Aston Villa ace Youri Tielemans outshines Premier League rival in Belgium comeback v Italy
Aston Villa ace Youri Tielemans outperformed Orel Mangala for Belgium in their draw against Italy on Thursday 10 October.
The Red Devils came from behind to play out a 2-2 draw at Stadio Olimpico in their third Nations League game of the season.
Andrea Cambiasso and Mateo Retegui put Italy in front before Maxim De Cuyper and Leandro Trossard’s goals earned Belgium a point.
Tielemans wore the armband for Dominico Tedesco’s side and was one of their best players on the night.
Aston Villa star Youri Tielemans outshines Premier League rival Orel Mangala
Tielemans was outperformed by Aston Villa teammate Amadou Onana in Belgium’s defeat against France last month.
However, this time, he got the better of Mangala, who started alongside him in a double pivot in Onana’s absence.
On the surface, Mangala posted decent numbers, completing all 39 of his passes with 100 per cent accuracy per Sofascore.
Although Tielemans only completed 39 of his 52 passes with 75 per cent accuracy, a closer look suggests he was more proactive with the ball.
The Villa ace attempted seven cross and three long balls, while Mangala only played one long ball.
Tielemans losing the ball 20 times, the most by any Belgium player, is a sign of his aggression in possession as Belgium pushed to get back in the game.
He also played an important role in Cuyper’s goal, smartly playing a free-kick short to Leandro Trossard, who in turn assisted the scorer.
Only two players from both teams – Wout Faes and Riccardo Calafiori – won more aerial duels than Tielemans, who won both his attempts with 100 per cent success. Mangala, meanwhile, attempted none.
This impressive performance has notably come days after he failed to impress against Manchester United.
In other Aston Villa news, Dan Bardell has admitted a mistake in his judgement of Jhon Duran.
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