05-02-2011, 08:44 AM
An odd match where ultimately things went our way to secure a victory. The first half was a good performance, but the second was terrible.
I was pleased with the start as we started off going forward with the aim to stretch Bologna in the wide areas while pressing them high up the pitch. This essentially was as expected and we got a good goal from Flamini. Afterwards, we slowed the pace of the game and held onto the ball for long periods, which meant we had complete control of the game, while Bologna went in at half time without a chance.
The second half was totally different. The players essentially stopped playing, as we didn't move the ball around well at all and the whole team became extremely static. I think Allegri's subs were correct, but very late as we needed Pirlo to circulate the ball around the pitch and Berretta to offer a threat up front (something Cassano didn't do when leading the line). Overall, we were lucky as our defending on corners was atrocious, but Bologna couldn't score and then later suffered an unfair red card.
Players...
Abbiati - Had nothing to do all match
Abate - Solid down the right and wasn't afraid to take on players
Nesta - Solid at the back and one of our best players
Thiago - Superb and man of the match imo
Zambrotta - Solid if not brilliant. Seemed to tire at the end
Flamini - Great in the first half as he moved all over the right side well. Second half was much less effective
Ambro - Not a bad return but one where you could clearly see he lacks match fitness, resulting in some poor play at times
Seedorf - Very good first half, but poor second half. He wasn't bad, but definitely didn't help when we needed someone to hold the ball and move it around the pitch
Boateng - Worked really hard all match and one of the few players to keep up the workrate during the second half
Robinho - Poor game where he tried to do too much on the ball throughout
Cassano - Very poor leading the line, he offered nothing up front and rarely got involved in play at all
Pirlo - An important sub to hold the ball during the end
Berretta - A nice debut as he showed who he is. Another Vieri type forward that will bring power to the frontline, although clearly isn't a player with a lot of pace.
I was pleased with the start as we started off going forward with the aim to stretch Bologna in the wide areas while pressing them high up the pitch. This essentially was as expected and we got a good goal from Flamini. Afterwards, we slowed the pace of the game and held onto the ball for long periods, which meant we had complete control of the game, while Bologna went in at half time without a chance.
The second half was totally different. The players essentially stopped playing, as we didn't move the ball around well at all and the whole team became extremely static. I think Allegri's subs were correct, but very late as we needed Pirlo to circulate the ball around the pitch and Berretta to offer a threat up front (something Cassano didn't do when leading the line). Overall, we were lucky as our defending on corners was atrocious, but Bologna couldn't score and then later suffered an unfair red card.
Players...
Abbiati - Had nothing to do all match
Abate - Solid down the right and wasn't afraid to take on players
Nesta - Solid at the back and one of our best players
Thiago - Superb and man of the match imo
Zambrotta - Solid if not brilliant. Seemed to tire at the end
Flamini - Great in the first half as he moved all over the right side well. Second half was much less effective
Ambro - Not a bad return but one where you could clearly see he lacks match fitness, resulting in some poor play at times
Seedorf - Very good first half, but poor second half. He wasn't bad, but definitely didn't help when we needed someone to hold the ball and move it around the pitch
Boateng - Worked really hard all match and one of the few players to keep up the workrate during the second half
Robinho - Poor game where he tried to do too much on the ball throughout
Cassano - Very poor leading the line, he offered nothing up front and rarely got involved in play at all
Pirlo - An important sub to hold the ball during the end
Berretta - A nice debut as he showed who he is. Another Vieri type forward that will bring power to the frontline, although clearly isn't a player with a lot of pace.