Why so sad?? It was an acceptable result, an expected one, getting away with a draw in Rome, used to be a privilege some time ago. Lazio wanted to start the year with positive results and they are struggling to come back to their better days. When we really face some last minute injury issues, that affected us our tactical plan and morale, more than anything! In this certain game, we can afford to lose two points and since we were not quite in a bright day, there is nothing to regret about! I am pleased with our performance and most of all, i am pleased by the signs i ve seen from our team!
Manninger - 5.5 He wasnt himself, he lost focus at moments and he was mistake prone. Buffon's return has probably made him nervous, or the importance of this match. He was brought in as a sub and he wasnt supposed to be our savior in such derbies, let alone in regular basis! The ball he conceded was harder than it seemed. It was way too curly, a few inches lower and he could prevent it, a few inches higher and it would have gone out. His intervention and the post rebound, happen once in a century...
Mellberg - 6.5 He was very good defensively, he even tried to support our team upfront, but he needs more playing time to do that as efficiently. I was surprised to se how quick he still is, probably even faster than Zebina! Pawning Lazio in the air game and scoring a header from a set piece was smth i didnt expect! MOM
Legrottaglie - 5.8 In the past games, he tends to make some mistakes and take some unnecessary risks. His efforts to provide some support up front were laughable...
Ariaudo - 6.0 This fellow is promising!! He was very very fast and despite his lack of exp+confidence at the highest level, he seems strong and tall enough to keep up with the rest. While using his speed, reflexes and tactical awareness to read the game and intercept balls. He will probably become better than Legro one day...
Molinaro - 6.5 Molinaro, my friend really impressed me tonight! He has done things i wasnt thought of him capable of. He is slowly turning into a football player
When i saw him reading a ball, i thought that i ve seen it all. But he actually also made a few interceptions using his head too. He is still a very limited player, he cant control, cross or give a long pass. But he is now being useful to our cause, i never asked for more, at least from him... He erased Rocchi+Foggia
Marchionni - 5.6 This guy has potential, i know it since his Parma days, but he cant just use his damn talents, its like his injuries dismantled him. He puts the necessary effort, he has all the basic skills and yet... His role was very limited today, he was trying to single handed mark Lazio's most dangerous man, Zarate.
He sure showed some defensive skills but his efficiency was...debatable, at best...
That sacrificed his role and contributions up front, but it was rather a tactical choice, that had probably paid off...
Zanetti - 6.0 I was mad on CR for switching back on the 4-4-2 with the two DMs. The same tactics that led to our crisis returned and because of that we have conceded any chance to provide anything useful up front. A necessary sacrifice to ensure that we will assume control of the game, against a strong opponent.
Zanetti gave an average performance but tactically, he had provided nothing, nadda!! Neither midfield creativity, or midfield superiority. Our team was broken in two and CZ could do nothing about that...At least he was a tadd more stable than Sissoko.
Sissoko - 5.7 Had a horrible start of a game, he made a lot of mistakes and lost most of the midfield battles. Lazio dominated the center and the game at that point. Thats unexcusable, for we had more midfielders and another DM to ensure this wont happen. When the beast has awaken though, after the goal, the control of game has switched hands... He made a magnificent effort with that drive in, sadly, only once though...
Nedved - 5.9 The more the Lazio fans tried to intimidate him, the better he was becoming. He provided our team with the best long passes and crosses, than any other player. At the first part of the game, we had to rely on them, as our old system dictated. But since Marchisio and Giovinco came in, it should have been an overkill! But that was the moment when Neddy faded
Because of the lack of stamina? The lack of the fans intimidation? The lack of the need to make miracles and carry the team to his shoulders, i do not know. But his game wasnt enough to make the difference. I sense that, a few more minutes would be enough. So as CR, thats why he let him in...
Amauri - 5.2 Amauri is fitted to make an SS work, or an advanced AMF's work, i ve seen that happening in Palermo. Combining this role to his main CF role is also supposed to be his domain. One way or the other, it didnt deliver today...
DP - 5.1 He has apparently lost some form during the break. This is where the rotation would help him and the team to compensate and gone unnoticed. Lazio defenders always become too physical and abuse him, he deserves better.
CR has done well to sub him out. We are not even winning FKs close enough, for him to have a chance to pounce one...
Marchisio - 5.7 Tactically, this sub was exactly what we needed to turn tables. One could debate timing, but CR took no risks. That sub proved to me that he actually has brains after all!! He wouldnt risk a CM from the beginning, hoping that a twin of DMs, would dominate the midfield and the game. This is the best way to cancel a 4-3-3. As it didnt work out and the sacrifice of linking our forward line to the rest of our team was becoming even more apparently. The need for a tested solution came out! Tiago hasnt played there for a while and he may not be 100% ready yet. So when our team, has earned some determination and has finally pushed them back, CR threw in a CM, to link our game/team and provide the calmness and support we needed. Sadly Marchisio wasnt fit for that, or the team wasnt ready to accept such a role at the time being.
Giovinco - 5.0 Not his fault actually, by the time he entered the game, both teams have found peace with the result. And yet, Giovinco failed to offer that spark needed. The spark Iaquinta used to give when called in similar occasions.
Giovinco still needs some special conditions to provide a positive contribution...
Claudio Ranieri - 6.7. CR took no risks, he made his homework, provided the best scheme for the occasion, considering our available material and even Lazio's strengths. Careful orders to deploy and man mark some players and spaces.
He let little tactical space to Lazio and despite our weak and crippled/injury hit defense, we only conceded a goal from a set piece!
When we kicked back, CR was bold enough to help our team to attack more efficiently, adding a few more offensive pieces and taking a calculated risk.
CR has adapted to our needs, he read them and actually made an effort to change things. This demonstrates that he has learn from his mistakes, he has eyes and ears and he is actually aware of the situation!!
I dont know about yo guys, but this gives me confidence about the future.
We werent able to capitalize today, but we will another time, point is, we are heading to the right direction!
As an added bonus, we came one more point closer to the top.
We have done our duty, Inter didnt, no reason to bitch about that!
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