In the third preseason match, Stoke City faced a surprisingly strong Crewe Alexandra, who proved to be formidable both offensively and defensively.
Crewe Alexandra quickly took the lead, scoring 1-0 in the 2nd minute of the match, catching Steve Schumacher's Stoke City off guard, making it difficult for them to turn the game around.
The MVP of the Match with an Iconic Comeback
This time, the savior was André Vidigal, who entered the match in the 60th minute, playing only 30 minutes but managing to score two goals to secure the comeback for the team. He scored these goals in the 64th and 87th minutes, practically at the end of the match. This 25-year-old player could be a key asset for the team heading into the next EFL Championship season, set to start in August.
READ MORE: The Potters Stage a Comeback in Their Preseason Match | Crewe Alexandra 1-2 Stoke City
Vidigal joined from Marítimo in Portugal in July 2023, having played around 32 matches last season, with 29 of them in the EFL Championship. He scored 6 goals in a total of 1681 minutes, proving to be a lethal left winger for the team.
This signing has been one of the best for The Potters, as Vidigal's development as a player has led to impressive moments, such as the one on July 23 against Crewe Alexandra, where he scored a remarkable brace to secure victory for the team.
Steven Schumacher says miles in the legs are the main currency in pre-season, but that winning is a handy habit too. pic.twitter.com/vieX5j7EKk
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) July 23, 2024
This result marked Stoke City's third consecutive win this preseason. It seems Steve Schumacher is still making changes to the squad, and it's unclear who will be the undisputed starters for the upcoming season. However, Schumacher continues to evaluate the players during this preseason, and it is expected that in the next match, he will further assess the physical and sporting performance of the players.
All indications point to André Vidigal being a crucial part of the team for the next season. Clearly, the 25-year-old will see more playing time throughout the season and in all the competitions The Potters will participate in. Vidigal's outstanding performance in this match earned him the Man of the Match title, and fans are eager to see him at his best in the 2024-2025 season.