criticalanalysis
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They didn't create any chances, their only moment of note was from a set piece whereas we had the goal plus another good attempt by Greenwood.
Really struggling to remember this. Don't mean this question to be nasty, but could you please list their open chances? I thought we definitely had more sights of their goal than them ours.
They pressed well, agreed, but IIRC, they did a grand total of zero with all their possession They were forced to go on the sides because there was no way through the middle.
Even after the subs, United's formation didn't really change and it was an absolutely perfect decision not to change it - Leipzig simply could not get through. And when Upmecano got sucked into centre mid, because, again they were trying to stretch the United shape by going to the wings, Bruno played the first time ball for Rashford to go through on goal - it was a very, very smart move. And even if United hadn't made any subs, United wouldn't have conceded with the way the game was going.
I watched highlights of the first half again and yes my bad there wasn't much of open chances by Leipzig! I still think they played way above the sum of their parts due to coaching and their approach play. Their central defenders aside, none of their players would get into first 11 or squad even. I hate to simplify it like that but it's the truth. Ole has proved himself to be a pragmatic coach when it comes to facing well coached sides (who like to play with the ball) and gets his tactics mostly right but again the truth is that it's defending deep and counter attacking. It's not rocket science.Ummm...RBL had only 1 shot on target in the first half from 7 shots. United had 2 shots on target from 4 shots with 1 goal.
Leipzig compacted the space between their backline and United's backline, which made the middle of the park congested. It was hard for both teams to pass through the middle. That's not necessarily pressing as it is just positioning and shape when off the ball and defending.
Leipzig had one clear chance in the first half after United's goal but it was a tough near post angle that DDG was very much equal to.
The first half was cagey and tight. As you would expect for a high profile European match.
I also think you're discrediting how good this RBL team is by merely saying their two best players are their center halves....when its not like they just went to the CL semifinal a couple months ago by setting out a defensive stall. And they are top of the Bundesliga at the moment.
Finally, Nagelsmann will face PSG next and last time they faced off....PSG took them apart 3 goals to nil. They just shipped 5 goals against United.
Nagelsmann is still a good manager, but today he was out classed by another good manager, but one that doesn't get the respect he deserves.
I'd criticise Nagelsmann the same. If he had Utd's squad, I could very well see us dominating everything in stats and getting beat by a Leipzig team managed by Ole, who'd park the bus.
Here's what I said on Sunday in the pre-match thread in response to:
https://www.redcafe.net/matches/manchester-united-vs-rb-leipzig.353/page-2#post-26268921
This is a much tougher game then PSG. Have followed Leipzig religiously for the last 18 months and there power, running game and workrate is streets ahead of us.
We have better players but they play to a style that is so hard to stop, they attack you from all sides and not afraid to leave gaps to suffocate you in your own box.
It still stands. In a one-off game I don't 'fear' many sides in Europe because if we defend deep and play with passion and not too much respect, we are a match against anyone not named Bayern Munich and the La Liga trio (Madrid mostly because of Simone and Barca/Real depending on their progress this season). I'm not saying we're favourable but using our pragmatic approach under Ole, it's a decent figher's chance.Have they come across a side as defensively and atheletically strong as us but also with loads of players with exceptional individual qualities?
I don't doubt they will play better as a team and even force us into our half but at the same time I doubt we will get pressed/overrun into oblivion and we will be able to exploit gaps for counter attacking and in transition.
It's styles match up as far as I'm concerned. If Ole sets the team up same as PSG then it'd be a fairly even game imo with us the favourite
Anyways I digress, this is to discuss about Nagelsmann and Leipzig. My comments about comparisons is specifically against ours and not what they've achieved, which is very admirable. Again it's both criticising and praise of both managers because Utd's squad is one of the most expensively assembled in Europe.
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