Page 39 - Soccer360 Issue 104

Few in the UK were aware of Ange Postecoglou until he was appointed manager of Celtic in 2021
Aston Villa
are now a formidable force and could easily make
the Champions League for 2023-24
Players of both teams in action during the UEFA Europa League Group
B match between
AFC Ajax Amsterdam and Brighton & Hove Albion FC
Just like last saeson, Manchester City has been doing alot of celebrating
FIRST TO WIN
Brighton and Hove Albion are the first team to win each of their first two major European meetings with Ajax since Mallorca in 1999.
OPENING MINUTE GLORY
Everton have scored more goals in the opening minute of Premier League games than any other side in the competition’s history (13).
AVOIDING REGULATION
The only team to avoid relegation in a Premier League season when having four or fewer points after 12 games was Everton in 1994-95.
UN-BEATEN STREAK
As of match week 13, Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 52 matches after leading at half-time.
Spurs side, playing in a central position as part of a front four. For every goal they score, Maddison seems to be involved in some way or another, whether that be applying a classy finish or producing a mesmerising piece of creativity. He’ll hope to continue this form upon returning from injury in January.
Ahead of him, the 27-year-old has struck up an outstanding partnership with Son, who is back
to his best. The South Korea superstar had an indifferent 2022-23 by his standards, but is relishing his new role playing through the middle, as well
as the responsibility of being the captain. With Dejan Kulusevski, Richarlison and speed merchant
Brennan Johnson acting as the other main attacking options, no opposing side can afford to switch off for one moment when facing Tottenham. The emphasis may be on his attacking principles, yet Postecoglou has also restored confidence at the other end of the field. Italian goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has impressed since taking over the gloves from the long-serving but increasingly error-prone Hugo Lloris, and fellow new signing Micky van der Ven has adjusted similarly well to the demands
of the Premier League with a number of assured displays. Elsewhere, midfielder Yves Bissouma is reinvigorated having struggled under Conte, while Destiny Udogie and Pape Sarr have seized their
chance to impress, with their boundless energy and positive mindset ideally suited to Angeball. Mourinho and Conte are both outstanding managers who have long secured their everlasting status in the game. The evidence just happens
to suggest that neither were compatible with Tottenham, or indeed the squad at their disposal. Despite being a less celebrated coach - in European football at least - Postecoglou is much more aligned to the club’s DNA, and that more than anything is why he’s been welcomed by the fans with open arms. Also unlike his predecessors, he attracts far fewer headlines.
Instead, his team are doing their talking on the pitch and such was their excellent start to the season, it started a conversation as to whether Spurs could compete for the title. It might be too early or perhaps even fanciful to suggest such a thing; after all the competition towards the top
of the Premier League is fiercer than ever before. However, whereas the future appeared bleak just a short time ago, it now looks bright under Big Ange.
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