ASN: Reyna vs. Richards, McKennie & Juve go to Napoli to prime busy weekend

As soon as once more, ASN’s Brian Sciaretta opens up his pocket book to preview the weekend for People overseas. On this version, there are some attention-grabbing issues and essential exams for a number of younger gamers after a lackluster weekend final week. 

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
February 12, 2021
12:00 PM

SHARE THIS STORY

THE WEEKEND AHEAD will probably be a busy one for People overseas and lots of will probably be trying to increase momentum heading into Champions League and Europa League video games subsequent week. Sadly, now we have a number of postponements and a few accidents however total, there are nonetheless a number of video games of excessive precedence.

The very best of the bunch might be Borussia Dortmund internet hosting Hoffhenheim because it provides Chris Richards an opportunity to defend Gio Reyna and Erling Haaland – who’re each struggling in the mean time. It should even be attention-grabbing if Yunus Musah can return to the beginning lineup at Valencia in a go to to Actual Madrid.

Additionally, on a constructive observe, we might see a Championship debut from Daryl Dike a membership debuts for Taylor Sales space and Brandon Servania who each joined St. Poelten on mortgage. For Sales space, this might his skilled debut at any stage.

With all that stated, here’s what I will probably be anticipating.

Leipzig vs. Augsburg
The Bundesliga
Friday, February 12: 2:30pm EST

Tyler Adams and RB Leipzig most likely don’t have sufficient within the tank to catch Bayern Munich as they’re seven factors again, however sitting in second, Leipzig has a cushty five-point cushion on the Champions League spots for subsequent season.

This sport on Friday is a little bit of a lure, nonetheless, as a Champions League knockout sport vs. Liverpool awaits on Tuesday. For Tyler Adams, he has been beginning most video games for Leipzig these days however usually on the surface of the midfield as a substitute of his most popular No. 6 place. It will likely be attention-grabbing of that modifications.

Augsburg has been in poor kind these days, dropping 5 of its final six. Leipzig supervisor Julian Nagelsmann has a tricky selection by way of resting gamers forward of Tuesday and having no matter lineup his rolls out targeted on Augsburg and never considering forward to Liverpool.

Borussia Dortmund vs. Hoffenheim
The Bundesliga
Saturday, February 13: 9:30am EST

Two younger U.S. internationals will meet-up in maybe probably the most eagerly anticipated matchup of the weekend for People overseas followers when Gio Reyna and Broussia Dortmund hosts Chris Richards and Hoffenheim on Saturday.

Final weekend, Richards made his debut for Hoffenheim on mortgage and went the space in a 3-1 loss to a really sturdy Eintracht Frankfurt crew. Whereas considerably at fault for the second purpose, Richards performed properly within the sport and seemed able to be a daily contributor for Hoffenheim the rest of the season.

For Reyna, issues have been fairly rocky since Lucien Favre was fired in December. The American midfielder has not performed in addition to he usually confirmed in 2020 the previous two months however he’s removed from the one one at Borussia Dortmund. The membership now has an uphill climb to qualify for the Europa League because it trails fifth-place Bayer Leverkusen by three factors and fourth-place Eintracht Frankfurt by 4 factors.

Final weekend’s 2-1 loss to Freiburg was robust for Dortmund and the membership is pressured into needing to make a fast rebound. Sitting midtable, Twelfth-place Hoffenheim is just not fairly in a relegation battle however nonetheless wants outcomes to coast in midtable.

Werder Bremen vs. Freiburg
The Bundesliga
Saturday, February 13: 9:30am EST

After final weekend’s snow postponement, Josh Sargent and Werder Bremen will return to the sector for the primary time since February 2 once they defeated Greuther Furth within the German Cup. Sargent has scored simply two objectives on the season for Werder Bremen however has nonetheless performed properly in different areas of the sport. The membership in the meantime doesn’t essentially play enticing soccer however is pushing in the direction of midtable within the Bundesliga.

Whereas the striker pool for the U.S. nationwide crew is increasing, Sargent remains to be most likely the crew’s beginning No. 9 ahead as he performs probably the most however that grip may not be that tight till he scores at a dependable fee. Nonetheless, the truth that he has the belief of supervisor Florian Kohfeldt is telling and Kohfeldt has been public along with his perception that Sargent will finally emerge as a prime striker within the league.

