T
There will be an atmosphere of excitement and glamour at this event, accompanied by smoke, noise, and lively shouts at a passing bus. The TV graphics will be flashy and energetic, adding to the overall atmosphere. Eventually, a slim man will energetically mime tactical movements on the sidelines, mimicking the movements of controlling a submarine.
Goals are expected in the upcoming game between Liverpool and Manchester City, as the two teams have scored a combined total of 50 goals in their last 14 matches. However, there is a possibility that misses will also be a noticeable part of the game, with potential shanks, muffs, scuffs, and crossbar-wobbling shots. Both teams will have their opportunities, but there is also the chance that they will fail to convert key scoring opportunities.
There is always a temptation to downplay the excitement before such an obviously enticing match between the top two teams in the Premier League. We are familiar with the expectations and symbols associated with these events, such as showdowns and pivotal moments for the title.
In actuality, things tend to be different. Based on previous instances, it seems unlikely that there will be a single game that determines the title, especially with 10 games left to play and Arsenal being a strong contender. The upcoming schedule suggests that the battle for the championship may ultimately come down to how well a team performs against Tottenham.
However, despite this, it still seems like a true deciding factor, considering the recent trend of last-day pursuits. It is also an interesting and uncommon possibility, as both teams have built their offensive strategies around two central strikers who are entertaining to watch, but have distinct and somewhat similar approaches.
Erling Haaland and Darwin Núñez have been an interesting duo to compare since their simultaneous arrival in England for comparable fees. Despite their physicality and agility as tall center-forwards, they also showcase intriguing strengths and weaknesses that are intertwined in their playing styles.
On one side, Haaland, the pure goalscoring phenomenon, razor edge in a treble-winning team, who also seems, in isolated moments, to be playing with a set of trowels strapped to his feet. On the other the Premier League’s own lord of misrule, a footballer who doesn’t so much contribute to a game of football as crash into it, cartwheeling about at the centre of Jürgen Klopp’s attack to increasingly convincing effect.
“Please view the image in fullscreen mode.”
Both are having excellent seasons. Haaland as a point of tactical evolution for the great midfield fetishist Pep Guardiola; Núñez as a slight return, a shift closer to the concussive, creative gegenpressing of early Klopp.
Throughout the season, both Liverpool and City have struggled with high-profile missed opportunities, known as the “uber-shank.” It is not surprising to see these teams leading the Premier League’s list of Big Chances Missed, with Liverpool at 52 and City just two behind. However, this can be attributed to the fact that top teams tend to create more scoring opportunities, resulting in both more goals scored and more chances missed. It is a natural part of the game for talented players to occasionally miss chances, but they also have the ability to crush your hopes and dreams and show no fear or vulnerability like ruthless sharks.
However, there are two noteworthy aspects to consider. Firstly, the evident prominence of center-forwards in the occurrences of Big Missed Chances. Haaland is leading the pack with 26 chances, while Núñez closely follows behind and is responsible for approximately half of his team’s total chances. Both players are expected to surpass their tallies from last season.
It is not difficult to understand why. A major focus for City’s gameplay is now centered on creating opportunities for their designated scorer. They consistently have possession of the ball in the offensive third. Haaland’s failure to convert some of these chances will inevitably be a recurring aspect of the game, especially when his spectacular misses add some variety to an otherwise dominant and repetitive game. As seen in last week’s blunder at the Etihad, Haaland once again appeared out of nowhere to clumsily kick the ball far above the goal.
An important element of Haaland’s distinct style of missing shots – the power-miss, with awkward footwork and aggressive spinning – is how these moments are connected to his key strengths. Haaland’s exceptional attribute is the unmatched blend of his size, speed, and accuracy. Usain Bolt was one of a kind with his ability to match the stride length of a large person and the agility and speed of an average-sized sprinter. Similarly, Haaland possesses outsized qualities that he can effectively apply on a human scale. His ability to generate energy in close quarters, combined with his talent to quickly turn and sprint from far distances, makes him nearly unstoppable from the 30-yard mark and beyond. This irresistible asset only becomes stronger with time.
after newsletter promotion
This is also the reason why he will not successfully take opportunities in that manner, as City’s style of play often requires him to use complex techniques, such as quick passing, in close proximity to the goal. And when he is not performing well in that aspect, he will miss with grace, serving as a reminder that he is a tall player forced to maneuver in small areas. Instead of narrowly missing goals, we see powerful shots into the ground or headers over the crossbar, as if he is trying to squeeze his body into the backseat of a small car.
Haaland doesn’t worry about misses, is never cowed from applying the same energy to every involvement because he knows he will eventually succeed that way. Of some concern for City will be those periods when he fades entirely from the game, as has sometimes been the case against better teams with better one-on-one defenders. With Haaland as their focus City are both deadlier and more fragile, more vulnerable to the counterattack. He may not be a player of great range or deeper gears, but his presence still defines this this team from back to front.
In recent months, Núñez has been a strong influence for Liverpool, although his style has been distinctively unique. Even when he misses, Núñez does it in his own way. He has a specific skill in shots or passes that appear effortless, yet end up going wildly off target or hitting the post with unnecessary force and accuracy.
His strong point lies in constantly causing chaos and being highly mobile, but this also means he may miss sometimes. Núñez does not have the same scoring abilities as Haaland, but has recorded impressive stats such as 21 tackles and interceptions, 592 touches, 36 take-ons, and 2,149 meters of ball carrying, which are all considerably above average for players in his position.
These numbers reflect the reality of a creative presence the ancient Greeks would have characterised as “frenzy”, a revolving series of collision, angles, shots runs, decoy runs. Núñez is always moving, always in contact with the nearest hostile body, rarely lurking in space waiting for his sniper’s shot. And as with Haaland, those misses are a natural component of the qualities he brings. For all the lean spells the last time time Liverpool lost with Núñez in the starting XI was Real Madrid in March last year.
Both coaches, especially Guardiola, have consistently desired control and achieved league victories through possession and minimizing uncertain factors in matches. However, their current situations differ slightly as they face a game that will ultimately be determined by capitalized and missed opportunities.
Source: theguardian.com
