In midfield, the battles were fierce. McArthur and Milivojević were snarling, competitive animals, their tackles echoing around the stadium. Bojan, the tactical engine, was everywhere, his intelligent pressing a masterclass in defensive forward play.
Eze, a box of tricks, was a joy to watch, his quick feet and audacious skills drawing gasps from the crowd. Navas, the wily veteran, was a calming influence, his experience a vital counterpoint to the youthful exuberance around him.
Gnabry was a livewire, his direct running and explosive pace a constant threat. Even the goalkeeping union: Mandanda, Hennessey, and Pope were putting on a show, a series of breathtaking saves in their own specialized drills, coached by the ever-enthusiastic Michael Steele.
