UCL Preview: Ziyech and Ajax target the scalp of the champions

Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid CF controls the ball during the Santiago Bernabeu Trophy between Real Madrid CF and AC Milan at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on August 11, 2018 in Madrid, Spain.

(Aug. 10, 2018 - Source: Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images Europe)

There is an incredible feeling of security and surety in the Real Madrid air which had become quite rare in the past few months, since the departure of the juggernaut, Cristiano Ronaldo and former boss in Zinedine Zidane. It’s worth noting now more than ever, by reason of a solid performance put in by Los Blancos to secure a 1-1 El-Clasico draw away at Barcelona on Wednesday, in the first leg of the Copa Del Rey semi-final. However, the next Wednesday presents a new challenge, one I believe to be the most revealing. The numbers 4, 21, and 22 do not sound a lot like a perfect symphony on paper but happen to be more than that on the field of play. Santiago Solari and Real Madrid will have to find a way to discord the harmony of the triad orchestra.

The Madrid context

I am talking about Matthijs de Ligt, Frenkie de Jong, Hakim Ziyech and their shirt numbers. Ajax FC booked a UEFA Champions League round of 16 slot after a thoroughly impressive campaign that saw them finish second in a group that also featured Benfica, Bayern Munich and AEK Athens. The Dutch Eredivisie club actually finished the group stages unbeaten and will by no means be a free pass for the record 13 time champions who usually come alive at this stage of the competition. Real Madrid seemingly have their feet in the water; two managerial appointments in 4 months, teenage signings in the summer transfer window and 8 points off bitter rivals Barcelona in the La Liga title race; all do not tell a story of “the Madrid way.” The most recent El Clasico draw at the Camp Nou did offer some hope of a new and more resilient Real but the champions league outing to Ajax should be the biggest test to their resolve, yet.

Not the same story

What do I think of course, Madrid have been in this position before, when they will be off the pace in the Spanish La Liga but then go beast mode and conquer the whole of Europe, in a typical water to wine fashion. That’s actually how their have been rolling in the past few years, including those in which they grabbed 3 champions league titles in a row. With no Ronaldo in their squad, the all-time UCL record scorer and Zidane, the orchestrator of the 3 title triumphs and adding an unpopular but solid setup of Ajax to the equation - it’s an entirely different story this campaign. Erik ten Hagen’s men are giving the vibes of Dortmund 2013 who unexpectedly went all the way to the final, even knocking out Real Madrid in the process. The Amsterdam club comprises of course the 22-year-old Cameroonian international goalkeeper, Andre Onana and the big number 4, Matthijs de Ligt - the teenager good enough to captain the side. De Ligt has been frequenting in the news as the likes of PSG and Barcelona are reported to toiling day and night to win the signature of the big, young center-half. Speaking of Barcelona, they recently acquired Ajax’s number 21, Frenkie de Jong for £65 million, the star ball playing midfielder who is tipped to help fill the void left by Xavi and Andres Iniesta. The 21-year-old de Jong links up with de Ligt from the back and ignites the final magic number, shirt number 22 where it gets even more interesting.

“However, the next Wednesday presents a new challenge, one I believe to be the most revealing. The numbers 4, 21, and 22 do not sound a lot like a perfect symphony on paper but happen to be more than that on the field of play. Santiago Solari and Real Madrid will have to find a way to discord the harmony of the triad orchestra.”

— Dennis Takaendesa, FirstTouch Africa

Hakim Ziyech of Ajax is challenged by Ljubomir Fejsa of Benfica (L) and Gedson of Benfica during the Group E match of the UEFA Champions League between Ajax and SL Benfica at Johan Cruyff Arena on October 23, 2018 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

(Oct. 22, 2018 - Source: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images Europe)

The Left-Hooker

We have featured the Moroccan here on FirstTouch, several times and was ofcourse one of the biggest topics of African football in the year 2018 when he appeared for Lions of the Atlas at the 2018 world cup in Russia. Regarded as currently one of the best playmakers in the world, Ziyech has been delivering the goods for Ajax since day 1 and Madrid will have to work on silencing the 25-year-old if they hope for a favorable result. His arm like left-foot remind me of my favorite childhood boxer who stung opponents with a left and earned the praise name, “Left-hooker.” After being deployed a bit further up the pitch as one of the front 3 in Erik ten Hagen’s 4-3-3 setup, Ziyech has proven worthy of the role.The Moroccan has since scored 12 goals and 8 others in 17 Eredivisie appearances. That is an astounding average of 1.2 goal involvement in every other match he has played.

I will just leave this one right there, who you got? Ajax or the serial champions, Real Madrid.

My Prediction: Ajax will go through to the quarter-finals by upsetting Los Blancos.

