Stats and maps of the Wolfsburg - Inter Game:
I'd like to point out that this is not a part of earlier arguments that highlighted specific players performance in Germany but a general note on our defensive tendencies, positional problems, and midfield coverage in comparison to the pressure Wolfsburg piled up. We'll start off with the defensive partnership of our backline between Ranocchia and Juan by displaying their respective heatmaps and slowly build up to the fullbacks and midfielders and later Wolfsburg's players.
The Central Backs:
Ranocchia & Juan:
The images above reflect the heatmaps of Ranocchia (left) and Juan (right) throughout the game. Basically, there's a gap between our central defenders that leaves Andrea stranded alone as he covers for Juan, like the only moment where he lost the ball. Also, I'm not sure if the excuse of covering Santon's justifies Juan's inability to outgrow the 3 man defense positioning. The last picture depicts them both together, a thing that I'll be repeating with other positions below.
Ranocchia, Juan, and Vidic:
Medel:
Bellow you'll see the direct influence of Medel on our defense, starting with his forced partnership with Juan as he drops deeper in a makeshift back 3 lineup.
Medel and Juan:
Medel, Ranocchia, and Juan:
Medel, Ranocchia, Juan, and Vidic:
The Fullbacks:
D'Ambrosio & Santon
There is a form of exclusivity to Danilo's cautious movement on his sideline in comparison to Santon's wayward spread on our left flank. Davide's mass also has a concentrated presence near the edge of our central midfield (and beyond) even though he didn't finish the last 12 minutes of the game which confirms his offensive tendencies/role. The following maps will reveal more on the midfield coverage both fullbacks received as well as their proximity to their central backs.
D'Ambrosio & Ranocchia - Santon & Juan
That is the final look of our back four, and there's still an uncontrolled passage going through Juan and Santon's side. Bellow is the spread of that defense being shielded by Medel.
Back Four + Medel:
The Midfielders:
Guarin & Hernanes:
Guarin & D'Ambrosio - Hernanes & Santon:
The Forwards:
Palacio:
Icardi:
Shaqiri:
Wolfsburg:
I'd like you to take a minute and compare the influence some of their players had on the pitch against our boys.
The Forwards:
De Bruyne: (Compare him with our forwards)
The Midfield:
That's right, their two holding midfielders were in our half most of the game. Bellow is a comparison with our midfield, the first lacks the support of Medel while the seconds reintroduces him.
Midfield Battle: (No Medel)
Note: Wolfsburg on the left, Inter on the right.
Guilavogui & Gustavo vs Guarin & Hernanes
Midfield Battle: (With Medel)
Fullbacks Battle:
Vieirinha & Rodriguez vs Santon & D'Ambrosio:
In the first half, Vieirinha was deployed as a leftback but on the second half he was switched to a left winger as Schurrle wasn't convincing. Caligiuri was also moved to Danilo's side. Bellow, you will see the gradual impact of Wolfsburg's wide play against our fullback and nonexistent midfield.
Schurrle, Rodriguez, Vieirinha, Caligiuri:
Schurrle, Rodriguez, Vieirinha, Caligiuri + De Bryune:
Possession Loss:
Draw an imaginary horizontal line in the center of that image and you will notice that 13 of those 18 ball loss situations were on our left which aggravated the assault on that side.
Unsuccessful Touch: Icardi 2, Juan 2, Shaqiri 2, Palacio 1, D'Ambrosio 1.
Dispossessed: Guarin 3, Palacio 2, D'Ambrosio 2, Hernanes 1, Medel 1, Ranocchia 1.
Ranocchia:
Short passing mostly to Medel, Guarin, and D'Ambrosio.
Juan:
Mixed to mostly long passing between him, Santon, Hernanes, and Palacio.
Danilo & Davide:
Thanks to their passing you can spot the difference in their play whether it's tight or open.
This is tiring tbh..