the West, this is the most obvious place for it, but the way these playoffs have gone so far, anything can happen anywhere.

It is for this reason LA Galaxy will need to be careful as they face Minnesota United in their game. On paper, it looks like the easiest of the semifinals but Minnesota finished the season well under Welsh head coach Eric Ramsay.

If both Los Angeles clubs win, it will set up an LA derby — known as El Tráfico — in the Western Conference final at the home of LAFC to decide which team progresses to and hosts the MLS Cup final.

In Denis Bouanga, LAFC boast one of the best players not to be featured among the 2024 MVP finalists. The Gabon international forward leads MLS for expected goals in 2024 with 22.7.

Meanwhile, his teammate Mateusz Bogusz is one of the more underrated star players in the league. He was as important as Bouanga to his side’s Western Conference table-topping performance in 2024 and stands out among attacking players for his total touches and chances created, as shown by his Player Traits chart.

Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig is the most gifted player in the league not named Lionel Messi, as shown by his position just behind Messi in FotMob’s average ratings.

Puig dictates games from a creative midfield role. He tops the league for the most accurate passes per game and for touches as the only player with over 3,000. He’s also 5th in the league for successful dribbles.

Gabriel Pec was another of the Galaxy’s standout players in the regular season and was named Newcomer of the Year ahead of Luis Suárez, reaching double figures for both goals (16) and assists (12).

Pec and fellow new signing Joseph Painstil have been a big reason for the Galaxy’s turnaround in 2024, and will play a big role should they make it all the way to the MLS Cup final.

Who the Western Conference winner face in the MLS Cup final is anyone’s guess. In the Eastern Conference semifinals, there’s a New York derby between Red Bulls and City, while Atlanta’s reward for knocking out Inter Miami is a meeting with Orlando City.

The LA clubs will fancy their chances against all of these teams but first, they have to get past their conference semifinal opponents, and then potentially each other in what would be one of the biggest El Tráfico matches in MLS history.

*El Tráfico H2H record, LA Galaxy represented by the blue*

(Cover Image from IMAGO)

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

Nov

2024

Cunha, Strand Larsen and why Wolves must make this moment count

One win, almost a third of the season gone. It doesn’t make good reading for Wolverhampton Wanderers fans so far, but that doesn’t mean negativity and pessimism should be spiralling around the club – there are plenty of reasons to think they are on the cusp of kick-starting their season and have the quality and firepower to do so.

By Karl Matchett

Having the players who are talented enough to win matches is one thing, of course, while actually getting the job done consistently is another. Wolves have had injuries to contend with this term and a shocking fixture list at the beginning of the campaign, but other teams have and will have to deal with the same thing – Gary O’Neil knows results must change quickly.

The good thing is that they can do now. Having already faced Arsenal, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Liverpool and Man City by mid-October, the last three games have seen them take five points, including that long-overdue win against Southampton before the international break. And next up? Fulham, Bournemouth, Everton, West Ham, Ipswich, Leicester. They won’t necessarily win them all, but all are winnable games. In the xG table Wolves are above two of them and just below another two; as a team they rank 14th in the Premier League for shots on target per game, 16th for possession, 14th for possession won in the final third. They might want a league placing ultimately higher than those, but the point is if they are able to produce those kinds of numbers against the league’s leading lights, they should be able to perform even better, on average, in their next half a dozen encounters.

*Wolves place 17th in the xG table AKA Justice Table – which is explained here*

A significant part of the reason why they can be confident of improvement is the form of two attackers: Matheus Cunha of course, but also Jørgen Strand Larsen. “I’m a hard-working striker, I think that I always compete for every ball like it is the last ball,” he said in a recent interview. Having won 25 aerial duels – more than 88% of comparable attackers – committed more fouls than 85% of others and ranking above 70% of forwards for defensive actions across major European leagues, those traits are frequently in evidence. Even outside the statistics, it’s evident in him chasing down the channels, harassing opponents to pass across defence instead of into midfield and in occupying at times more than one defender to leave space for on-running support teammates.

