Headliner Reus

Although the Headliners promo has moved on, we are grabbing our DeLoreans and jumping back in time to look at one more option in this series.  It has been a while since I have looked at a Bundesliga option and Marco Reus was just too tempting to pass up.  This review is one part a favorite player of mine, one part a likely winter upgrade, and two parts one the best dynamic images this year.  I won’t lie that this review was extremely selfish for both the use of Headliner Reus but also a longing to try FFS Kai Havertz as well.  In the end both exceeded my expectations and the alongside POTM Rashford I experienced an enjoyable weekend from a new player perspective.
In looking through the top three chemistry styles used for Reus, it appears that numerous FUT Managers agree with me and my choice to apply HAWK for this review.  The extra bit of pace, mixed with some much needed physical boosts, and topped off with a slightly unnecessary shooting boost seemed to do the trick in this case.  In my review of POTM Rashford I mentioned a formation change for this week to a 4-2-3-1 and this allowed Reus to feature in the CAM position where he was the key to unlocking deep defenses in the following squad:
 

Pace & Dribbling

You won’t hear words like lightning or speedster when talking about Marco Reus, but a word I would reserve for the German is electric.  94 ACCELERATION & 93 SPRINT SPEED with HAWK was the perfect mix to make Marco Reus a magician on the ball.  While he is not going to out run many defenders in a dead sprint, he is able to move away from any that get close to him in a hurry.  I enjoy quick turns and catching my opponent off guard and Reus was like using my dream player.  He truly is electric on the ball and every attacking moment felt like he would create something.  While quickness is a big part of the Reus appeal, the sorcerous control on the ball is what gets people on their feet in the crowd.  This card is the best I have used on the dribble so far this FIFA and because I went with a 9.9 for Mbappé I almost feel like I don’t have a choice but to go 10… but again I will save it.  In the end I had to go with HAWK for the physical aspects, but just take a look at ENGINE applied to this card, it truly is a beautiful sight.

Pace Rating: 9.5/10 
Dribbling Rating: 9.9/10 

Shooting & Physical

I think if I had used this card in any other team I would have said “this card feels like a 5 STAR WEAK FOOT even though it says 4.”  However, POTM Rashford set a bar that Reus was just below; but it is worth noting that this card has some serious firepower.  The HAWK chemistry style compliments the shooting stats on this card incredibly well and Reus moves to 99 POSITIONG, SHOT POWER, & VOLLEYS, in addition to 90 LONG SHOTS, 95 FINISHING, & 98 PENALTIES.  All of these traits combined for a 19 goal return in 25 games using Reus as a CAM and brought a deeper threat than I would normally use.  From a physical standpoint Reus cannot compete in the air, which is a small issue in a forward role.  However, the size of Reus does not hinder him in the strength department and 77 STRENGTH feels more like 85 – 90.  Reus’s ability to hold off defenders was not what I expected and I was quite happy with his strength on the ball.  The one drawback is of course the 73 STAMINA which leaves Reus with Jell-O legs around the 80th minute mark even with stay forward tactics applied. Not enough to condemn him physically, but enough to lower his rating.

Shooting Rating: 9.5/10
Physical Rating: 8/10

Passing and Defending

Again Reus is the victim of the ones who have come before him and FFS Aouar still reigns as the best assist return I have experienced with a card.  While they both achieved 14 assists, it took Reus 25 games while Aouar completed the same total in a tidy 20 games.  I realize that returns do not tell the whole story and this is definitely the case for Reus.  Receiving the ball in the middle of the pitch meant that passes had to be crisp and on point to get out of pressure and he was successful more often than not.  This card has a smooth feel in everything that you do and passing was no different.  As a defender I do not feel I have enough information to properly rate this card, but I will say that Reus tracks down the ball really well in the CAM position.  Even one of the goals in the review showcases this tracking, followed by holding off the defender, and finished off with a goal… a nice snapshot of what this card is all about.

Passing Rating: 9/10
Defending Rating: N/A

Final Score

Final Rating: 9.4/10

In the pecking order of cards I have reviewed Headliner Reus sits just above RTTF Ben Yedder, and just below FFS Aouar… for now.  The true value of this card is not yet realized in my mind and any upgrade to Reus (I am guessing to an 87) will leave the Headliner Reus card somewhere between 89 and 91 rated.  If I had to guess it would be in the middle at 90 overall. While Reus is currently suffering from another injury issue you can guarantee that if he comes back in the same form he left it will not be long before he is boosted yet again.  But, if we just look at the here and now what we have is a card that is a game changing addition to most squads and I cannot recommend him enough.  If you need any more incentive, just look at that card design and dynamic image, does not get any better than that.  Cheers for reading.    

Game Stats:
 

Game Highlights: