He makes it all seem so simple.
To most casual football observers, Saúl Niguez was a name linked with Premier League clubs and who was ‘a handy wee player’.
Last night, the 21-year-old midfielder took his career to the next level.
Taking hold of a breaking ball in the centre circle, Niguez cruised forward before ghosting past one Bayern player and flummoxing two more. Upon entering the box, he shifted the ball onto his left and curled a beauty past Manuel Neuer.
We’ll let Niguez explain just what was going through his head before his stunning strike:
“I was dribbling with the ball, I saw that I’d got by two opponents and when I got into the area I thought about getting it onto my stronger foot. When it was on my left, I placed it.”
Just about the only person in the stadium not getting carried away by the goal was Bayern boss Pep Guardiola. When a reporter had the temerity to liken Niguez to Lionel Messi, Guardiola remarked:
“I admire Saúl a lot, but I don’t think you can compare him to Messi. Saúl is a great player. Spanish football has another great talent.”
It certainly does.
