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JUVE BEEN WARNED: HENRIKH MKHITARYAN IS EUROPE'S MOST IN-FORM PLAYER
Goal.com
Oct 2 2012
The Armenian attacking midfielder has been one of the revelations of
the 2012-13 European season and Juventus will need to treat him with
caution when Shakhtar visit Turin tonight
Donbass Arena in Donetsk is a very musical stadium. Every goal by
Shakhtar is greeted with tunes from the country of the scorer.
Ukrainians are getting their national hopak, but most of the time
the crowd naturally listens to samba.
Almost all of Shakhtar's midfield and attack is based on Brazilians.
Luiz Adriano, Willian, Fernandinho, Ilsinho, Alex Teixeira,
Douglas Costa - the veteran Romanian coach Mircea Lucescu must
speak Portuguese quite fluently by now. This season, however, samba
is less frequent, and its place is taken by the Sabre Dance. Aram
Khachaturyan is Armenia's finest composer, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan is
the man responsible for him being celebrated in eastern Ukraine.
The 23-year-old midfielder has been unplayable in recent months. After
scoring just four goals in his first year at Shakhtar in 2010/11,
and netting 11 times in all competitions last season, Mkhitaryan
has amazingly put 15 balls past opposing keepers in just 11 games
since July. His 13 goals in the Ukrainian league include a hat-trick
versus Chernomorets Odessa and doubles against Arsenal Kiev, Volyn and
Vorskla. Add four assists, and you get a player who is pretty much
unstoppable. Tonight, Juventus could experience difficulties trying
to deal with the Armenian, who struck twice in the 2-0 win against
Denmark champions Nordsjaelland on the Champions League opening day.
Those who have followed Mkhitaryan's career are not surprised by
these exploits. His outrageous talent has been there for all to
see for a long time now. Hamlet Mkhitaryan, Henrikh's father, was
the biggest star of Ararat Yerevan in the Soviet league during the
1980s, scoring 46 goals for the club. At the beginning of the 1990s,
Mkhitaryan Sr moved to France, where he helped the now defunct Valence
to be promoted to the second division. That's where Henrikh spent
his early childhood. Tragically, Hamlet Mkhitaryan died of a brain
tumor at just 33, and never witnessed his heir developing into an
outstanding footballer.
Unlike his father, Henrikh has mostly played in midfield since starting
his career at Pyunik Yerevan aged 17. By 2009, he had won four Armenian
league titles and was quite clearly too good to stay.
Many teams tried to acquire his services, and Mkhitaryan was tempted
to go to France, where he would have no language problems. Lyon and
Lille were realistic options, while there was also interest from
Lokomotiv Moscow and Boca Juniors. The youngster said at the time:
"It is an important dilemma, as I must choose a team where I will be
assured of a starting place."
This logic led to Mkhitaryan signing for unfashionable Metallurg
Donetsk, where Yaya Toure spent more than a year at the beginning of
his career. The Ivorian was sold to Olympiakos for ~@2 million in 2005,
the Armenian's price was [email protected] when he joined city rivals Shakhtar
in 2010. One could claim that was still a bargain. In his only full
season at Metallurg, Mkhitaryan was the unquestionable leader, scoring
14 goals from midfield, guiding the team to the Ukrainian Cup Final,
and eventually being named team captain. Shakhtar beat Tottenham and
Werder Bremen to his signature, and those clubs will regret missing
out on him.
At first Lucescu used Mkhitaryan in a slightly withdrawn position,
where his vision and precise passing were very useful. Towards the
end of last season, though, the coach moved the Armenian higher up the
field, handing him the free role behind the striker, and the results
were stunning to say the least. Magically two-footed, calm in front of
goal and extremely confident, Mkhitaryan flourished, and after being
voted Shakhtar's player of the season by fans he stated: "I definitely
feel more comfortable close to the attack, even though I don't mind
playing as a holding midfielder if that's what the team needs."
