Good morning folks. I was gifted two tickets to see Sounders v. Borussia Dortmund last night, in some corporate box seats, and so, I went to Seattle for that game rather than watching the Arsenal match live. But never fear! I have seen the game on tape delay (ask your granddad) and have a few observations. But first, the Borussia Dortmund match.
Seats were great, food was expensive, and because I got the tickets through my brother-in-law I didn’t even have to sit through any corporate sales pitch. I’ve only ever been in box seats twice in my life: once when I was a heavy drinker and I was blitzed out of my wits and yesterday. They are nice seats of course, though I wonder if they are slightly unappreciated by the people who use them: the view of the entire pitch is perfect for those of us who like to see the tactics unfolding, but I get the sense that most Americans would rather be closer to the pitch.
Sounders played with their mostly regular starting XI against the Dortmund reserves and created a couple of really great chances early on through Ruidiaz. He had a great chip goal ruled out for offside. It was a real shame too because Sounders had gone and set off the fireworks and the band had struck up a tune. It was funny to watch the band start to play, then stop.
The second half probably should have been an utter blowout. Borussia Dortmund brought on Reus and and bunch of regular starters like Hummels and Witzel and immediately showed their class with incredible little one-touch moves, intricate passing in the box, and great off the ball movement.
The gulf in class was especially evident because of the fact that the Sounders put on a number of their 2nd team players. I get to see these guys in Tacoma and they are not bad but they are super raw. Credit to them, though, they created and scored the only Sounders goal and tried hard to keep up with the overwhelming technical ability of Borussia. The quality of their first touch was pure as snow and Jadon Sancho and Marco Reus were so much faster in thought, ability, and physicality that they were often left just toying with their markers.
As for the Arsenal! The first half was odd. Ozil started the match so strong! He was defending from the top, making late runs, and generally involved in most of the buildup play.
It’s wonderful to watch Ozil play like this. He just effortlessly bypasses defenders with most everything he does. Sometimes it’s a direct pass, sometimes a pass and move, or even just a stutter-step before the pass and move.
He also seemed to pressure early on and was making late runs. My first impression was that he could be a replacement for Ramsey but that seems a bit of a stretch. It would be a season of really hard work for him to transform into that role. I have no doubt he can do it, technically.
Mustafi still Mustafi – there was an 8th minute explosion and in fact the whole back line looked like it was way too easy to bypass at times. It doesn’t help that Mustafi is so easily pulled into crazy positions and makes mistakes but the whole defense has problems: the switching off is still there and often players are allowed to make free runs without any markers.
The result of this lack of organization is that individual’s weakneesses are exposed. There’s no cover for a player, like Maitland-Niles when he’s forced to defend one-v-one against Kingsley Coman, and it makes them look a lot worse than they are.
That disorganization showed when Bayern scored. Arsenal were pulled apart, Maitland-niles didn’t even remotely cover Coman, no one shut down Gnabry, but then Lewandowski stepped in and scored while Mustafi was looking around.
Anyway, that’s negative (or is the truth negative?) so let’s get back to the pozzi. Aubameyang looks fresh. He seems to have recovered his step from last season – the only question is how we can keep him fresh for 50 games.
One answer that I hope we find this season is some playing time for Nketiah, John-Jules, and Nelson. I have to admit a bit of bias in favor of John-Jules, because he’s related to the actor/dancer who played the Cat (Danny John-Jules) on Red Dwarf. But I think he’s got some real potential and would love to see him play more. Obviously, guys like Freddie Ljungberg would know better than me so, I’ll defer to them.
But like we saw last night – sure “it’s just a friendly” – John-Jules, Reiss Nelson, and Eddie Nketiah have some goals in them. How many and where they can get them next season should (hopefully) be fun to watch!
Two things that stood out for me: we were more effective with our high press than I remember from last season, and we were able to play out from the back more consistently. Both key parts of how Emery wants us to play, and very encouraging to see. Willock had a great game, Ozil looked like he was up for it (when he plays like this he is actually worth his salary), and none of the youngsters looked the least bit overawed playing the German champions.
