Lets hope that we'll have the same situation as last year when Sissoko played. Now with Melo the defense will get even more protection.
At half season last year we had, numbers-wise, the best defense in Italy, with only 1-2 conceded goals more than Inter and much better defense in Europe compared to Inter.
Unfortunately, the midfield protecting the defense all the time takes away from our attacking.
Anyway, here are some very interesting numbers from last year in serie A.
When Sissoko played:
- We conceded 14 goals on 20 matches (0.7 goals per match)
When Sissoko didn't play:
- We conceded 23 goals on 18 matches (1.27 goals per match)
When Chiellini played:
- We conceded 23 goals on 27 matches (0.85 goals per match)
When Chiellini didn't play:
- We conceded 14 goals on 11 matches (1.27 goals per match)
When both Chiellini and Sissoko played at the same time:
- We conceded 9 goals on 16 matches (0.56 goals per match)
When both Chiellini and Sissoko were out at the same time:
- We conceded 8 goals on 6 matches (1.33 goals per match)
This shows very well how important these two are to our defense. Having them injury free, and with the help of Melo or Marchisio, our defense might do well enough.
But it's a risk and and we can't know if Momo and Giorgio will have an injury free season.
Most certainly they are, but there is difference.
The overall defensive coverage from our midfield is likely to be reduced this season. All of our 4 midfielders were able to defend
(Neddy-Sissoko-Marchisio-Marchionni)
last year and they were specifically instructed to do so!!
And yet, without Sissoko and Chiellini to make the difference, they were still unable to mask our greatest and persistent weakness!
Now, we know that Diego will be a starter and that means one player with the ability and the order to defend less.
I expect far more pressure to our defense this season and esp on our flanks!!
Without wingers and with crippled wing-backs there, we will def struggle there.
BUT, Melo might change all that, we may have less players to defend with in the midfield, but we may have more efficient midfielders to defend with!
I believe the defensive coverage of Sissoko-Melo-Marchisio easily equals the defensive coverage of Neddy-Sissoko-Marchisio-Marchionni,
without sacrificing much to to our offensive capabilities and with the addition of Diego, we might have an overkill!!
I cant wait to see our proper starters fielded and i hope tat we wil suffer from less injuries and crisis this year!!
I believe that a proper full back though, would give us far more chances and make our team more balanced...
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