Modesty is one of Mkhitaryan's main qualities, as he states that he
"doesn't feel like a star", even though he is one of the best players
in the most successful outfit in Ukraine, winning two league and cup
doubles in his two seasons at Shakhtar. His willingness to play for
the team can be highlighted by a beautiful example from the last
day of 2011-12. With the title already assured, Shakhtar led 2-0
against Oleksandria when Mkhitaryan, who scored in the first half
with a header, got an opportunity to claim a very easy brace. Despite
having just the keeper to beat, the Armenian chose to pass to Yevhen
Seleznyov, so that his fellow striker could become the league's top
scorer. As unselfish as he is talented, Mkhitaryan is very much liked
and respected in the dressing room.
As well as starring for Shakhtar, Mkhitaryan also hit the headlines
by scoring no less than six goals in Armenia's sensational Euro 2012
qualifying campaign. Armenia were one of the biggest surprises of
the tournament, beating Slovakia twice, including a 4-0 stunner in
Bratislava. Only an unlucky defeat in Dublin on the last day meant
they lost out on a playoff place. Mkhitaryan, who made his national
team debut before he was 18, is already one of his country's leaders,
partnering in attack the Russian Premier League's top scorer Yura
Movsisyan of Krasnadar.
Armenia might not be so prolific in the World Cup 2014 qualifiers,
having been handed a tough draw with Italy, Denmark, Czech Republic and
Bulgaria. Nevertheless, the Italians should be aware of his impressive
potential. The goal against Dnipro last week was Mkhitaryan's 100th in
his rising career, and he is quite clearly the most in-form player in
the whole of Europe. Juventus' Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini,
Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci will take him on tonight in the
Champions League, before meeting the young prodigy again in Yerevan
next Friday, wearing Squadra Azzurra shirts.
They will have their hands full on both occasions.
Career
TEAM GAMES GOALS
Shakhtar 53 26 Metalurg 37 12 Pyunik Yerevan 70 30 Armenia 33 8
Armenia U-21s 13 9
Career 206 85
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2914/champions-league/2012/10/02/3418611/juve-been-warned-henrikh-mkhitaryan-is-europes-most-in-form?source=breakingnews
From: A. Papazian
Goal.com
Oct 2 2012
The Armenian attacking midfielder has been one of the revelations of
the 2012-13 European season and Juventus will need to treat him with
caution when Shakhtar visit Turin tonight
Donbass Arena in Donetsk is a very musical stadium. Every goal by
Shakhtar is greeted with tunes from the country of the scorer.
Ukrainians are getting their national hopak, but most of the time
the crowd naturally listens to samba.
Almost all of Shakhtar's midfield and attack is based on Brazilians.
Luiz Adriano, Willian, Fernandinho, Ilsinho, Alex Teixeira,
Douglas Costa - the veteran Romanian coach Mircea Lucescu must
speak Portuguese quite fluently by now. This season, however, samba
is less frequent, and its place is taken by the Sabre Dance. Aram
Khachaturyan is Armenia's finest composer, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan is
the man responsible for him being celebrated in eastern Ukraine.
The 23-year-old midfielder has been unplayable in recent months. After
scoring just four goals in his first year at Shakhtar in 2010/11,
and netting 11 times in all competitions last season, Mkhitaryan
has amazingly put 15 balls past opposing keepers in just 11 games
since July. His 13 goals in the Ukrainian league include a hat-trick
versus Chernomorets Odessa and doubles against Arsenal Kiev, Volyn and
Vorskla. Add four assists, and you get a player who is pretty much
unstoppable. Tonight, Juventus could experience difficulties trying
to deal with the Armenian, who struck twice in the 2-0 win against
Denmark champions Nordsjaelland on the Champions League opening day.
Those who have followed Mkhitaryan's career are not surprised by
these exploits. His outrageous talent has been there for all to
see for a long time now. Hamlet Mkhitaryan, Henrikh's father, was
the biggest star of Ararat Yerevan in the Soviet league during the
1980s, scoring 46 goals for the club. At the beginning of the 1990s,
Mkhitaryan Sr moved to France, where he helped the now defunct Valence
to be promoted to the second division. That's where Henrikh spent
his early childhood. Tragically, Hamlet Mkhitaryan died of a brain
tumor at just 33, and never witnessed his heir developing into an
outstanding footballer.
