How to Messi
After the Argentineans’ poor start to the tournament, their minds are divided: Was Messi bad or was he badly involved? We analyze in detail which game-environment Messi needs to achieve his maximum effect.
Player Analysis: Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba is a name many people in football are familiar with. Manchester United fans are likely still having nightmares over the fact that he left them to join Juventus just a few seasons ago. One of Pogba’s most famous quotes is one in which he explains why he left the Red Devils: “I said to Ferguson: ‘Play me, and I will show you if I’m ready or not,’ Then against Blackburn on December 31, 2011, I was on the bench. Ferguson put Rafael in midfield with Ji Sung Park. Then I gave up.”
Franz Beckenbauer: The Kaiser
The Kaiser of German Football roamed and glided over the football pitches of the world for nearly two decades. There were arguably six defining games of his career. I give you, Franz Beckenbauer, the deep-lying commander who defined a generation.
Julian Weigl: Dortmund’s most important player
It is rare to see a team lose its three most crucial players all within the same transfer window. Yet over the course of 2016’s off-season, Borussia Dortmund have surrendered Mats Hummels, Ilkay Gündogan and Henrikh Mkhitaryan to Bayern and Premier League. Despite such big losses, Tuchel and the management have replaced well and the squad is looking promising for the coming season. Reinforced by the signing of numerous young players alongside Schürrle and the return of Götze, Dortmund have a squad with great potential with the next few seasons in mind. However, their most important player may have already been at the club.
Ousmane Dembélé: The new Cristiano?
Will this young hotshot from Stade Rennais be the Cristiano Ronaldo of the 2020s? Does this comparison even do justice to his abilities? Spielverlagerung’s scouting report seeks answers.
Game changers in the making
Let us look at six of the best teenagers who still play in their home countries. Rather sooner than later, these players will most likely give some of the elite players at elite clubs a run for their money.
Find a new striker
Where and how can I find the striker perfectly suited to my team? There is no panacea out there, but a couple of intriguing approaches.
In-depth player analysis: Manuel Neuer
This is an English translation of the article, “In-Depth-Spieleranalyse: Manuel Neuer” by RM published at spielverlagerung.de.
In-depth analysis: Alfredo Di Stéfano
He is regarded as one of the first “total” football players, considered the grand master of his playing style and the prototype of a leader; playful, tactical, psychological. His name is Alfredo Di Stéfano – and he influenced generations of footballers.
Ciro Immobile: Dortmund’s new penetrating force
Ciro Immobile has joined BVB. What sets the Italian league’s top goal-scorer apart and how does he fit into the Borussia system?