10-24-2023, 02:47 AM
Adli needs to play more forward. A deeper playmakig role is not for him. He is serviceable there but not his best position.
It seemed like we played 4231 yesterday. I thought it interesting Reinjders played in the front three and not in his double mid role. I think had Pioli switched Reijnders and Adli we may have better luck breaking down a compact defenses. Playing in that old Diaz role is very tough.
Thiaw was caught out, but again Pioli plays a very aggressive manner against these compact teams. It leads to Tomori and Thiaw frequently isolated with no aid in sight running back towards goal. It is a very difficult way to defend and puts the honus on the defender. There would be less pressure on Thiaw if the mids were closer and we didn’t pack 8 players in the final third. Such a team stance can force defenders to get up to speed quickly or destroy their confidence. Thiaw is good but Pioli can also break him psychologically. He is young.
It seemed like we played 4231 yesterday. I thought it interesting Reinjders played in the front three and not in his double mid role. I think had Pioli switched Reijnders and Adli we may have better luck breaking down a compact defenses. Playing in that old Diaz role is very tough.
Thiaw was caught out, but again Pioli plays a very aggressive manner against these compact teams. It leads to Tomori and Thiaw frequently isolated with no aid in sight running back towards goal. It is a very difficult way to defend and puts the honus on the defender. There would be less pressure on Thiaw if the mids were closer and we didn’t pack 8 players in the final third. Such a team stance can force defenders to get up to speed quickly or destroy their confidence. Thiaw is good but Pioli can also break him psychologically. He is young.