Freiburg is a beatable however has been doing properly as of late and is coming off a 2-1 win over Dortmund.

Union Berlin vs. Schalke 04
The Bundesliga
Saturday, February 13: 9:30am EST

Matthew Hoppe and Schalke will hope to start a “Mission Impossible” climb out of final place within the Bundesliga and it’s presently 9 factors from survival. With simply win on the season, it should want many extra to outlive.

American ahead Matthew Hoppe took the Bundesliga by storm when he scored 5 objectives in a three-game span – together with a hat trick towards Hoffenheim. Since then, he has continued to be harmful every so often however opposing defenses have adjusted to Hoppe and targeted extra on stopping him. With out many different attacking choices on Schalke, it has turn into more durable for Hoppe.

Union Berlin is an opponent that began off the season properly however has only one level from its final 4 video games. If Schalke and Hoppe wish to have any probability of survival, benefiting from a struggling opponent is vital.

SSC Napoli – Juventus
Serie A
Saturday, February 13: 12:00pm EST

Weston McKennie and Juventus journey south on Saturday to go to Napoli in a matchup between two of the higher groups within the league. McKennie and Juventus had a midweek draw towards Inter Milan midweek after a 2-0 win final weekend over Roma in Serie A.

McKennie, 22, has had a wonderful season however was quiet final weekend towards Roma on either side of the ball. Sixth-place Napoli will current a more durable problem on the street however third-place Juventus has a possibility to achieve floor on each Milan groups because it has performed one fewer sport. Juventus trails Inter Milan by 5 factors and AC Milan by seven factors.

Napoli has misplaced two of three video games however remains to be a critical risk to Juventus who can’t be caught waiting for subsequent week’s Champions league conflict towards Porto.

Heracles – Ajax
The Eredivisie
Saturday, February 13

Luca de la Torre has had a very nice first season at Heracles the place he has emerged as a starter and helped the membership push comfortably into midtable. Coming into into this weekend, Heracles has three wins and a attract its final 4 and is enjoying properly.

However Saturday will probably be an enormous problem as Ajax is working away with the Eredivisie and is mostly a category amongst itself in Holland. Does Heracles have an opportunity on the massive upset? Not a lot however stranger issues have occurred. To drag it off would require de la Torre and others on Heracles to place forth big outings.

WSG Swarovski Tirol – Salzburg
Austrian Bundesliga
Saturday, February 13: 11:00am EST

Purple Bull Salzburg reclaimed first place within the Austrian Bundesliga on Wednesday after a powerful 3-1 win over Austria Vienna. American midfielder Brenden Aaronson, 20, made his second begin for the membership and scored his first purpose on an excellent particular person effort.

Brenden Aaronson’s first purpose for Salzburg! #USMNT pic.twitter.com/PjXZ8XcIL6

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) February 10, 2021

Whereas Salzburg’s purpose differential is healthier than second-place Speedy Vienna by a margin of 19, Salzburg solely has a one-point benefit on Speedy, so Salzburg is below strain to win each sport. For Aaronson, he’s comfy and assured and ought to be beginning most of the video games shifting ahead. The New Jersey native will probably be chasing his second title in months after the Supporters Defend.

SM Caen – Niort
Ligue 2
Saturday, February 13: 1:00pm EST

Two midtable groups will probably be going through off in Ligue 2 when SM Caen hosts Niort on Saturday. Neither crew has managed to win in both of their previous 5 Ligue 2 video games. For Caen, it as soon as had promotional hopes however these have lengthy since dissipated.

For Gioacchini, 20, the he’s enjoying for a possible transfer this summer time as his versatility and power alongside along with his youth makes him an intriguing possibility. However first he should proceed to play properly the rest of the season. A transfer to Ligue 1 or one other European prime division might be inside his attain if he performs properly.