UCL Preview: Will record breaking Marega resume form as Porto visit Roma?

Cengiz Under (C) with his teammates of AS Roma celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the serie A match between AS Roma and Genoa CFC at Stadio Olimpico on April 18, 2018 in Rome, Italy.

(April 17, 2018 - Source: Paolo Bruno/Getty Images Europe)

The last time Mousa “The Beast” Marega appeared in the UEFA Champions League, he went all Beast Mode! The Malian forward made history in the group stages as he became the first African to score in 5 consecutive UCL matches.Consequently he is tied on third place with the likes of Neymar and Dybala on the current top scorers of the 2018/19 campaign.

Heading into the tournament, the 27-year-old was only but filling the shoes of the injured Cameroonian international, Vincent Aboubakar in the Primeira Liga champions’ setup and boy did he do it with so much grace! FC Porto finished the group stages unbeaten with the highest points tally of 16 amongst all the 2018/19 participants and that was after going toe to toe with experienced sides such as Schalke and Galatasaray. Marega is expected to continue leading the Portuguese’ club frontline heading into the knockout stages beginning with the challenge of last year’s semi-finalists in AS Roma. Quite frankly, Roma doesn’t look like the side they were when they achieved that feat back in 2018. The Giallorossi did just enough to secure a knock-out spot in the round of 16 and their domestic performances need a lot to be desired. Recently, they were humiliated 7-1 by Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia quarter-final and currently sit 6th on the Italian Serie A league table, very much at the extreme end of a crowded race for the champions league places. On the other hand, Porto are actually on top of the world. They are perhaps fancying themselves to grab a consecutive Portuguese Primeira League title, sitting pretty at the top of the standings ahead of Europa League bound, Benfica.

Moussa Marega celebrates with Yacine Brahimi of FC Porto after scores the second goal during the Primeira Liga match between FC Porto and Feirense at Estadio do Dragao on May 6, 2018 in Porto, Portugal.

(May 5, 2018 - Source: Octavio Passos/Getty Images Europe)

Players to look out of

Marega who is currently on 7 goals and 5 assists in the Portuguese league is expected to continue linking up with Algerian international, Yacine Brahimi, the physically built playmaker/winger with technical abilities of rare quality. He provided 2 assists in the group stages and remains a force to reckon with, both on and off the ball. In case you are wondering, Chancel Mbemba of DR Congo is also an option for FC Porto in the defensive backline and will be hoping to get a run-in after finding game minutes hard to come by in recent weeks. As for AS Roma, their only arsenal heading into the fixture is their experience. Despite being gifted with the talents of Cengiz Under, Edin Dzeko, Kostas Manolas and Steven Nzonzi - their current form has done little to explain such quality.

The good thing is that, this happens to be the UEFA Champions League round of 16 where the stakes are obviously higher and teams give in more than they got. It’s obviously unfortunate for Roma that they have to welcome the Portuguese champions on Tuesday night, 13th of February 2018, an incredibly confident and organized side threatening to go all the way. But hey, it’s great news for all of us fans, we have a great spectacle on our hands.

My Prediction: Marega and Brahimi will rise to the occasion and send FC Porto through to the quarter-finals.

“Marega who is currently on 7 goals and 5 assists in the Portuguese league is expected to continue linking up with Algerian international, Yacine Brahimi, the physically built playmaker/winger with technical abilities of rare quality. He provided 2 assists in the group stages and remains a force to reckon with, both on and off the ball.”

— Dennis Takaendesa, FirstTouch Africa

FT World Cup 2018: Round of 16 Preview [Portugal vs Uruguay]

The Portugal vs Uruguay could easily be the most testy fixture of the Round of 16 as it will be a La Liga reunion for Cristiano as the Real Madrid forward battles against rival Atletico defenders Diego Godin and Jose Giminez. Similar for Luis Suarez on the opposite side who will undoubtedly end of up in a pissing match with Pepe. Portugal will be looking to provide better offensive support for Cristiano, as he has scored all of their goals in the tournament so far. Bernardo Silva, Gelson Martins, and Goncalo Guedes have been largely unimpactful in Russia and will need to step up if Uruguay’s back 4 are to be tested.

Portugal

"SIIIIIII." Cristiano Ronaldo

Say what you want about Ronaldo’s impact in build up play this tournament so far, Portugal obviously could care less. They have a clear team strategy that has proven very effective for them in recent international competitions, and ultimately was the major factor in them winning Euro 2016 (at least getting to the finals). Even when his finishing lets him down every now and then, Cristiano is much too potent of a scoring threat, simply because of his range. And I don’t mean shooting range, even thought that’d be more than applicable here. I mean his range and ability to score with variety. Real Madrid’s star man is an extremely dangerous threat from 30 yards out on either foot, is a dead ball specialist and is very strong using his head. This makes him a threat on any corner kick or cross into the oppositions box. Having already scored in Russia through each of the avenues I have just described, Ronaldo will be looking to add to his 4 goals and lead Portugal into the Quarter Finals.