Suddenly I feel a bit better (yeah, I know, pre-season, blah blah blah).
Fair enough. I just thought he looked hungry and motivated, which he didn’t show much of last season. He did a lot of pressing, chasing back, and asking for the ball from deep, that speaks to having his head back in the game. Since, as you point out, he is probably with us until his contract expires, I hope we see more of last night’s performances going forward, than last season’s.
I enjoyed the game. Much to be happy about. I think we had a physical advantage over Bayern, but whatever. Ozil running the game in the first half, not limited to passing it out wide. Auba on jet fuel. But for me a big plus was Joe Willock. He’s always had technical ability, and now he looks stronger. Held his own against the Bayern midfield.
Defense still an issue, but we were trying to play out from the back again. Not great at it and I’m not sure this will continue, but still good to see.
The young uns did well. Eager for their chance, especially Eddie. If the 4 promoted kids can contribute we suddenly look a lot better. New signings to come too of course.
Good football. Young players taking their chance. Give me that through the season and I’ll be happy.
Missed the game, but based on comments here and elsewhere I’d love to have a reinvigorated Ozil back in the side. One question, could it have been a one-off, grudge type performance against a German team? Hope not.
It didn’t look like that. More like Emery told him he could play in behind the front two. So, more like him playing in his natural position.
That’s good to know. I’d hate to think he’s only motivated when slighted by those associated with the German national team. Hopefully, it’s a sign of things to come. Guess the Real Madrid game may give us a little more insight, although still preseason.
He has a beef with Real too. So, I don’t think that game will tell us anymore about a “new” Ozil. He needs to go. Only great in pre-season and against mid- or lower-table teams. Habitually disappears in big games or on the road. Sets a bad example in terms of work ethic for the younger players. Played well for the German National team when there were stronger players (mentally) than him to take control. #OzilOut
Go where? If this was fantasy premier league we could transfer him out and get Salah or Mane or Silva or De Bruyne. But it’s not and he’s not going anywhere and so we need him to step up this season.
Tim, Tim, Tim—-
You were given, not “gifted” two tickets.
Sorry to be pedantic, but that usage is a pet peeve .
I’d like to recommend that people calm down and accept that language changes over time. However, I also like to learn that there are subtle, important distinctions between words. So, thanks!
Ha! 👍🏽
“Gifted” can absolutely be used as a transitive verb, I believe such usage has roots schich are hundreds of years old. If it was a gift from Tim’s brother in law, it’s fine. If your beef is with the passive usage, again it’s fine as it’s not a stative verb and has no restrictions.
“Gifted” can absolutely be used as a transitive verb, I believe such usage has roots schich are hundreds of years old. If it was a gift from Tim’s brother in law, it’s fine. If your beef is with the passive usage, again it’s fine as it’s not a stative verb and has no restrictions.
I liked the game which makes me even more excited knowing that in two weeks I’m off to Barcelona to watch them
play Arsenal and that should be fun.
Also, given that I’m a guest of a guy from the Barca penyas, I get to meet Griezmann as well De Jong for a short chat which kinda adds to the entire experience.
Enjoy it man!
Thanks! 🙂
De Ligt went to Juve… 67.5m paid in FIVE installments. That Crystal Palace wants 80m in a single installment for Zaha is delusional.
His salary is absurd for a 19 year old.
I’m assuming the Guardian didn’t quote his net salary which would put him in line with the free transfers that Ramsey & Rabiot got (€8m) but still…”a basic €16m (£14.5m) a season which could rise to €24m (£21.7m) with add-ons.
The full package could cost the Serie A champions €195m (£176.2m) and earn the teenager a potential weekly salary of €460,000 (£416,000) if all the add-ons are achieved.”
