4 match days have gone by and we are still top of the table. Here are my ratings: PEA 6: He scored a penalty and another was almost a tap-in. He just hasn't been as clinical as usual. He can do better. Max 7: Excellent running. If he's improving then he needs to continue at this pace. Pulisic 4: Not sure if he's the kind of player who can come off the bench help anymore. Was practically invisible. Yarmolenko 8: Really impressive display considering he's the newest member. Lots of running and on top of that he's physical. His acceleration for his size is quite impressive. Dahoud 7: Was almost invisible in the first half but in the second he came to life and was incredible with his movement, positioning and intelligence. Weigl 7: Came in late and I expected the camera to pan to Thomas Tuchel every time he touched the ball. The difference w.r.t. Sahin was immediately and noticeably palpable. Sahin 6: Hasn't improved much since the beginning of the season. Still looks slow. Castro 6: Was quite good in the 2nd half. I don't see him doing that well against any team that's let in 12 goals and is bottom of the table. Otherwise sloppy and clumsy. Sokratis 5: He got kicked a lot, more than most forwards do. His positioning seems a lot more questionable in the last 2 years. Toprak 7: I thought he was quite good. Had little to no pressure to deal with. Piszczek 6: Not sure if it's the tactical change but he's just not the same player anymore. Cannot get past pressing wingers. DAZ 8: For somebody who isn't a FB and that size. He was impressive. Burki 6: Had almost nothing to do but was there to catch the lob shots.
Impressive stats for AY - 7 shot assists (most amongst all players) - faster than PEA - 30 sprints (max amongst all BVB players) - won 50% of his duels
Once more I agree with most of that. I would bump Auba to an 8. His movement like usual was great and he was unlucky with the chances he missed. 4 goals and 4 games. As for LP he just isn't very good anymore. Yarmolenko has already realised this and just ignores him.
You've talked about his movement before. Unless PB is trying to convert him to a false 9 (which would be outlandish), I doubt that's what's keeping him back. He can't be unlucky 4 matches in a row when he's up against Lewandowski.
He had an amazing goal disallowed on Wednesday unfairly and a key goal disallowed fairly against Freiburg. He is a striker that scores every game. You can't argue with that. He stretches defences, never gets injured and presses like mad.
Yarmo is everything, such a great signing, a I was sure of immediately, I just wanted to see him play. Those stats few posts before this shows it too.
This is why it's important to bring in some mature players alongside our young stars. There is something to be said for experience, and I really like the physicality he brings as well.
Mature with quality though. Castro was a mature player, but not at the required quality. Either was Ramos.
I was wrong about Yarmolenko. He looks to be a perfect fit. Great transfer work again by the club. Nice and cheap too!