Hamburg SV – Greuther Furth
2.Bundesliga
Saturday, February 13: 7:00am EST

After serving a yellow-card suspension final weekend, Julian Inexperienced will return to Greuther Furth’s lineup in an enormous 2.Bundesliga matchup towards a Hamburg crew that sits atop the two.Bundesliga desk. Bobby Wooden will doubtless be on the bench for HSV.

Greuther Furth, in the meantime, sits in fourth however trails the second and third groups within the league by only a single level. If Furth needs to get promoted, pulling off a giant win reminiscent of this may go a really lengthy properly. Julian Inexperienced, 25, is having his finest season as an expert. He has seven objectives in 19 league appearances and one other purpose within the German Cup.

Furth is has made a robust case for promotion and Inexperienced has emerged as one of many crew’s finest gamers. There may be nonetheless a whole lot of work to be finished and HSV is the most effective crew within the league. This ought to be a great one.

Actual Madrid – Valencia
La Liga
Sunday, February 14: 10:15am EST

Yunus Musah, 18, has struggled a bit for Valencia because the final worldwide window in November and has misplaced his beginning spot in current weeks. Part of his struggles might be as a result of truth he’s enjoying out of place at proper wing as a substitute of centrally.

What higher solution to proper the ship than a go to to Estadio Bernabeu to face Actual Mardrid. We don’t but know if Musah will begin this sport however historical past reveals he’ll most likely get into the sport sooner or later. Both approach, a stable efficiency on this one might do wonders for his confidence and his push to reclaim the beginning spot on the membership.

Wolfsburg – Borussia Monchengladbach
The Bundesliga
Sunday, February 14: 12:00pm EST

John Brooks is having the most effective season of his profession and Wolfsburg is pushing for a Champions League spot subsequent yr. The U.S. worldwide has helped the membership’s fortunes change in current seasons and Wolfsburg is in third place this yr largely of a protection that has conceded simply 19 objectives in 20 video games.

Whereas Brooks is enjoying properly, he could have a giant check on Sunday towards seventh place Borussia Monchengladbach which is pushing arduous to crack the highest six and get again into Europe. Solely three groups within the Bundesliga have scored greater than Gladbach, so Brooks will as soon as towards be below fireplace on this one.

Cercle Brugge – Anderlecht
Belgian Professional League
Sunday, February 14: 2:45pm EST

Matt Miazga and fourth place-Anderlecht are coming off a bit 2-1 away win over Genk final weekend however the membership’s downside this yr is that it appears to do properly within the robust video games however wrestle towards poor opponents.

This will probably be a great check for Anderlecht to see if they’ll lastly get it finished towards a foul opponent as Cercle Brugge sits only one level away from last-place Waasland-Beveren.  

Miazga, 25, is having a great season on mortgage at Anderlecht from Chelsea and it’s coming at a great time as success at Anderlecht might pave the best way to a transfer to the Bundesliga or one other top-five league subsequent season. The worst that might occur is that Anderlecht extends his mortgage – which isn’t dangerous.

Everton – Fulham
The Premier League
Sunday: February 14: 2:00pm EST

As a younger participant, U.S. nationwide crew left again Antonee Robinson developed at Everton earlier than occurring mortgage to Wigan earlier than really getting bought. Now Robinson could have the possibility to return to his authentic stomping floor in Liverpool as Fulham makes its approach north.

Robinson, 23, has a tricky check forward of him as Fulham is eight factors deep within the relegation gap. Each single season Robinson has performed as a first-team participant has been in a relegation battle and that is no exception. Fulham wants to start climbing quickly however Everton has had a really good season to date and is in seventh place.

There may be additionally the motivation that ought to Fulham go proper again down, Robinson’s stable performances, his athleticism, and that it nonetheless stays arduous to discover a left again makes him useful. If he continues to play properly, it’s arduous to see him happening with Fulham’s sinking ship. In any case, he was on the verge of shifting to AC Milan simply final yr for eight figures earlier than a medical ruined the deal.

Lille – Brest
Ligue 1
Sunday, February 14: 11:00am EST

Tim Weah, 20, may not be beginning recurrently however he’s enjoying recurrently for a Lille crew that’s two factors clear atop Ligue 1 and is impressing mightily. For Weah, even in restricted minutes he’s making impacts and final week he arrange his crew’s second purpose in a 2-0 win over Nantes.