He could potentially have 15 years of earning power at that level. Insanity
I couldn’t help but notice the German/Bundesliga connection all over the pitch -Ozil, Leno, Mustafi and 3 ex-Dortmund players in Auba, Mkhi , and Papa.
At some point, it appeared as if Bayern was playing Dortmund… not least because of the yellow jersey.
And the way our front men were pressing Neuer like crazy.. I bet even Bayern must have felt like they were playing Dortmund.
Anyone else impressed with the versatility/adaptability Auba has shown with the way he is playing really well from the right wing?
I like that he is using his speed and change of pace to take on fullbacks with good effect. And he’s really improved on his work-rate and dribbling.
That play involving Ozil, Mkhi and Auba himself to set up the first goal… the way he ran behind the defense from the right to meet the overhead pass.. makes me think he can have a healthy goal return playing as the right-sided attacker next season.
“It’s wonderful to watch Ozil play like this… He also seemed to pressure early on and was making late runs. My first impression was that he could be a replacement for Ramsey but that seems a bit of a stretch. It would be a season of really hard work for him to transform into that role. I have no doubt he can do it, technically…”
IMHO this is what we missed the most last season. An Ozil that can play like this. Like you, I am no doubt convinced that he is very capable of adapting to this role because he is a true elite footballer. I just wish that he has the will.
Hand this version of Ozil to Emery this season, and he will bite off your hand.
Does anyone feel like the younger guys really fit into Emery’s vision of a high energy press, maybe more so than some of our established starters? Seem like they’re really willing to put in a shift, close down, and fight for the ball. Will be fun to (hopefully) see some of them make their way into the team this season!
One other thing: It was really nice to see Auba look so dangerous playing on the wing. I wonder if he’s adjusted his game, especially his movement, now that he’s being asked to play wide more than he did at Dortmund (I seem to recall he did play a bit on the wing when he first got there).
Very impressed by the young guys and the offense. Less so by the defense, but that was expected. Can’t get Holding and Bellering back soon enough. And pretty surprised Bielek isn’t at least getting a try.
But Bayern was OK playing pretty wide open. Our problems last year mostly manifested when trying to break down packed in, disciplined defenses. Guess we’ll see on that front when the regular season starts.
Felt a little better after that match anyway.
Yeah, a lack of creative options. Letting Ozil play through the middle and having Willock playing next to Xhaka helped him receive the ball higher and have more of an impact.
I’m not convinced this is how we’ll play when it matters. Emery is too conservative. More likely we play 2 of Xhaka, Torreira, Guendouzi and Elneny, and one of Ozil, Ceballos (if we get him) and Willock/ESR.
It is really strange about Bielik. I’m pretty sure everyone at the club were big on his talent. I guess he wants first team action, which Emery won’t give, and the club is applying the 2 year policy that Raul was keen to highlight as some sort of special insight.
a big problem was Xhaka. The way he received and moved the ball always slowed down the game. Any one footed player always develops an excellent outstep passing style (remember rosicky). Xhaka just cannot do that. So he needs time to get the body position correct before he can execute a pass. Ozil is similar in the sense that he doesn’t do a lot of passing with the outstep but then he adapts his body shape even before the ball arrives.
I’ve watched one game from a box, Coventry City v Blackburn Rovers at Coventry’s old stadium pre-Rico. It was awful and not helped by the fact I have no feelings towards either team. There was bad-wedding style beige buffet food and Coventry won 1-0.
That sounds like a nightmare!
I’ve been on the record numerous times saying that Maitland-Niles cannot play CM. I know, I know, he won MotM against Pogba (who scored, dribbled, and won the game) but his touch is dreadful, he’s not a good dribbler (I know what the stats say, they also said Theo Walcott was a decent dribbler), and frankly his passing is poor. But you know what? I’ve come full circle on this, let’s play him at CM. Fuck it. If he’s good there then I’m wrong. If he’s bad there at least I won’t have to hear about how he’s “played out of position” all the time.