2024-07-16 08:16:53
Olmo hits playoffs
İdman.biz presents an article with a link to soccer.ru.
Dani can even be called the favorite of the race – precisely because of how he gained form during the tournament. The Euro midfielder started on the bench and won a place in the starting lineup only in the playoffs. In the group stage, he scored one goal, plus he participated in the rout of Georgia (goal). But his most striking performances came in key matches for Spain.
The “Red Fury” faced the most serious tests – in the playoffs, it went through a part of the bracket that included almost all the favorites. Therefore, they met Germany – the other most stylish team of the championship and the host country – in the quarterfinals. In the next stage, they got to the French team – which had lost its scoring instinct, but still had a dangerous selection of players. In both cases, it was Olmo who became the most noticeable player in the final third. Against the Bundesteam, he came in for the injured Pedri – he scored himself and assisted on the winning goal at the end of extra time. And against the “three colors” he became the author of the winning goal – the course of the match was turned in 4 minutes.
Olmo has been showing great performances in important matches against top opponents, and he is now the most visible. And besides, there is a huge motivation to raise his price – top clubs (even his native Barça) were interested in the player in the spring, but they were in no hurry with offers. It is time to hurry them up – especially since the clause on compensation in the contract is valid only until July 20.
Kane scores every other time
The Bayern forward also came to the final match of the tournament with three goals – but he is moving more steadily through the Euro. These three goals were distributed evenly. The first was in the second round against the Danish national team. Then the English wanted to get through the group stage halfway – but the Danes responded with their own goal. Then Harry got involved in the 1/8 final match against Slovakia. Jude Bellingham saved the English, but in extra time Kane scored the winning goal.
Then – a penalty in the match against the Netherlands. Also an important goal – this is how Kane restored equality on the scoreboard (the Dutch scored not in the seventh minute). Then Ollie Watkins became a joker. But in the dispute of scorers, Harry is rather an outsider.
Kane has struggled to score goals in this tournament, largely due to the way Gareth Southgate’s team play. Harry simply isn’t getting enough passes. This forces him to move away from the tip of the ball (yes, he does move around a lot, but at least the ball gets to him in other situations). A case in point: in the game against Switzerland, the forward spent most of his playing time as a holding midfielder.
And now the question is – in a situation where you are not being “fed” balls, when you have to go deep and leave the final third to get them, where will the goals come from?
Jude turns on at the most necessary moment
This is why England’s game looks extremely unbalanced – but even they can squeeze something out of it. Mostly thanks to the individual skill of the leaders. Watkins brought victory over the Netherlands, before that Bukayo Saka reminded us of himself – and allowed the English to survive until penalties in the match with Switzerland.
But even against their background, the “leader” stands out – Jude Bellingham. This is the man who took everything into his own hands in the situation of general goal impotence. Without his goals, there would be no English in the final – the only victory in the group stage (1:0 with the Serbs) was brought by the Real Madrid midfielder. He also launched a comeback against the Slovakian team. At the moment when the English were struggling with the implementation and knocked the posts.
This is a piece of Real Madrid brought to the game by the England team – goals based on individual skill, when the episode does not imply it. Therefore, the midfielder should not be written off, despite the lag behind the leaders. A brace would be an overperformance, which is hard to believe. But it fits into the philosophy of England. The team has previously survived on the qualities of individual players, each result – on a thin line. But those were matches against average teams, “dark horses” and near-tops. And now – a test against a full-fledged favorite. Even Bellingham will have to show something more to win.
The deciding factor in the Ballon d’Or battle
For two of the three players mentioned above, the outcome of the Euro and the scoring race are important not only in themselves. For Kane and Bellingham, the outcome of the tournament will also determine their prospects for the Ballon d’Or. The group of favorites included Bellingham, Vinicius, Mbappe, and Kane could have been included at a stretch.
Now France is left without a final, and Kylian failed the tournament – he can be cut off from the list. But Harry improved his position. In his favor was the title of the best scorer of the Champions League-23/24 (shares the lead with Mbappe and de Jong) – at the same time, the striker is more noticeable at the Euro than the Frenchman, plus his team still made it to the final. Victory in the tournament and the title of best scorer will be the strongest arguments.
On the other hand, in this case, the trophy will also go to Bellingham’s assets – and the midfielder also won the Champions League with Los Blancos. Two trophies and a leadership role at club and national team – against personal achievements and a similar role for Kane.
Jude can finally remove all questions after the Euros – if he scores a winning double. Then his status as the sole savior of Southgate and the national team will be unshakable. And there will be nothing to counter his competitors with.
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