This page is a magnificent example of the lack of knowledge about why italian teams are/were good at defending. And why people dont understand marchisio or pirlo for example.
People think "oh this vidal, he is good at aggression and intercepting so he is a good defender"
But people forget, what then makes the diffrence between midfielder and defender?
Midfielders, whilst able to cover gabs and keep the place locked down, generally are facing much open space. Vidal only has to consider not running out of position, and can charge whoever in his area since pirlo and pogba close the gab, and to a lesser extend, lichtsteiner and barzagli.
In this counterattacking game, the defence was kinda working in the same way, with movement, a counter with 2/3 players and done.
Thing is, actual defending is entirely diffrent. Its not about intercepting, that comes second. First, you need to position yourself against trough balls and player movement and against shots. Something a midfielder usually doesnt have to do. Its keeping the shape , controll the space as a unit first. Then anticipate opponents.
People think "oh this vidal, he is good at aggression and intercepting so he is a good defender"
But people forget, what then makes the diffrence between midfielder and defender?
Midfielders, whilst able to cover gabs and keep the place locked down, generally are facing much open space. Vidal only has to consider not running out of position, and can charge whoever in his area since pirlo and pogba close the gab, and to a lesser extend, lichtsteiner and barzagli.
In this counterattacking game, the defence was kinda working in the same way, with movement, a counter with 2/3 players and done.
Thing is, actual defending is entirely diffrent. Its not about intercepting, that comes second. First, you need to position yourself against trough balls and player movement and against shots. Something a midfielder usually doesnt have to do. Its keeping the shape , controll the space as a unit first. Then anticipate opponents.
