Forza Toni! How'd this guy get stuck in B two years ago?
With an 8-game win streak, Milan was at least as primed as we were before facing Milan for a real let down. And I expected an away game at the Stadio Franchi to be just the ticket.
But back to this thread's topic, here's an edited version of what I posted on Xtratime while we were having downtime.
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I think Capello had a great strategic plan going into the game. Roma clearly wanted to get tough and physical and come out to start the match swinging. Capello's tactics were to frustrate Roma by not allowing them to convert any of their first-half aggressiveness and wishful thinking to turn up anything -- not to give them any reason to get their hopes up. Then wait for the mistakes to roll in, and they were going to, and to cash in the chips. This Roma squad is one of the weakest I've seen in years, so it was only going to be a matter of time for them to quickly realize that the things they used to be able to do a couple years ago are no longer possible.
So the key going in was to be patient and to be cautious not to make defensive mistakes... waiting for our openings to capitalize on Romanista errors. And the game played right into that strategy.
This was a match about butting Roma head-to-head with their initial surge to try to dominate the game and get an upper hand. Juve held their ground and didn't give in to Roma's tough challenges and pressing to break up any flow. And as the time wore on, I expected Roma to be the team that was bound to get more tired and to make more mistakes... to grow impatient with the deadlock.
Forza Zlatan for his brilliant goal, because that really broke the back of this match. After that, Roma was too dazed and confused -- Juve had outlasted their head-to-head attempts at physical play and were up 2-0. The pressure then was on Roma to change tactics to make something happen, and by then they were simply lost and prone for the kill.
Paparesta: what was up with some of those yellow card decisions?! (Forget the red for a moment.)
Abbiati: I thought Abbiati had a fantastic match. He did everything we needed him to do, and he threw himself, life and limb, into the physical play with little concern for his own well-being. Sure, my expectations are lower compared with Buffon. But this was as good a match as I can expect from a Juve second stringer in goal. 7
Zambro: had some good crosses today, though. Agreed that he seems to be having some challenges in adjusting to the right flank. But His play was pretty crisp for the most part. 6
Thuram 6
Cannavaro 6.5
Chiellini: I thought he was adequate on defense, but offensively he continues to make bad passes up the pitch and turn the ball over in situations that aren't all that tight. There are a good 7 other players on the pitch I would rather see upfield with the ball than Chiellini. I'd give him a 5.5
Camo: put in some good crosses and took smart fouls most of the game. I can't fault him for his play at moving the ball because there were so many disruptions in the flow given the hard tackling and fouling. 6
Emerson: was pretty solid in breaking things up. Up there for MOM, but not my top pick this time, as you shall see... I'd give him a 7
Vieira: lived up to expectations, which is no small feat. 6.5. Going to miss him in the next match though.
Nedved: Here's my surprise... Nedved was my MOM, however. He was crucial at fighting for balls in midfield and chipping out passes in a claustrophobic midfield to keep Juve in possession and to create many of the opportunities in the second half. If you look at all the goals we scored tonight, I believe he played a key role in all but Zlatan's (edit: it was two of the goals, not 4, but he was he real offensive playmaking presence for us in this match that we so infrequently have). 7.5
Trez: did everything we needed of him. Poach those goals when the ball comes his way. Brilliant stuff. What a fantastic role player to have. 7
Zlatan: had his struggles, but he deserves props for almost singlehandedly blowing this game open. 6.5
Re: Zlatan's comment about Roma being like Ascoli...
Given that Roma took injury time to beat Ascoli last time, and given that Roma managed to fall apart recently against a 10-man Empoli and a 10-man Siena, a 10-man Juve was not going to make the equation any easier for them.
And for the strategy, while conservative and unpopular with fans, I have to give Capello a 7 for. I would have done things exactly as he did in preparation for this match, and Roma fell right into those plans. Controvertial, yes, because you generally don't give 7s to birds for flying or to fish for swimming. The problem with Capello is in using match strategies
other than this kind. But you have to use the right tool for the job, and this was the right tool. The scoreline proves it.