Well as @AlexiLalas would say “set pieces, set pieces , set pieces. That is the story of the EPL currently. Arsenal pick up from last year and are the set pieces kings. But wait , how did Spurs win this weekend, set pieces. Man United keep their streak although small alive, I will hold judgement for now, just not convinced by them yet. But who I am convinced by is Sunderland! They won’t win the league and I am sure there are bumps in the road ahead but I love how they keep going to the final whistle, I think Chelsea thought they would settle for the draw. BIG shoutout to Leeds and our Brendon Aaronson, a great performance, lets hope this gives him confidence to keep showing what he has. I will talk more about him when I focus on the USMNT later in the blog post.
The El Classico , it didn’t disappoint! One thing that has disappointed is the what I have heard post the game about certain players and their performances. Lets start with Madrid, Mbappe and Bellingham were outstanding , nice to see Jude getting fitness back and showing he can work in Alonso’s system. Camavinga showed well after all his injury woes he looked very good. It was a different formation than what we have seen lately from Madrid, perhaps it was just for this opponent. Now Barca, felt bad for Pedri his red card I thought was harsh and I also felt he and de Jong although they played alright were overrun in midfield, and that was by design, Xavi Alonso really bottled them up. Ferrin Lopez yes had a nice goal continuing his scoring form but seemed more chippy than any thing and not very effective. And then there is Kounde, what was he thinking on the cross late in the game into the box trying to take it on his chest, head right or left, Barca get a share of the spoils. Now to my rant! And it is two fold! Yes Vini Jr came off the pitch and acted like a child, horrible look, but everyone was going on about how great he was and how off Yamal was. I went watch the replay because in my head I couldn’t remember a thing that Vini Jr did that stood out for me. Once I rewatched he had a few step overs in the corner with his back to Kounde, that was really it , I didn’t see much else. In fact that right there sums up what I have seen from him for sum time, I just don’t see what the fuss is about. Now Yamal , ok he didn’t score but allot of the time he doesn’t it’s his assist with that crazy left foot that catch the eye. On the night Madrid were mindful to have three people on him as soon as he had the ball, fine, but he still tried to dribble them was nota always perfect, the third man cleaned up for the two he had already evaded OR he found a through pass to keep forward momentum, I didn’t see him pass back all that often, everyone kept saying he has back all night, what?? As I mentioned above late in the game he found Kounde with a beautiful ball into the box which then Kounde spoiled. There was talk he wasn’t 100% and maybe so but he still showed me more than Vini Jr. The after the game antics , yes Yamal was involved, again a bad look for him too, no excuse. But for me if you are going to compare players or compare Yamal to somebody on Madrid, Mdappe would be where I would start or Rodrygo if they would give him a run and he could get form back , but Vini Jr? Not seeing it!!
American footballers home and abroad — Lets start with Brendon at Leeds , I really hope he can build on that performance. My concern with Brendon has never been his talent/skill, in fact I have always wanted him to show more, be brave with the ball take on defenders. That is also what concern, Brendon slight frame I have always seen him get taken off the ball easy. The EPL is known for that “hard” challenges, that is not to say that some one “smaller” can not express him self, Chelsea’s Eden Hazard was about Brendon’s size and he was unplayable and dribble king. MLS playoffs kicked off and wow , some very good games. Chicago have really impressed me, Cinncy over Columbus , tight game but a fun watch and Leo Messi and Miami , what can I say he is diving for headers and scoring, I love it.
Looking forward to more MLS playoffs this week , and is there anyone that wants to bet that Arsenal win off of a set pieces again?
Until next week , happy watching!!!
#EL Clasico #EPL #Arsenal #USMNT