Result was a fluke, a result of one fluke header that was headed with the back of the head in hopes of reaching some teammate and one double or triple deflected fluke shot after a series of unfortunate clearances.
We could have gotten something out of the game but we evidently did not. Hakan's shot was a perfect chance, Perisic cross to Lautaro was just too high. It was all in the details.
Apart from a mental breakdown in the first half (from 20something minute to the 35th or so), we never looked in danger. They actually were more worried than us, but we were toothless because we lack speed. Hakimi instead of Dumfries [who wasn't bad] and this had Inter win written all over it.
This is a team that has 7 shots on target on average and all they was managed a fluke header and a deflected shot. As well as a few blocked shots. We had just as many but we weren't as lucky to see our deflections move goalwards.
With Barella and Correa, this was a winnable game. But still most probably not a winnable series. With Gosens, I'd even bet on Inter and I probably haven't put a bet on a game in 4 years.
Worrying factors:
- We needed the half time break the tension. I'll assume that it was mostly nervousness but the first half apart from a 10 minute spell within the first 20 minutes can only be described as testing the waters rather than going for it. Pretty sure Inzaghi addressed this and that's why we looked much more potent at first half.
- We mentally collapsed after they scored. Could also add physical fatigue playing its part there, but we had the momentum then and were hit out of the blue, but these things need a better reaction.
- We gave up possession needlessly in our half. Multiple times. It's one thing to be relentlessly pressed and another to invite pressure to come. We also enabled this by sending the ball back instead of going for an attack, even if it was a long ball.
- We had to ration our football. Brozovic was not a factor in the first half, we started ticking when he began the plays from him, then he stopped being influential. Perisic was hardly used in the first half and we attacked their right side. It was painfully obvious that we could have hit them from their right side and we would have done that if Gosens was available and we could have allowed Perisic to press even more. Our big chance came in the first minutes from a Perisic move so I was hoping for more. Especially when that Elliot kid was on, he had no idea of how to help his defender.
- There's a reason why you place a defender on the near and far post in a corner. We found out why the hard way.
- Brozovic. He missed a step in the 0-2, didn't follow Salah's move and that allowed Salah to get the shot in. In general, he was giving the ball up a lot and we really need someone to relieve him, not just in a game, but in general so that he can be more fresh for these encounters.
- Subs. We know there's no depth, but subbing out Lautaro shifted the momentum. They were under no pressure when he left and it was clear that they were struggling to keep up and were incredibly worried even at 0-1 from our long balls.
- Dzeko. We needed to use his height and presence in the box but instead he was used in a free role that didn't really trouble Liverpool.
- In general, we looked like we were playing with no presence in the center of the pitch and they always seemed to have a player more than us.
Positives:
- Perisic was immense. Should have initiated more attacks with him since any combination with Dumfries and his nearby teammates weren't doing much.
- Vidal was annoying with his complaining, but excellent overall. Perhaps can be blamed for inviting Liverpool by committing that foul for their second, but overall he was not a liability and he was probably our best from the midfield three.
- Skriniar. Nuff said.
- Bastoni, apart from one almost brainfart in the first half and losing Firmino, he was impeccable. In a game of details, it's important to not make any mistakes that cost and he did, but cannot blame him entirely there.
- Hakan. He was inconsistent throughout the game. Whenever his presence was felt, he was one of the best players in the pitch, yet he had moments of disappearance.
- Inzaghi, first 65 minutes: We showed no fear. We played our game. We were unlucky. We had our limitations. We deserved to be ahead but it just didn't happen. Cannot blame the coach, this is the team he has. 12 players essentially.
I stand by what I said when the draw was done (which excluded Liverpool having Diaz as well). If our squad is full, I stand behind our guys in this encounter. But unfortunately we were outmatched and unprepared. And we're coming off a very bad stretch with huge games while they're coming from a record of straight wins against easy opponents.
With a one goal deficit we'd still have hopes going to Anfield but now we can "relieve" some pressure off of us and focus more on the league. All we can do there is give our best and see what happens. Hopefully Correa and Gosens make a surprise appearance there, too.
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