CHAMPIONS LEAGUE | BREAKOUT STARS
Luis Alberto
(Lazio)W
hen Lazio begin their 2020-21
Champions League campaign,
their first appearance in the
European showpiece competition
in13 years, no player will be more motivated to
make an impact than their elegant Spanish
playmaker. Incredibly for someone of his class,
he has never set foot on a Champions League
pitch and, having just turned 28, he must realise
he is approaching now or never territory.
Prior to joining Lazio in 2016, the Luis Alberto
story was one of near misses. Despite excelling in
a loan spell with Barcelona B in 2012-13, racking
up numerous goals and assists in the Segunda
Division, the Nou Camp club inexplicably did not
trigger the option to buy they had agreed with
Sevilla. In three seasons on Liverpool’s books
he made little headway, only making a dozen
appearances before being handed temporary
assignments with Malaga and Deportivo.
Now a Spain international and one of the
most cultured performers in Serie A - only five
players assisted more goals in Europe’s top five
leagues last season - he himself admits that he
let himself down in the early part of his career,
that he lacked work ethic and concentration.
A key factor in his belated coming of age is
his close relationship with sports psychologist
Juan Campillo, who encourages him to banish
all negative thoughts.NNick Bidwellick Bidwellselects tselects the 50 players that could make ahe50 players thatcould make a
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Breaking through
Faustino Anjorin
(Chelsea)The Dorset-born attacking midfielder could
well be the next luxury model off the Chelsea
academy production line. A sight for sore eyes
in the technical department, he does not just
run with the ball, he glides. Made his first-
team debut in the Carabao Cup last season.Marcos Antonio
(Shakhtar Donetsk)Talented up-and-coming Brazilian midfielder,
20, with lots of strings to his bow. Disciplined
and energetic in a deep-lying enforcer role, an
accurate passer and a maker of timely late runs
into the opposition box. Previously with Athletico
Paranaense and Portuguese outfit Estoril.Nathan Ake
(Manchester City)
Flexibility is a key chapter in the football
instruction manual of Pep Guardiola, which
is partly why he wanted the 25-year-old
Dutchman. As well as excelling at centre-back,
don’t be surprised to see the £40 million man
deliver in a holding midfield role or at left-back.