Serie A: Juventus vs Empoli [October 31 2007] (13 Viewers)
- Thread starter CORVETTE
- Start date
It wasn't a good game that's for sure. The 2nd half was decent.
I thought Giovinco was actually pretty good. Brought more attacking moves than the whole of his team before he came in.
Yes, it would be great if Camo could start vs Inter. He looked fit.
The French coudln't care less. Dropping Trezeguet only hit the news in Italy.
I thought Giovinco was actually pretty good. Brought more attacking moves than the whole of his team before he came in.
Yes, it would be great if Camo could start vs Inter. He looked fit.
The French coudln't care less. Dropping Trezeguet only hit the news in Italy.
A tale of two halves today. The first half was absolutely pathetic and some of our worst play thus far this season, seemingly not being able to even string a few passes together. But during the second half one player that I called upon to show more for the ball finally started to work the kinks out. Sure enough, Tiago Mendes was receiving more of the ball in an advanced position due to his own work rate and the improved play by our wingers. Ranieri must have set forth an ultimatum at halftime as our movement certainly improved in the second half and we actually made a little more sense with the ball. Thank heavens that Ranieri FINALLY started Tiago as, without him in this match, we might not have won. Same goes for the one striker we have who always seems to be right on the ball in the box.
But in all honesty this match was ugly. As I said earlier, we need to rid ourselves of this worthless straight 4-4-2 because we do not have the right personnel to deploy this formation. Unless somebody steps up in midfield we will be destined to resort to long balls against the better sides simply because it's too static of a formation... plus our wingers are more suited to be deployed closer to the box considering their lack of blistering speed. And as we have seen time and time again the long balls come a'knocking when we have that stupid classic 4-4-2 gap between the midifleders and the forwards. So Ranieri must use another formation to spare ourselves from this nonsense.
The defense, considering the players we fielded, was particulary strong, but Empoli was poor going forward in the first half. The rest of the side was so sloppy, especially in the first half, and if we come out the same way against a better side they will punish us. It all comes down to how we take the field, and with this straight 4-4-2 we always seemingly either take the field in a lackluster fashion or lose control of the match later on in the second half. Enough is ENOUGH. NO MORE STRAIGHT 4-4-2.
Buffon really had nothing to do apart from a couple good Giovinco moves in the second half. 6.5
Birindelli was much more solid than his last outing, but again he doesn't add much going forward. 5.5
Grygera was solid centrally and I don't know whether I like him better on the right or in central defense. 6.5
Criscito was much better this match than in his last outing, but still needs improvement. 6
Molinaro still needs to improve his game as a whole. 5.5
Salihamidzic still has not found his bearings yet at Juventus, although he had a better match than last time around. His crosses have at least improved. 5.5
Tiago - What more do I have to say? It's obvious he deserves a starting role and the people who label him a flop, not Juventus material, etc are entirely wrong. I'm glad Ranieri finally started him and he better fucking start him against Inter. Still needs to imrpove though and show more for the ball, as he's our most talented central midfielder. 7
Zanetti solid as usual. 6
Palladino didn't see much of the ball in the first half and I don't think he was on his game tonight like in some previous performances. 5.5
Iaquinta didn't really add anything to our performance and I've seen better from him. 5
Trezeguet was where he needed to be tonight. Add a little service and you have goals galore. Well-fucking-done. 8
Del Piero added to the third goal, running at defenders like usual. 6
Camoranesi looked strong on the ball, something very good to see. Hopefully he'll be fine to start against Inter.
Marchionni - good to see him back as well.
Ranieri needs to change things up and do away with the fucking 4-4-2. Although I do give him props for FINALLY starting Tiago. 5.5
GIOVINCO - BRING HIM BACK ASAP. 6
Man of the match is either Trezeguet or Tiago. They saved our asses tonight.
Formation INTER better be something like this:
Buffon
Grygera - Legrottaglie - Chiellini - Criscito
Tiago - Zanetti - Nocerino
Camoranesi - Trezeguet - Del Piero
But in all honesty this match was ugly. As I said earlier, we need to rid ourselves of this worthless straight 4-4-2 because we do not have the right personnel to deploy this formation. Unless somebody steps up in midfield we will be destined to resort to long balls against the better sides simply because it's too static of a formation... plus our wingers are more suited to be deployed closer to the box considering their lack of blistering speed. And as we have seen time and time again the long balls come a'knocking when we have that stupid classic 4-4-2 gap between the midifleders and the forwards. So Ranieri must use another formation to spare ourselves from this nonsense.
