Champions League 2016/2017 (68 Viewers)

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X Æ A-12

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Sep 4, 2006
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Really tough call

Chiellini has been on the decline for a while now and, has in the past, been shown to make reckless plays and errors but usually turns up for important matches.

Bonucci would be a guaranteed starter in any 3 man backline but its questionable if he's the best choice in the new system where he has less protection in front of him and is more likely to exposed to players running directly at him and forcing him to make a challenge

Last season I would have said the always reliable Barzagli must start every game but he hasn't been quite the same in the earlier parts of this one. Could just be a symptom of the whole team not playing well (before the switch to 4-2-3-1) though.

Rugani is proving himself to be worth the hype these days but does he displace players with a decade more experience at the top level yet?


Is Benatia still alive?
 

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michel

michel

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Mar 25, 2010
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MikeM said:
An interesting discussion topic is our CB selection in the CL.

Assuming this same formation and all CBs are fit, who does Allegri choose? He could swing our chances greatest in this area I think.
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If we reach semi-finals/final, then definitely Chiellini-Bonucci, as both of them are big game players. For the Porto game, I don't really care who our CBs are, bar Benatia.
 
Osman

Osman

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Aug 30, 2002
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MikeM said:
Surprised people would pick Chiellini.
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Why? He lives for big games and is our most aggressive pure defender. Litterally hounds anything in sight with such force and acute understanding. He has not been inconsistent either this season like he was in more recent seasons, so even tho we are spoilt in CB quality, there is no valid reason to argue benching him, yeah we have alot of quality but he is one of them. Overall best player is Bonucci (tho he doesnt seem that settled at 4 man defence), best pure defender was Barzagli until all these injuries and declining a little, but now pretty much Chiellini is most beastly one we have, he just needs to stop passing/running with the ball so much.
 
MikeM

MikeM

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Sep 21, 2008
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Osman said:
Why?
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Just because he's given a few important matches away.

I look at it like a risk/reward. The reward is that you get insane defending but even if you get that insane defending it still comes with atrocious ball-playing and a slight chance he gives the game away.

With Barzagli or Rugani you might not get that ability to defend everything in sight but you know for sure they can play the ball and they have less of a chance to give the game away like Chiellini can. It's like a safer floor if that makes sense.

There is also the set piece consideration for me which might put Rugani over all our CBs (both attacking and defending).
 
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