Four From Four

 

 

 

This is a bit of an idea I have had for a regular piece.  It will be an opportunity to catch more football and to focus on specific players/teams.  I have decided to pick one newly transferred player from the four leagues I mainly watch- Premier League, Serie A, La Liga and The Bundesliga.  As well as watching them, I will also look to fans forums and each countries made to gauge the players progress and importantly what the fans think.  I have decided to do posts once a month to overview how they've been doing. 

 

 

 

 Mkhitaryan (Borussia Dortmund) - Bundesliga

 

The German league is already underway.  Caught Dortmunds impressive win vs Ausburg yesterday.  They took a little while to get going but when they did, they were very entertaining.  It was a dream debut for Aubameyang, scoring a hat-trick.  Mkhitaryan is currently injured and therefore needed to sit out Dormund's first match.

The highly rated midfielder transferred from Shakhtar Donetsk for what is believed to be in the region of €25.75 million.  In purchasing him, he is the most expensive player the club has ever bought.  Price tags come with pressure.  He just enjoyed a very successful club season, scoring 25 goals from midfield and therefore must be feeling full of confidence.  It is a step up certainly, but he is coming into a good team boasting plenty of talented players.  With the loss of Mario Goetze and he being a mature player at 25. Dortmund, will be looking for him (once fit) to have an immediate impact.  Looking forward to seeing this player as he is one I have never watched, only heard of.  As ever, it will be enjoyable following and watching Dortmund play- could be a tricky season for them given the sheer strength and talent of the present Bayern side.

2012/13 Stand Out Matches(Aug-Dec)

So that is the lovely festive period over for another year, sigh.  Little more than a week into 2013, which will hopefully be a good one and wish it to be for you all out there.


Haven't watched nearly as much football as usual.  Have caught most of Manchester Uniteds matches but even those have been restricted at times, as I've had my Mum staying during the week as she is on secondment here.  Nevertheless, there have been some very good matches to keep me occupied.  Quite predictably it is mostly Juventus, Napoli, Borussia Dortmund that I've caught.

Undoubtedly the biggest highlight, well for me anyway was seeing Celtic getting both those results against the mighty Barcelona.  A Barcelona that is in super form, yet to lose a match in La Liga.  Unfortunately for Celtic the draw does not favour the brave as they have resurgent Juventus up next.  Fantastic achievement, especially when the holders and other moneybags clubs in Europe failed to make it out of their group. 

Player Watch 2012/13

In general I've tended to be more of a player follower than a team one.  But in more recent years it has also extended into following specific teams due to the style of football they play.  In this post I will probably waffle a-lot about the players I shall be watching out for over the course of the season.  The transfer window is still open and more deals are rumoured to be competed before it closes.  Going by the transfers that have happened, am looking forward to seeing how reigning German footballer of the year Marco Reus does for Dortmund.  Enjoyed Mönchengladbach's football last season and the man really stood out.  Be sure to follow Gladbach this season also and was very impressed by their young keeper Ter Stegen.  For Dortmund, getting Mario Gotze back to full fitness and in action will be akin to a new signing considering the year he has just had with injury. Hummels is a player that makes defending look easy, very much like his style.  Staving off interest from the Premier League, Pole Lewandowski is set to have a strong season.  Staying in Germany, Bayern Munich have also made a number of signings.  Dante the highly rated Brazillian centre back has joined and looks a good prospect.  Claudio Pizarro is a good addition to their squad and it will be interesting to see how Shaqiri does.  Mandžukić, outstanding in the Euro's will do very well at Bayern and add some urgency to their attack.  Biggest of all is the capture of highly rated Javi Martinez.  What a midfield they'll have with him and Schweinsteiger.  Be some force with that.  Martinez is a player had hoped Manchester United would make a move for.  It is a big fee but worth it in the long run considering his  age.  Team to watch for, for sure and their signings could prove to be the biggest difference maker in Europe.  So close they have come on occassions, to winning the big trophy.  A club some miles away from Munich have been equally as busy in the transfer market.  Juventus have stregnthened an already strong team.  It is the names already there, I am most eager to watch including Vidal, Marchisio, Pirlo, Buffon, Bazagli and Chiellini.  Giovinco has returned to the club, have watched a fair amount of him hope to see him continue to play as he has and to also improve.  In Serie A there are a number of teams I'll watch: Napoli, Fiorentina, Udinese and maybe even some Milan.  Players such as de Rossi, Montolivo, Inler, di Natale, Jovetic and Maggio are ones I will pay particular attention to!