Fabio Capello has given Zlatan Ibrahimovic a clip round the ear for his “egotistical” behaviour in the win over Rapid Vienna.
“We could’ve closed this game in the first half, but were too complacent and this isn’t the way we wanted to play,” said the Coach after the 3-0 victory. “It was tense until Adrian Mutu’s goal and we were thankful for Christian Abbiati’s saves.”
David Trezeguet’s early goal gave them a slender lead until Mutu and Ibrahimovic netted late strikes to ease the pressure.
“We created the scoring opportunities, but couldn’t convert them, and in football when you give your opponents a look in it’ll cost you,” added Capello. “Ibrahimovic made two mistakes tonight and we will discuss it later, as he was too egotistical.”
The Swede has often been accused of hogging the ball and he twice refused to pass the ball to a team-mate in a better scoring position.
“I really didn’t appreciate when we went on the counter-attack with three against two and Alessandro Del Piero unmarked, but instead of passing it he tried to hold on and eventually lost the ball.”
With Mutu and Ibrahimovic also breaking their ducks tonight, Capello has a tough choice to make for Sunday’s top of the Serie A table showdown with Inter.
“I am happy to have this ‘problem’ of having to choose between a wealth of talent at my disposal. Every game is an individual moment in time and a team can play like giants or minnows. Playing every three days is tough, but getting this victory today was positive and gives us the confidence to prepare for the next test.”
Mutu scored his debut goal in a Bianconeri jersey and, above all, his first since failing a drugs test and seeing his contract terminated by Chelsea.
“The negative period of my career has been closed for a long time in my eyes, but this goal is very important for my confidence and came at a crucial moment of the game,” said the Romanian.
“I don’t mind playing a bit wide, as if the Coach prefers me to take that role then I’ll put my qualities to the service of the team.”
By Football Italia
This isn't new to me because I've already noticed the past few games that Ibra has been too selfish and oftentimes makes the wrond decision of holding on to the ball too long.
Yes, he did become Juve Fans' player of the year and had a bright first year in Serie A. But that doesn't mean he can play his own style with no care in the world. He needs to remember that he succeeded because he adapted, he needs to continue doing that and continue learning from Champions such as DP, Trez, and Nedved.
I told you guys before that I thought he was too complacent in the Ascoli game.
Against Rapid, Capello was right to say that we could've sealed the game earlier. But thanks to Zlatan, we only routed Rapid in the last 10 minutes of the game.
I think that this is mainly Capello's fault anyway because how will Zlatan know that he's doing something wrong if he doesn't substitute the guy to realize his mistakes. Other players work hard to do what the coach asks him to do, but here is Zlatan doing whatever he wants and he gets all the playing time he wants.
Don't get me wrong, I know Zlatan is our future. But at least now that he's still developing, he could practice some humility and I hope that Capello would use dome discipline on him as well.
I am for the GOOD OF THE TEAM, and not just one player. We need to raise the entire team's morale. Not just Zlatan's.
Giannichedda is getting enough time on the pitch as well. We will need him playing these kinds of matches for us so he will raise his game when we get to the crucial part of the season when we need everyone in the squad to be on form.
DP looks sharp and I fairly believe he deserves to get as much playing time as Trez-Ibra. He was running failry quick against Rapid Vienna last night, and to be honest, I didn't even think he could "still" run that fast. His vision is still sublime and his technique on that exquisite volley from a Nedved lob was just superb. Unfortuntely, it lacked angle and was too close to the keeper. A few more run-up games for DP and he'll be the DP we used to know. Hopefully, no injuries for him this season.
I'm comfortable having Mutu play in Nedved's role. He's quick, turns sharply which is what we need to have someone playing in that role so he can cut inside and create room for Zambro to run on the flanks. The only thing missing from Mutu to make him our "Ideal" LM is his ability to get in that perfect cross from his left boot. Otherwise, I'm confident he'll do well.
“We could’ve closed this game in the first half, but were too complacent and this isn’t the way we wanted to play,” said the Coach after the 3-0 victory. “It was tense until Adrian Mutu’s goal and we were thankful for Christian Abbiati’s saves.”
David Trezeguet’s early goal gave them a slender lead until Mutu and Ibrahimovic netted late strikes to ease the pressure.
“We created the scoring opportunities, but couldn’t convert them, and in football when you give your opponents a look in it’ll cost you,” added Capello. “Ibrahimovic made two mistakes tonight and we will discuss it later, as he was too egotistical.”
The Swede has often been accused of hogging the ball and he twice refused to pass the ball to a team-mate in a better scoring position.
“I really didn’t appreciate when we went on the counter-attack with three against two and Alessandro Del Piero unmarked, but instead of passing it he tried to hold on and eventually lost the ball.”
With Mutu and Ibrahimovic also breaking their ducks tonight, Capello has a tough choice to make for Sunday’s top of the Serie A table showdown with Inter.
“I am happy to have this ‘problem’ of having to choose between a wealth of talent at my disposal. Every game is an individual moment in time and a team can play like giants or minnows. Playing every three days is tough, but getting this victory today was positive and gives us the confidence to prepare for the next test.”
Mutu scored his debut goal in a Bianconeri jersey and, above all, his first since failing a drugs test and seeing his contract terminated by Chelsea.
“The negative period of my career has been closed for a long time in my eyes, but this goal is very important for my confidence and came at a crucial moment of the game,” said the Romanian.
“I don’t mind playing a bit wide, as if the Coach prefers me to take that role then I’ll put my qualities to the service of the team.”
By Football Italia
This isn't new to me because I've already noticed the past few games that Ibra has been too selfish and oftentimes makes the wrond decision of holding on to the ball too long.
Yes, he did become Juve Fans' player of the year and had a bright first year in Serie A. But that doesn't mean he can play his own style with no care in the world. He needs to remember that he succeeded because he adapted, he needs to continue doing that and continue learning from Champions such as DP, Trez, and Nedved.
I told you guys before that I thought he was too complacent in the Ascoli game.
Against Rapid, Capello was right to say that we could've sealed the game earlier. But thanks to Zlatan, we only routed Rapid in the last 10 minutes of the game.
I think that this is mainly Capello's fault anyway because how will Zlatan know that he's doing something wrong if he doesn't substitute the guy to realize his mistakes. Other players work hard to do what the coach asks him to do, but here is Zlatan doing whatever he wants and he gets all the playing time he wants.
Don't get me wrong, I know Zlatan is our future. But at least now that he's still developing, he could practice some humility and I hope that Capello would use dome discipline on him as well.
I am for the GOOD OF THE TEAM, and not just one player. We need to raise the entire team's morale. Not just Zlatan's.
Giannichedda is getting enough time on the pitch as well. We will need him playing these kinds of matches for us so he will raise his game when we get to the crucial part of the season when we need everyone in the squad to be on form.
DP looks sharp and I fairly believe he deserves to get as much playing time as Trez-Ibra. He was running failry quick against Rapid Vienna last night, and to be honest, I didn't even think he could "still" run that fast. His vision is still sublime and his technique on that exquisite volley from a Nedved lob was just superb. Unfortuntely, it lacked angle and was too close to the keeper. A few more run-up games for DP and he'll be the DP we used to know. Hopefully, no injuries for him this season.
I'm comfortable having Mutu play in Nedved's role. He's quick, turns sharply which is what we need to have someone playing in that role so he can cut inside and create room for Zambro to run on the flanks. The only thing missing from Mutu to make him our "Ideal" LM is his ability to get in that perfect cross from his left boot. Otherwise, I'm confident he'll do well.
