Subotic, Freiburg at Mainz (R) 9/16

[golazo68]

http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/2bundesliga/spieltag/spielpaarungsbericht/object/807903

Nevan starts for the 6th game in a row (5 regular BL, 1 Cup game).

Supposedly played at a high level, excited 1-1 tie..both goal right next to each other in the frantic final stages.

Unfortunately, looks like Subotic's messed up on a header which led to the Freiburg goal, however, overall looks like he is still playing very solid given Mainz is in the top 3 in BL2 after 5 games...

I reiterate: Bob Bradley should call Subotic up for the Swiss game in October.

[Clint Eastwood]

http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/2bundesliga/spieltag/spielpaarungsbericht/object/807903

Nevan starts for the 6th game in a row (5 regular BL, 1 Cup game).

Supposedly played at a high level, excited 1-1 tie..both goal right next to each other in the frantic final stages.

Unfortunately, looks like Subotic's messed up on a header which led to the Freiburg goal, however, overall looks like he is still playing very solid given Mainz is in the top 3 in BL2 after 5 games...

I reiterate: Bob Bradley should call Subotic up for the Swiss game in October.

Maybe he will, maybe he won't. We've got Gooch, Boca, and DeMerit as center back options over there. I guess he could call him in to get a feel for the USMNT camp, and if things go our way bring him in for 10 minutes at the end.

I'm much more interested in whether we're going to call him up for Olympic Qualifiers this fall. The U-23's need a player of his caliber.

[Martin Fischer]

http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/2bundesliga/spieltag/spielpaarungsbericht/object/807903

Nevan starts for the 6th game in a row (5 regular BL, 1 Cup game).

Supposedly played at a high level, excited 1-1 tie..both goal right next to each other in the frantic final stages.

Unfortunately, looks like Subotic's messed up on a header which led to the Freiburg goal, however, overall looks like he is still playing very solid given Mainz is in the top 3 in BL2 after 5 games...

I reiterate: Bob Bradley should call Subotic up for the Swiss game in October.


Love those context clues.

[F96]

Subotic rated 4 by kicker:
http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/2bundesliga/spieltag/spielpaarungsbericht/object/807903

[Woodrow]

Maybe he will, maybe he won't. We've got Gooch, Boca, and DeMerit as center back options over there. I guess he could call him in to get a feel for the USMNT camp, and if things go our way bring him in for 10 minutes at the end.

I'm much more interested in whether we're going to call him up for Olympic Qualifiers this fall. The U-23's need a player of his caliber.

But that's why you call him in. It is an opportunity to look at a young player who could be of use down the road against quality opposition and minimal travel required.

[FirstStar]

Subotic rated 4 by kicker:
http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/2bundesliga/spieltag/spielpaarungsbericht/object/807903

Worst grade on the team. Bad day in the office for Nevin. Hope he rebounds well in his next match.

[todd11]

Worst grade on the team. Bad day in the office for Nevin. Hope he rebounds well in his next match.


Well it wasn't as good as his first few games, but it wasn't that bad a day at the office. Keep in mind ratings are obviously only an approximation. For instance, Neven was also rated a 4 last week and had a very good game. Also, ask any fans in the Bruchweg fan blocks and you'll hear at least two names---Demirtas and Karhan who had absolutely shockingly bad games. Much worse than Neven... so take those ratings with a grain of salt.

That said... the whole team wasn't sharp, not just Subotic. In the first half, he really didn't have a lot to do. Freiburg disappointed me, other than their #23 player (sorry didn't catch his name)---who did whatever he wanted, torturing Demirtas. They kept some possetion, but only had 2 shots all game...including their goal. Typical for Mainz, they dominated chances (hit the post 2 twice) and held the most of possesion, and the ref had a shocker as well. But overall, the movement, pressing, and flow that are usual components of Klopp's teams just wasn't there Sunday.

Neven had some problems distributing on Sunday, which was different to the way he played the first several games by far. But in the second half, once Mainz substituted Feulner out (a curious decision), the midfield was horrible--- constantly choosing the wrong pass, not moving, ect. So several times Neven stood on the ball looking a bit lost, then hitting it back to our keeper, Wetklo... and getting whistled for it by the home crowd.

Other than, that he was having a pretty decent game. As stated, Freiburg never really got past the top of our area all game. Then suddenly, right at the end of the game... Laurent, the sub for Feulner, gave the ball away (stepped over it 30 times---ok I exaggerate...but not by much--- and was stripped at the midfield stripe), and the defense got caught out and Freiburg looked like they were gonna steal 3 pts. As he was recovering, Neven had to reach back with his head for the header... kinda stumbled--- it was coming at a tricky angle, and inadvertently flicked it on which then led to the goal directly. So it was a major mistake, obviously, but plenty of blame to go around on that. And we equalized off a corner at the last minute, so it ended ok, but felt like there should have been more in it for us. And as said, the second half for Mainz... especially after about 65 min. wasn't very cohesive at all.