n.Napoli was back in front on the hour mark | Forum
miaowang123
Aug 1 '18
SHAPES OF MLS THE FORMATIONS: Seattle made one change to their first game of the season and it was a predictable one with Clint Dempsey replacing Kenny Cooper in a 4231. Mike Wallace Eagles Jersey . Toronto FC were, as expected, in a 442 and all 11 of their starters were different from the opening game of last season. THE GAME: It turned out to be a dream start for the new-look Toronto FC. Two first half goals from Jermain Defoe gave them a deserved lead at half-time and it was that lead that enabled them to sit deeper and weather the Seattle storm in the second half to win the match 2-1. Defoe will rightfully get the headlines and we will touch on his goals and how they came about shortly, but the single biggest reason for Torontos dominance came in midfield where Michael Bradley gave a clinic on how a central midfielder can take over a game. It is important that we remember the first half for more than just the goals. It truly was a perfect away performance in the first 45 minutes, led by Bradley and his partner, Jonathan Osorio. Heading into the game, head coach Ryan Nelsen admitted he was unsure how the team would play together and whether or not the combinations on the field would gel immediately. Bradley and Osorio in central midfield certainly did that. Bradley told me before the game how impressed he was with Osorios intelligence and willingness to learn and work with him as they begin this journey together and, on paper, with Clint Dempsey dropping in, it looked like the pair could easily get outmatched and leave space in behind them, but it didnt work out that way. In the second half, Seattle found an extra gear (or three) and, particularly, after they scored, were a real handful with Osvaldo Alonso dropping deeper and dictating the play. Nelsen recognized this and asked substitute Andrew Wiederman to sit on Alonso when Seattle had possession. Tactically it was a good day for Nelsen, who also switched Rey and Jackson after just 11 minutes and left them on those flanks for the rest of their time on the field. Seconds earlier, Jackson was poor when Dylan Remick got forward and Nelsen was visibly disappointed with his defensive workrate on the play. Remick, unlike Yedlin, showed little more appetite to get forward, allowing Rey to run at him more. Jackson improved as the game wore on and did very well against Yedlin. For Seattle, it was a disappointing day. They lost Brad Evans early through injury and none of their front six impressed until Alonso took over the game in the last 30 minutes. THE TURNING POINT: Toronto FC fans have their 24th minute with Danny Dichio, after he scored the clubs first ever goal, but Defoe went one better than that, scoring both his goals before 24 minutes had been completed. THE POSITIVES: There were many on this day for Toronto FC but getting multiple players involved in the buildup to the goals was excellent. The two were both outstanding finishes in a pivotal 1-on-1 situation with the goalkeeper but it was the buildup to both that once again leaves even more encouragement for Toronto FC. Exactly a minute before Defoe stroked the ball into the net for the first time, Bradley was deep in between the two centre-backs starting another attack. He played a 1-2 twice with Osorio, then gets Steven Caldwell, Mark Bloom and Rey into the attack before the visitors win a crucial free kick. After that is sent in, TFC take the lead…. Nelsen has gone out of his way to stick to a 442 shape and said he wanted Dwayne De Rosario to play up top with Defoe, rather than deeper, but the game is about in-game opportunities and the first thing you see on the Defoe opening goal is De Rosario coming deeper and occupying Chad Marshall, creating the space in behind. The next thing needed is a bit of magic and Osorio creates it with a dribble into space and a ball perfectly set up for Defoe to run into… The second goal was also a lot more than just a finish. Bradley began an intelligent press, followed by De Rosario and Jackson to stop Seattle from comfortably playing through the midfield. Then Marco Pappa received the ball and Bradley pressed him again, this time into a mistake… Pappas poor backpass put Defoe into space and he did the rest but it is important to note another reason Defoe is on a different level than other strikers to have played for this team. At this moment, before the ball even comes to him, he takes a quick look to see the scenario drawn up around him before he goes into the box to make it 2-0. THE NEGATIVES: There were very few. For a starting XI who had never played together before this was a very impressive performance. One thing to monitor is the De Rosario position. Bradley and Osorio were excellent but are far from the finished article as a partnership and will need help with someone dropping in defensively, particularly when the game gets stretched. THE STAR MAN: Defoe was the difference maker and that is exactly what he is. Good teams need goal scorers to ensure the dominance reflected in the performance is the same in the scoreline, but aside from the goals the star man in Seattle was Bradley. One of the biggest tactical discussions at all levels is around how many players a coach should play in central midfield. At