The Real Turk: Nuri Sahin
It’s been not long that an unknown kid started making waves in Bundesliga around 2009. He was praised for his exquisite footwork and technical abilities. He had the knack for the last pass and always wished to be the strikers’ best friend in making play. After some dazzling performances in the last couple of years for the German giants Borrusia Dortmund, Nuri Sahin has almost created a niche for himself in that league. Producing some of the best plays in chase for the Champions League spot, he dethroned Bastian Schweinsteiger as Bundesliga’s best pass-master. He successfully marshaled the midfield of Borussia and made them reach glory at last. But he then made a very sharp move to Spanish mammoths Real Madrid, who are almost willing to do anything for their La Decima. They have been dominated by their arch-rivals FC Barcelona. What is he all about and how will he play in his new club? All questions answered right below!
Style of play
Sahin likes to take control of the play in the midfield, sending his forwards up and positioning himself for swift passing from the back. He loves the ball at his feet and fancies raiding the enemy flanks. He crosses and passes long beautifully and his technical prowess drips from his through balls. He has a great vision which Madrid is in desperate need for. He is able to play in the air with ease and has no difficulty going forward. He likes to track back and help in the defense to recover ball and quickly initiate counter-attack just the same as Mesut Ozil does at Real Madrid. He has powerful left foot with a shot full of sting and he never hesitates in testing the keeper from long range. He is well equipped with dead-ball techniques as he is a quality free kick specialist. His pace is in tune with Real Madrid so he will definitely bolster their counter attack mentality.
Position in Madrid
Nuri Sahin loves to construct play from deep-lying positions. He is solid in defense and spot on in tackles. He welcomes body defending and all-action style but is elegant in both defending and attacking. Nuri would form a great partnership with play-mogul Xabi Alonso. Let’s looks at the positions that Mourinho would install this season:
1. Prime Pivot.
Mou has always been so hungry in defeating the opposition by tactical warfare that he has somewhat become an unpredictable mastermind in soccer.
The most tactically weak formation that he can use this season is the one with a prime pivot. Although it is highly unlikely that he would he would fancy this one but who knows…
Formation Probability: 5%
Used when : Weak lower table teams, if players are injured or rested or on national call, to test bench players.
Formation quality : Weak.
Formation nature : Attacking.
Formation : Casillas
Ramos Pepe Carvalho/Varane Marcelo
Sahin
Callejon/ DiMaria Kaka/ Ozil Ronaldo
Benzema Higuain
2. Double Pivot.
Mou loves to plot and plan to capitalize on enemy’s weaknesses. His teams posses the power to choke the game yet they all were superb counter attacking units. Real Madrid was the most scoring team in La Liga previous season, so much for the defensive tactics accusations. Yet no-one knows what the Special One can come up with, this could be an option…
Formation Probability: 50%
Used when : Defensive teams, mid and top table teams, if Mou wants some steel in the midfield, if Mou wants more creativity.
Formation quality : Good.
Formation nature : Attacking.
Formation : Casillas
Ramos Pepe Carvalho/Varane Marcelo
Sahin Xabi/Lass/Khedira/Granero
DiMaria Kaka/ Ozil Ronaldo
Benzema/Higuain
3. Trivote.
Buzz is that this season Mou will move to his personal favorite the Trivote. If all goes well, this formation will lay down a solid midfield foundation for Real Madrid for years to come. The signings show a pattern which I have certainly taken in consideration: Backup. Real Madrid has invested in Rafael Varane, Hamit Altintop, Jose Callejon, and of course Nuri Sahin. All these players are a sort of backup for the first team players. Sahin for Alonso, Varane for Carvalho, Altintop for Khedira, and Callejon for DiMaria. This means that Mou will use all of them very efficiently the whole season playing a very stacked formation so that no mistakes are made in any match. Stacked midfield means more players in the middle and more players means solid defense. This type of formation could be used for extra creativity as well more steel, whichever the mister wants to apply. Let’s look at the options…
Creative:
Formation Probability: 65%
Used when : Defensive teams, mid and top table teams, if Mou wants more creativity.
Formation quality : Good.
Formation nature : Attacking.
Formation : Casillas
Ramos Pepe Carvalho Marcelo
Khedira/Granero Sahin Xabi
DiMaria/ Ozil Benzema/Higuain Ronaldo
Defensive:
Formation Probability: 80%
Used when : Attacking teams, top table teams, if Mou wants balance between steel and creativity.
Formation quality : Excellent.
Formation nature : Neutral.
Formation : Casillas
Ramos Pepe Carvalho Marcelo
Khedira/Altintop Sahin/Lass Xabi
Ozil Higuain Ronaldo
How he fits in Madrid
Sahin fits perfectly in Madrid. He is young and superbly talented for the club. He has his best friend Mesut Ozil playing there who is already a fan-favorite after only one season. Sami Khedira is also a friend it is said whereas Hamit Altintop is his national compatriot. So that means no problem for him in Madrid. He would go there to be the understudy of aging Xabi Alonso and would form one of the most solid of midfield partnerships with Ozil and Ronaldo, who both themselves have the best partnership in Spain. With DiMaria blazing on flanks and Sahin in centre it would take some sturdy team to topple Real Madrid in near future.
It would be exciting to watch Real Madrid this season as they roll up their sleeves for onslaught on La Liga and of course Barcelona who are currently enjoying their best form. I hope that Nuri Sahin’s future in the capital is secure and filled with all the trophies Real Madrid conquer.
About the author: Mysterious enthusiast and unconditional devotee of Real Madrid. Wishes not to reveal his true identity and keeps in the shadows. Always stands beside Real Madrid and would bleed white. Regularly argues about women right to play and hates racism. If you wish to talk please follow @MadridistaSpy on twitter.
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