As the Ballon D'Or ceremony is approaching, I need to spare a few thoughts. Dembele looks washed right now, he is not fit enough to play 2 games a week- subject to his probletic stance against training regularly earlier in his career. He is a Ballon D'Or winner, and current nominee for it again this year. He's done the full circle. From being a failed talent at Barcelona to being world-class at PSG. That's the fascinating thing about football right now. It's so systematic that minor changes in systems can affect the whole career of some players. Same has happened to Raphinha, the current best player in the world (imo). Some player's career have regressed due to issues in their team's systems. Wirtz is the best example. We can't know which players will be among the best one year ahead. Every Ballon D'Or from now on will be a one-off event.
Guardiola was essentially playing 2 number 10s in David Silva & Kevin De Bruyne. Me at 16 didn't think it would be sustainable. Especially when you've got Fabian Delph at LB. At that time had never seen a side so good at 'pinning teams'.
@LFCHadouken A team cannot be threatening without the ball. Guardiola wants the ball not only to score but also to defend. Pinning teams means you get little to no threat. 24/25 City was a mess because they lost control, not because they were weak defensively.
Amazing performance from Akinsanmiro today vs Lazio:
- 1 chance created
- 3/3 dribbles
- 21/27 passes
- 3 into the final 3rd
- 2/2 accurate crosses
- 2/2 tackles
- 7/9 duels won
He's gradually getting better and more complete, a mezzala to look out for Inter.
@andrew_dbn Exactly. Every time he plays is a risk. When he plays he is great, but Chivu needs to make sure he can get the same from the other guys in this position for more minutes
By now it's obvious. Hakan is very injury prone, he can't even play full matches anymore. When he is fit he is the starting regista, but Chivu needs to be sure about his alternatives sooner than later.
🚨🚨 According to DAZN pitchside reporter, Davide Bernardi, Hakan Çalhanoğlu suffered a minor knock just before being taken off. The midfielder was applying ice to his left knee on the bench. 🇹🇷
It remains to be seen whether this was just a precautionary move or whether there are more problems, but it's a detail to take into account, given that Çalhanoğlu was returning from injury today and that #Inter has a UCL match against Club Brugge on Tuesday.
[via @DAZN_IT]
Points I've made from Inter- Parma:
- Great overall play, I fancied the way Inter defended, especially the rest defence, waiting for Parma to make a mistake and attack the space. Dominant in possession too.
- Sucic amazing game. 12km covered, involved in the build-up, great progression. He pressed really well too, creating a goal for himself. He occupied the whole right flank which also helped Diouf with his marking.
- Pio top-level overall game. Less involved in the duels and inside the box, but he linked play really well, creating for his teammates.
- Every defender was amazing today. Won their duels, tackled hard, cleared every ball, left very little space for Parma. That also goes for Chivu's management. Better organised defence, easier work for the defenders.
A great overall performance from everyone today, positives to take all over the pitch. Minutes for Spence and Stankovic. Rest for Basto, Bare, Zielu and Akanji. Ready for Brugge.
Excellent first half. Great anticipation on the press and on the counter. All the goals from forced Parma mistakes. I like the differnce on the approach from previous games. Onto the second half.
Wonderful start to the game. I really like the attitude today. Calmness off the ball, waiting for the right time to press, that also gave us a goal. Chivu has worked during the break on the rest defence.