8. Is Gosens Simply Unstoppable?

Touchline Theory

The goose is loose! Episode 8! We've spent another week away from the mic with Will's scenic albeit wifi-free Colorado vacation and Martin's focus being channeled towards his JdP piece, but we're back feeling restored and ready to rumble. This week, Will spearheads a discussion on Robin Gosens, a player he's had his eye on for a while, but who finally drew international attention after his spectacular showing against Portugal. Our questions are simple: just how did he do it, and now that the cat's out of the bag, is there any way to stop him?

The conversation starts with a foray into the game itself, some remarks about various passages of play, and Will's summary of the main components Gosens delivered to his side. We ponder how it's possible that he was practically always unmarked, how he always only used one touch, and why Portugal never seemed to have an answer. There's a quick dive into his individual stats, some context from Atalanta, and we duck under the door frame for the halftime break.

Upon return to the field, the second half commences with Martin's mention of territorial uncertainty, followed by a conversation on magnetism, gravity, and the mechanics of pinning. Gnabry, Muller, and Havertz central? Yeah. Let's do that. The two remark that Germany's approach in this game was quite countercultural, in the sense that they never sought to spread Portugal's defense--but instead, allowed them to compact themselves, locally. They took their top players, made them sacrificial lambs, and converted the most anonymous player into the most critical one. There are some comments on why Germany, specifically, was able to pull this off, too, especially given the skillset Kimmich added further wide--contrary to common opinion that he was wasted in the channels. The lads shift to how a German central density required Portuguese defensive back-up, the marking necessities Portugal was forced into with their oft-compromised double pivot, and why Semedo was obviously scapegoated--but arguably, not culpable. The duo chat about alternatives to quell Germany's approach to tie off the episode.

Join us to hear our thoughts on all these items, and more--including our most efficient recording to date, the hitchhiker's guide to playing in the European Championships, an argument on why fewer players might actually better in attack, Will's upcoming debut, and another disappearing Bernardo trick (more forgivable this time, but poor Bernardo).

Find us on Twitter @touchlinetheory

Find Martin on his new Twitter @MG_theory2 (post-ban!), and Will @WA_theory! Follow him! Get him up to 10 fans!

Subscribe and send us your feedback!