highlights.
pay attention to his movement at timestamp 5:00 This is a 3v2 situation for the defense, so the two free cbs should be able to handle sardar as he is dzyubas only passing option. But they cant. Not many forwards have the wherewithal to hold their run on fast counter, lulling defenders to sleep (think he isnt gonna do anything) and then have the acceleration to get away from everybody on a straight sprint.
The timing of that run and decision to bait the defenders by holding it initially is so classic azmoun and really calibre CF play. That is how he make so many chances for himself.
His desicion to chip was also correct one given angle but GK made great save.
The run and finish at 6:33 speak for themselves.
On a team note, zenit started with brazilian douglas santos in midfield today, and young russian krugovoy at LB. This could potentially be a smart idea for CL, especially if they cannot land a top class midfielder. Douglas scored the brilliant first goal, also in CL when he played midfield vs lyon they looked much better in that zone (he gave the great reverse ball for azmoun to initiate 1-2 with dzyuba that carved open the french). In general it gives them a lot more fluidity and much more creativity in their passing than when they play two sitting destroyers in Barrios + slightly more box 2 box but not technically refined ozdoev.
in CL I would not be surprised if we see semak go 4-3-3 for games vs teams with strong CBs that dzyuba cannot overpower and will require more speed and creativity to break down.
-----------Barrios-------
Ozdoev------------Santos
Malcom----Sardar----Driussi
Could do the trick, maybe adding a star CM in place of ozdoev if they get lucky in the market.
The two russian youngsters that returned from loan, krugovoy the LB as mentioned, and the winger mostovoy who gave great assist for goal 3 seem like they can add a lot of speed and give semak additional options this term for rotation. This team really lacks speed in certain zones last season. I still think they are on market for that key midfielder though, hopefully a situation similar to malcom one arises where some big team has a top class, younger CM who isnt getting the minutes he would like an fancies being a star in CL for a few seasons with russian champs.
.
Comment