It’s only been one game but new manager Claudio Ranieri has already given Fulham a much-needed boost.
The former Leicester manager, who was brought in to replace Slavisa Jokanovic over the international break, led his new side to a 3-2 win over Southampton, their first win in three months, in an entertaining, back-and-forth match at Craven Cottage on Saturday. Though there were a couple tense moments late, there was a sense of control to how Fulham closed the game out that’s been notably absent since their return to the Premier League in August, an early sign that Ranieri is already having an impact.
The 67-year-old Italian didn’t look to completely change things up immediately, instead letting his team play the sort of crowd-pleasing, attack-first soccer that won them a promotion in the first place. Teenage left-back Ryan Sessegnon finally showed why all of Europe’s top teams want to sign him, carving up the Southampton backline repeatedly and playing a part in all three of his team’s goals. Two of those were scored by Aleksandar Mitrovic who headed one home in the first half and expertly smashed home the eventual winner just after the hour mark.
Things were less promising at the back, though, where Fulham let a Southampton attack that had only scored eight goals from the season’s first 12 games even things up twice. But the Cottagers finally held strong after Mitrovic’s strike put them up for good, absorbing the pressure as the Saints desperately tried to create a third goal.
As good as the result was, it did come against a wretched Southampton side who are in serious danger of relegation after barely surviving last season. But this was a vital win nonetheless, especially since it came against one of the handful of teams Fulham needs to finish above if it wants its latest trip to the Premier League to last for more than a season.
This wasn’t lost on Ranieri, who after three decades of management knows exactly how difficult the task ahead of him and his players is. After the game, he praised his team for its attacking flair and heart, but also made clear there’s room for improvement, especially at the back.
“I saw a lot of things,” he told reporters. “We played a good match but conceded too many chances to the opponent. We need to improve tactically.”
Still, Fulham fans should take heart that after one game they have the right manager to rescue a season that was quickly turning into a nightmare. The London club’s torrid start to the season was another reminder that everyone, even soccer clubs that throw around over a $100 million on new players in the summer, need to learn how to walk before they run. No, Ranieri isn’t going to lead Fulham to a miracle league title like he did for Leicester in 2016, but he can lead them to safety, and right now that’s more than enough.
Goal of the Week
Son Heung-Min, Tottenham Hotspur
The game was already over when he scored it, but that didn’t make Son Heung-Min’s goal to extend Spurs’ lead to three any less impressive. The forward gathered the ball at midfield on the break and then proceeded to race past the entirety of Chelsea’s midfield and defense before cutting inside and ripping a powerful shot past the keeper and into the back of the net.
Cancellation(s) of the Week
The #CopaLibertadores2018 final has been delayed after this attack on the #Boca Juniors team bus by River fans. pic.twitter.com/I8zcQbnRhg
— Benjamin Alvarez (@BenjAlvarez1) November 24, 2018
The Copa Libertadores
Billed as the biggest club match in Argentinian soccer history, the second leg of the Copa Libertadores final between Buenos Aires archrivals Boca Junior and River Plate was called off not once but twice this weekend. On Saturday, after much confusion the game was finally postponed hours after River Plates fans attacked the Boca Junior bus as it arrived at El Monumental, smashing several windows which allowed tear gas in and left four players injured and unable to play. The game was delayed for 24 hours, but then, on Sunday, just a couple hours before kick-off, the game was called off again, with Conmebol, the organization in charge of the tournament announcing a Tuesday meeting to decide when, where and if the game will eventually take place.
