Football Italia: Season 9 – consistency
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Season Nine: Consistency
A period of time whereby, honestly, I think we’re now proving ourselves to be a solid, top half, Serie A side. Results are coming and, even when we don’t play well enough, we are becoming increasing able to stay in games and be able to adapt enough to provide a challenge. In club news, we agreed a new affiliate – one of the branch of French academy chains who, hopefully, will provide some youngsters for my own academy. Also, Lazio made a really cool appointment in Rulani Mokwena. If you haven’t heard of the ‘African Pep’ – here is a nice introductory video, although, with an AI voice over, it’s not the easiest watch!
Our last ten games went like this:
Our attacking shape continues to develop and is now looking slightly more o a diamond, as I’m using SS(a)/AM(s) combo in the middle, hoping to create movement in between the lines and passing lanes whereby we are not being crowded out. Obviously, all of this is subject to change during games, depending on how I see things playing out and is also designed to support a changeability in roles for the underperforming Acosta, bringing – for example – the CF(a)/CF(s) role into play instead of just the DLF(s)/F(9) that would usually work with two on rushing second strikers.
Despite all the work around structures and movement between them, our goal against Salernitana probably has more to do with a lack of sportsmanship. The two images that show the start and end phases of play see us refusing to put the ball out for an injured player and then, quite easily, beating their lessened press before scoring. If I could have gone Bielsa on them and let them score, I may have done but it’s not an option. I guess that things even themselves out as the Como result – a game we dominated – was two lost points that we probably accrued elsewhere!
We’ve settled nicely and, despite having quite a tough run of next fixtures, I feel happy with our position. I’d assume that Monza will drop down to a more realistic position – for them – but, obviously, we were able to maintain for a whole season so there is no reason why they shouldn’t, either. Our Europa League table is looking strong as our quest to qualify continues and the youth team, under Michael Beale, are doing great, too!
Forza Biancoscudati!
