MIDWEEK MUSINGS: HAKIMI RISES

Achraf Hakimi’s rise from another Real Madrid youngster with lots of potential to a near world-class wideman has been meteoric. After winning the champions league in the 2017/2018 season with Real Madrid, he might have been hoping to continue winning at the club. But life and the Real Madrid's top brass, as usual, had different plans for him. He was put up for loan and had decent offers. He took the one that best served his interests in Dortmund and has not looked back since. Like Bruce Wayne in Batman Begins, Achraf honed and developed his skill away from the comfort of his home. The Bundesliga became his training ground, and with hope and dedication, he has become one of the best. All that remains is his return and the revelation of who and what he has become after two years away.

When the loan move was confirmed, Achraf, Zidane, and a majority of Real Madrid fans hoped he would return as a top fullback capable of protecting the right side of their defense. All involved hoped he could restore the integrity of a backline that had been leaky. In the Bundesliga, he has become a better defender than before and is seen as good competition for the incumbent Dani Carvajal (who honed his ability in the Bundesliga too). In Carvajal, he has a formidable foe who excels in the art of defense and attack. In 22 games, he makes 0.4 blocks per game as compared to Achraf’s 0.1. he also makes 1.3 interceptions vs. Achraf’s 1 per 90 minutes defensively. When it comes to tackles per 90 minutes, Carvajal again edges the young Moroccan 2.3 to 1.9. Carvajal makes it count when it comes to defense. Achraf, however, edges Carvajal in attack as he has 4 goals and 10 assists to Dani’s 1 goal and 5 assists this season. With all these, the expectation is that he takes over from Dani Carvajal one way or the other. However impressive Hakimi has been while on loan at BVB, no one is safe at the Bernabeu. The 21-year-old has inarguably overtaken Odriozola (who is on loan at Bayern) in the pecking order. Altogether,  whether he can usurp Carvajal – or left-back Ferland Mendy – is another matter.

Again, in the Bundesliga, Achraf has forged an identity as an agile and dynamic offensive force of nature. He has 14 goal involvements. Hakimi and his 45 take-ons per 90 is a top-five statistic in the Bundesliga among fullbacks with the Moroccan international completing a healthy 2.69. With his raw pace, strength, and athleticism, Hakimi often leaves opposing fullbacks eating his dust. Unlike most youthfully exuberant fullbacks, Hakimi’s attacking forays have end products. This season, he has been responsible for creating 13 big chances in the Bundesliga. This puts him in the upper echelon of chance-creating fullbacks. Such has been his usefulness upfront that Lucien Favre deploys him out wide in the attack when the need arises - most notably against Internazionale in the Champions League, scoring twice. He is capable of playing on either flank, too. His 10 assists ensure his offensive ability is not in doubt. His performances have helped him to forge an identity as a versatile player who can play on either side of the pitch.

The improvement has made him a player that Zidane can rely on upfront or at the back. His performances have been so impressive that Real Madrid was desperate to have him back.

In returning, he comes to help improve the rearguard while enhancing the attack. Just as Bruce Wayne returned as Gotham’s protector, Achraf Hakimi returns as a pivotal piece that adds to Madrid’s plan to dominate football with youngsters.

Question is, can he do it in Madrid or elsewhere? Let us know in the comments below.

Matchday 27 Review: The Bundesliga is Great For Youngsters and Other Thoughts

The Bundesliga continued its return with a derby like no other and a raft of exciting games. Matchday 27 started with a derby like no other as Hertha Berlin made sure Berlin was blue again with a 4-0 hammering of Union. The matchday continued as Bayern had their revenge and maintained a four-point lead over Dortmund with a 5-2 win over Frankfurt. Dortmund kept up the chase with goals from fullback pairing Achraf and Guerreiro to continue their hold over Wolfsburg. Havertz and Leverkusen continued their good form with an intriguing 3-1 win over Moenchengladbach, overtaking them in the process. Bremen continued their brave fight to stave off relegation with a gritty 1-0 win over Freiburg. Find below, my thoughts and observations from Matchday 27.

Bundesliga Is A Safe Haven For Developing Stars

The saying, 'if you're good enough, you're old enough' seems to be the mantra of the Bundesliga. In recent years, the Bundesliga has become a league for developing young stars. It has churned out the likes of  Marco Reus, Mesut Ozil, Sami Khedira, Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller, and Leroy Sane, who have become world-class players and stars. Jovic and Pulisic are recent graduates of the Bundesliga development school. The new school includes Jadon Sancho, Achraf Hakimi, Kevin Mbabu, Mateus Cunha, Kai Havertz, and Alfonso Davies. These are but a few young stars who have set the league alight.

This success, however, was not overnight. This dates back to the year 2000, the aftermath of the disastrous Euro 2000 campaign by the German national team. The German FA in the revamp required professional football clubs all over the country to run and maintain youth academies. In turn, they are allowed to participate in their competitions.

