Viktor Johansson Shines Again for Stoke City
• Tough loss for Stoke City against Middlesbrough.
• Narcis Pelach struggles to find a way to turn the season around.
By Oscar Cortes
As matches go by for Stoke City, Viktor Johansson’s importance to the team becomes more and more evident. The 26-year-old goalkeeper has been in impressive form game after game, becoming the undisputed starter for Stoke City.
He has been crucial between the posts, always striving to keep a clean sheet, though this season has proven challenging in that regard. Despite Stoke City's 2-0 defeat to Middlesbrough, Johansson had some brilliant moments.
READ MORE: Sam Gallagher's Strong Statements After Stoke City's Defeat
Viktor Johansson’s Stats in Stoke City's Match Against Middlesbrough
In this highly competitive EFL Championship match, Viktor Johansson was once again in the starting lineup. Narcis Pelach has been placing trust in several key players, including Ben Wilmot, Ben Gibson, and Johansson himself.
Throughout the 90 minutes, Johansson had some key contributions. He made 7 crucial saves, playing a pivotal role in keeping the scoreline from escalating. Johansson's expected goals prevented (xGP) was 1.74, a notable stat given the pressure he faced during the match. Unfortunately, he conceded two goals: the first in the 34th minute and the second in the 73rd minute.
In terms of his distribution, Johansson’s performance was remarkable. He had 47 touches and completed 24 out of 26 passes, achieving a 92% passing accuracy. Johansson continues to prove himself not only as a safe pair of hands but also as a reliable distributor with the ball at his feet.
City defeated on Teesside. pic.twitter.com/PoiCLC0UNl
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) September 28, 2024
He also cleared the ball effectively twice with his fists and successfully claimed 2 aerial duels, further showcasing his dominance and confidence in goal.
Moving forward, Johansson will need to maintain this confidence, especially in one-on-one situations with opposing strikers. However, he also requires more defensive support to ensure he isn’t consistently overworked, as we've seen in recent matches. Stoke City has been going through a difficult spell, but the hope is that the team will bounce back soon in the English Championship.
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