The Game Changer

One key difference in Fulham’s performances under Marco Silva is the freedom given to Mitrovic in the team’s build-up play. Indeed, while hold-up play and an ability to bring teammates into attacks was always Mitrovic's strong asset, last season we could observe that he started to drop into the midfield a lot more. The ball receiving map over the last two seasons in the Championship demonstrates an increase in touches in the central areas of the field, with more contacts completed in the own half.

2019-2020 Season

Greater freedom to drop into midfield and get on the ball might not only allow Fulham to get out of pressure, progress up the pitch and build attacks but also might enhance the number of goal-scoring opportunities created by Mitrovic. This was evident last season with Mitrovic producing the greatest number of key passes in his last three seasons at Fulham.

However, a deeper starting position may also enable Mitrovic to utilise the space beyond the opposition's defensive line. Indeed, while running behind have not received a lot of attention last season, Mitrovic is more than capable of performing such actions successfully.

Key Passes

Key Passes Accurate 19/20

0.51

0.21 20/21

0.4

0.28 21/22

0.95

0.45

As such, while Championship last season, Fulham demonstrated an excellent ability to progress attacks through the thirds, this season in the Premier League they might be required to look for alternative solutions. Therefore, I am anticipating that this season we will watch Mitrovic performing a range of movements, depending on match situations, playing a vital role in Fulham’s ability to maintain possession and progress up the pitch. This, in turn, may play a key role in enhancing Mitrovic's ability to lose his marker and create goal-scoring opportunities.

While some might argue that such a style of play is suited more to a player that demonstrates high levels of pace, I prefer to focus on understanding the player's game intelligence. It is here, where I was very impressed with Mitrovic last season. For example, his movement to get himself into goal-scoring positions was outstanding. Also, I was very impressed with Mitrovic's ability to recognise available spaces and receive the ball away from pressure. Therefore, I believe that at 27 years of age and after 249 games for Fulham and Newcastle, Mitrovic has developed a game understanding that would allow him to find effective match solutions suited to his physical capabilities.

Fragile confidence

After scoring a record-breaking amount of goals in the Championship, demonstrating outstanding form for both the club and the country, and scoring twice on the opening day of a new season, it may be assumed that Mitrovic started the new season full of confidence. Indeed, following several seasons in the two top divisions in England, I am convinced that Mitrovic is aware of his individual qualities and abilities as a player. Also, following the record-breaking performances in the Championship, he must believe that he is capable of finally making an impact in the Premier League. While confidence has always been identified as one of the key determinants of performance, the success or failure of the upcoming season may be hidden in Mitrovic's perceived level of self-efficacy. More specifically, while self-confidence can be understood as one’s perceived ability to accomplish a certain level of performance, self-efficacy is more situationally specific and can be defined as one’s belief to execute a behaviour required to produce a certain successful outcome.

Going into the new season, both of these constructs should be relatively high in the Mitrovic case. Indeed, analysing situational behaviours in front of the goal, it is evident that Mitrovic demonstrated an excellent ability to win attacking challenges in the opposition penalty box, both in the air and on the ground.

The analysis of Mitrovic's performances demonstrated his excellent ability to get himself on a “blind side” of a defender. On several occasions, it was clear that Mitrovic's movement was purposeful and he wanted to gain a positional advantage with enhanced goal-scoring probabilities.

However, in addition to Mitrovic's excellent movement and positioning in attack, it is worth highlighting his excellent ability to anticipate the pass into the box. Indeed, throughout the last season, Mitrovic demonstrated a range of movements, either pulling further back towards the back post or attacking the space in front of him.

Another important aspect that will play a key role in enhancing Mitrovic's selfconfidence and self-efficacy is his ability to win the first contacts in the box. Indeed, in the last season in the Championship Mitrovic won 54 % of air challenges in the opposition box. In doing so, Mitrovic demonstrated excellent strength to win the space, hold off the defenders and win the first contact. However, he also demonstrated excellent movement to attack the ball at pace and get in front of the defender.

However, it needs to be highlighted that while self-confidence can be considered a much more stable or fixed trait, self-efficacy is a fluctuating state and is a fragile construct. Therefore, while Mitrovic experienced relatively a lot of success in the last season enhancing his self-confidence and self-efficacy, the upcoming season may pose significant challenges to both of these constructs. More specifically, while maintaining his positional awareness and movement, Mitrovic may experience a significantly lower level of success in terms of winning first contacts, producing shots on goal, and scoring. Therefore, due to a decrease in positive outcomes and success experiences, Mitrovic might experience a lower level of self-confidence and self-efficacy. As a result, he might also start questioning his ability and doubt his capability to impact games in the Premier League.

