Strikers of the Month - The Nominees
They say “Forwards win you matches, defenders win you championships”. But without those vital goals from the main man upfront, no team can constitute a run for the championship. Even for a team fighting relegation, those vital goals may mean the difference between staying up or going down the ladder.
Taking stock of the performances from the forwards in the month of March, here are your nominees for Strikers of the Month.
IVICA OLIC (Wolfsburg)
Minutes Played: 450, Goals: 4, Assists: 1
The Croatian has been in stunning form of late. Whether playing up front alone, alongside Helmes or even coming in from the left, Olic has carved out opportunities for his team and helped himself to a goal in each of the league matches played in March. His tally of 5 goals and an assist in 4 Bundesliga games stands out amongst all the big leagues of Europe last month. While others have lost their way, Olic’s strong performances have helped Wolfsburg steer clear of the relegation battle. Even on national duty, he came up trumps as thumped in Croatia’s second of the match as Croatia went on to win the game 2-0.
He seems to have done it all in the month of March. Like over here, scoring an amazing goal against Freiburg via an over head kick:
Minutes: 450, Goals: 6, Assists: 2
As talks of a big money move for the talented Polish striker keep getting intense, he himself is doing no harm to his reputation as one of the best forwards in European football at the moment. The Borussia Dortmund striker thumped in six in 5 games last month as his full set of skills as a player was on display for all to witness and appreciate.
Whether finishing with a precise shot, being there at the opportune moment to slot the ball or taking on defenders on a rampaging run to set up an easy finish, Lewandowski has been a treat for the eyes.
Lewandowski grabbed a brace as well in Poland’s 5-0 win over, with both goals coming from the spot.
MARIO BALOTELLI (AC Milan)
Minutes Played: 245, Goals: 3, Assists: 1
Balotelli seems to have finally found his form, back home at the San Siro. Ever since coming back to Italy from England, Balotelli has looked an inspiring figure on the field in the red and black of the Rossoneri, scoring 8 in 7 games. His off-field camaraderie with El-Shaarawy and Niang has augured well for his performances on the field and helped him settle down and become a more mature individual. Every time he steps on the pitch, he is expected to deliver nowadays and deliver he has, in each of the game he has played so far back home in Italy.
PIERRE EMERICK-AUBAMEYANG (Saint Etienne)
Minutes played: 342, Goals: 3, Assists: 2
Another sensational month of football gifted by one of the most sought after players in Ligue 1. The Gabonese international is surely making the youth coaches who let him go at AC Milan eat their words with his fleet-footed displays for Saint-Etienne. He has been able to cook up a great partnership with Brandao and their performances remain one of the main reasons that Les Verts (The Greens) are challenging for European honours in the league table.
Except for one off-day against PSG, Aubameyang has been able to impose his influence on games seamlessly, with his bags of trickery to complement his raw pace and an ever growing ability to finish off chances.
Minutes: 388, Goals: 7, Assists 2
The list is never complete without the maestro himself, is it? It’s been another month of breaking records for Lionel Messi as he scored in 19 consecutive league games to add another to the long list of goal-scoring records that he is making a mockery of. Even with all the treasures that Barcelona have in their midfield, Messi’s influence on the fortunes of the club became quite evident when the Argentine wasn’t quite his usual self for a couple of games.
But the beginning of this month saw Barcelona hit their stride again as Messi went about his usual business of making defenders look like mere poles on a training ground, weaving around them with utter ease to set him as well as his team-mates opportunities galore. In 5 games in the month of March, Lionel Messi amassed 7 of Barcelona’s 12 goals for the month while assisting on two others. The games included a Champions League last sixteen game against Milan, in which Messi stamped his authority to silence all doubters as Barcelona annihilated their opponents at the Nou Camp.