2025-07-16, 12:59 PM - Word count:
Now that Nikolai is expressing himself more throughout this campaign, I thought I would make this a series and see how many parts I can make... basically tracking the matches that Ahmed does good in (to my standards). Catalunya just recently scored a 4-1 win over CD Tenochtitlan, and Nikolai really found a way to get in his groove later on in the season.
A free kick early on in the match was awarded for Catalunya, halfway in the attacking half on the right side. Nikolai would take it short to Miedema, who passed it back quickly. The two would create a one-two sequence, which led to a run from Nikolai into the box where Hanibal Armaros threw a rough challenge on Ahmed. Nikolai took the chance to fall down, and the referee gave the penalty with no hesitation. Quartista scored the penalty with ease, sending the keeper the wrong way and slotting the ball into the bottom right corner.
Ahmed didn't stop there, as after Tenochtitlan equalized, Nikolai would send a chip ball on the left flank to Kamenova, and a quick pass to Fry lead back to Nikolai possessing the ball. Ahmed ran into the space in the center of the half, laying it off to Nelson who would thread a great ball for Quartista to set himself up with a brace. Only 4 minutes after that goal would Nelson return the pre-assist, with Ahmed being able to keep progressing forward and passing to Quartista who took a low driven shot from distance and got his hattrick.
In the end, Nikolai would complete 3 "key passes", but all of his passes contributed to Catalunya keeping possession and creating extra opportunities. The defensive side of Nikolai also showed this match, completing 75% of his tackles in the match. His final match rating was a 7.5, tied for 4th best player of the match. Hopefully Nikolai will keep this newfound confidence and continue performing so I can keep writing this series and gain my TPE. Thank you.
A free kick early on in the match was awarded for Catalunya, halfway in the attacking half on the right side. Nikolai would take it short to Miedema, who passed it back quickly. The two would create a one-two sequence, which led to a run from Nikolai into the box where Hanibal Armaros threw a rough challenge on Ahmed. Nikolai took the chance to fall down, and the referee gave the penalty with no hesitation. Quartista scored the penalty with ease, sending the keeper the wrong way and slotting the ball into the bottom right corner.
Ahmed didn't stop there, as after Tenochtitlan equalized, Nikolai would send a chip ball on the left flank to Kamenova, and a quick pass to Fry lead back to Nikolai possessing the ball. Ahmed ran into the space in the center of the half, laying it off to Nelson who would thread a great ball for Quartista to set himself up with a brace. Only 4 minutes after that goal would Nelson return the pre-assist, with Ahmed being able to keep progressing forward and passing to Quartista who took a low driven shot from distance and got his hattrick.
In the end, Nikolai would complete 3 "key passes", but all of his passes contributed to Catalunya keeping possession and creating extra opportunities. The defensive side of Nikolai also showed this match, completing 75% of his tackles in the match. His final match rating was a 7.5, tied for 4th best player of the match. Hopefully Nikolai will keep this newfound confidence and continue performing so I can keep writing this series and gain my TPE. Thank you.