Unlike his father, Henrikh has mostly played in midfield since starting
his career at Pyunik Yerevan aged 17. By 2009, he had won four Armenian
league titles and was quite clearly too good to stay.
Many teams tried to acquire his services, and Mkhitaryan was tempted
to go to France, where he would have no language problems. Lyon and
Lille were realistic options, while there was also interest from
Lokomotiv Moscow and Boca Juniors. The youngster said at the time:
"It is an important dilemma, as I must choose a team where I will be
assured of a starting place."
This logic led to Mkhitaryan signing for unfashionable Metallurg
Donetsk, where Yaya Toure spent more than a year at the beginning of
his career. The Ivorian was sold to Olympiakos for ~@2 million in 2005,
the Armenian's price was [email protected] when he joined city rivals Shakhtar
in 2010. One could claim that was still a bargain. In his only full
season at Metallurg, Mkhitaryan was the unquestionable leader, scoring
14 goals from midfield, guiding the team to the Ukrainian Cup Final,
and eventually being named team captain. Shakhtar beat Tottenham and
Werder Bremen to his signature, and those clubs will regret missing
out on him.
At first Lucescu used Mkhitaryan in a slightly withdrawn position,
where his vision and precise passing were very useful. Towards the
end of last season, though, the coach moved the Armenian higher up the
field, handing him the free role behind the striker, and the results
were stunning to say the least. Magically two-footed, calm in front of
goal and extremely confident, Mkhitaryan flourished, and after being
voted Shakhtar's player of the season by fans he stated: "I definitely
feel more comfortable close to the attack, even though I don't mind
playing as a holding midfielder if that's what the team needs."
Modesty is one of Mkhitaryan's main qualities, as he states that he
"doesn't feel like a star", even though he is one of the best players
in the most successful outfit in Ukraine, winning two league and cup
doubles in his two seasons at Shakhtar. His willingness to play for
the team can be highlighted by a beautiful example from the last
day of 2011-12. With the title already assured, Shakhtar led 2-0
against Oleksandria when Mkhitaryan, who scored in the first half
with a header, got an opportunity to claim a very easy brace. Despite
having just the keeper to beat, the Armenian chose to pass to Yevhen
Seleznyov, so that his fellow striker could become the league's top
scorer. As unselfish as he is talented, Mkhitaryan is very much liked
and respected in the dressing room.
As well as starring for Shakhtar, Mkhitaryan also hit the headlines
by scoring no less than six goals in Armenia's sensational Euro 2012
qualifying campaign. Armenia were one of the biggest surprises of
the tournament, beating Slovakia twice, including a 4-0 stunner in
Bratislava. Only an unlucky defeat in Dublin on the last day meant
they lost out on a playoff place. Mkhitaryan, who made his national
team debut before he was 18, is already one of his country's leaders,
partnering in attack the Russian Premier League's top scorer Yura
Movsisyan of Krasnadar.
Armenia might not be so prolific in the World Cup 2014 qualifiers,
having been handed a tough draw with Italy, Denmark, Czech Republic and
Bulgaria. Nevertheless, the Italians should be aware of his impressive
potential. The goal against Dnipro last week was Mkhitaryan's 100th in
his rising career, and he is quite clearly the most in-form player in
the whole of Europe. Juventus' Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini,
Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci will take him on tonight in the
Champions League, before meeting the young prodigy again in Yerevan
next Friday, wearing Squadra Azzurra shirts.
They will have their hands full on both occasions.
Career
TEAM GAMES GOALS
Shakhtar 53 26 Metalurg 37 12 Pyunik Yerevan 70 30 Armenia 33 8
Armenia U-21s 13 9
Career 206 85
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2914/champions-league/2012/10/02/3418611/juve-been-warned-henrikh-mkhitaryan-is-europes-most-in-form?source=breakingnews
From: A. Papazian