*Strand Larsen defensive stats, Premier League 2024/25*

Yet the other half of his quote in the same interview noted “but the most important thing is to score goals”. He’s not quite flying in that regard yet, but four goals and an assist means an involvement every 180 minutes – which isn’t terrible for a team one off the bottom, in a new league after a terribly difficult run of games. And, of course, when he’s the second goal-provider, after teammate Cunha.

The Brazilian is on a goal or assist every 127 minutes this term, after five and two respectively so far. But he’s also 80th percentile or better in the league for shots, shots on target, successful crosses and fouls won, on a per 90 basis. On a league totals basis, he’s 90th percentile or thereabouts for goals, shots, expected assists, chances created, crosses, successful dribbles, touches in the box, duels won, shots blocked and possession won in the final third. That is a simply sensational all-round application of Cunha’s talents, up there with the league’s best in attack this season, even as Wolves are down there with the worst overall as a team. Getting those two playing in tandem as often as possible is job No. 1 for O’Neil.

*Cunha shooting stats, Premier League 2024/25*

Add in a powerful, hard-working and resilient midfield trio when all are fit and there’s a definite spine to build around, and yet more reason to fuel optimism. But there’s a whole other area to the Wolves team which needs quick, and significant, improvement.

Yes, injuries have hit. But the defence has been far too leaky even accounting for that. Their 27 goals conceded is comfortably the Premier League’s worst so far this season; keep this rate up and they are on course to see 93 put past them across the year. Only two teams in the history of the league have conceded more, one being last-year’s record setters Sheffield United. The other were Swindon, when it was still 42 matches player per season.

The xG tally against them shows they’ve not been quite that bad – or have been punished more than expected, whichever way you see it – putting them at around 20 against so far, but allowing seven more than they should doesn’t reflect well on either Sam Johnstone (-1.4 goals prevented) or, particularly, José Sá (-2.9). With just one clean sheet kept all season, it’s clear where the biggest improvements need to come. If they do, the talent at the other end will surely mean the old gold finally starts to climb the table.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Nov

2024

MLS Cup Playoffs: This weekend’s Hudson River Derby is a battle for New York supremacy

New York is a soccer city. Other cities like Atlanta, Portland and Seattle might be more obvious hotbeds for soccer in the USA, but there is passion for The Beautiful Game in The Big Apple. That will shine through when New York City FC host the New York Red Bulls in this weekend’s MLS Eastern Conference semi-final.

By Graham Ruthven

Of course, the focus of this year’s MLS playoffs was meant to be on South Florida. Lionel Messi and Inter Miami had dominated the agenda until Atlanta United produced arguably the biggest shock in league history, knocking out the Herons over three games. Messi and co. will watch the rest of the playoffs on TV.

The Columbus Crew were a popular second pick to retain the MLS Cup they won last year. However, they too suffered a shock early defeat to the New York Red Bulls who made it beyond the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 2018. NYC FC also upset the odds to topple FC Cincinnati.

Saturday’s meeting between the two New York rivals will be the 30th in MLS history, but never before has there been so much riding on a Hudson River Derby. The stakes of a do-or-die elimination game will lift the stakes to a whole new level. A place in the Eastern Conference final is on the line. So too is New York soccer dominance.

New York City FC have won MLS Cup once before. The Bronx outfit lifted the trophy in 2021, beating the Portland Timbers in a thrilling final at Providence Park. NYC FC have been a regular fixture in the latter stages of the playoffs over a number of years, most recently reaching the conference semi-finals in 2022.

For the New York Red Bulls, it’s been a different story in the playoffs. While RBNY boast the longest active playoff streak in American sports, their 15 years in the post-season have yielded nothing. Indeed, the Harrison-based club have never won a MLS Cup despite being a founding member of the league.

Both New York franchises have struggled to carve out an identity for themselves. NYC FC have had star players and lifted silverware, but they are still splitting home matches between Citi Field and Yankee Stadium – two baseball stadiums. The City Football Group-owned club’s new 25-000-capacity stadium won’t be completed until 2027.

