At the stroke of half an hour, a shiver ran through the girona stadium. Pressured by Kylian Mbappé, Paulo Gazzaniga hooks, turns, before releasing a lateral pass. The message is clear: the Argentine goalkeeper is not afraid of the 25-year-old Merengue. Certainly pressing has never been the Parisian’s most threatening weapon. But Gazzaniga doesn’t feel he has much to fear from the attacker.
And the first hour of play proved him right. The only problem: a missed face-to-face when returning from the changing rooms. Guilty of a handball at the start of the action, the Parisian knew that the goal would have been disallowed anyway. Hesitant, he continued the action anyway, perhaps just to reassure himself. Once again the opposing goalkeeper had no reason to worry.
But it was the 62nd minute of the match. Luka Modric has drawn a right winger who has the secret to serving Mbappé’s beautiful call-counter-call.The latter directs ball control towards the goal, but appears to present a relative danger as it is off-centre. But with a sharp right foot he pierces Gazzaniga and scores Real’s third goal of the evening.
A goal much harder to score than any penalty, but the kind of result were instinct takes precedence over confidence. The French international thus scored his 11th goal in all competitions with the Merengue colors and put the veil on Real Madrid’s success, after goals from Jude Bellingham (36th) and Arda Güler (55th).
little found in the first period
Even though initially shaken, Casa Blanca returned to within two points of Barça, held in check against Betis Sevilla (2-2), with a game to recover against Valencia. If Mbappé started the match, he didn’t settle down on the left wing, a position he likes. The recent appearances on the left of the Bondynois, though, had not especially reassured. He scored against Leganés (3-0) and against Getafe (2-0), but this return close to his comfort zone did not prevent him from committing two penalties, in the most vital matches against Liverpool (2-0) and against the Athletic. Bilbao (2-1).
This Saturday, in the first half, Mbappé was regularly unable to be found by his teammates who were too busy chasing the restless Géronais, 8th in La Liga at kick-off. To compensate, it sometiems crashed in the heart of the game without much affect. Swift to serve his friend, Bellingham then found the solution himself. Vinicius’ absence has put the spotlight on the former Dortmund man’s strong return. The 21-year-old has scored 5 goals in Real’s last 5 La Liga matches. The forced rest of the Brazilian winger could suggest that Mbappé will take advantage of it to attract more balls. But if there’s anyone who leads the team, it’s “Jude.”
However,Ancelotti announced that Sheriff “Vini” will return to the city this Tuesday,in the Champions League. Only 24th in the group, Real will visit Atalanta bergamo. Enough to bring back to Mbappé the memory of his first goal in his first match with the Merengue colours.It was the UEFA Super Cup (2-0), at a time in which he was not yet inhabited by this doubt which inhibits his extraordinary skills as a footballer. Before this meeting, he will have the possibility to practise his oratory skills during a highly anticipated interview at the microphone of Clique, on Canal+, on Sunday evening.
What key skills should young goalkeepers develop to handle high-pressure situations in modern football?
Time.news Editor: Good afternoon, and welcome to another insightful interview. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Marco Rivera, a sports analyst and goalkeeper coach, to discuss the dynamics of modern football, especially focusing on the recent match that showcased the interactions between Kylian Mbappé and goalkeeper Paulo gazzaniga. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Rivera.
Dr. Marco Rivera: Thank you for having me! Its a pleasure to be here.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. In the match at Girona Stadium, Gazzaniga faced a significant moment when pressured by Mbappé. What do you make of his decision to execute a lateral pass under such intense pressure?
Dr. Rivera: That’s a great question. What we saw from Gazzaniga is a combination of confidence and presence of mind. Frequently enough when a goalkeeper is pressed by someone as dynamic as Mbappé, panic can set in. However, Gazzaniga’s ability to hook the ball and make a precise lateral pass shows he was not only ready for the challenge, but that he also trusted his instincts. It speaks volumes about his composure and decision-making skills at crucial moments.
Editor: It truly seems that pressing, traditionally a strong tactic, wasn’t as effective for Paris Saint-Germain in this instance. why do you think that is?
Dr. Rivera: Pressing can put immense pressure on goalkeepers, but it requires cooperation from the entire team to be effective. If the pressing isn’t cohesive or if the opponent is capable of bypassing it, it can appear ineffective. In this instance, Gazzaniga clearly assessed the situation well.He recognized that he was being pressured but also understood that he had options. Additionally, PSG might not have committed enough players to the press, which allowed Gazzaniga some breathing room.
Editor: You mention Gazzaniga’s confidence in the face of Mbappé. How important is a goalkeeper’s mental state in games against high-caliber forwards?
Dr. Rivera: The mental aspect of goalkeeping is crucial. A goalkeeper needs to exude confidence not just for themselves but also to instill faith in their defenders. When facing elite players like Mbappé, it’s essential for the keeper to maintain a level head. Confidence can drastically affect performance; if a keeper believes they can handle the pressure, they are more likely to succeed. Gazzaniga’s calmness likely assured his defense, which can impact the overall team morale and strategy.
Editor: In your experience, what can young goalkeepers learn from Gazzaniga’s approach to the game?
Dr. Rivera: Young goalkeepers should focus on developing both their technical skills and their mental resilience. Gazzaniga demonstrated excellent awareness and decision-making, which are vital traits for any goalkeeper. Aspiring keepers should also practice scenarios where they are under pressure, learning to read the game and anticipate attackers’ movements. It’s not just about saving shots; it’s about how to manage the game itself.
Editor: Valuable insights, Dr. Rivera. As fans, we appreciate the intricate dance between forwards and goalkeepers. The mental game, as you pointed out, plays a significant role. Any final thoughts on the evolving nature of attacks in football?
Dr. Rivera: Absolutely! The modern game has evolved with players becoming faster, more skilled, and more strategic.The interaction between attackers and goalkeepers is more complex than ever, and it’s interesting to witness how they adapt to each other’s styles. I believe we’ll continue to see goalkeepers like Gazzaniga take on greater roles not just as shot-stoppers,but as essential playmakers in the game. Thank you for having me!
Editor: thank you, Dr. Rivera.It’s been enlightening to explore these ideas, and I’m sure our readers will appreciate your expertise on such a fascinating aspect of football. Until next time, keep enjoying the beautiful game!