Carlos Coronel has interest from Europe, Elias Manoel’s brother goes pro, and David Jensen fights over hot water in this week’s links
Welcome to the New York Red Bulls Paper Revue presented by Once a Metro.
I bet the World Cup break was a godsend for sporting directors ahead of the winter transfer window. They’ve been given all of this time to scout and prepare moves. Even if teams aren’t splashing the cash, I bet the upcoming acquisitions at all clubs will be more well-reasoned than those in years past.
Here’s this week’s top story.
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Have you seen this, have you heard about this?
Sturm Graz wants a new goalkeeper and appears to be pursuing a target that may be familiar to readers. The Austrian Bundesliga side, three-time champions, and irregular title challengers have their eyes set on Carlos Coronel. However, let’s assume it’s gonna take money, a whole lotta spending money to sign him.
Krone reports that the club’s sporting director went to Madrid to meet with Coronel’s representative, You First… maybe. Andreas Shickler traveled there because he had “been invited to a meeting with an agency that has an eye on the Spanish market.” Whether the dots and reports align remains to be seen.
Coronel, of course, spent several years in Austria with Red Bull Salzburg. A return to the country would certainly be an interesting move, although appearing lateral at best. However, the goalkeeper did recently suggest his desire to return to the Old Continent and compete in “one of the biggest five leagues.” Perhaps Sturm is a better avenue to the top.
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A Red Bull is heading to Bolivia… briefly!
Wikelman Carmona, known to some as Wiki, was called up to the Venezuela U-20 Men’s National Team. La Vinotinto (The Burgundy) heads to Santa Cruz de la Sierra’s Ramón Tahuichi Aguilera Stadium for two friendlies against the hosts. The fixtures are scheduled for Tuesday, December 13th and Thursday, December 15th.
These matches are but a prelude to next month’s 2023 South American U-20 Championship, which serves as qualification for the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup and Pan American Games. After a promising debut in 2021, Carmona had a bit of a rough go last season while dealing with injuries and never making a full return to the rotation. The 19-year-old midfielder may have his fortunes buoyed by a bit of international football, additional reps that could serve as a springboard for the new year.
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The World Cup keeps on turning, and proud Gerhard Struber keeps on burning the pages of Kurier.
The Red Bulls manager analyzed the Round of 16 from a tactical perspective. He noted how certain teams were able to handle being favorite and break down opponents that had parked the bus. Important keys include “individual quality, overwhelming in a confined space, and combination at top speed to switch the game to a completely different position,” which sound like a great plan for the next playoff game.
Struber also has few opinions on dealing with big-name players. “Stars like [Cristiano Ronaldo], who demand special things for themselves, can also slow down other developments,” writes the Austrian. “But if a coach has the courage to take that step and put that star on the bench, it can also create a very positive dynamic within the team. If Ronaldo manages to put himself at the service of the team, Portugal will be hard to stop.”
I wouldn’t put a star on the bench. It would melt the seats!
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Santiago Castaño is a champion.
The former Red Bulls goalkeeper is a back-up with Deportivo Pereira in the Colombian Categoría Primera A. El Grande Matecaña finished at fifth place in the Torneo Finalización table, ended atop Group A in the semifinals, and took down Independiente Medellín in finals on penalties, earning a spot in the next Copa Libertadores. This is the first title in club history, despite only recently returning to the top flight in 2020.
Castaño made seven appearances over the past season but has largely been restricted to the bench. He also had a child recently, which is nice. That’s an even better version of a double than the traditional “league and cup.”
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Red Bull Bragantino hired a new manager ahead of the 2023 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A season. Massa Bruta (Gross Mass) brought in Pedro Caixinha, who has spent time leading Nacional, Rangers, Cruz Azul, Santos Laguna, and, most recently, Talleres. He signs a two-year contract and replaces Maurício Barbieri, who was “fired in the final stretch” of the schedule.
This is Caixinha’s first time coaching in Brazil, which is somewhat interesting. Perhaps more curious is his lack of history with the gegenpress, described as “just your classic Portuguese manager.” Once a Metro Oakland bureau chief Juan Mesa notes that this could potentially be a “shift in Red Bull soccer” and represent a shift in the organization’s holistic tactical ethos.
The Earth turns, but we don’t feel it move… unless we do, I suppose. Well, not “we,” but Juan might. Unless he’s wrong, but he’s probably not.
Of course Jesse “Pressy” Marsch wasn’t exactly a devout practitioner of the tactics before coming to New York and learning a lot on the job [Despite what gormless clotpoles said at the time], and he’s now become fully associated with Red Bull soccer.
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The younger brother of Elias Manoel, Eliseu, signed a professional contract with Guarani. Like his sibling, he was previously on the books at Grêmio, scoring two goals in six matches for the U-20 side. The 18-year-old midfielder is expected to begin getting opportunities in the Campeonato Paulista state league, which begins next month.
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You may be wondering how things are going for David Jensen in Turkey. Ekstra Bladet tracked down the former Red Bull, who is currently competing with İstanbulspor, second from the bottom in the Süper Lig table. The season has been a bit up and down, with the goalkeeper coach already quitting “out of the blue.”
Jensen notes the difference between past clubs and his current situation. “The facilities are the biggest contrast,” he said with a laugh. “In many places I have turned up for training, had a cup of coffee in the café, and breakfast has been ready. It’s not like that here. There is no cozy room where you go in and play cards with the boys. Here the clothes are a little too small. After training, you stand and fight over the hot water. Three of the showers do not work. And the changing room is finished.”
Jensen claims that “you can’t save the whole world” and single-handedly win matches. All he can do is “play a bit for [himself]” and try to “contribute to a good result.” His family is enjoying Turkey, picking up a new culture and “experiencing a whole lot.” Still youngish for a goalkeeper at 30, his eyes are on the future, with solid play perhaps earning a move up the ladder and a call-up to the Denmark Men’s National Team.
Here’s a joke that was submitted by Minerva of Tinton Falls.
“You can’t save the whole world, but I wish my husband would fix the damn washing machine.”
Thank you, Minerva. It might be cheaper to get a new one – interpret that how you will.
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