Psychological skills may play a vital role in overcoming encountered challenges and helping players maintain robust selfconfidence. For example, players may look to set specific and measurable goals, engage in imagery exercises (i.e., picture themselves being successful), start to reframe their experiences, focus on the aspects that they can control, and set specific competition plans. While all of the outlined strategies may contribute to the development and maintenance of robust confidence levels, for Mitrovic, a sound level of self-awareness may be vital in the upcoming season. More specifically, while it is likely that Mitrovic may experience lower levels of success experiences (e.g., first contacts in the box), he should focus on the broader ability to play the game to outmanoeuvre defenders.

In particular, his ability to anticipate game situations, utilise the most relevant cues from the game environment and make quick decisions may be a valuable source of positive and successful experiences. This, in turn, may help in believing in a process, staying on track, and decreasing negative emotions (e.g., frustrations, anger, self-doubt, anxiety).

Therefore, a key to a successful season in the Premier League may lie in Mitrovic's ability to focus on evaluating and developing his game intelligence while ignoring the noise, that might result from lower match statistics compared to last season. While putting the ball in the back of the net is an ultimate goal for each striker, Mitrovic should focus on the challenges that both himself and his team may face next season. Next, he should engage in self-evaluation strategies to recognise his ability to overcome such challenges and obstacles. This might play a vital role in helping Mitrovic to develop robust self-confidence and self-efficacy, and therefore, greater emotional control and focus.

FOCUS ON THE PROCESS

While this article focused on discussing some of the potential challenges that Alexander Mitrovic may face next season, I am sure that presented examples may resonate with many players. Therefore, I hope that the readers will be able to understand some of the challenges that might arise from associating one’s self-confidence and self-efficacy with performance outcomes (e.g., goals, assists, goals conceded). Instead, I anticipate that the present article will encourage players to start paying greater attention to their ability of reading the game and finding solutions to match situations. In other words, I hope that players going into he new season will engage in selfevaluation to better understand the challenges that might arise in the upcoming matches and then focus on enhancing their abilities to overcome such challenges. From my experiences of working with professional players, such an approach is a powerful tool in helping players remain composed, focused and motivated in difficult situations. Also, it provides a clear sense of direction allowing players to identify developmental needs required for successful performance outcomes. Therefore, players are better equipped to find a way and eventually make an impact that that they are capable of having.

MENTALITY CHAMPIONS

It is widely acknowledged that Real Madrid has a special relationship with the Champions League. Indeed, the 1-0 win against Liverpool in Paris was the 14th title in the club's history. Also, Real Madrid won all eight Champions League finals they have been involved in (1998, 2000, 2002, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022). While in some of these finals Madrid was able to dominate the match from the first minute to the last, in others they have needed very dramatic late goals to keep their chances of winning alive. Nevertheless, the team from the Spanish capital always managed to find a way of winning. It can be suggested that such a run in the competition might give players a lot of confidence in winning and install a considerable level of respect, and maybe even fear, from other teams. Indeed, as 2002 Champions League winner Santi Solari concluded:

“If Madrid has anything, it is faith that they are favourites in finals, and the players take to the pitch knowing they have the weight of history behind them.”

While Real Madrid's outstanding record in the finals may enhance players' belief in a successful outcome, there also might be other contributing factors. Therefore, the objective of the present article is to have a closer look at a wide range of aspects that can play a vital role in winning the finals. In particular, I will provide an analysis of the latest final from a perspective of different psychological constructs.

It is all about the key moments

While in the knockout games leading to a final, Real Madrid had not looked convincing, they managed to produce some key moments against PSG, Chelsea, and Manchester City. These key moments have also proven to be vital in the 2021/2022 final against Liverpool. Indeed, the interventions from Thibaut Courtois and Vinicius Junior's goal were key in Madrid’s win. However, to fully understand the significance of these moments we need to have a look at the game as a whole.

It is fair to say that on the night Liverpool was a better team. The team from Merseyside produce 21 shots with 9 on target compared to Madrid’s 2 shots and only 1 on target. Also, Liverpool’s expected goals (xG) in the final were 2.6 compared to Madrid’s 0.7. Finally, Liverpool recorded more entrances to the opposition half, the final third, and the penalty box compared to Madrid.

Entrance to the opposition half

Entrance to the final third

Entrance to the penalty box Liverpool FC

76

51

25 Real Madrid

38

21

7

As such, Madrid’s performance was far away from a beautiful display demonstrated by Barcelona in 2011 or Ajax in 1994. Instead, Madrid showed great organisation out of possession, getting the best out of key moments in both boxes.