In the opening match of the EFL Championship, Stoke City hosted Coventry City at the Bet365 Stadium in a tightly contested and challenging game for The Potters. Steve Schumacher’s tactics delivered the desired results, securing the victory and the three points.
We also saw the debut of Stoke City's new signings in a positive moment for the team. Unfortunately, Sam Gallagher was the only one who could not make his debut due to injury.
READ MORE: Official | Stoke City's Fifth Signing from Liverpool FC
The Three New Signings Debuted for Stoke City
The first three signings for Stoke City—Viktor Johansson, Ben Gibson, and Eric Bocat—had the opportunity to start in the opening match of the EFL Championship on August 10th.
Viktor Johansson had a solid performance, making a crucial save during the game. Despite few chances from the visiting team to pose a threat, Johansson showcased his skills with his feet, making 34 touches and completing 82% of his passes (23 out of 28).
Pride in a proper Potters' performance.
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) August 10, 2024
The gaffer's reaction. pic.twitter.com/H6RVUBrVoE
Ben Gibson, the central defender, demonstrated his leadership throughout the 90 minutes with strong defensive work. He made 5 clearances and had 1 interception, though he struggled with ball possession, losing 13 balls. However, he made 63 touches and completed 76% of his passes (42 out of 55).
Eric Bocat, the left-back, played a dual role in both offensive and defensive positions. He had 50 touches, completing 65% of his passes (17 out of 26). While not very effective with ball control, he was solid in aerial duels, winning 2 out of 3, and in ground duels, winning 50% (3 out of 6).
These three players had a notable debut in Stoke City's opening match. The hope is that they will continue to improve and help build a competitive team under Steve Schumacher’s guidance, as the club aims to get closer to the Premier League.