RBNY have a modern soccer-specific stadium, but have struggled to fill it. The fanbase feels marginalised by an ownership group that considers MLS an afterthought. “MLS is developing, but it’s developing far too slowly and is still far away from the standard we would imagine for a country like the USA,” said Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull CEO, in a recent interview.

Mintzlaff might have a point, but many would argue the New York Red Bulls are part of the problem. Ambition has been in short supply at Red Bull Arena in recent times. The days of Thierry Henry and Tim Cahill have faded in the memory. Marquee signings are more likely to end up in Los Angeles or Miami than Harrison.

Under Sandro Schwarz, though, RBNY have made genuine progress. The former Hertha Berlin coach has moved his team away from the pure Red Bull identity and has turned RBNY into a more proactive outfit that can now control matches through their use of possession. The quick transition threat is still there, but the Red Bulls are a more rounded outfit under Schwarz.

Emil Forsberg and Lewis Morgan have the ability to decide a match in the attacking third while the likes of John Tolkin, Dylan Nealis and Noah Elie have continued to develop over the course of the campaign. After sweeping the Columbus Crew in Round One, RBNY could feasibly make the conference finals for the first time since 2008.

NYC FC also have talent, although most believed this season’s playoffs would come a year too early for Nick Cushing’s team. By seeing off FC Cincinnati in Round One, though, the Bronx outfit proved they have the talent to beat the strongest opponents with NYC FC’s defensive solidity getting them through three matches with three clean sheets.

To make it past RBNY, attacking difference-makers like Santi Rodríguez, Alonso Martínez and Hannes Wolf will have to step up for New York City FC who have yet to score a goal in the playoffs. The hope for NYC FC is that they have an even higher level to reach in Saturday’s Hudson River Derby.

With Messi and Inter Miami no longer consuming all the oxygen around this year’s MLS playoffs, Saturday’s meeting between New York’s two teams will be a defining moment in the 2024 season. No matter the outcome, NYC FC and RBNY will produce a spectacle unlike anything else seen in this rivalry before.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the MLS Cup Playoffs on FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Nov

2024

New Manager Bounce: Five coaches making a fresh start this weekend

All eyes will be firmly placed on Portman Road on Sunday as Rúben Amorim kicks off his Manchester United career against newly promoted Ipswich Town. However, Amorim is far from the only new manager who’ll be looking to get off to a winning start this weekend.

By Zach Lowy

Christian Ilzer, Hoffenheim

Like Amorim, Christian Ilzer arrived at Sturm Graz in 2020, and like the Portuguese manager, he successfully ended a lengthy title drought. After finishing as runner-ups in 2021/22 and 2022/23, Sturm Graz finally toppled Red Bull Salzburg’s dynasty and claimed their first league title in 13 years, in addition to the Austrian Cup. Like Sporting, they have delivered an impressive start to their title defence, sitting three points clear atop the Austrian Bundesliga table, but if they are to claim back-to-back league titles, they’ll have to do so without Ilzer, who has moved to the German Bundesliga to replace Pellegrino Matarazzo at Hoffenheim.

“Christian Ilzer’s 4-3-1-2 focuses on central dominance, quick transitions, and high pressing, with the midfielders dictating play, fullbacks providing width and strikers exploiting defensive gaps, and the Bundesliga should suit his counter-pressing style,” said Elijah Kaneki, a video scout for Malmö. Ilzer has gone from fighting for silverware in Austria to battling relegation in Germany at TSG Hoffenheim, who have reportedly paid €2.5 million to get him out of his contract. Hoffenheim sit 15th in the table, one point above the relegation playoff, and they will be looking to pull off a major upset against an RB Leipzig side that has won each of its last three matches.

Patrick Vieira, Genoa

Despite accumulating four points in his last two matches in Serie A, Alberto Gilardino was sacked as Genoa manager and replaced by Patrick Vieira. The Frenchman has reunited with Mario Balotelli for the third time, having previously worked together as teammates at Inter and Manchester City. Vieira’s appointment as Nice manager was the main catalyst in Balotelli’s decision to leave the Allianz Riviera, with Vieira admitting in 2020: “Mario’s mindset was difficult for a collective sport. The philosophy I wanted to put in place, the togetherness and work ethic I wanted to build, it was difficult for me to work with a player like Mario. It was really difficult for both of us to work together, so we decided to go different ways.”

