Perhaps it's me being thick but I'm still processing the MOTD analysis of Van Dyck's 'world class' defending of a situation involving him dealing with Haaland's run and shot in the first half..
Perhaps other Blues might be able to help me understand why it was deserving of such praise?
Haaland picked up the ball and turned on the half!way line to run at goal. Van Dyck backpedalled all the way into his own penalty area, clearly keeping an eye on Haaland but not closing him down. Haaland then gets to the box and takes the shot open to him with his favoured left foot but aims it straight at Kelleher in goal, snatching the strike rather than getting away what you young Blues would call a 'thunderb*st*rd'.
Now, at what point was 'The World's Greatest Defender - Ever' in control of that situation? Or have I missed a masterclass of imperiousness, as outlined by the MOTD pundits?
Pundits.. One of the wooden planks stored in the eaves of my garage could do a more inciteful job than the majority of them.
Any thoughts/help would be most appreciated..!
In my eyes, both players did very well in that situation, it was a case of 'great football all round', hoping not too sound too cheesy. Van Dijk showed great composure and Haaland fashioned good space against an experienced centre half.
Haaland starts 10 yards away from Van Dijk and you can see the centre half isn't too sure what to do but is erring on trying to steer him wide. Suddenly Haaland prods it slightly right and Van Dijk starts sprinting, and has a tiny (it's tiny) nibble at the ball and Haaland's feet as he jinks back left.
If Van Dijk had made any more movement toward Haaland at all, he would have either been completely beaten, leaving a one on one, or taken out the man, resulting in red (presumably). The other outcome is that he would have actually won the ball cleanly, but that was less likely b'cos he was trying to pick up pace and, i assume, he (van dijk) made the decision winning the ball cleanly was too unlikely.
So now we're ~25 yds out and they're getting side by side, a full on tackle is completely out of the window now, Haaland's done well to here. Van Dijk decides to go directly onto the body now, which is sensible defending, it's now or never to unsettle the shot, which is becoming inevitable.
it's debatable whether Haaland should have taken a final touch or gone a tad earlier and aimed for a low corner, but i thought it was excellent play from both players. I watched the game with 2 ex semi pros and they were both absolutely loving that tussle.