Some notes on Spurs loanee Samuel Shashoua’s performance against UE Cornellà:

Spurs loanee Samuel Shashoua was in action for Atlético Baleares on Sunday morning in the Spanish Segunda Division B Group III, when Manix Mandiola’s table topping side welcomed UE Cornellà to the Son Malferit. Shashoua (19) completed 81 minutes of the ‘ Balearicos ‘ 2-0 win over Cornellà and it was a match winning performance from the West Londoner, who netted Atlético’s second goal of the game to extend Atlético’s lead at the top of the league table to seven points. Samuel put in a match winning performance against Cornellà and his impact on the game from out on the left wing was immense. The teenager started Sunday’s match out on the left wing as Atlético lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Shashoua’s first involvement in the game arrived early on in the match and it was a significant one. After receiving Francesc Fullana’s pass out on the left flank Shashoua decided to come inside onto his right foot before whipping the ball into the Cornellà penalty area. Samuel’s dangerous delivery caused a bit of a scramble inside the box. Cornellà defender Richard tried to clear the ball but Marcos De la Espada managed to get a toe on the ball to poke it through to Nuha who fired the ball home from close range to give Atlético an early lead. An overhit cross from Canario was picked up by Samuel at the back post shortly afterwards. Shashoua tried to head the ball down but it ended up striking Borja who eventually got the ball clear. Samuel was making some good early runs and his movement inside the final third was nice and sharp, I was also impressed by his tracking back to help out Atlético left back Peris during the early parts of the game. After Nuha Marong had managed to knock down Carl Klaus’ long kick up field to Samuel, the nimble footed teenager managed to turn his man before darting into the Cornellà penalty area where was intercepted by Borja who then cleared the ball. Around five minutes later Samuel came inside from the left flank before whipping a glorious ball into the Cornellà penalty area, where he managed to pick out his teammate Marcos De la Espada whose resulting headed effort on goal was well kept out by Cornellà goalkeeper Ramón.

Shashoua could be seen switching flanks with Canario during the latter stages of the first half, so as to test the Cornellà defence even more. Manix Mandiola’s side were defending well and the sending off of Cornellà defender Ricard on 42 minutes gave the ‘ Balearicos ‘ a big boost. Samuel’s first involvement in the second half occurred a matter of moments after the restart. After receiving Peris’ pass down the left flank Shashoua brought the ball forward before making a lovely defence splitting pass to set Nuha through on goal. However, the Gambian internationals resulting effort was saved by Ramón and even if he had have scored it wouldn’t have counted as he was adjudged to be in an offside position when Samuel made the pass. Then in the 47th minute of the game none other than our very own Samuel Shashoua managed to double Atlético’s lead by scoring his fifth goal of the season. Shashoua reacted sharply to Marcos De la Espada’s pass over the top of the Cornellà defence and this set Samuel racing between the defenders, and he had the pace to take the ball into the penalty area. While in the danger zone Samuel took a couple of nice, quick touches before calmly side footing the ball down into the turf and into the bottom right hand corner of Ramón’s goal. A couple of minutes later an ecstatic looking Samuel whipped  another good ball into the oppositions box, but it was cleared away by Leo. After latching onto the ball down the right side of the Cornellà penalty area Nuha attempted to square the ball for Shashoua in the middle of the danger zone. However, his pass was smothered by the Cornellà goalkeeper Ramón before Samuel could get to the ball. Young Samuel continued to have a positive influence on the game for the remainder of it, and the energy levels in which he showed on Sunday were superb. Shashoua’s last involvement in the game came only a couple of minutes before he departed the field. After Canario’s lofted pass had found its way out to Samuel on the left flank the young winger decided to burst forwards down the left side of the Cornellà penalty area before passing the ball to Fullana, whose powerful effort on goal was well saved by Ramón. The 19 year old was replaced by Hugo Diaz in the 81st minute of the game.

This was a match winning performance from Samuel who will have been relieved to have found the back of the net again. It was a very intelligent performance from the left winger who adapted well to the game despite the tight defending of Pere down the left flank and the physicality of the opposition. Essentially creating Nuha’s opener, Shashoua went onto create a number of very good chances for Manix Mandiola’s side and he got his rewards for his excellent movement and hard work when he scored Atlético’s second of the game early on in the second half, with a really smart finish. The former England under 18 international was superb in every department against Cornellà and  his contribution to the game at both ends of the pitch was of the highest quality. Samuel’s next game is against Anthony Georgiou’s Atlético Levante on Sunday morning, hopefully Anthony will be fit enough to face his Spurs teammate!

Samuel Shashoua for Atlético Baleares this season: 

Appearances: 28

Goals: 5

Assists: 2