The Light Knight
waitingfordalot.bsky.social
The Light Knight
@waitingfordalot.bsky.social
e.g. Artist, dog-lover, and avid reader.
That's a shame, but it's been a great run and a lot of fun. Cheers for all the effort
August 15, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Congrats mate, that's a brilliant achievement.
August 15, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Ultimately, it's easy to see why United are favourites with the underlying numbers and the 2 Spurs injuries.
The concern for me is that Spurs, without their best passers, will play a more physical midfield which is United's kryptonite, especially when getting pressed while playing out from the back.
May 21, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Bonus look at the Europa League numbers, where United have unquestionably been the best team in the competition - undefeated, the best underlying numbers despite the tougher run to the final, most goals scored.
Spurs' sole edge has been having a good shotstopper over United's average (number) one.
May 21, 2025 at 1:48 PM
One spot of hope for United is that Athletic Bilbao have not faced any real challenge in Europe so far. They had the much easier group stage opponents of the 2 sides, and their relatively challenging knockout games were made far easier with 3 red cards (2 early) across 4 matches.
May 1, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Hard working Gorka Guruzeta (28) is most likely to lead the line in La Liga, but January signing Maroan Sannadi (24) has started all 4 knockout round matches since his arrival (though not playing quite enough minutes to earn a radar).
May 1, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Instead look to the versatile Alex Berenguer (29), who has also played on both wings and up front, and will provide a more creative threat than Sancet.
On the flanks will be the Williams brothers, with Inaki (30) on the right and Nico (22) on the left, who are Athletic’s top scorers in Europe.
May 1, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Top scorer Oihan Sancet (25) is set to miss at least the first leg through injury, which will be a relief to United since the attacking midfielder is the Basque side’s elite goal threat. Youngster Unai Gomez (21) has not shown a similar ability so is unlikely to start in the number 10 spot.
May 1, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Mikel Jaurezigar (21) is the primary ball winner in the Athletic midfield. He is typically partnered with at least one of either Benat Prados (24), the more defensive option, or Inigo Ruiz De Galarreta (31), their best passer.
May 1, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Fellow veteran Yuri Berchiche (35) provides a passing outlet from the left, with deputy Adama Boiro (22) a more mobile and defensive alternative. Squad player Inigo Lekue (32) started both QF legs against Rangers when Berchiche was injured.
May 1, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Veteran Oscar de Marcos (36), sole survivor from the Bielsa era, still has the right back spot by merit in his final season thanks to his excellent ability in possession.
Andoni Gorosabel (28) has seen plenty of minutes when de Marcos has needed resting and is a capable understudy.
May 1, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Daniel Vivian (25) is Athletic’s most regular starter at CB with excellent passing stats backed up by solid all round numbers
Yeray Alvarez (30) has been his most common partner when fit, though Aitor Paredes (25) has filled in for both across all competitions.
May 1, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Unai Simon (27) missed the first few months of the season, but has regained his spot in the league with some solid shotstopping.
Julen Agirrezabala (24) was even better in that regard and has continued as number 1 in Europe.
May 1, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Argentine international Thiago Almada (23), a winter loan signing from Botafogo to replace squad player Said Benrahma, has 1 goal and 2 assists in his first 500 minutes in Ligue 1. His numbers in Brazil were respectable after being a young star in MLS and is another option for the left flank.
April 8, 2025 at 3:39 PM
With the injuries in attack, Lyon probably field a midfield 3. Previous manager Pierre Sage froze out and sold elite ballwinner Maxence Caqueret (25) right before getting sacked so expect Tanner Tessmann (23) to join Tolisso and Matic. Jordan Veretout (30) has mostly been Matic's (lesser) backup.
April 8, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Alexandre Lacazette (33) has shared the number 9 spot with Georges Mikautadze (24) under Fonseca, with the veteran still having the edge in terms of shot quality, creativity, and hold up play. Mikautadze has deputized on the left at times, and may be used there against United with Fofana injured.
April 8, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Rayan Cherki (21) is the team’s star player, either as a 10 or off the right, with elite creativity, dribbling ability and a solid goal threat. Ernest Nuamah (21) and Malick Fofana (20) have been Lyon’s go to wingers on the right and left but both are likely injured for the first leg this week.
April 8, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Nemanja Matic (36) is somehow still chugging along with his phenomenal passing still present- elite defensive work not so much. Corentin Tolisso (30) is sometimes an attacking partner for Matic in a 2 man midfield, but in a midfield 3 has been a hardworking 10 with the underlying numbers to match.
April 8, 2025 at 3:39 PM