the very highest level it is hard to see teams win championships regularly with just two in that area of the field, although teams like Manchester City and PSG are certainly threating that trend. In MLS it is definitely possible to play 442 if you have players like Bradley who can do it all. He is not a defensive midfielder. He is a complete central midfielder at this level, who can ignite counter attacks, read the game to be in the right areas to be an outlet or get the ball to find outlets, and press opponents into mistakes. On Saturday he won seven tackles and made an impressive eight recoveries that helped Toronto in the crucial transition game. (see below for Bradley player map) Toronto FC have waited seven years for a proven goal scorer and on the same day one shows up alongside a midfield maestro who looks like he can dictate MLS games for the next five years. Eagles Jerseys . Mark Van Guilder, Austin Watson and Colton Sissons also scored for the Admirals (22-13-10), who are 2-0-2 in their last four outings, while Roussel tacked on an assist for a two-point night. Greg Pateryn scored once for the Bulldogs (20-22-4), who lost their fifth straight contest, and also assisted on Gabriel Dumonts goal. Dallas Goedert Jersey . Three pitches later, he was hugging Mike Napoli at home plate after his teammates winning home run. Napoli and Ortiz hit consecutive homers with one out in the 10th inning and the Boston Red Sox rallied past Minnesota 2-1 Wednesday, sending the Twins to their fifth straight loss.MILAN - Roberto Mancinis first game back in charge of Inter ended with a 1-1 draw against city rival AC Milan in front of a sellout crowd on Sunday.A stunning Jeremy Menez volley gave Milan the halftime lead but Joel Obi levelled shortly after the hour mark.Both sides also hit the crossbar through Stephan El Shaarawy and Mauro Icardi.Its not the easiest thing starting with a derby match, we only had five days to work together, Mancini said. But we had great spirit, so its a positive night for me, apart from we didnt win.The derby is always a really lovely match. It made me happy to see a full San Siro. Well try to do our best quickly, because you need results in football and Im convinced well get them.In previous seasons, the derby would often be vital for the destination of the title.Not this season.The result left Milan in seventh spot, 13 points behind Serie A leader Juventus, with Inter a point further back.I think my players were really good in trying to get the win, others would have sat back and played for the draw, Milan coach Filippo Inzaghi said. The two great chances we had at the end leave a really bitter taste, they would have given us the three points which would have changed peoples opinions.We need to get back to taking all three points, as at the moment were not getting what we deserve.Earlier, Napoli squandered a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 at home to Cagliari and lose ground in the title race, while Udineses Antonio Di Natale scored his 200th Serie A goal in a 1-1 draw against Chievo Verona.Sampdoria remained fourth after Constantin Nicas own goal salvaged a 1-1 draw at Cesena.Fiorentina beat Hellas Verona 2-1, with both sides hitting the crossbar, and Empoli won 2-0 at bottom club Parma, to put more pressure on former Italy coach Roberto Donadonii. Markus Wheaton Eagles Jersey. Sassuolo won 1-0 at Torino.In Milan, it was Inzaghis first derby in charge, while Mancini — who replaced the sacked Walter Mazzarri last week — won four derby matches during his first stint as Inter coach, losing five and drawing one.Milan soaked up the early pressure before taking the lead with its first shot on target. El Shaarawy raced down the left flank and crossed for an exquisite volley from Menez into the far corner.Milan went close to doubling its advantage shortly after halftime but Giacamo Bonaventuras effort took a slight deflection off Andrea Ranocchia and flashed across the face of goal.Moments later at the other end, Lopez denied Zdravko Kuzmanovic and the ball pinged around the box before coming out to Icardi, who blazed it over the bar.Milan could have snatched the win as deep into stoppages Andrea Polis effort was deflected just past the post with Samir Handanovic stranded.It was not a normal night. Its been a busy and hard 48 hours, you have to act a bit on instinct when things happen so quickly, Mancini said. You can understand a lot of things in matches that you cant see in training, so it will take four or five matches before I know the players well.Napoli slipped nine points behind Juventus and six behind Roma, after both sides won on Saturday.Gonzalo Higuain put the home side in front in the 11th minute and Gokhan Inler doubled its lead with a 25-yard screamer.Victor Ibarbo and Diego Farias scored either side of halftime to pull Cagliari level and, although Jonathan de Guzman headed Napoli back in front, Farias equalized again.Napoli was back in front on the hour mark when De Guzman was left unmarked to head Christian Maggios cross into the far corner but Farias levelled again, sidefooting in Ibarbos low cross. Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys 2020 Wholesale Authentic Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale NFL Womens Jerseys China NFL Jerseys ' ' '
Share:
