Not a word about the attack, @Lo-Pan? You're claiming for weeks now in all your long posts that Matri-Quag is the way to go against these big teams in the CL. Isn't it a little unfair that you don't even mention this now?
I didn't realize and don't think I had specified the need for Matri and Quagliarella against solely the big teams in the CL (though I suspect you will now spend an hour or three finding quotes, putting them together, and aiming them towards me like an aspiring virtual machiavelli), and I have stuck to many points alongside my desire to see Quags and Matri together up top for us. Nothing of that has changed with the Bayern defeat. I thought and still think that my passage quoted by you is very, very clear to understand.
Just for you, Alen ,I will expand upon my brief analysis of the Munchen game, incorporating the strike force.
My major problem with our performance was first and foremost Marchisio. Before Conte's arrival at the club Claudio had a terrible habit of ghosting through games, of vanishing after kick-off and failing to impose himself on the game in any meaningful way. This was happening in Serie A, and was a problem for us, as it often seemed like we were playing with 10 men from the start. As with my campaign for greater inclusion in the starting XI of Matri and Quags, I was consistent with my concerns and criticism of Marchisio in that period, which was lengthy. With Conte's arrival, Claudio stepped up a level, not so much with la nazionale (which is telling) but with Juve, alongside Pirlo and Vidal, he became part of a much celebrated midfield triumvirate.
Vucinic and Giovinco appeared (against Munchen) when the game was already well lost, we had minutes before conceded a second, the traffic was one way. Munich weren't particularly bothered about changing their game plan to deal with the threat of a trequartista and second striker, and despite a couple of efforts by Vidal, a pass or two by Vucinic, the end result was the same. Had Beltrame and Padovan appeared in place of Matri and Quags I would have expected a similar brief injection of energy and eagerness. Thats one of the main reasons to make substitutions. Fresh blood into the battle...
Matri and Quagliarella naturally play higher up the field than a trequartista/attacking midfielder (mirko) and second striker (gio). Since they play higher up the field they rely more heavily upon solid service from and through the midfield. Our midfield of three showed only two players for most of the match. Vidal and Pirlo were both as well hustled, as well marked, as well tackled as Marchisio, but unlike Marchiso, both of them, especially Vidal, imposed themselves on the game. Arturo was our greatest asset in the defensive midfield region and our greatest asset going forward. Pirlo's workload was enormous. Peluso had almost non existent support from Marchisio meaning Pirlo had to more than muck in now and then, he had to basically play Marchisio and Pirlo in one. Which Vidal could probably have a decent stab at, but a near to 34 year old regista never renowned for his pace and stamina???? Too much was asked of him, and it showed. Parallal the lack of Marchisio alongside Peluso with the ubiquitous presence of Vidal in the final third, in the middle and nearby Lichsteiner...
The pressing of our three centrebacks by Bayern required far more of Marchisio, both defensively and offensively. For me, his return to wearing the invisibility cloak cost us any chance of success. It also cost Matri and Quags any chance of finding space and goalscoring opportunities. If Pirlo is deep lying, Vidal on the surface of things more defensively inclined, then Marchisio has the job of offering the strongest support from the midfield trio to the attack. He offered nothing. I think its fair to say it was his worst performance of the Conte era, and whilst I still think he is a wonderful footballer, once again, I am starting to doubt his self confidence if not his ability to impose himself against top class opposition.
Stick Llorente in that attack in place of Matri and I can't see a different outcome.
I haven't mentioned the attack because they were starved, they were leaves without sunshine, roots without water. And their replacements didn't do much more than offer a brief injection of fresh energy, and certainly didnt leave me concluding that 'if only we had started with them instead!'.
I am unsure as to why you have this fetish for trying to trip me up, but I cannot see how I can be tripped up by an accusation of unfairness, when my views on Matri and Quagliarella haven't changed. Our most major signing of the Summer so far is a prima punta. Our second major signing will likely be a second striker Sanchez or Jovetic or even Muriel. Leading us towards a prima punta/second striker combination. I hope so! But in terms of my preferred striker combination, I'd say Matri and Quags...who have been given barely 3 games starting together (?).
Our complete capitulation of Marchisio led to problems all over the pitch...stretched midfield (2 players playing for 3), stretched defence, cut-off service to attack. A team can carry one player fully off his game maximum against mediocre oppostion, but not in the centre of a midfield 3 in a 3-5-2 away to Munich.
I have been wondering with increasing interest, how we can fit Pogba into our starting XI. With a forward line lacking quality, as I have said before, as everyone has said, its important to have some creativity in midfield, hence Pirlo. Whether he continues another year or so or is replaced sooner, I assume we will remain creative in the middle. Which leaves Vidal or Marchisio positions for Pogba to aim for. The argument for Claudio to be challenged for that spot by the young frenchman has just grown a little louder in volume and reason. And before you attack me for a knee-jerk reaction, I am talking of our future, not now. Next season for example. Let me hope I am wrong about Claudio, and that he improves at international level, and Conte can help him move past this seemingly malignant problem of bottling it on the biggest of stages...of vanishing. What is for sure, is that when I, the commentators and many other fans hardly notice one of our three central midfielders throughout a match, there is something to be discussed. When the player in question has shown similar behaviour in the past, the question appears of...Can Marchisio handle the pressure of facing the true giants of the game??
There were other reasons for the mauling in munich. Buffon made an error or two which proved costly, yet he also kept out several certain goalbound strikes. Barzagli was flustered, bonucci too wasteful in possession, pirlo too reliant on fouls been called that never came and losing the ball in terrbile positions, peluso was out of his depth. I can't see how Matri and quags could have done much more unless they dropped deep into midfield leading us to a 3-6 formation (no marchisio). The weakest link was Marchisio, because he simply didn't manage to provide a link in the team, in any way whatsoever...those midfield three are essential to our 3-5-2, more essential than any other area for they dictate the tempo, create the attacks, cover the defence, own the ball. if one of them is absent, its too much work for two. Well, I hope that satsifies your curiosity...