Forget Adrian Segecic, Portsmouth player who made three key passes was magnificent vs Oxford
Portsmouth made the perfect start to their Championship season with a victory at Oxford United.
Pompey won 1-0 thanks to a debut goal from Adrian Segecic, reacting quickly to smash home after Colby Bishop’s effort was saved by Jamie Cumming.
Segecic, 21, impressed in pre-season after arriving from Sydney FC in the summer, and did his hopes of regular starting minutes no harm at all with his well-taken finish.
While the Australian has made the headlines for his crucial strike, one of his attacking teammates proved to be even more crucial.
Callum Lang impresses against Oxford United
Following Segecic’s arrival at Fratton Park, Callum Lang has been moved out of position by John Mousinho.
At Oxford, Lang was moved to the right wing so the Australian could take his usual attacking midfield spot, but the Englishman took this in his stride.
| Callum Lang vs Oxford | Total |
| Minutes | 80 |
| Accurate passes | 12/15 |
| Key passes | 3 |
| Accurate crosses | 3/5 |
| Big chances created | 1 |
Lang was immense at the Kassam Stadium, carving Oxford to pieces time and time again, registering three key passes and creating one big chance.
His impact could be felt after he was substituted with 10 minutes to go, when Pompey were struggling to hold on as they lacked control without Lang’s energy.
Portsmouth struggled to create a chance when the former Wigan man went off, emphasising the need for him to remain in the starting XI.
Read more: Portsmouth player ratings vs Oxford United: Callum Lang immense, 7/10 team-mate can do better
Florian Bianchini needs to improve to keep Josh Murphy out of the side
With Lang likely to keep his spot on the right wing, that leaves competition between Josh Murphy and Florian Bianchini for the left wing position.
Bianchini started on the left over Murphy at the Kassam Stadium, but struggled as he missed several chances in the first half.
| Florian Bianchini vs Oxford | Total |
| Minutes | 67 |
| Touches in opposition box | 4 |
| Dispossessed | 5 |
| Non-penalty expected goals | 0.41 |
The Swansea loanee was substituted after 66 minutes, but will need to improve quickly before his place in the side no longer becomes a guarantee, especially with Lang shining on the right wing.
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