++ [ originally posted by dpforever
] ++
3 gained points without much sweat. This was a first match in a series of nine consecutive matches before Christmas - five in Serie A, two in the CL, and two in the Coppa.
We looked comfortable from start to finish even though we were troubled by their aggressiveness early on. We also took our time to settle down, before scoring a goal in each half to end up 2-0 victors.
The game was a good drill for the ‘6-star Inter’ match next week as both teams (Modena and Inter) use the same 3-4-3 system. But we should, of course, take into consideration the gulf in class between the two teams. We were comfortable at the back and waited for them to come forward only for us to hit back quickly with swift counter-attacks. Perfect against a side like Inter, especially that we have the best players in terms of one-touch counter-attacks in Nedved and Del Piero.
I was highly impressed with Conte as he was one of the best players out there last night. I was probably the first to critisize his selection by Lippi as I felt Maresca would’ve been a better choice but I guess Antonio proved me, as well as his other doubters, wrong. Well done, Antionio!
Del Piero also improved massively as he was all over the place and opened up their stubborn defense with nice moves and tried scoring himself from a shot and a header that the keeper did well to save.
The same couldn’t be said about Camo as he was clearly nervous and committed a lot of unnecessary fouls. He wasn’t concentrated and also lost the ball far too much. Out-of-form? Well, imaginative players like Camo always tend to need continuity to keep up their form intact.
Expect Lippi to name a totally different squad to face Siena in the Coppa Italia match on Tuesday. Giving the chance to other players like Chimenti, Maresca, Miccoli, Di Vaio, Pessotto, Ferrara, Iuliano, Tudor, Davids, Olivera, and even the young Benjamin.
Even though this wasn't our best performance in a Serie A match, but I wouldn't say the wheels came off Juve's invincible bandwagon .... yet !!
For a report on squad rotation,
click here