Although it could be an awkward reunion for Balotelli, who arrived on October 28, they will be looking to put their differences aside and turn a new leaf at Genoa. Having finished 11th in their return to Serie A last season, the Grifone find themselves in grave danger of going down, sitting one point above the relegation zone, and they are in desperate need of a win against Cagliari on Sunday.

Marco Giampaolo, Lecce

Whilst Amorim and Ilzer will be looking to replicate their club legend status at their new team, Marco Giampaolo will be making his long-awaited return to coaching. He has not managed since a 3-0 home defeat to Monza on October 2, 2022, which left Sampdoria stranded in last place, and he’s got a tall task ahead of him as he looks to lead Lecce to their first away win since April 21. In fact, Lecce’s sole two away wins since the start of the 2023/24 season have come against two teams that are currently in Serie B: Salernitana and Sassuolo.

Giampaolo has reunited with Croatian forward Ante Rebić, having previously coached him at Milan, and he’ll be counting on him to lead the line in a team whose pitiful attacking threat has landed them in the relegation zone. Lecce have scored five goals – the worst attack in Serie A by a margin of four goals – and conceded 21. Can they turn around their woeful away form with a win at Venezia on Monday?

Jorge Sampaoli, Rennes

With a net worth of $27.1 billion, Rennes president François Pinault is the wealthiest individual owner in French football, and whilst he’s been able to make a statement in the transfer market – Rennes spent €78.3m last summer, second only to PSG, Lyon, and Marseille – this hasn’t quite translated to success on the pitch. Despite having the seventh-highest market value in Ligue 1 (€203.25m), Rennes currently sit 13th in the table – one point away from the relegation playoff place – with twice as many losses (6) as wins (3). It’s why Pinault had no other choice but to axe club legend Julien Stéphan after a 4-0 thrashing to Auxerre, with Rennes losing 2-0 to Toulouse in the following week, and hire Argentine manager Jorge Sampaoli.

“Stéphan started the season trying to play a specific system which worked well, but then Benjamin Bourigeaud left and the wheels came off, as Stephan’s team selection posed more questions than answers,” said John Gray, a Rennes season ticket holder since 2007. “Towards the end, the body language of the players was pretty awful, and Stéphan lost all of the credit he had for the Europa League run, Champions League qualification and winning a first major trophy in 48 years. Fans are praying that the Sampaoli effect will get a team playing in their positions with more commitment to the cause, but with a fair chunk of his first-team squad only getting back in the past day or so from the international break, getting a point in their first match, which comes away at Lille, will be easier said than done.”

Claudio Ranieri, Roma

It has been a half-century since Claudio Ranieri began his playing career at hometown club Roma. It has been 15 years since Ranieri took charge of Roma for the first time, five years since he returned for a second spell, and six months since he announced his retirement after guiding Cagliari to safety last season. And yet, the 73-year-old is back in the game, becoming Roma’s fourth permanent manager of 2024 after José Mourinho, Daniele De Rossi and Ivan Jurić. The Giallorossi have lost four of their last five league matches and find themselves mired in 12th place, and they’ll be counting on the Tinkerman as they look to navigate a cumbersome post-international break schedule that will feature trips to Napoli and Tottenham and a home match vs. Atalanta.

Roma find themselves in peril of missing out on European football for the first time in 13 years after a cold streak that has seen them win just two of their last nine and concede 3+ goals to in three of their last five matches. However, if there’s one man who knows a thing about conjuring up a miracle out of thin air, it’s Ranieri.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Nov

2024

Premier League Preview, Matchday 12

The final international break of the calendar year dragged a little, didn’t it? Not to worry though, the Premier League returns this weekend with a bumper edition. Yes, there’s even Monday Night Football™.

By Sam McGuire

There are a number of interesting match-ups to look out for across Matchday 12 and it’d be easy to overlook a few things. We’ve got you covered though.

