VfB Stuttgart were the hosts as Everton travelled to the MHPArena for a pre-season friendly serving as another tune-up before their respective league campaigns. It was a sweltering day in Germany which was going to challenge the players. There was no doubt that this was our biggest challenge of the preseason as Stuttgart finished fourth in the Bundesliga last season and will be playing in the Champions League in the coming campaign.
Team News
O’Brien and Branthwaite were back together as Moyes gave another
opportunity to shine for Alcaraz, Dibling and Armstrong. Röhl was given another chance to learn how to play as a full back just in case Everton can’t find a right back before the transfer window closes.
Match Report
Jarrad Branthwaite was the captain who led out the boys in blue out into the MHPArena. Even David Moyes was in shorts for this one! Stuttgart got early control of the ball but were unable to make the final pass count.
Everton got the ball forward and Beto was very strong but his touch was heavy and the chance disappeared. Stuttgart’s first corner saw Everton allow a free header and then a shot, but it went over the bar.
Some good play from Dibling and Armstrong in the buildup was not matched by the final pass. When Alcaraz intercepted a pass in the Stuttgart box, Beto went too wide and could not get his shot on net.
Jake O’Brien then made a nice defensive play to deny a promising attack. Everton then drove forward and Hackney’s first attempt on goal went over the bar. That was not the case when Stuttgart broke forward and when Nartey cut inside, his blistering shot bulged the roof of the Everton net. That was a poor goal to concede. Everton were undone too easily down the left and Nartey was sent free into acres of space.
Tim Iroegbunam was withdrawn with Michael Keane coming on which moved Jake O’Brien into the right back position and Rohl moved into the middle of the midfield. Tyler Dibling drove forward and was taken down but the referee was not interested.
Rohl was then breaking forward and had his shot blocked. After the hydration break Beto tried to do a bicycle kick but it went over the bar. Alcaraz then broke into the box and slid a lovely pass across the box but Beto could not get a touch on it. Dibling then took on the defender but his cross was intercepted. Everton were pushing for an equaliser as O’Brien had his low shot blocked.
Dibling and Alcaraz were linking up nicely and another block prevented a goal from Alcaraz. Merlin Rohl then laid one on a plate for Beto but the Portuguese striker fluffed his lines. Another lovely move by Rohl led to Dibling controlling the ball with his chest and his volley was tipped wide of the post.
Stuttgart were back on the ball and a corner was headed goalward which forced a terrific save from Travers. The follow up corner was recycled and Travers then made a good save with his outstretched leg. Everton were hanging on as the referee added one extra minute before his whistle was blown.
Stuttgart started the second half brightly and Travers was forced into two important saves. The resulting corner saw Alcaraz head the ball into his own goal. The game was lacking in quality. Stuttgart almost doubled the lead when Fuhrich cut inside and shaved the near post with his shot.
Beto then had the ball in the box and held up the play well but his layoff to Röhl was poor. Stuttgart were controlling the play. When the referee gave a corner which was questionable, Stuttgart made six changes and Everton made three with Ndiaye, George and Dewsbury-Hall coming on.
The corner was delivered and the header from Ramon Hendriks was powered past Travers. The hydration break arrived as Branthwaite was checking his left knee. After the break, a lovely through ball from KDH allowed Barry in and when he was taken down, a penalty was given which Barry took himself and slotted it into the corner.
King, Patterson and Aznou were brought on and then Tarkowski joined them. The game had lost it’s way with the raft of changes. Demirovic headed a looping cross off the bar. Stuttgard were finishing the match strongly and when Everton failed to clear our lines, the Stuttgart winger drove the ball into the centre forward who slotted the ball into the far corner.
Everton had a late corner that created chaos and three clear chances were all blocked by the Stuttgart defenders. The referee forgot to check his watch and the whistle was finally blown after just under 10 minutes of additional time. Ridiculous.
Everton’s Man of the Match
Merlin Röhl – Travers was very strong but the young German started the match at right back and moved into the #10 position when Iroegbunam was withdrawn. He was solid at RB and then his willingness to drive forward and link up with Dibling and Alcaraz was encouraging. He was the only bright spot going forward.
Instant Reaction
A 3-1 loss was not a good result but this is about the process. A good week in Germany ended on a sour note but there were lots of positives to take from the match. A very young team started this match, and it was a balanced first half. Stuttgart are a good team who will be in the Champions League this season.
However, Everton’s loss today came from three very poor goals. The first saw Mykolenko go out of position and allow Stuttgart to drive into the space and fire home a cracker. The header from the corner in the second half was poorly defended as the zonal marking broke down. The third saw an easy giveaway and then a lack of pressure which allowed them to cut through and score the goal.
This was another opportunity for Tyler Dibling to show the gaffer that he wasn’t just potential. He started brightly but he faded as the match progressed. He seemed to be a little more willing to go forward and take on defenders but ultimately it was another missed opportunity to impress but he did more.
I would love to get into the head of Nathan Patterson. After featuring for Scotland at the World Cup, it must be so difficult to be overlooked in a number of preseason matches. There have been reports of interest from some clubs and I am sure his bags are already packed. The moment a right back is signed, I am sure that his move will happen.
Player Ratings
Mark Travers – Two very good saves near the end of the first half kept the Blues in the match. No chance on the first goal. He kept us in the game but had no support going forward.
Merlin Rohl – Started at RB, moved into the middle and was our best player going forward.
Vitalii Mykolenko – Overcommitted in the buildup which left the whole left side open which led to the Stuttgart goal by Nartey.
Jake O’Brien – Some good blocks before he was moved to RB. He is comfortable in this position
Jarrad Branthwaite – Overall good defending and some nice passes into the final third. He slipped at the important moment on the goal by Nartey.
Tim Iroegbunam – A disappointing outing for the midfielder who was taken off after only 17 minutes with an injury.
Harrison Armstrong – Another professional display from the young midfielder. Nothing out
Hayden Hackney – A quiet first half with Hackney playing in front of the back two. Made a great defensive play to prevent a third goal.
Tyler Dibling – Started to take on defenders early on and linked up well with Alcaraz. Was caught in possession
Charly Alcaraz – A bright performance.
Beto – An early foray showed both his strength and his heavy touch. He was too slow and missed a sitter in the first half. Another poor showing for the striker and there is no way he should be starting.
Michael Keane – Replaced Iroegbunam and partnered Branthwaite well.
