That's the area where Bonucci is best - which is why I'm baffled by this post.
The way Sarri set up the entire team made us out of balance and really prone to counter attacks. Hence the worst season for goals conceded - not because Leo was bad.
It's amazing how much flak this guy gets - he's won 9 scudetti with us and gets credit for none, whlist he gets all the attention when we have a season like this with a coach who made his job impossible. 10/10 logic.
But he doesn’t, the amount of times he misreads the game in breaking the line to go and make an unnecessary foul really gets to me. At least when Cheillini goes to make a foul it’s within the flow of the game. Bonnuci doesn’t have that reading and it just leads us into danger or loss of flow.
Sarri point is very true though and I also would add to that that our full backs ability didn’t exactly help either.
For the record, I’m not remotely bothered about his ‘Judas’ moment, it’s in the past and I couldn’t give a flying fuck. He was much better when allowed freedom by the other two in a 3 man defence, I’d just have hoped he’d have matured somewhat but he’s 33 and still doesn’t seem to have enough.
Maybe it’s too much to expect, but that’s why I say it would have been better for both if De Ligt didn’t start this season injured. He’s definitely a beta and not alpha.
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No doubt about de Ligt being our best CB going forward, but that doesnt mean we have to complain about Bonucci as a huge problem. As much as I dislike him for leaving, forcing his way back with a payrise and sucking for a whole season, he's still a relatively good player when you look at our midfield, fullback and winger quality. Leo this year had a good season compared to last two and he's super reliable when it comes to staying injury free.
Oh absolutely, the Nooch is far down on the list of ‘problem areas’. As I just said though he’s not commanding or disciplined enough for me. Having said that, he was better this season but still was brainfarting in silly moments. Not what I’d want from a 33y/o captain. But let’s see if he eliminates these with a change of formation or manager.