William Carvalho

The holding or defensive midfield position in football is similar to the Corner Back position in American football in the fact that at times, the player occupying the position may be doing his or her best work when no one is mentioning them during the match. Carvalho has easily been one of the best midfielders so far this tournament, due to his ability to read the game, cover ground, and completely alter the oppositions playing style at times in Russia. Not only is he very strong in the tackle, but does the running of two men for Portugal. As Uruguay are a team that pride themselves in their grit and an industry, Carvalho will be a key player for Portugal as he will have to help keep track of Edison Cavani and Luis Suarez as they both drop deep to find the ball at times on Saturday.

Experience

Euro 2016 marked the tournament for me where Portugal can no longer be seen as anything other than contenders in major international competitions. Before winning the 2016 European Championship, they may have had an early exit in World Cup 2014, but prior to that, they made it to the Semi Finals in Euro 2012, the Quarter Finals in Euro 2008, and the Finals of Euro 2004. They also made it to the Semi Finals of World Cup 2006. Cristiano Ronaldo captains the current Portugal side and is the most familiar with his team’s recent successes, as he has seen his nations growth and establishment on the international stage. Portugal should be confident and have proven to themselves time and time again that they have the fight needed to progress at this stage.

 

Uruguay

They have the best defense in the tournament

Even though they will be looking at their star striker pairing of Suarez and Cavani to score against Portugal, both have perhaps been a bit overshadowed by the sheer might of Uruguay’s defensive prowess. “The holy grail of football is the word “balance”” Uruguayan coach Oscar Tabarez told reporters after his side’s 3-0 win against Russia. The Atletico Madrid defensive pairing of Diego Godin and Jose Giminez has seen Uruguay keep a shutout in each of their 3 group stage matches. Portugal will have a tall test come Saturday.

Suarez and Cavani Partnership

In their biggest defensive test thus far (spain) they yielded 3 goals. They have a potent offense in Suarez and Cavani who so far have 3 goals combined in Russia and are heating up a just the right time. Pepe and Fonte have good chemistry but will have a tough time keep up with the relentless movement of both of Uruguay’s talismanic strikers on Saturday.

Set Pieces

World Cup 2018 has been a tournament of set pieces, and Uruguay will know this more than anyone having scored all 5 of their group stage goals from set pieces. Portugal have already given up 2 goals from dead ball situations in Russia, and Uruguay will be looking to win this game by any means necessary

Impact of Football on Fans

How often do we actually sit down and think about the value that football adds to the avid soccer fan? Well, at FirstTouch Football, we like looking into such things and think about the impact. Does football bring joy, despair or any other emotion? Here’s our thought process.

In a tournament like the UEFA Champions League, there are two different types of teams that are often seeded against each other in the knockout rounds. The first being the typical giants like Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Juventus, most recently Paris St Germain among others. These are very big teams with great ambitions. They are often expected to win every match that they play during the season. This is different to the kind of teams like Liverpool, Basel, FC Porto and the like who are usually in this tournament just to try their luck and see where it takes them. It is not like they really look forward to lifting the trophy at the end of the tournament. This is just how it is. Having said that, this mentality within the team spreads out to a fan of the teams in question such that, whenever a soccer season starts, they know the limit to their expectations on their favorite teams.

When the tournament commences, nerves are prone to attacks. Fans have a scare when their teams fail to score, concede penalties, and receive red cards among other things. It doesn’t end there, some go home disappointed in the results. This has an impact on a person’s mood for the rest of the day and even sometimes the following days as you’ll be having some fans of other clubs sometimes rubbing the defeat in your face.

Enough said about the negative energy. What about winning? How’s that? ArsenalFan TV (on YouTube) has been a great platform that shows the emotions of fans post matches. The excitement, joy or happiness you see on the faces as their teams triumph in derbies or big matches is priceless. Soccer fans literally cannot stop smiling when they reflect on their teams performances after big wins. However, this is only beaten by claiming the title in any competition. Being the team to defeat everyone in the competition brings pride to the club and the fans. I mean, this is why people support football. To hopefully see their team lift a trophy at the end of the competition. Unfortunately, the trophy is only lifted by one team in any competition which sometimes mean that one team in a league of twenty is celebrating. What then would be a fair evaluation of the impact of soccer at such a moment? Does it bring happiness to the fans more than disappointment? What do you think?