He earned a begin midweek in a 1-0 Coupe de France win over Dijon and was harmful, even when his ending was off.

However Weah is chasing spectacular silverware and a begin on this one wouldn’t be a lot of a shock give the necessity for squad rotation with the Europa League resuming this week. In his minutes on the sector, he has been productive and harmful, which is sweet to see. Now it’s about seeing a good steeper enhance in his minutes.

Elsewhere across the globe

Within the Premier League, backup keeper Zack Steffen and Manchester Metropolis host Tottenham on Saturday whereas Owen Otasowie and Wolves go to Southampton on Sunday. Christian Pulisic and Chelsea host Newcastle United on Monday.

Within the Championship on Saturday, Cameron Carter-Vickers and AFC Bournemouth go to Nottinham Forest. Duane Holmes and Huddersfield host Wycombe Wanders. Matthew Olosunde and Rotherham had their sport towards Geoff Cameron, Charlie Kelman and Queens Park Rangers postponed. Equally, Jordan Morris, Paul Arriola and Swansea Metropolis had their sport towards Sheffield United postponed. On Sunday, Brentford host Daryl Dike and Barnsley.

In League One, Lynden Gooch and Sunderland host Doncaster.

In Spain’s La Liga, Sergino Dest has thigh issues and is questionable for Barcelona as they host Deportivo Alaves. Konrad de la Fuente will hope to make Barca’s bench. Within the Segunda, Shaq Moore and Tenerife host Ponferradina on Saturday.

In Belgium’s prime flight, Brenden Hines-Ike and Kortrijk go to Oud Heverlee on Friday. On Saturday, Joe Efford and Waasland-Beveren host Eupen and Chris Durkin and St. Truiden host Zlute Waregem. Mark McKenzie will hope to return to Genk’s beginning lineup once they go to Oostende. On Sunday, Sporting Charleroi host Membership Brugge and Ethan Horvath.

Within the German Bundesliga, American supervisor Pellegrino Matarazzo and VfB Stuttgart host Hertha BSC on Saturday. Timothy Chandler and Eintracht Frankfurt host FC Koln on Sunday.

Within the 2.Bundeslga on Saturday, McKinzie Gaines and Hannover 96 host Paderborn on Friday. Jann George and Jahn Regensburg host Alfredo Morales and Fortuna Dusseldorf. On Sunday, Nurnberg go to Leon Flach and St. Pauli.

In Portugal’s prime flight, Reggie Cannon and Boavista go to Porto on Saturday.

Within the Austrian Bundesliga, Andrew Wooten is coming off a midweek and on Saturday will hope to comply with that up with one other sturdy efficiency once they go to Wolfsberger. On Sunday, Ried hosts SKN St. Poelten and loanees Taylor Sales space and Brandon Servania will each hope to make their membership debuts. Additionally on Sunday, Erik Palmer-Brown and Austria Vienna host Hartberg.

In Scotland’s Premiership, three People might participate when Ian Harkes, Dillon Powers and Dundee United host Scott Pittman and Livingston on Saturday.

In Poland’s prime flight on Saturday, Ben Lederman and Rakow Czestochowa host Kenny Saief and Lechia Gdansk

In Italy’s Serie B, Andrija Novakovich and Frosinone go to Virtus Entella on Sunday.

Within the Danish Superliga, Emmanuel Sabbi and OB host AGF on Sunday. Sabbi returns from suspension for this sport.

In Greece’s Tremendous League, Gboly Ariyibi and Panetolikos go to Aris on Sunday.

In Hungary’s prime flight on Sunday, Henry Wingo and Ferencvaros go to Mezokovesd

In Turkey’s Tremendous Lig on Sunday, Combine Diskerud and Denizlispor go to Konyaspor. DeAndre Yedlin and Galatasaray host Kasimpasa.

In Chile’s prime flight, former NC State defender Matias Fracchia and O’Higgins FC host Colo Colo on unday.

In Brazil’s prime flight, league leaders U.S. nationwide crew defensive midfielder Johnny Cardoso and Internacional go to Vasco de Gama on Sunday.