One of Julian Nagelsmann's great obsessions in the morning before the Atlético match was to make Dayot Upamecano (France, 21 years old) aware of the importance of not making mistakes when kicking the ball or defending spaces. The German coach continued the work that some of his teammates had already started, who had tried to instill a dose of self-confidence by giving them his ears calling him a beast because of his physical conditions (1.86 meters and 90 kilos). “He played a perfect game, he did not commit any negligence, he was very focused. Sometimes he makes mistakes for being reckless. I was biting him all morning with what he was a beast ”, the German coach revealed on Friday.
The mistakes with the ball and the mistakes of Upamecano are in the reports of the market analysts. “He is on the radar of the big clubs, but he has that flaw. However, against Atlético he played a perfect match in the exit of the ball and in the defense of Diego Costa. It was forceful and key for Leipzig to disconcert Simeone's team at the start of the game, ”says an international scout.
two
-
one
ATMRB Leipzig Gulacsi, Lukas Klostermann, Tasende, Marcel Halstenberg, Dayotchanculle Upamecano, Nkunku (Amadou Haidara, min. 82), M. Sabitzer (Nordi Mukiele, min. 91), Laimer (Tyler Adams, min. 71), Dani Olmo (Patrik Schick, min. 82), Kevin Kampl and Yussuf PoulsenAtléticoOblak, Trippier, Savic, Renan Augusto, Giménez, Saúl, Héctor Herrera (João Félix, min. 57), Carrasco, Koke (Felipe Monteiro, min. 91), Diego Costa ( Morata, min. 71) and Marcos Llorente
Goals1-0 min. 49: Dani Olmo. 1-1 min. 70: João Félix. 2-1 min. 87: Tyler Adams. Referee Szymon Marciniak Yellow cards Renan Augusto (min. 61), Lukas Klostermann (min. 69), Kevin Kampl (min. 81), Amadou Haidara (min. 86) and Giménez (min. 95)The statistics against Atlético de este central, captured from Valenciennes by Red Bull Salzburg in 2015 for 3 million euros after being proclaimed European Under-17 champion with France, were overwhelming. He won 81% of his duels, he only fouled and 95% of his passes were good. His splendid performance against Costa and Llorente, whom he left touched on the ground after first scraping the ball in an imperial cross, have shot up his price again after recently renewing his contract with Leipzig, which expired in 2021, until 2023. Upamecano was recruited by the German club in January 2017 for ten million euros. A year earlier he had already tried to recruit him, but the boy preferred to stay one more year in Salzburg. The urgency to hire a center-back in the face of a host of injuries caused Leipzig to go back to the club with which it shares a project and sponsor for its acquisition.
- The day Nagelsmann inaugurated the future
- Dani Olmo: "Footballers are obliged to try to build a better world"
The recent renewal came amid strong interest from Arsenal and Chelsea in signing him. The 60 million euros clause was the main impediment to his departure. Upamecano finally accepted the extension of his contract despite the fact that he was free next summer. In return, Leipzig agreed to lower its clause to 45 million euros. A figure that will make him very appealing if he maintains the level shown against Atlético.