I wholeheartedly do NOT agree in saying Ranieri has nothing to do with this horrendous performance. How exactly did we look any different from the other draws we've stumbled to this season? The only answer, if any, is worse. Seriously, we never have any game plan when we take the pitch, we never have any team chemistry, we cannot handle the opposition when they take the game to us and fight for every ball... what exactly, as a team, do we do well? I honestly cannot think of anything. It's just the same story every single match. And yes, that is indeed very much Ranieri's fault, along with some of the players.
The only saving grace we have are players that step up despite the dismal team performance. Last season it was Del Piero, now this season it has been Amauri and Giovinco along with Iaquinta after today. The really sad part about watching this match was that Bate seemingly had just as talented players as we have, yet they looked far superior as a team, especially in the first half. Like I said during halftime, if we were really a good team, we wouldn't allow BATE have such a stranglehold over the proceedings by keeping the ball and shutting down their attacks. But no, instead they had a free for all in midfield which led to their goals. I bet you even if Poulsen was in there, BATE would have controlled the first half as well. I don't even want to discuss the defense; no need. Anybody objective knew this defense was only going to be satisfactory.
It will be a long season because we all know similar performances have haunt us ever since Capello took charge. And I really don't understand why Ranieri is trying to emulate that; perhaps because that's the easiest thing to do.
Manninger - Couldn't be blamed for the goals - 6
Grygera - Not confident whatsoever - 5
Legrottaglie - Average - 5.5
Chiellini - Doesn't look the same after the injury - 5.5
De Ceglie - Played well defensively but needs to improve - 6
Giovinco - Couldn't get into the game for a while because the whole team was playing terribly. But he was by far our best player out there anyway, even playing out of position - 6.5
Camoranesi - Couldn't cope shutting down his opposition and couldn't pass the ball again. Looked out of place. Second bad match running - 5.5
Sissoko - Absolutely horrible passing but he made up for it with hard work and fantastic tackles that saved our defense's life. 6
Nedved - Ugh, just useless. I love the player, but perhaps he should have hung up his boots after last season. He just isn't with it. 5
Iaquinta - Did well with the goals, saved our lives with the finishing. 7
Del Piero - Sorry Rab, but Alex was selfish today. He could have sent a through ball for Seba twice, but instead he took awkward shots. Not a good spell of form from Ale - 5.5
Knezevic - Didn't really instill confidence out there. Average player - 5
Marchisio - Looked better than Camoranesi, that's for sure - 6