Barcelona target Jean Michael Seri fails to shine - Analysis of Nice midfielder's performance in 2-0 defeat to Napoli

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  • A Jose Callejon goal helped Napoli ease into the Champions League group stage on Tuesday.

    Third in Serie A last season, Napoli were too strong for Nice as they progressed 4-0 on aggregate.

    Maurizio Sarri’s side took the lead when Marek Hamsik deposited a low cross from the left for Callejon to convert at the back post in the 48th minute.

    The dangerous Dries Mertens then hit the post before Insigne sealed the Italians’ win a minute from time.

    Nice – with widespread speculation over the future of Barcelona target Jean Michael Seri – were thoroughly outplayed and will have to settle for a place in the group stage of the Europa League instead.

    Here, we focus on Seri’s performance.

    Effectiveness

    Looked as if he had the Camp Nou on his mind already.

    He’s clearly a class act but failed to stamp his authority on a game that Napoli dominated.

    The midfielder looked comfortable on the ball but his impact was minimal out of possession – apart from two superb tackles in the first half.

    Seri’s greatest asset is his ability to keep possession and open up space for his teammates to exploit, an area that he couldn’t influence during the match.

    The diminutive Ivorian does not lack physicality either as he challenges for the ball at every opportunity, but where he does suffer is his discipline.

    He was yellowed carded early on for a bad foul on Dries Mertens, and although he gave away two loose passes, he recovered to show composure around the middle in the second half.

    His pace made him effective as he beats the first man at every chance, but the home side never looked like forcing any breakthrough, especially with Mario Balotelli and Allan Saint-Maximin failing to shine up front.

    Key moments

    1st minute – Showed intelligence to push Allan out wide and pulled off a superb tackle to reclaim possession for Nice.

    6th minute (YELLOW CARD) – Dries Mertens collected possession on the halfway line and Seri clipped his legs to concede a needless foul.

     13th minute – Received the ball outside the D and sent a loose pass back to Dante which Mertens intercepted. Luckily for Seri, the Napoli star’s effort was diverted out for a corner.

    17th minute – Another stunning dispossession on Allan, and he turns to deliver a deft back heel to Allan Saint-Maximin.

    45th minute – Slipped when receiving the ball and Napoli burst forward with Jose Callejon firing his shot narrowly wide.

    60th minute – Gave a loose ball away when a simple back pass to Dante or Maxime Le Marchand would have been the best option.

    Our verdict

    The Nice playmaker has attracted plenty of interest from England and Spain, and although he wasn’t at his inspirational best against Napoli, he still remains a talismanic figure to any team.

    His performance featured accurate passing, good awareness of space and solid tackling.

    With reports suggesting that Seri is set to sign for Barcelona as early as next week, it looks like this could have been his last game at the Allianz Riviera.

    6/10

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