This season has been no different. The likes of Sancho, Havertz, Hakimi, Cunha, McKennie, and others have impressed and have had European giants look their way. In Alfonso Davies, Bayern has a replacement for the outgoing David Alaba. They ensure the league remains competitive, keep getting better and command enormous transfer fees for their clubs. 

Dortmund-Wolfsburg: A Modern-Day Curse?

 When Die Wolf's players stepped out onto the Volkswagen pitch, they must have had two major goals: maintain their European spot with a victory while breaking their recent Dortmund hoodoo. They failed in both cases and extended their winless streak to nine Bundesliga games since the 2015 season. In the same period, Wolfsburg have scored three goals but conceded  26. Such streaks tend to have an effect on the losing team as whenever they are paired against their bogey side, they lose the game even before it starts. It wasn't so this weekend as The Wolves gave a good account of themselves but to no avail.

Die Schwarzgelben, on the other hand, won't mind if this streak goes on. It only means a guaranteed win once both sides meet. 

Biggest Joke In Football: Social Distancing

Last week Hertha players were in the limelight for flouting social distancing rules during celebrations against Hoffenheim. This week they were able to behave themselves despite the emotions that followed their revenge win over Berlin rivals Union.

Sancho, Hakimi and Akanji celebrating Achraf's goal

In some sort of weird reverse, the team that came up with the best socially distant celebration last week forgot it this week as their players hugged each other after their second goal against Wolfsburg. Thorgan Hazard and the bench continued making social distance an afterthought as there were high fives all around.

Leverkusen players continued to forget the new 'rules' as their celebrations had no element of social distancing.

FC Koln players celebrating one of their goals 

The fascinating 2-2 draw between Fc Cologne and Fortuna Dusseldorf saw a social distancing go out the window as there were hugs, chest bumps, and a passionate disregard for it in the exciting game.

This is not to say the players were deliberate in ignoring the new normal. Instead, they are finding it hard to forget old habits. Football is a game of passion, joy, and other intense emotions, and it needs some physical contact to express it. Granted, it is a necessity to help combat COVID-19 as the valiant scientists find a cure (or a vaccine), but it is hard and might take some time to get used to.

It is unlikely the authorities will sanction the players and teams, and this is good as the already diluted nature of football's return is hard to swallow. Further education and practice might make this better.

The new normal is not normal, after all.

Barcelona, Manchester City or Inter Milan? David's Dilemma

Good things like all other things have to come to an end as Bayern Munich's Austrian auxiliary man reaches his sunset at the Allianz Arena. Having won everything, there is to win with Die Roten, it comes as no surprise that he wants to have a taste of other leagues. At the peak age of 27, there would no better time to try this. His trophy haul and contractual situation make him an attractive option for several clubs in Europe. As is common practice in Europe, once the news of an elite player's desire to leave leaks, the big cats come sniffing. David Alaba's situation is no different. The moment his desire for a new challenge became public knowledge, the usual suspects in Real Madrid, Barca, City, and Inter have been hovering.

With the pick of Europe's elite as suitors, who will he choose?

Manchester City

The Cityzens are an exciting proposition for Alaba. Joining them means he reunites with Pep Guardiola, the man responsible for who he is today.

With City being made to look normal this season by some suspect defending, Alaba's defensive ability will improve them immensely at the back. He can play in the heart of the defense and also at left-back. Testament of his defensive ability is seen with 13 clean sheets in 29 appearances this season.

Pep's unpredictability when it comes to player selection only goes in his favor as his versatility makes him a shoo-in in defense, midfield, and attack.

Pep and Alaba are made for each other, as seen in their time together in Munich. The potential hitch is the Sky Blues' two-year ban from the Champions' League, but the reunion with Guardiola could tempt Alaba.

Barcelona

The lure of playing for Barcelona with Lionel Messi should be a lure too great to turn down, but with The Blaugrana in a tumultuous state on and off the pitch with Messidependencia at an all-time high, it looks like too great a risk for Alaba. Dominance on the domestic front has not translated into Champions' League wins, which the Austrian dreams of winning (again).

His passing ability should do the trick as it makes him a fit in Quique Setien's 'pass-centric' side.  He can slot right into the heart of the defense with Pique as current options; Umtiti and Lenglet have not been up to the standard. He can replace Jordi Alba at left-back when needed.

In moving to Barcelona, Alaba does not improve the team much. Still, he fits their style of play. A win for Barca, not so much for Alaba (if they fail to win the Champions' League).

Inter Milan

David Alaba appears to be Antonio Conte's most wanted player. Having failed to sign him while at Chelsea, he is trying again as he seeks to break the monopoly Juventus has over the league. In David Alaba, Conte gets a player who fits into his 3-5-2 and 3-4-3 systems.

