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Wembley hosts the Champions League final for the first time since 2013 tonight and while Borussia Dortmund fell short 11 years ago against arch-rivals Bayern, the competition’s most successful team wouldn’t be in London this week if it wasn’t for Joselu blocking a storybook rematch last month. Dortmund relish their underdog tag, but can they produce another surprise one final time?
Continue reading “UCL final – Real vs. Dortmund preview: A por la 15, or redemption a decade later?”
First-half goals from Emre Can and a Marco Reus penalty saw an in-form Borussia Dortmund side extend their winning run to ten games across all competitions, returning top of the Bundesliga after a hard-fought 2-1 home victory against rivals RB Leipzig. Emil Forsberg pulled one back for Marco Rose’s side, before they almost snatched a point at the death in stoppage-time. Continue reading “Borussia Dortmund 2-1 RB Leipzig: Goals from Reus, Can see BVB back top of the Bundesliga”
Borussia Dortmund boast a plethora of attacking riches, but there are a few key players who remain unsung figures within their squad. The versatile Emre Can again proved why he deserves more respect and credit for his performances after netting the winner in an excellent overall showing vs. Hertha Berlin this evening.
Continue reading “Emre Can shows why he deserves more respect, after display vs Hertha Berlin”
Borussia Dortmund were made to work hard for their goals, but ultimately eased to a 6-1 thrashing over bottom side Paderborn – with winger Jadon Sancho marking his first start since March with the first senior hat-trick of his career to date.
Continue reading “SC Paderborn 1-6 Borussia Dortmund: Sancho’s first senior hat-trick sinks hosts”
PSG’s Champions League last-16 curse has finally been broken, as first-half goals by Neymar and Juan Bernat helped them overturn a 2-1 first leg deficit to sink Borussia Dortmund, earning a quarter-final berth among Europe’s elite for the first time since 2016. Continue reading “PSG 2-0 Borussia Dortmund: 5 Hits and Flops as Parisians recover to book quarter-final berth”
Neymar had plenty to say post-match as PSG lost 2-1 in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against a determined Borussia Dortmund side overnight: but the Brazilian superstar crucially lacked the killer edge that would have justified his damning comments in Germany.
A quick-fire double late on from substitute Leon Bailey and Lars Bender was enough as Bayer Leverkusen snatched all three points during their thrilling 4-3 win over Borussia Dortmund – who miss the chance to close the gap on leaders Bayern. Continue reading “Bayer Leverkusen 4-3 Borussia Dortmund: Bailey, Bender with late goals in sensational finish”
Juventus midfielder Emre Can has revealed his anger after being left out of Maurizio Sarri’s 25-man squad for their Champions League group stage fixtures, while reports claim his club were also unsuccessful with a late approach for City’s versatile midfielder Oleksandr Zinchenko. Continue reading “Emre Can angry at UCL snub, while Juventus fail with late Zinchenko bid”
According to recent reports, Tottenham midfielder Mousa Dembélé has approached Serie A champions Juventus as he looks to secure his long-term future away from England. Continue reading “Report: Tottenham’s Mousa Dembélé approaches Juventus, eager for 2019 move”
Can has found himself having to adapt to different positions and become a versatile player at Liverpool, following his summer move. But, where should Rodgers really play him?
Emre Can, has only recently turned 21, and following his £8million pound summer move to Liverpool from Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen, has found his spells in the team interesting to say the least. He has been deployed as a make-shift centre-back in a defensive three formation, as well as playing CDM and CM at times in other matches for Brendan Rodgers’ men so far this campaign.
So, where should he be used?
He has already raised comparisons to experienced German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, based on the fact that he can combine attacking and defending so well, and his versatile nature means that he can play two or three different positions without looking out of place.
Liverpool’s defensive options are not that great upon first glance at the moment, meaning that Rodgers will be eager to put out his best defensive trio or quartet for every game. Lovren has been inconsistent at the best of times so far this campaign, whilst Touré is only really a squad rotation player, meaning adaptability is key. Skrtel seems to be the rock centre-back at the moment, but he himself, has some topsy-turvy times occasionally.
Can plays there when needed for the team’s benefit, but it’s not his preferred position. He is normally a CDM/CM, but you can tell that he will probably be used in this role towards the end of the season, and perhaps more often following the end of the current campaign; given the fact that Steven Gerrard will leave in May – leaving a significant gap in midfield.
Player watch: During their 1-0 win over Sunderland on Saturday, he played in two different positions during the match, and did so well and with composure. In the first-half of the game, he was part of a defensive trio which helped to snuff out any potential danger with the hosts lurking towards the box in short periods of the match.
Steven Gerrard picked up a knock and had to be replaced at half-time, so Can slotted into midfield, using the extra space to his advantage as he was a constant threat down the right-hand side of the pitch. He forced Liam Bridcutt into committing a needless foul, getting the Scottish midfielder sent off for a second yellow card, just minutes into the second 45.
He also won 100% of the duels that he got himself involved in, during the match. His passing and accuracy overall was over 90%, whilst he was a constant danger attacking-wise as he always looked to slot through Fabio Borini on the ball in the box; although the Italian’s finishing was not up to par.
Mo and Sports 