Stefan de Vrij

[wera]

Seems like you finally agree with me that De Vrij had a better season overall?

 

[CafeCordoba]

They were both on the pitch against Benfica when we conceded 3 goals. Apart from that, there was only the Atletico away leg when we conceded more than one goal.

I think the sample size is too small to draw any conclusions given that team mates and opponents were different for these guys time to time (maybe even most of the time?).

 

[brehme1989]

Seems like you finally agree with me that De Vrij had a better season overall?

They were both good enough for as much as they played.

Using these metrics is a fun excursion but they don't really say much. For example in a couple of gamss they played together and Acerbi had to be the LCB and he's nowhere near as good as Bastoni or Augusto going forward so he looked awkward. I wouldn't put that against him.
Or if De Vrij had to play RCB for a few brief moments. He also struggled.

We're lucky to have both. Let's see how long this lasts.

 

[wera]

Bastoni didn't play 9 games in Serie A, Dimarco 8 games, Acerbi 9 games, De Vrij 11 games, Calhanoglu 6 games, Mkhi and Barella both 1 game

All in all we got pretty lucky with cards & injuries.

I'm gonna check all of the non-wins to see who played.

The first draw against Sociedad we started with Carlos Augusto and Asllani.

The 3:3 against Benfica we started with Audero, Bisseck, Asllani, Frattesi, Sanchez, Arnautović, C.Augusto, Klaasen, Darmian.

The second draw against Sociedad we started Sanchez, Frattesi, Cuadrado, Darmian, Carlos Augusto.

The second game against Atletico we started with our full first 11 (De Vrij starting instead of Acerbi).

The first loss against Sassuolo we started with our starting 11 (only Darmian instead of Pavard). Acerbi started that one.

The Bologna 2:2 game we started with our starting 11 (Acerbi in the middle).

The 1:1 against Juventus we started both Acerbi and De Vrij + Darmian, otherwise starting 11.

The 1:1 Genoa game we started Arnautović, Darmian, Carlos Augusto and Bisseck.

The 1:1 Napoli game we started with Darmian on RWB, otherwise starting 11. Acerbi in the middle.

Cagliari 2:2 game we started Sanchez, Darmian on RWB and Bisseck.

The 1:0 loss against Sassuolo we played Sanchez, C.Augusto, Audero, Asllani and Frattesi.


So the first few bad results in the league we played with a full starting 11.

 

[PHM1605]

Bastoni didn't play 9 games in Serie A, Dimarco 8 games, Acerbi 9 games, De Vrij 11 games, Calhanoglu 6 games, Mkhi and Barella both 1 game

All in all we got pretty lucky with cards & injuries.

.....


So the first few bad results in the league we played with a full starting 11.

That's far from luck. We don't push player to the limit where they collapse (like Milan). And Inzaghi has the tendency to subs-off yellow carded players.

 

[CafeCordoba]

Yeah, when we constantly do NOT have big injuries all over the place, it tells more about our organization and the professional attitude of the team, specially the core of the squad. Medical condition checks, muscle maintenance, all this shit is taken care of properly.

 

[BasedGodPunk]

Yeah, when we constantly do NOT have big injuries all over the place, it tells more about our organization and the professional attitude of the team, specially the core of the squad. Medical condition checks, muscle maintenance, all this shit is taken care of properly.

That's far from luck. We don't push player to the limit where they collapse (like Milan). And Inzaghi has the tendency to subs-off yellow carded players.

Dont tell this to Mikhitaryan lol

 

[#NotForMe]

De Vrij seems to be a creature of habit.

Yea, it is actually hard to see SDV to have an extraordinary game, like playing a few levels above his usual self, but he can be super consistent and play all the requirement perfectly and make no mistakes when put in a system that fits him (Best Defender year).

No to mention Acerbi is physically stronger and better at contesting, so Serie A players are also normally not as physical, which doesn't expose SDV too much in our current, but there were a few games e.g. Fiorentina against Nzola, (even some were fouls in my eyes), he struggles a bit inside and outside the box.

I won't say SDV is not equipped to play the role, as the offensive side of him is very vibing with the system, and he is adequate for the role defensively even against a stronger side e.g. A.Madrid, but comparing to Acerbi in CL final is the difference, like you won't see a pure domination to make the striker vanish.

I think you got some really good observation there. Also I think SDV would excel more in Conte's system in a defensive perspective.

For Acerbi doing less well this year, has a lot of things like the Jesus scandal, injuries, playing non mid from time to time, and also change of GK, which makes more playing from the back different than before etc.; Hope it has nothing to do with aging and he will come back stronger next year.

 

[PHM1605]

Dont tell this to Mikhitaryan lol

Age doesn't show a player's limit. Ask Zanetti.

Mikhy never gets injured, and still performs.