Manchester City take on their bogey team

Manchester City have lost four matches on the bounce. Yes, the great Man City side, managed by the great (and newly committed, contract-wise) Pep Guardiola, are winless since they eked out a 1-0 victory over Southampton at the end of October.

Since then, the reigning champions have lost to Bournemouth and Brighton in the Premier League, Spurs in the Carabao Cup and Sporting in the Champions League. The aggregate scoreline across these games is 10-4.

They trail leaders Liverpool by five points but with playing first this weekend, they have the opportunity to cut that down to just two points with a win at the Etihad on Saturday evening.

However, it just so happens they find themselves up against perhaps their only bogey side of the Guardiola era in Tottenham Hotspur. City have won just five of their previous 12 games against this weekend’s opponents, losing on six occasions. Spurs have lost just two of their last four at the Etihad and have scored eight goals in these games.

It is going to be a slog for City to get back to winning ways but bouncing back from these situations is what is needed if you are to become champions.

Can Liverpool handle the pressure?

Liverpool have won 15 of their 17 matches across all competitions this season.

Arsenal and Nottingham Forest are the only two sides to have taken points off of the league leaders. Mikel Arteta’s team played out a 2-2 draw with the Reds at the Emirates while Nottingham Forest picked up a surprise win at Anfield in September.

The 2019/20 Premier League champions weren’t title favourites ahead of the campaign but their ruthlessness this term has given them a five point advantage at the summit. It isn’t necessarily theirs to lose at this point, you cannot win the title in November, but expectations are being altered now and pressure is mounting.

They will be under pressure to win this weekend when they travel to the South Coast to take on Southampton. Russell Martin’s men are currently bottom of the Premier League table with four points from their opening 11 matches. They have the worst attack in the English top-flight having scored just seven goals while only Brentford (22), Ipswich Town (22) and Wolves (27) have conceded more goals than the Saints (21).

Southampton did pick up a victory in their last home outing, beating Everton 1-0, before losing to Wolves before the international break to completely halt their momentum.

This should be a formality for Liverpool. It should be all three points. If they are to challenge for this title, it has to be. How will they handle this sort of pressure, especially after the international break and a tricky away game on the agenda?

The Amorim era kicks off

Kieran McKenna was linked with the Manchester United job in the summer. He penned a new deal with Ipswich Town ahead of their return to the Premier League and the Red Devils kept faith with Erik Ten Hag.

However, the Dutch tactician didn’t last long into the new season and has been replaced by Rúben Amorim. The former Sporting boss takes his new team to Portman Road this weekend to take on McKenna’s side.

Things could’ve been oh so different had McKenna returned to Old Trafford in the summer. Now, though, he’s got a part to play in what is set to be a new era for United.

After all, all eyes will be on this game.

How will Amorim set his new team up? Will there immediately be a new manager bounce? There is an expectation that the Red Devils will fly out of the traps, buoyed by their new manager. If Ipswich, currently just a point outside of the drop zone, can get anything from this match, Amorim will immediately be scrutinised while McKenna’s stock will further rise.

*Amorim’s win percentages with Braga B, Braga, and Sporting*

A hammer blow

Newcastle United are having the season West Ham United were supposed to be having.

The Magpies are eighth in the Premier League table but are just one point behind third-placed Chelsea. They’ve beaten high-flyers Nottingham Forest and Arsenal in the final two matches before the international break and they’ve picked up a point against Manchester City this season. Eddie Howe has shown he can turn things around, time and time again, and their faith in the former Bournemouth boss is yielding positive results now.

By comparison, West Ham United find themselves in 14th position, just five points above the drop. The Hammers had a busy summer, replacing David Moyes with Julen Lopetegui and signing a host of names. It was supposed to usher in a new era. More attack-minded players should’ve resulted in better football. This hasn’t been the case though. They’re finding goals hard to come by with 30% of their haul for the campaign arriving in their win over Ipswich Town. Without that game, the Hammers have scored nine in 10. The pressure is mounting on Lopetegui and there’s even talk he could be sacked sooner rather than later.

A performance, and a positive result, is needed at St James’ Park or the former Wolves boss could be out of a job before the festive period kicks off.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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