They had more possession, more passes, better precision, more shots and more corners
Sarriball
Sarriball
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Maurizio Sarri (94 Viewers)
- Thread starter alexjuventino
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I feel like the defensive argument is blown out of proportion around here. Sure it sucks that we conceded 3 goals but just a day before we've lost our most important defender, the leader and the captain. If Chiellini was there yesterday, you know we'd never concede 3 goals.
In the end the defense should only perform better from now on. Oncd MDL becomes more comfortable with the teammates and the league/language we should be fine. Replacing Chiellini is literally impossible so that requires work and time to fill that gap.
In the end the defense should only perform better from now on. Oncd MDL becomes more comfortable with the teammates and the league/language we should be fine. Replacing Chiellini is literally impossible so that requires work and time to fill that gap.
We're worried because this happened early in the season and we don't know if we do have a problem in defense or it was just an accident. Normally, although not very often, these things happen to every team. Last year we were having fun with United, just to concede two late goals and then Martial missed 1 on 1 for a third goal. Or remember those CL encounters from the previous season, when teams like Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Ajax were losing 2 and 3 goals advantages, even if to some of them it happened in the 2nd leg, not on the same match.
If this match happened in round 24, it would have provoked a different reaction.
If this match happened in round 24, it would have provoked a different reaction.
Those two freak goals they scored can happen against anybody, and with two new defenders one of which is replacing a captain and possibly the most solid defender around some errors are natural (though I think we gave them too much time on ball by defending space not ball) and im not worried in the least in our ability to be better in the future.That third equalizing goal though, was my only concern..Conceded two goals in a very short time, we are out of gas why didnt we manage the tempo? Can we control matches effectively.. If we can manage that, and we should, our attack is fuking scary...If this team starts to gel it can impregnate any defence..And this from a sarri skeptic..Good start all considered..
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As disappointing as it was to concede three I am not worried overall.
We played a promising game and I view the goals conceded as having come from a few concerns: the new zonal marking on set pieces, building fitness levels, and the lack of currently available midfield subs.
Over time these are all issues that can be addressed as the team becomes more use to tactics, in better shape physically and Rabiot/ Ramsey are available to start or come on as subs when the midfield tires from high pressing.
My main area of concern would be Sarri's infamous stubborn loyalty to one system. Once we had gone 3-0 up and the players begun to tire you've got to have something to revert to other than that high press. It became way too easy for Napoli to beat it and find acres of space.
We played a promising game and I view the goals conceded as having come from a few concerns: the new zonal marking on set pieces, building fitness levels, and the lack of currently available midfield subs.
Over time these are all issues that can be addressed as the team becomes more use to tactics, in better shape physically and Rabiot/ Ramsey are available to start or come on as subs when the midfield tires from high pressing.
My main area of concern would be Sarri's infamous stubborn loyalty to one system. Once we had gone 3-0 up and the players begun to tire you've got to have something to revert to other than that high press. It became way too easy for Napoli to beat it and find acres of space.
Club took direction they thought it was necessary to stay at top of the game or thereabout. We can evaluate it after this season ends, whether their call was right or wrong. And time and again we were proven wrong about this club and decisions they had made in the past. So Im just sitting back and enjoying the ride and victory over a rival in a cracking game. 
Here, I will provide an actual criticism of Sarri that I think has some merit. The 3-2 goal is unnecessary IMO (It starts way before de Ligt). I'm fine with the line so high but why does Danilo have to press out from the line? Just keep all 4 back together and narrow. Zielinski takes the space Danilo leaves so easily and creates a break on goal out of completely nothing!
I think it's fine to press a bit in midfield but as soon as the fullbacks have to get pulled into midfield, they should stop. The instructions should be to leave that ball on the sideline and concede the possession there.
I don't know if this is Sarri or Danilo, or Pjanic should cover Zielinski (I don't think so), or Bonucci should yell at Danilo to stop but we have to sort this.
I think it's fine to press a bit in midfield but as soon as the fullbacks have to get pulled into midfield, they should stop. The instructions should be to leave that ball on the sideline and concede the possession there.
I don't know if this is Sarri or Danilo, or Pjanic should cover Zielinski (I don't think so), or Bonucci should yell at Danilo to stop but we have to sort this.
I was gonna comment on this last night. Danilo is definitely caught out of position for that Lozano goal which is what caused De Ligt to be caught in no mans land. Since the back-line was at a numerical disadvantage, the kid had a choice of either screening Lozano in the area and preventing that ball from reaching him or probing the oncoming run of Mertens. Danger was inevitable regardless of the decision he made which is why I don’t view that 2nd goal as calamitous on his own individual behalf but rather a team error.
The worrying thing is, I’m not sure if these are Sarri’s instructions or just Danilo being Danilo. He had the same positional/awareness issues at Real Madrid and City. I remember Madrid losing away to Wolfsburg in the CL some years ago (2016 I think) from a similar piece of play starting from Danilo being far up and caught out. I
The worrying thing is, I’m not sure if these are Sarri’s instructions or just Danilo being Danilo. He had the same positional/awareness issues at Real Madrid and City. I remember Madrid losing away to Wolfsburg in the CL some years ago (2016 I think) from a similar piece of play starting from Danilo being far up and caught out. I
The only thing that really makes me happy is all of our goals come from open play and the players know what to do in attacking phase to create goals
As for defending, we were good in 1st half. In 2nd half its more about stamina and concentration, luckily in the end we get the 3 points
But for the long run, we need another aproach where we can do some possession to retain our lead in 2nd half
As for defending, we were good in 1st half. In 2nd half its more about stamina and concentration, luckily in the end we get the 3 points
But for the long run, we need another aproach where we can do some possession to retain our lead in 2nd half
