Another great footballing year ends. A year full of surprises, upsets, records broken, standards pushed even higher and unforgettable moments that will remain engraved in the history of Joga Bonito. So as the year ends and we progress into 2018, we announce our first of hopefully many to come, “Tacticomotion Yearly Awards; 2017 Edition”.
Best Player- Lionel Messi
Would this have been Ronaldo if not for his sub-par 17/18? Maybe. But it’s Leo Messi for us. Around 60 goals and assists for club and country, Lionel Messi yet again cements his status as the greatest player of all time. Showcased his ability to playmake, dribble and change the course of a game effectively in most games in 2017. Even when man marked (vs Girona and Madrid) he knew how to find a solution. Overall, despite missing out on the Ballon D’Or Messi has been the best player for Barca under two completely different coaches and yet again the best player in the world.
Best Signing- Mohammed Salah
The Premier League’s best player and there’s no competition so far. Adapted quickly compared to other players that made the jump from Serie A to PL. The winger is going neck to neck with Harry Kane (Who has won the last two golden boots and set the record for most PL goals in a season) for the golden boot. Important to note Salah does not take penalties.
Most Improved- Raheem Sterling
Sterling has probably been the most clutch player of 2017. This season he has won Manchester City 7 games and in the other games his goals helped clinch a win or extend the lead. Despite a rather weak second half of 16/17 Sterling managed to get a UCL POTW for his performance vs Monaco.
Best Goal- Mario Mandzukic vs Real Madrid
To even try an overhead kick in a Champions League final is unheard of. Bonucci lobs the ball from the middle third to the corner of the box where Sandro cuts it back inside for Higuain. The ball is stopped with Higuain’s chest and lifted up for Mandzukic who goes for the surprising move after he controls the ball. A truly magical goal where the ball did not hit the ground from Bonucci’s pass. Mandzukic was robbed of a Puskas Award, but it’s fine, Tacticomotion Best Goal Award is more important, right?
Best Save- Jan Oblak vs Leverkusen
For all the work they do it’s astonishing how little respect keepers receive. Anyways we’re here to appreciate Oblak and his stunning triple save vs Leverkusen. I’m struggling to put this into words but let’s keep this quick. Oblak simply looked as if he was covering the entire goal. He was everywhere in those 5 seconds. Saved a 1v1 and a tap in, in the span of 2 seconds.
Best Goalkeeper Individual Performance- Ederson Moraes vs Dortmund, First Leg (H)
Before you kill us, it was between this and De Gea vs Arsenal, Ederson edges it because of his usual exceptional distribution. Ederson’s smart and precise long balls allow Benfica to escape Dortmund’s high-press and bypass their first two lines of press. Along with saving a deflected shot, a penalty and a 1v1 which puts him at the top of our GK performances.
Game of The Year- Barcelona 6-1 PSG (Second Leg)
Astonishing, stupendous, unbelievable, unreal. These are words one would associate with the Barcelona and PSG game in the second leg of the champions league. Barcelona were 5-3 down on aggregate in the 88th minute, but produced one of the most stirring, emotional and triumphant comebacks of all time to reach the Champions League quarter-finals. Neymar set up the most dramatic of finales with a free-kick and penalty before Sergi Roberto cemented his place in the club’s history with a magical 95th-minute winner. Luis Enrique’s side ultimately crashed out to Juventus in the next round, but could at least take comfort in their role in one of football’s most memorable ever games and without out the most memorable game of 2017. Undoubtedly the best footballing moment of 2017, La Remontada.
Best Individual Performance of 2017- Neymar vs PSG 2nd leg (H)
Scintillating, That is the best word to describe Neymar’s magical performance against PSG. The Brazilian wizard came up with the goods when Barcelona needed him the most. Entering the second leg with a 4 goal deficit Barcelona needed a miracle to overcome PSG and that was exactly what Neymar provided. It almost seemed as if he was playing against PSG on his own, taking on players at will and always looking dangerous on the ball. He really turned it on at the back end of the game where he won a vital penalty and then scored a free kick that almost seemed to defy physics. Then in the final moment of the game, where the pressure really was on he kept his head as he provided a brilliant pass with his weak foot to Roberto who won the game in the final minute. That performance was undoubtedly the definition of clutch!
Tacticomotion 