The defense, considering the players we fielded, was particulary strong, but Empoli was poor going forward in the first half. The rest of the side was so sloppy, especially in the first half, and if we come out the same way against a better side they will punish us. It all comes down to how we take the field, and with this straight 4-4-2 we always seemingly either take the field in a lackluster fashion or lose control of the match later on in the second half. Enough is ENOUGH. NO MORE STRAIGHT 4-4-2.
Buffon really had nothing to do apart from a couple good Giovinco moves in the second half. 6.5
Birindelli was much more solid than his last outing, but again he doesn't add much going forward. 5.5
Grygera was solid centrally and I don't know whether I like him better on the right or in central defense. 6.5
Criscito was much better this match than in his last outing, but still needs improvement. 6
Molinaro still needs to improve his game as a whole. 5.5
Salihamidzic still has not found his bearings yet at Juventus, although he had a better match than last time around. His crosses have at least improved. 5.5
Tiago - What more do I have to say? It's obvious he deserves a starting role and the people who label him a flop, not Juventus material, etc are entirely wrong. I'm glad Ranieri finally started him and he better fucking start him against Inter. Still needs to imrpove though and show more for the ball, as he's our most talented central midfielder. 7
Zanetti solid as usual. 6
Palladino didn't see much of the ball in the first half and I don't think he was on his game tonight like in some previous performances. 5.5
Iaquinta didn't really add anything to our performance and I've seen better from him. 5
Trezeguet was where he needed to be tonight. Add a little service and you have goals galore. Well-fucking-done. 8
Del Piero added to the third goal, running at defenders like usual. 6
Camoranesi looked strong on the ball, something very good to see. Hopefully he'll be fine to start against Inter.
Marchionni - good to see him back as well.
Ranieri needs to change things up and do away with the fucking 4-4-2. Although I do give him props for FINALLY starting Tiago. 5.5
GIOVINCO - BRING HIM BACK ASAP. 6
Man of the match is either Trezeguet or Tiago. They saved our asses tonight.
Formation INTER better be something like this:
Buffon
Grygera - Legrottaglie - Chiellini - Criscito
Tiago - Zanetti - Nocerino
Camoranesi - Trezeguet - Del Piero
Very lame first half. We upped the tempo in the second half and with our physical attributes made life tough for Empoli, we closed them down well and suffocated them in their own half. We really were poor on the offensive side. We had no creativity, poor passing, poor player placement and poor movement. It was all very predictable. Two set-pieces and a rebound got us the win anyway. We played poorly, but did enough to secure a surprisingly convincing looking result nonetheless.
One more positive note, our makeshift defence handled themselves well. Bravo for that.
The best thing for me was seeing Marchionni and Camoranesi back. They give us much more creativity, technique(especially Camo), some explosiveness and width to our side. I hope Ranieri will try to use them both together consistently. They could solve a lot of the team's problems(wishful thinking?).
Player ratings(i'll keep it short):
Buffon
Hardly tested
Birindelli 6
Solid, actually one of the few to not hoof the ball forward in the first half.
Grygera 6
Good at one on one duels.
Criscito 6
Solid as well, too many longballs. At least some of them hit the target though.
Molinaro 6
Good at the back, his passing is erratic, but I like his runs and energy.
Salihamidzic 5.5
He has his effort and hard work going for him, but in a tight team against a defensive opponent he can't force anything. And we should expect from a player in his position in our formation to be able to make things happen down his flank. Dissapointing, didn't make any glaring mistakes though.
Zanetti 6
He was isolated in the first half and had to resort to a lot of longballs. At least he tries to take charge and spreads the play around in absence of any of the other midfielders trying to make play. Does his usual cleaning work as well as always of course and I think he finally didn't get a yellow card.
Palladino 5.5
A bit dissapointing today. Undisciplined and headless in his moves. He has a surprise element in his moves, but it lead to nothing today. He was looking good prior to this match, but in midfield Nedved,Camo and Marchionni simply offer more, same story upfont with DP, Iaquinta and Trez being the better players. Tough luck on the kid.
Iaquinta 6
Very good at what he does. I think he's great, though things didn't really go his way today in terms of productiveness. He's almost like a defender upfront, he wins so many balls.
Trezeguet 8
Man of the match. Hattrick, what more could we want.
DP, Camo, Marchionni; no rating.
And last but not least (well.. maybe he is
)
Tiago 6.5
He was pisspoor in the first half. He gets credit for playing a crucial part in each goal (no credit for that lame shot). Other than that, nothing special once again, i'm afraid. His contribution to our team play is below par. He is the one that is expected to drive the midfield forward, he did not do that. He left Zanetti isolated. Tiago missed a lot of passes. Didn't do much for our defensive play either. Couldnt send Salihamidzic or Palladino into spaces. When things are lame, he is in the position to up the tempo, spread the balls, but didn't happen.
