I couldn't see the match, from what I read around here we do need full-backs, and desperately. Hopefully the Barzagli rumors are true and we'll get him in the winter window.
About DD's tactical skills, well he's far from being the best, far from Mourinho's or Lippi's level, but so are Rijkaard or Ancelotti and they already have a Champions League each. As for not playing Palladino or Bojinov, there could be multiple reasons, perhaps they weren't feeling to good (they may have shaken Neddy's flu infected palm) or perhaps they were about to crap their pants because of playing in San Paolo (okay, they are both unlikely, but we cannot be sure what happens there at the bench). Hopefully this'll be an isolated incident, after all anyone can make a mistake. It's not like it's the end of the world.