Fecking hell, was an absolute colossus tonight. If he’s not on the pitch Mbappe has two free 1 on 1s, one of a very small group of players who could actually keep up with him. He was excellent on the ball and in defending too, passed his first test.
38
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 19
- Clean sheets
- 6
- Goals
- 0
- Assists
- 0
- Yellow cards
- 6
- Status
Mbappe was up to nothing. Couldn’t out-do him for pace, in the air, nada. Monster performance.
Can't believe he returned to the team after so long time to put such performance. No I'm not going over the top when I say this is the best defensive performance from a central defender I have seen from us this season. Against insane striker like Mbappe, Axel bossed it and showed he can belong to such level of football.
chuffed for him! Fantastic performance. The talent is there, he just needs to stay healthy.
Just stay fit, no need for a new CB
Solid performance tonight. If he can stay fit and get a good run this season who knows how good he could be?
Imagine if Maguire played instead of him and had those moments against Mbappe...
If only he could stop getting injured all the time.
If only he could stop getting injured all the time.
That was outstanding... So long out and stood up to some of the best players in the world and was head to head miles better than probably the third best player on the planet.
Take a bow Axel...
... Now please stay fecking fit!!!
Take a bow Axel...
... Now please stay fecking fit!!!
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The desperation for him to stay fit is justified. The guy does have huge potential, and him staying fit could do a lot for our defence. Maybe not immediately but in near future it's players like him that will help immensely
What the actual feck was that? I don't think there's a harder challenge in football currently than stopping both Neymar and Mbappe, but he was in complete control the whole time. I'm not going to say he made Mbappe look shite, because Mbappe did look threatening on the ball. That is, until he ran into the brick wall that was Axel tonight. Utterly, utterly dominant.
Maybe he does exist...
Would like to know what condition his pocket is in after having Mbappe in it all game.
Fantastic performance! Really handled Mbappe and Neymar very well and was calm throughout. Didn't put a foot or header wrong in my eyes.
Is this a reference to Ledley King? Because that’s whom I thought of tonight, stylistically.
Awesome tonight
When he moves across the pitch at pace it’s a thing of beauty. He makes it look effortless like Rio used too. Now please stay fit.
Always <3 Axel, hope he stays fit.
What a performance!
Well damn. More of that please.
My man of the match. To come and do that with a first start in god knows how long. Boys got real talent. Just stay fit!!
This was his first 90-minute game since December 12, 2019 if I’m not mistaken? So impressed with him.
Please, please stay fit. This is the calm, quick, clean tackling defender we desperately need. Just fecking stay fit.
Please stay fit
Incredible performance.
he got pace and good at reading the game. Able to cover others mistake with his pace. The two first team central defender is too slow.
Not only was he an absolute Colossus, it even made it seem like his performance rubbed off on Lindelof!
Tonight was a testament of his character. Brilliant performance and he was the same before his injury last season too, hopefully he stays injury free.
MoTM
It not just that. Coming in after nearly a year for an experienced player would be difficult. Yet, here is a player who has less than a dozen games in the PL, making his CL debut.
Brilliant.
There was that ball he whipped out to Martial right at the beginning that I loved. Was a driven ball and was sumptuous.
Axel, take a bow. Legendary performance taking into account the circumstances. C'est Manchester!
He stays fit, he starts as far as I'm concerned.
Brilliant tonight.
Very impressive considering he hasn’t played in nearly a year. Must start when fit.
That was an amazing first game for 10 months! Well done.
Does feck all for 10 months, then plays a blinder against 2 of the worlds best attacking players 
Lad has so much class and this game was ideal for his defensive attributes.
Lad has so much class and this game was ideal for his defensive attributes.
Very happy that Ole started him and he put in a monster performance against Mbappe.
Axel 'Tank' Tuanzebe. Out for so long and comes up with performance like that in his first game in many months and vs team with players like Mbappe, Neymar, Di Maria.
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