In the first round of the 2024/25 Premier League season, Manchester United faced off against Fulham. In this match, Man United’s 1.75-meter-tall defender Lisandro Martinez successfully contained Adama Traore, who is known as the “Muscle King.”
Early in the match, Martinez was caught off guard by Traore’s breakthrough on the left wing, causing a momentary lapse in the Man United defense. However, the team managed to avoid conceding. Subsequently, Martinez quickly adjusted his strategy and in subsequent encounters, he employed a series of precise and decisive defensive maneuvers that left the typically unstoppable forward helpless. After causing some trouble for Man United in the opening stages, Traore gradually lost his threat and was substituted in the 78th minute.
Traore is renowned for applying lubricant to his arms before each match, but the former Wolves star opted not to do so at Old Trafford.
Martinez said after the match: “In the first half, Traore was trying to kill me. But then I got my revenge, and I sent him to the gym early.”
In this game, Martinez displayed exceptional athleticism, contributing 2 tackles, 3 successful aerial duels, 1 goal-line clearance, and 4 accurate long passes.
Besides Martinez, Man United’s Maguire also put in an impressive performance, effectively neutralizing Fulham’s aerial attacks and making crucial interceptions in one-on-two situations. Additionally, new signing Mazraoui showcased his prowess, making a strong debut with impressive stats: 92% pass accuracy, 5 tackles, 6 successful aerial duels, 3 interceptions, 2 clearances, and 2 successful tackles.
De Ligt also came on in the latter stages of the game, and with his formidable physique, he suppressed Fulham’s attacking players.
This article is from a user submission and does not represent the views of Soccer News Pick. If you repost it, please indicate the source: https://www.soccernewspick.com/premier-league/22074.html
