Koopmeiners in crisis at Juve: the numbers and what Motta thinks

“I find it difficult to talk about individuals”, and there is no comment on Koopmeiners’ Napoli-Juve. Not even telegraphic or enriched by a dribble and in the end he takes refuge in a group reasoning: “Everyone made a great effort and an excellent first half. In the second half, however, we were unable to maintain the same level. To win we needed 95 minutes of the highest level and we didn’t succeed.” Motta doesn’t concede anything in the conference and doesn’t talk about his “special” player, as he often defined the Dutchman. For him, however, it is the numbers and the inevitable social court that does not save Koop this time either and wonders why he is so untouchable for Thiago. Also irreplaceable, because he sees the bench less and less than his teammates.

koop block

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Against Napoli Koop remained on the pitch for 90 minutes: 48 positive passes (almost half of Kalulu’s 80), one cross, one chance created, 7 turnovers. And in the eyes of the fans there is still that shot from distance in the 18th minute: a left-footed shot that finished very high after an excellent slalom by Kolo Muani who resisted without losing the ball and in the end left it there prey to his teammate who sent it away when cornering. From the start of the season to now he has massively explored the opposing midfield but in 26 total games, with 92% of appearances as a starter, there have been 4 great opportunities created. Among midfielders in the entire Serie A he is third in terms of key passes per game but he is in 24th place for great chances. He is 22nd in the special passing accuracy ranking, eighth in terms of shots on target produced and sixth for xG.

irreplaceable

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He came on as a substitute three times (twice from the start of the second half and against Parma in the 71st minute), on one occasion he raised the white flag in the 45th minute due to physical fatigue (in Monza) and only once did he come off before the 90th minute (in the 75th minute) due to a technical choice against Milan at the Stadium when Juve was already 2-0. Championship numbers from which the Motta-thought on Koop. Don’t touch it.