He can play as a part of the three-man wall at the back or a rampaging wingback on the left. Also, he fits in as a deep-lying midfielder, a box to box dynamo, or an attacking midfielder. He epitomizes the energy that Conte looks for in his players. Should he join The Nerazzurri, he improves them on many levels and takes them back closer to the upper echelons of Italian and European football.

Moving to Inter does not guarantee that Alaba will win domestic trophies, to even talk of the Champions League. Still, it will give him a chance to develop under Conte, a manager who demands high levels of hard work, passion, and intensity on and off the pitch from his previous bosses.

Despite the numerous options, Alaba has two choices; to stay with Bayern or move overseas and test himself against the best in more challenging leagues in Europe.

Do you think we missed out on other teams Alaba could join? Let's hear it in the comment section below.

The RevierDerby & Other Thoughts From The Weekend

After some 64 days of lockdown and no football, I have some good news and some bad news. The good news is football is back. In no better way than with the RevierDerby. The return of the Bundesliga gave us a preview into what football will look like in the foreseeable future. The bad news is it is nothing like we've seen. The absence of fans, socially distant benches, and celebrations. However, football is back, and that's refreshing. With this in mind, let's look at five thoughts from the weekend.

           Erling Braut Haaland

While there was an enforced break from football for about two months, the Norwegian hitman returned like he never left. Setting Dortmund on their way to a relatively easy RevierDerby win. In doing so, he becomes the first player to score at least 10 goals in three competitions (Austrian Bundesliga, Champions League, and German Bundesliga) this season. Looking at his size, he defies logic and continues to awe us week in week out. In addition to size, he is deceptively fast and possesses a goalscoring desire that belies his age. With these and his hard work, Haaland's ceiling is expected to be higher than the average player. Expect the Norwegian Terminator to evolve into a goalscoring juggernaut (assuming he isn't one now).

     There's Everything To Fight For This Season

It seemed like eons ago when Bayern was in fourth place and looked unconvincing. One would've been forgiven for thinking a new champion would emerge (looks to the Rhine).  Nothing in their play has shown that they on their way to retaining the Meisterschale as Dortmund, Moenchengladbach, and Leipzig have turned up the heat at different points in the season, with Moenchengladbach being leaders for 8 consecutive game weeks. The quality of the league has been on display this season, as no leader has a lead of more than 4 points. Also, competition for Europa league places has been enthralling as places in the top half have been ever-changing.

Similarly, the relegation battle has been a thrill a minute. All teams in the bottom half of the league have had a stint there.

Unlike most seasons, this year's version is a classic free for all in which anyone in the top 4 can knick it. The bottom half is a scrap in which a semblance of a decent run can lift or drop anyone there.

     Paradoxical Schalke 04

Schalke 04 has been a bit of an enigma this season. Under the tutelage of David Wagner, they have shown some absolutely delightful play with their raft of young guns. This makes them one of the most exciting teams to watch in the division.

In contrast, their lack of experience is often their undoing as the younger players try to take take the initiative and end up making costly errors, especially in defense.

Once finances and the futures of loan players like Todibo, Kenny, and Miranda are sorted out, along with general stability, they expected them to rejoin the elite and make a push for the title.

Dortmund will do just fine without Sancho

Fans of Borussia Dortmund must be wondering why always us? Whenever they unearth or develop a generational talent, the elite comes picking. The lack of titles and lower financial incentives is always their undoing, as was with Lewandowski, Goetze, Sahin, Kagawa, and now Sancho. Despite this, the club has done well to keep the squad focused as they fight for the title as the rumors just won't go away.

However, the talent factory, along with their scouting network, has and will make sure it won't be an issue. The emergence of American wonder kid Gio Reyna should ensure that Sancho's eventual departure won't be felt as much. Not to say he's a like for like replacement, but he along with other stars, like Brandt, Akanji, Hazard, and Can should be able to keep BVB competitive.

     Hans-Dieter Flick reminds me of Ancelotti

Both men are calm tacticians who let their teams' onfield performances speak for them. They were somewhat convinced into coaching teams bigger than their profiles. They are both tactically astute and can get the dressing room and the board behind them. And oh, Bayern Munich. The only difference is he started out as an interim manager.

Hans Flick has been a quiet revelation this season as he has gone about the job of restoring the ruins of the Nico Kovac era. Under Kovac, a key player like Muller lost his way (and game time) and looked like a substandard Sunday league player with the occasional moments of brilliance. This is a player who has won it all in football.

However, Muller's adaptability and Flick's tactical brilliance resulted in a resurgence for both club and player. This has pushed Bayern back to the top in a heated Bundesliga race. Flick has also led the team to the knockout stages of the Champions' League, the semis of the DFB-Pokal. The Flick-Bayern combination is not perfect yet but based on the results, stability, and the board's decision to hand him a new contract shows the potential. Let's hope he end like Don Carlo.