DAVID v GOLIATH
Tall order to handle Haaland but pocket rocket Martinez is up for the challenge
IN the red corner, Lisandro Martinez. In the blue corner, Erling Haaland. At first glance, it looks like a mismatch and one that could possibly decide Sunday’s Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium.
Haaland has monstered Premier League defences since joining City for £51.2million in the summer, scoring 11 goals in his first seven games. Throw in the Champions League and it’s an incredible 14 in nine.
At 6ft 4in, he also towers over Martinez by fully seven inches.
The tale of the tape doesn’t tell the full story about Manchester United’s new £55.3m defender, however. Martinez might be the smallest centre-back in the Premier League at 5ft 9in, but he makes up for it with his tenacity and reading of the game.
The 24-year-old has faced questions about his size ever since he was released by his boyhood team Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina. It’s a touchy subject and one that he has grown weary of discussing.
Martinez prefers to be judged on his track record. He made his name at Defensa y Justicia (Defence and Justice, an appropriate club for the combative centre-back) on the outskirts of Buenos Aires before moving to Holland.
When Ajax met Borussia Dortmund in last season’s Champions League group stage, Martinez had Haaland in his pocket as the Dutch side ran out 4-0 winners in Amsterdam. The prolific Norwegian missed the return game in Germany, which Ajax won 3-1, due to a hip injury.
Erik ten Hag’s game plan with Ajax was to press Dortmund’s midfield to cut off the supply to Haaland. Whenever the ball did reach him, Martinez rushed in to nick it off his opponent’s toes or stop him from turning. It worked.
Haaland had three of Dortmund’s four shots on target, even forcing goalkeeper Remko Pasveer to tip one effort on to the bar. But by his standards, it was a quiet night.
Ten Hag describes Martinez as ‘a warrior’ and there is no doubt that he fits the mould of a typical Argentine enforcer. His nickname at Ajax, the Butcher of Amsterdam, was well earned.
Lack of height wasn’t a problem for Martinez as he made more headed clearances last season than any of his team-mates. But he is just as comfortable with the ball at his feet, as United fans now know, having also averaged more passes than any other player in the Dutch league last term.
‘In Argentina, we are very passionate about what we do,’ says Martinez. ‘When we go to play football, we do it for the food of our families, our friends, our girlfriends.
‘Every ball is a matter of life or death.’
Raise in the city of Gualeguay, where, sometimes, his family could only afford to eat once a day, Martinez’s father Raul took him to work at a building site at a young age. ‘You see, son, this isn’t for you,’ he said. ‘You must keep fighting for your dream.’
Martinez didn’t forget that during difficult early days away from home at Newell’s Old Boys when he was just 14.
At Ajax, he recalled ‘feeling like going home and crying’ after struggling to adapt to the pace and intensity of training. On his debut for Argentina, Martinez was subbed at half-time against Venezuela in Madrid.
Each time, he used adversity and criticism to come back stronger.
Strength of character was certainly needed during a torrid start at United. After making his debut in the opening-day defeat by Brighton, Martinez was hooked at half-time in the horrendous 4-0 loss at Brentford, prompting more questions about suitability. Ten Hag kept faith, dropping Harry Maguire and playing Martinez with Raphael Varane.
United have won all five games with that partnership at the back. Martinez now faces his biggest test yet in what will also be Haaland’s first Manchester derby. It’s a tall order, but Lisandro Martinez has always been up to the challenge.