I watched the game last night. Admittedly, I fell asleep for a while in the second half before Tottenham's goal and woke up around the 66th minute or thereabouts.
I have read through most of the posts on this thread. It goes without saying that each supporter watches a match with their own eyes and assess it accordingly. Some are more kind with their assessment whilst others are more critical. I read most of the thread before watching the game last night. From what I read on here, I thought the game sounded like a complete shit show but when I watched the match I felt a little differently about it.
Defensively, I thought we strangled the game. The high press and our intensity at the back was impressive. With the help of our midfield, we managed to contain and limit Spurs really well and I think our efforts were all the more impressive given that Skriniar was playing out of position and we did not have a recognised right back. Not to mention the fact that many of players were playing in the Champions League for the very first time.
However, what most concerns me is our lack of incisiveness in the final third. We know how to get the ball down there but are really struggling with our final execution. I am hoping that will improve and change as Perisic, Nainggolan and Icardi reach full fitness but I am still not convinced. Our build up play is predictable, not very well structured and seems to be scattered in its approach. It feels like there is a alot of improvisation but very few certainties in relation to build up play and how we execute and finish.
Perhaps the most puzzling thing for me is that we took this scattered approach for the first 80 or so minutes of the game and then all of a sudden started playing. I do not feel that we are a shit team or that we do not have it in us to play coherent team football. I think we can play but our problem is unlocking the right mentality and approach to a game and being able to play like that for a full 90 minutes.
Why were we more focused and why did we only play with more urgency in the last 15 or so minutes of the game than we did in the previous 75 minutes? In my view, it is not simply down to the fact that we were staring into the eyes of defeat. Did anyone notice Spalletti's body language and how livid he was at times with the way we were playing? I feel it is a question of preparation and mentality and I feel that our struggles this season are tied up with tired World Cup players, injuries, and in some cases like Nainggolan, a general lack of fitness and integration. I do not think that our struggles are related to not having a team/squad that is up to the task. I think it is more to do with not having a plan when we go out to play. Having said that, I do think that we need a creative midfielder to help us along. Valero is not enough to get us through the season and this is something that will have to be addressed and remedied in January.
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This is why I'm afraid. We hide the reality behind the result.
We play bad. Both team. But Tottenham is not fucking my problem.
We can pull sometimes victories out of our ass (or better say, Icardi's ass), but I don't buy it. We were bad, I mean fucking bed.
We lost already 8 points in 4 games. And it was suppose to be a easy schedule
Why do you have a Liverpool avatar? You must be a Grade A Cunt Arse.