Julian Nagelsmann, Leipzig coach, will experience a 'bittersweet' feeling in the match against Atlético. The German has always admired the football made by Saúl. However, now he will have the difficult mission of trying to leave him out of the Champions League. A student of tactics and one of the youngest coaches in Europe (33 years old), he is passionate about off-road players. A quality that defines a thousand wonders for the youth squad who is facing a great season. So much so, that he is the second highest scoring player in the squad with six goals, second only to Morata (12).
“Saúl is a superior soccer player”, revealed Nagelsman. A statement that, although he never made it so public, he always thought of it. It is not something known, but the truth is that the Leipzig coach has been following him since the 2010-11 season, where Saúl stood out in the subsidiary in a notorious way.
Julian's admiration for the man from Alicante increased over time. In fact, the closest environment to Nagelsmann reveals to AS that he already predicted that Saúl would be key against Bayern in the semifinal match in 2016. Said and done, a real goal against the Bavarian club confirmed the thought of which four years later would be his rival coach.
Atletico Madrid v Bayern Munich – UEFA Champions League Semi Final First Leg
Sergio Perez (REUTERS)
It does not fail before the Germans
Simeone trusts Saúl and the numbers confirm it: 4156 minutes throughout this season, making him the second most employed player behind Oblak (4356 '). In addition, he can also play in any position on the midfield and left-back.
All these qualities of Saúl exploit, precisely, against the German teams. Both Bayern have suffered the talent of the Alicante. First it was the turn of Bayern Munich in 2016 when the midfielder opened the light with a shot that is already the history of Vicente Calderón. After that action, Atlético came up and the 2-1 final earned him to play the final.
When it was a year after his game against Bayern Munich, Saúl reopened the bright light against a German team. This time, it was against Leverkusen in the knockout stages of the Champions League. His left foot was the start of a 2-4 final.
The trucks of Saúl and Nagelsmann will meet next Thursday between symptoms of admiration and danger. May the best win.