With so many options in midfield, Hansi Flick has an embarrassment of riches to choose from. Gavi will soon be back from injury to add to the roster, meaning that Marc Casado needed to be right on his game against Athletic to send a timely reminder of his quality. In the first half, particularly, which was a little industrial at times, Casado's tigerish challenges and willingness to fight for every ball were a worthwhile endeavour.
With plenty of raised eyebrows across the continent back in the summer of 2024 as Scott McTominay completed a £25million move to Napoli, not even the Scottish international could have imagined the impact he would make among Italy's elite. Embarking on what has been a sensational rise to superstardom over the past 18 months, McTominay has only gone from strength to strength since deciding to leave Manchester United. Set to play a leading role for
James Garner has committed his future to Everton after signing a new four-and-a-half-year contract that will keep him at the club until June 2030. The 24-year-old midfielder has been a near ever-present this season, starting every match in all competitions and contributing three goals and three assists. His previous deal was due to expire this summer, prompting speculation over his future, including reports of interest from former club Manchester United late last year.
Sofascore gave him just a 6.9 rating, which we think was not justified, considering his stellar display on the eye test. He is the most underappreciated and underrated player in the Allianz Arena's thrashing of Wolfsburg. The 20-year-old owned the midfield. He completed a whopping 89 out of 92 passes, a near-perfect game in terms of passing. The 89 passes include eight accurate long balls and nine progressive passes.
Ugarte, meanwhile, has his limitations in possession but it's his lack of mobility that's most striking. The Uruguayan was overwhelmed by City's midfield, playing team-mates into trouble with passes that lacked purpose. United were all over the place in midfield as City ran a mock in the second half. That changed when Amorim introduced Kobbie Mainoo from the bench, but by then the result was done.
Rice backed himself when he faced Madrid and left Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Luka Modric and Aurelien Tchouameni in the shade by producing man-of-the-match displays in both legs.