In his defence (before any of you brings it up), he has played little and with more time and consistent use of him, he'd be better. Also maybe we should place too much on his shouders. His semi-assists are very important and warrant more time on the pitch. In the end I expect better from someone in his role(and price..) frankly.
One more positive note, our makeshift defence handled themselves well. Bravo for that.
The best thing for me was seeing Marchionni and Camoranesi back. They give us much more creativity, technique(especially Camo), some explosiveness and width to our side. I hope Ranieri will try to use them both together consistently. They could solve a lot of the team's problems(wishful thinking?).
Player ratings(i'll keep it short):
Buffon
Hardly tested
Birindelli 6
Solid, actually one of the few to not hoof the ball forward in the first half.
Grygera 6
Good at one on one duels.
Criscito 6
Solid as well, too many longballs. At least some of them hit the target though.
Molinaro 6
Good at the back, his passing is erratic, but I like his runs and energy.
Salihamidzic 5.5
He has his effort and hard work going for him, but in a tight team against a defensive opponent he can't force anything. And we should expect from a player in his position in our formation to be able to make things happen down his flank. Dissapointing, didn't make any glaring mistakes though.
Zanetti 6
He was isolated in the first half and had to resort to a lot of longballs. At least he tries to take charge and spreads the play around in absence of any of the other midfielders trying to make play. Does his usual cleaning work as well as always of course and I think he finally didn't get a yellow card.
Palladino 5.5
A bit dissapointing today. Undisciplined and headless in his moves. He has a surprise element in his moves, but it lead to nothing today. He was looking good prior to this match, but in midfield Nedved,Camo and Marchionni simply offer more, same story upfont with DP, Iaquinta and Trez being the better players. Tough luck on the kid.
Iaquinta 6
Very good at what he does. I think he's great, though things didn't really go his way today in terms of productiveness. He's almost like a defender upfront, he wins so many balls.
Trezeguet 8
Man of the match. Hattrick, what more could we want.
DP, Camo, Marchionni; no rating.
And last but not least (well.. maybe he is
)Tiago 6.5
He was pisspoor in the first half. He gets credit for playing a crucial part in each goal (no credit for that lame shot). Other than that, nothing special once again, i'm afraid. His contribution to our team play is below par. He is the one that is expected to drive the midfield forward, he did not do that. He left Zanetti isolated. Tiago missed a lot of passes. Didn't do much for our defensive play either. Couldnt send Salihamidzic or Palladino into spaces. When things are lame, he is in the position to up the tempo, spread the balls, but didn't happen.
In his defence (before any of you brings it up), he has played little and with more time and consistent use of him, he'd be better. Also maybe we should place too much on his shouders. His semi-assists are very important and warrant more time on the pitch. In the end I expect better from someone in his role(and price..) frankly.
And last but not least (well.. maybe he is )
Tiago 6.5
He was pisspoor in the first half. He gets credit for playing a crucial part in each goal (no credit for that lame shot). Other than that, nothing special once again, i'm afraid. His contribution to our team play is below par. He is the one that is expected to drive the midfield forward, he did not do that. He left Zanetti isolated. Tiago missed a lot of passes. Didn't do much for our defensive play either. Couldnt send Salihamidzic or Palladino into spaces. When things are lame, he is in the position to up the tempo, spread the balls, but didn't happen.
In his defence (before any of you brings it up), he has played little and with more time and consistent use of him, he'd be better. Also maybe we should place too much on his shouders. His semi-assists are very important and warrant more time on the pitch. In the end I expect better from someone in his role(and price..) frankly.
)Tiago 6.5
He was pisspoor in the first half. He gets credit for playing a crucial part in each goal (no credit for that lame shot). Other than that, nothing special once again, i'm afraid. His contribution to our team play is below par. He is the one that is expected to drive the midfield forward, he did not do that. He left Zanetti isolated. Tiago missed a lot of passes. Didn't do much for our defensive play either. Couldnt send Salihamidzic or Palladino into spaces. When things are lame, he is in the position to up the tempo, spread the balls, but didn't happen.
In his defence (before any of you brings it up), he has played little and with more time and consistent use of him, he'd be better. Also maybe we should place too much on his shouders. His semi-assists are very important and warrant more time on the pitch. In the end I expect better from someone in his role(and price..) frankly.