Padelli is being painted as a scapegoat by both the fans and club (or should I say Conte?). Watch the first half, we were hardly a well-oiled and performing machine that was only compromised by the so-called butterhands goalkeeper. We have to be realistic, we underestimated the opponent, they pressed and stepped on the gas immediately and we ended up stopped in our tracks. I would also like to remind that in the past (and only) 3 apps that Padelli had for us, he was always pretty good, even kept the clean sheet in the previous match. This pompous witch hunt is only going to shatter his self-confidence and morale.
Up to Handanovic's injury we were also conceding quite a lot of goals this season, too much actually. And while my distaste for Spalletti is very well documented on FIF, I will credit the filosofo with focusing on our defense a lot more than Conte appears to. Our defenders are world class but we keep having positioning and marking issues. Our midfield lacks routine and is constantly alternating due to injuries and we simply lack fluidity and confidence in the defensive phases. There is obvious confusion when it comes to individual tasks and whatever Conte's systems are, they are not gelling. Despite having 3 in the back, it often feels like there is only one center back when push comes to shove.
To add insult to injury - we are thinking of replacing Padelli with motherfucking Viviano, a goalkeeper whose most impressive CV entry is Fiorentina. A man known more for his obnoxious facial hair styles than actual skills or saves.
Padelli is not world class, nobody is claiming that he is. But chunk of blame for his performance is also on Conte - he should've integrated him earlier, from the Coppa get-go. Man got no proper minutes in years now, no wonder he needs a few matches to shake off the rust.