Nübel art / Ligue 1 / D8 / Reims-Monaco / SOFOOT.com
Designated successor to Manuel Neuer, Alexander Nübel has however had difficulty in taking over from Benjamin Lecomte, far from being imperial, upon his arrival at AS Monaco in the summer of 2021. But for several weeks, even months, that which still belongs to Bayern Munich continues the parades and boxing critics.
Danijel Subašić, Sergio Romero or even Maarten Stekelenburg: AS Monaco have seen some pretty names go by to keep their cages in recent years. In addition to the goalkeepers of the last three finalists (four if we add Fabien Barthez, holder with the Blues in 2006) of the World Cup – Croatia in 2018, Argentina in 2014 and the Netherlands in 2010 -, the ASM was also able to count on Benjamin Lecomte, precursor of a good reputation on his arrival in 2019. Yet among these contenders, only one, the Croatian, was able to conquer hearts and impose himself over time, despite some an end in pudding water. So when Alexander Nübel, designated as the worthy successor to Manuel Neuer, lands on the Rock in the summer of 2020, the Asemists start dreaming again. Crossing the border, the ASM goalkeeper probably hopes to get rid of this bulky costume to finally be able to put on his own. After a few alterations, he is now perfectly at ease in the one that the Principality club has carved out for him.
Strong on his stat line
“Alex is a top goalkeeper, capable of being a long-term player. This summer, it was one of the rare sectors where we said we could not improvelet go of Paul Mitchell, sporting director of the ASM, a The Team at the end of August, proof of the Monegasque board’s confidence in its foal. I don’t understand the severity to its predictable. From January to May, there weren’t many top goalkeepers in Europe. » More than just words from a DS who compliments, as much as he reassures, his doorman, the figures also go in the direction of the Englishman. After seven days, Nübel has 36 saves (first goalkeeper in Ligue 1), or 80% of the attempts he has suffered (fifth in the championship in this area), a rate higher than that of his first season in France (76 .3%).
An increase that is not really significant, but which is much more so when you look at the volume of shots that the German has to face. Over the entire previous year, the former Schalke had suffered only 135 shots on target (3.6 per game) when he already has 45 this season (6.5 per game). A colossal development which, in addition to removing the defensive fragility displayed by ASM (only one clean sheet in all competitions since the resumption), tends to confirm the progress made by the 25-year-old goalkeeper who has long been criticized for not not be decisive enough. This season alone, he has already saved precious points on the lawns of Strasbourg (2-1 victory), Paris (1-1 draw) and Belgrade (1-0 success) in addition to allowing his team to win the derby in Nice last Sunday (1-0).
hands and feet
However, a big downside spoils these lines of statistics: his inability to be decisive on penalties. Since joining the Asemists, the native of Paderborn owes his only success in the exercise, which he has known eleven times, to Amine Gouiri who sent his attempt to the stands of the Allianz Riviera in October 2021. Unfortunately for him, it is also an area where the Red and Whites monopolize the first places since no team has conceded more than them since the start of the last season. Proof once again that the defector from across the Rhine is not always helped by his defense, or more generally his teammates. There is, however, an area in which he owes nothing to anyone: kicking.
Sure of his strength, the German did not hesitate to allow himself some fantasies and risk-taking with the ball at his feet last year. First match at the Louis-II stadium, against Sparta Prague (3-1 for ASM), and first completely missed recovery leading to a goal, ultimately anecdotal, from the Czechs. In less than 90 minutes, the presentations were made. “Last year, he was often criticized. […] He made small mistakes, especially in the kicking game where he took too many risks. The look changed on him. He’s a really good goalkeeper, who has improved a lot lately.” , noted Philipe Clément at the microphone of Prime Video after the game against the Aiglons. Probably because his doorman has stopped trying as many short raises as he did when he started. Between last year and this year, the German has gained five meters, on average, on his passes (from 35.9 meters to 40.6 meters) and no longer hesitates to swing long balls where he was still looking to relaunch properly a few months ago. A step back which could well allow him to make a link forward and hope to take the place of Manuel Neuer at Bayern Munich, the club to which he still belongs. Unless it is in selection where he could, in turn, try to register his name in the long line of goalkeepers who have passed on the Rock and are present in the World Cup final.
By Florian Porta