You're not dead to me, Fredo: Morales at Dusseldorf

Cheeky stuff from Morales. Batz motionless.

Saarbrücken ❌✅✅❌✅❌✅✅✅
Düsseldorf ✅✅❌✅❌❌✅✅✅#FCSF95

— The DFB-Pokal (@DFBPokal_EN) March 3, 2020

 

Fantastic cup tie.

Saarbrucken through to the semifinals (!!) after winning the shootout in the 10th round of penalties.

 

Morales played 120 minutes. The fourth division team was the better side today, Fortuna ended with five yellows (to one).

After ending the 90' 1-1, they played ET and a full round of shots from the spot. Ending those five rounds tied 4-4, they went for the sudden death.

Morales scored his round (9th) and it was the scorer of their only goal in the run of play, Jorgensen, who missed the 10th and the game.

 

On the bench:

Uwe Rösler schickt dieses Team in Mainz auf den Rasen 👀#f95 | 🔴⚪️ | #M05F95 pic.twitter.com/LCO7sYnvAW

— Fortuna Düsseldorf (@f95) March 8, 2020

 

seems like he lost his XI spot ever since that trashing 4-1 loss to Gladbach.

Last 3 games on the bench.
1 unused and 2 sub appearances for 39 min total.

how many times has he lost his XI spot over past 2 seasons?

 

Starter or not he’s in my best 23 for the time being. First back-up to Adams and McKennie IMO.

 

I would rate Holmes higher than Morales... and there are a couple U23 guys I have ahead of him too because of depth at the position and their talent. Morales is a pretty good player... but I don't have him in the top 4 at CDM and he is certainly not a great option at attacking midfield.

At any rate, I think he is being jobbed at Fortuna right now.... he is definitely better than Bodzek.

 

Respectfully, there is no evidence that Holmes is better than Morales - Holmes competes against decidedly worse competition so the eye test is meaningless. You are, of course, welcome to your opinion.

 

Fair argument... but I don't agree that the eye test is meaningless. ECL is a pretty rough league and Holmes is obviously more than a step quicker than Morales. There is also the matter of Morales getting benched in favor of a 34-year old journeyman w/ 2 goals and 3 assists over his last 4 years... including none this season. On the other hand... Holmes has been hurt... so it makes sense for Morales to get the call since the Intl Break is being played in Europe anyways. Besides, like I said previously... I think the coach is making a mistake in benching Morales. The team took a step forward offensively right when Morales was given a breather and I guess the coach thinks 2+2 and all... but I think it is just a coincidence.

 

By now, he must be used to re-earning his starting spot time and again.

 

Alfredo Morales makes the 9-man bench today for Dusseldorf in their return to action against Paderborn.

 

Game is available on Fox Soccer Match Pass at 9:30 eastern.

The Bundesliga has adopted IFAB's 5 substitute rule for the remainder of the season.

 

he's been on the bench ever since that 4-1 loss to Gladbach, seems like that continues.

 

Even when he plays now he is positioned at right-half instead of holding midfield... which doesn't suit him as well. His strong suit is breaking up plays and starting counters... As far as the USMNT is concerned... there are several players that I can think of that are better than him at that. But on that team? I am not so sure at all. He isn't the most consistent or talented player out there but I do think he deserves more playing time considering the current roster.... but obviously their coach thinks otherwise.

 

Back in the starting line up for a derby match up. Games starts at noon eastern on FS1 and TUDN USA.

Die Aufstellung ist da: Diese Truppe soll heute den Derbysieg holen! 💪#f95 | 🔴⚪️ | #KOEF95 pic.twitter.com/8LjySAephk

— Fortuna Düsseldorf (@f95) May 24, 2020

Last weekend he came on in the 68th minute of a disappointing 0-0 home draw with bottom of the table Paderborn.

Alfredo Morales for Fortuna Düsseldorf in 0-0 draw with Paderborn
22 minutes
17 touches
60% pass completion
2 aerials won
1x fouled
1 tackle
0 clearances/interceptions#USMNT

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) May 16, 2020

 

Up 0-1 at HT.

 

1-0 Fortuna at HT

Goal came off a turnover from as a result of high pressing around the Koln box. Morales was involved in the press but did not touch the ball. He was part of an earlier chance where a Koln defender passed it right to Morales at the top of the box leading to a Fortuna shot two passes later. Morales won a free kick on the Koln end-line late in the half where he was basically chasing a lost cause but was pushed over. The resulting free kick was fired at Morales at the near post, but he did not make contact it seemed.

 

The Goats miss a PK and Thommy scores a second for Fortuna right after.

 

Köln scores two in four minutes to claw back to 2-2, from 0-2, 88' and 90+1'. Goats didn't give up.

 

2-2 FT

Morales was solid for the most part. Had a couple turnovers after the 80th minute although those did not factor in the goals.

 

87' Köln 0-2 Düsseldorf
90+1' @fckoeln_en 2-2 Düsseldorf

What a comeback from the Billy Goats! 🐐 pic.twitter.com/T6z5ja9vzR

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 24, 2020

 

Yeah, I watched from about the 40th minute on, and it was a typical Morales performance. He worked hard and gummed up the center of midfield to make it hard for Koln to play through there, but nothing too noteworthy for good or ill. I don't think I heard the announcers call his name once.

 

Man I was watching this game but I turned it off when they were up 2-0.

 

On the bench:

Unsere Startelf für das Heimspiel gegen @s04! #f95 | 🔴⚪️ | #F95S04 pic.twitter.com/pUhBINDnbh

— Fortuna Düsseldorf (@f95) May 27, 2020

 

Starts:

Unser Team fürs Spiel beim Rekordmeister! 🔥#f95 | 🔴⚪️ | #FCBF95 pic.twitter.com/Icgnc0PTpN

— Fortuna Düsseldorf (@f95) May 30, 2020