An unknown kid from Turkey started making waves in Bundesliga around 2009. He was praised for his exquisite footwork and technical ability. He had the knack for the final pass and always wished to be at center of the pitch dictationg 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 helped them to glory at last. But as is the case with young exciting players in Bundesliga,he made the move abroad to Spanish giants Real Madrid, who are almost willing to do anything for their La Decima. Mourinho in his second year will be doing everything he can to end the domination of 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, giving his forwards the freedom to push up and positioning himself for swift passing from the back. He loves the ball at his feet and fancies raiding the enemy flanks. His long balls are exquisite and his technical prowess drips from his through balls. He has a great vision which Madrid are in a 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 Xabi Alonso 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,but of course with CR7 at Madrid his opportunities will be limited. His pace is in tune with Real Madrid so he will definitely bolster their counter attack mentality.
Position in Madrid
Nuri Sahin loves to dictate 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:
- Prime Pivot.
Mourinho has always been so hungry in defeating the opposition by tactical warfare that he has somewhat become an unpredictable mastermind in football.The formation with the prime pivot will be defensively vulnerable which Mourinho obviously doesn't like but who knows,he is after all the "Special One".
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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
The difference between the attacking and defensive nature of the 4-3-3 is very minute.Andre Villas Boas mad Porto more attacking by just inverting the pyramid in the 4-3-3 i.e usually there are two defensive players with one attack minded player,but AVB reversed and it worked wonders for Porto.Mourinho usually like playing with two defensive players but one advantage he has is that,at Madrid players like Alonso and Sahin who are very good defensively are also creative.So he can mix and match and deploy the 4-3-3 as he wishes.
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 it should be easy for him to settle down. In his first season he would be expected to be the understudy of the aging Xabi Alonso,but if he plays well maybe Mourinho will pick him.
It would be exciting to watch Real Madrid this season as they roll up their sleeves for a 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.
