'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAFAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABgf/2gAIAQEAAAAAih7/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAC/9oACAECEAAAAB//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD/9oACAEDEAAAAG//xAAfEAACAgIBBQAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMEBREABhIjQoL/2gAIAQEAAT8ATO4rEVa4Xp+KyZoUmsPPZdmkYHQ0fUAqW+uXLdCzbnnmx3lldnbtmKjZOzoc/8QAFxEBAAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQACEf/aAAgBAgEBPwBqbP/EABkRAQACAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEAAgMRkf/aAAgBAwEBPwBy2rUDXCf/2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 David Alaba | Austria, Real Madrid
David Alaba has played as a full-back, wing-back, left midfielder, central midfielder and a center-back, so it wasn’t that much of a shock to see him in a back three for Austria. What stood out, though, was the fact that he played in the center of the backline and went on to set up what turned out to be the match-winning goal for his side from the left side.
I watched the game and asked myself why his coach has decided to play him centrally. I even looked back on their recent games and realized that Austria were beaten 4-0 by Denmark in a World Cup qualifier earlier this year, with Alaba deployed as a left midfielder on the night. He’s clearly been brought back to the rearguard for his composure and leadership qualities, he’s essentially their manager on the pitch.
Austria faced North Macedonia to kick-start their Euro 2020 campaign and they were eager to get three points against the competition debutants. Having started centrally, I liked the way he swapped positions with Martin Hinteregger to end up providing the assist for the match-winning goal.
Alaba played a small part in North Macedonia’s goal as he pretty much jumped over his goalkeeper, but that can be sorted out of course. His presence, experience and seniority could make a massive difference in bossing the backline for Austria. We have to wait and see if he plays there in the games ahead, but with Austria set to lock horns with the Netherlands next, he should retain his spot at the heart of the backline.
#2 Kieran Trippier | England, Atletico Madrid
Gareth Southgate caught us all by surprise with his decision to use Kieran Trippier as a left-back. Playing on the wrong side of the backline can be a problem, but in this instance, he wasn’t put under too much pressure by Croatia. Ben Chilwell and Luke Shaw would’ve probably felt hard done by, but Trippier was in the team to do a job.
The England full-backs were contained in their roles - there was a discipline in their game that was designed so that Croatia wouldn’t hit them on the break. Even when Rice dropped back as a third central defender, the fullbacks went halfway and held their ground. There was a reluctance to overcommit and get too far up the pitch.
England did have a dynamism to their gameplay, but they were conservative and didn’t demand too much from their full-backs. I have myself played on the right hand side during my Leeds days, but I was happier to play on my better side, as everything is more natural on your stronger side.
Gareth Southgate knew he’d get the job done from one of his reliables in Trippier, but what stood out was that he emerged as the natural leader of the backline against Croatia. Tyrone Mings was vociferous, but Trippier took over on the night to ensure England had a stranglehold on the game and was a leader at the back in the absence of Harry Maguire.
We have to wait and see if he retains his spot against Scotland. Maybe Southgate thinks he needs a Shaw or a Chilwell to open things up a little bit more? Only time will tell.
#1 Marcos Llorente | Spain, Atletico Madrid
Watching Marcos Llorente last night, the first thing that came to my mind was that UEFA Champions League night at Anfield. I remember being in the stadium when he scored two absolutely wonderful goals to knock Liverpool out of the UEFA Champions League last year. He’s a midfielder playing at right-back for Spain, so naturally, he’s excellent on the ball.
He feels at home when he gets up on the pitch and has no problem with picking a pass; that comes from his midfield upbringing. Sweden were playing very deep, so he enjoyed a comfortable night at the back for Spain.
Like I mentioned about Thorgan Hazard earlier, I liked his positioning. If you’re playing as a full-back, your primary job is to defend and stop opposition players. Whatever happens in the final third is a bonus. Llorente did well, but he could have offered something different in the form of whipped crosses from deeper positions to break down a resolute Swedish backline.
That said, I think he will retain his spot in the team against Poland. After losing to Slovakia, they will be nervous and will most likely present themselves in a low block, so Spain will need to be more incisive. In terms of what he offers to the side going forward, he should keep his place at the back over Cesar Azpilicueta.
