It's about that midfield. Midfielders are allowed making runs into the box. Therefore somebody needs to cover. The problem is that we don't have one atacking midfielders, we have 2-3.
Sometimes Calha is going forward, sometimes Barella, sometimes Brozo, sometime 2 of them. Other players need to cover space based on the movement of their teamates. Most of the time it is Brozo with someone else who is usually out of position. So if we allow counter attacks, we are pretty much in panic mode. It is not that visible, because Brozovic is superhuman, but it is draining mental energy. Players have to think where to go instead of how to defend.
When we are defending, the shape is no 5-3-2, But rather 5-2-1-2 . The difference is one midfielder is always higher up the pitch thinking about attack. As a result, we are not covering tightly the space in front of the penalty box.
How I would try to fix it:
1, Restrict Barella's movement / restrict Calha movement. Maybe let them have their periods. first 30 minutes restrict one player, then restrict second player. One of them need to think about defence first. And all other players would know, where to cover.
2, In defending, midfielders need to be more tight and closer to center, that's about it.
3, when we are attacking with 2 midfielders, we should not attempt through balls in the center, it is too risky. Instead go wide and cross the ball. The problem with passing is that from misplaced pass there is a quick counter attack. When we are crossing, it gives a lot more time to transition into defense. I don't want us to return to cross and hope. Only that with to many men forward, we need to be more precise. If we can't, crosses gives us time to recover the shape in case of lost ball.
Forum SupporterEveryone maybe doesn't remember that we played this kind of gung-ho football at the start of our Scudetto year. And it wasn't balanced at all, leading to us conceding so many goals.
