Every week we pick out one under-23 player from around Europe and analyse their performance to provide you with an in-depth scouting report.
This week, it’s time to shine the spotlight on Switzerland and Basel youngster Dimitri Oberlin, whose side hosted Manchester United in the Champions League.
BASIC STATS
Goals – 0
Assists – 0
Shots – 3
Shots on target – 1
Pass Accuracy – 86%
Key Passes – 1
Dribbles – 0
EFFECTIVENESS
It was a difficult afternoon for Oberlin, especially in the first half as United dominated possession and Basel were largely reduced to sending long balls towards the young striker – a tactic that was never going to work against United’s defence.
He grew into the game in the second half, along with his team, but fluffed his lines with his most presentable chance, failing to get a good connection when played through in the box and allowing the recovering defender to block his shot.
Didn't see anything special about this Oberlin guy..United should have killed the game off in the first half
— 1931- 2013 (@Marutsy) November 22, 2017
KEY MOMENTS
26th min, CHANCE: Oberlin’s work off the ball created a chance for his team, as he dispossessed Marcos Rojo high up the pitch to start a counter for Basel. Unfortunately for the young striker, the United defender recovered to cut out the cross when Oberlin was waiting to tap it in.
41st min, SHOT: This was a chance for Oberlin to steal the headlines. It didn’t quite work out that way, however, as the youngster’s free-kick flew over the crossbar.
72nd min, SHOT: Oberlin’s clearest chance of the night. A Basel counter led to the Swiss man being slipped into space in the box, but he scuffed his shot and Rojo’s brilliant recovering tackle blocked the attempt anyway.
VERDICT: 6/10
Oberlin wasn’t given an easy brief on Wednesday, left largely isolated leading the Basel line. But even with that in mind, he failed to make much of an impression. His link-up play left a lot to be desired and he failed to hold up the ball well when Basel tried to relieve the United pressure in the first half.
The 20-year-old had a decent chance in the second half, but scuffed his shot when a better connection could have given his side the lead. Luckily for him, when an even better chance was presented to one of his teammates, Michael Lang was on hand to give Basel the shock win.
