Europa Final: In Focus - Pogba and Traore

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  • So many narratives provided the backdrop for the Europa League final as Ajax and Manchester United went into battle at Stockholm but the overriding one was always that of a city beginning to heal itself, once again through sport.

    The terror attacks in Manchester on Monday night, still fresh in the memory, contributed largely to the sombre mood ahead of the Europa finale but rather than be engulfed by emotion, United were able to keep their heads and secure a calculated 2-0 win.

    Apart from winning the trophy itself, achieving Champions League football is what Jose Mourinho will be celebrating, without which his first season at Old Trafford would well have been deemed a failure.

    Here, we analyse the performances of two key men involved in the match, Paul Pogba and Bertrand Traore.

    Basic stats

    Pogba

    Goals – 1

    Shots – 2

    Shots on target – 1

    Touches – 53

    Passes – 23

    Key passes – 2

    Dribbles – 1

    Dispossessed – 3

    Traore

    Goals – 0

    Shots – 4

    Shots on target – 1

    Touches – 94

    Passes – 44

    Key passes – 1

    Dribbles – 7

    Dispossessed – 4

    Effectiveness

    Pogba

    Much has been said about the record fee the Frenchman was acquired, or reacquired, for but he stepped up to the plate and showed his class in the final. He didn’t see a lot of the ball but tried to put it to good use when he had it, always looking for a forward pass. His work off the ball was equally impressive, making clearances, tackles and using his strength to fend people off expertly.

    He always looked to bomb forward in support whenever the opportunity presented itself but even more impressive was the discipline he showed when tracking back. His goal gave United the crucial first goal although he could’ve scored as early as the first minute but narrowly missed the target.

    Traore

    With a compact United side sitting off their opponents, content to attack on the break, the onus was on the Ajax wide players to make inroads into their defence and Traore did just that. He caused Mourinho’s side all sorts of problems, giving Sergio Romero his first test 15 minutes into the first half.

    The Chelsea loanee particularly looked dangerous when he attacked the left side of United’s defence with Daley Blind and Matteo Darmian looking vulnerable against his pace and dribbling.

    Key moments

    Pogba

    1st min: Ajax’s nerves immediately evident as Andre Onana comes off his line to collect an early United ball into the box and takes out his own defender in the process. The ball drops for Pogba who controls it on his chest and unleashes a dipping volley that goes wide with less than 30 seconds on the clock.

    18th min: United come forward well with Juan Mata playing the ball back to Marouane Fellaini who shifts it to Pogba on the top of the 18-yard-box. The Frenchman strikes it with his left foot and his effort takes a massive deflection off Davinson Sanchez before dipping into the back of the net, leaving a wrong-footed Onana helpless.

    65th min: The Frenchman nearly adds an assist to his performances as his cross from the right finds Fellaini in the middle. The big Belgian’s header is straight at Onana though, squandering a great chance to put the game firmly beyond the reach of the Dutch side.


    Traore

    15th min: Amin Younes does well to skip past Ander Herrera before cutting the ball back to Traore inside the box. The Burkino Faso international rifles a shot at goal but it’s straight at Romero who gathers it on the second attempt.

    37th min: Traore has the United defence scrambling as he goes on a fine run, cutting in from the right and advancing into the penalty box. He’s stopped by a lunging Blind though.

    56th min: Younes makes a fine run in behind the defence and finds Traore after being forced wide by Valencia. The Ajax forward hits the deck but no penalty is awarded.


    Our verdict

    Pogba

    He’s been criticised for going missing in a few big games this season but came good this time around. He was involved in some of the team’s best play and got the all important first goal. His defensive contribution was immense and he was one of the best players on the pitch.

    7/10

    Traore

    No blame can be attached to Traore for the defeat. He didn’t find the back of the net but looked the most likely in the Ajax set-up to do so. His pace and close control made him a real threat in the final third.

    7/10

    Your verdict

    All statistics are compiled using whoscored.com

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