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FIF Special Ones
Comedic Post of the Year
Call me a dreamer..
That picture above is what this match should have been about but sadly Mateo's complicated situation lately (form and position) has postponed what I firmly believe is the battle over the playmaker's role in the futuristic Inter. Even Crisetig, with the latest developments around him, may not feature in this game as a starter or as a sub but more on him later...
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WHO?
WHERE?
Stadio Sanit'Elia
WHEN?
GMT: 8:00 PM
AST/EAT: 11:00 PM
EST: 3:00 PM
WHAT'S UP:
Cagliari: D L L W D
Inter: W W L L L
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INTER:
Inter Stats & Top Performers:
Whoscored
Inter Stats & Top Performers:
Whoscored
To determine the best in-form players we need a method that exceeds those vague numbers as they don't express the whole truth at times. It's part of an idea I once discussed with Dylan but failed to pick it up as I feared it will eventually fail in our forum's bias against certain players regardless of their realistic performance. For now, and until I get a better picture on that method, I'll rely on the ratings of whoscored among other sites to evaluate the best in our squad at the moment.
Obviously this list requires a season long calculation, but we can safely add Brozovic, Medel, and Santon due to their recent form ahead of Hernanes, Kovacic, and Juan.
Inter Injuries:
Until the game in Celtic Park ends, we can't foresee who will be available just yet in case of future injuries. What's confirmed is that Nagatomo & Andreolli won't be available anytime soon while Jonathan's season is over. D'Ambrosio on the other hand is available and let's hope he takes a small part of the Celtic game.
Because of the UEFA registration rules, Brozovic and Podoski will set out the Europa game. A blessing in disguise as they will gain a week long rest to prepare for the Sadinia clash, a necessity especially for the Croatian who's been a fundamental part of Inter's resurgence in recent weeks.
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CAGLIARI:
In their last game against Torino, Gianfranco Zola decided to shift his tactical setup for the first time since Christmas from the holiday inspired formation to a 4312 lineup. Now, it remains to be seen whether the switch was influenced by the need to integrate the dropped senators and control their ego, or face Ventura's rigid 352, or even prepare his side to face us in Sardinia.
Cagliari vs Torino
As you can see, Zola tweaked the formation by playing Dessena (CM) as a fullback to face the threat of Darmian since the wings are one of Cagliari's main weaknesses. The new options the mercato provided for their manager meant that Longo will sadly fall in the picking order, and that's exactly what happened when Cop & Sau partnered each other to press Torino's back 3, admittedly with little effect. What's more sad is the fact Longo was only brought in for the unconvincing Sau (great last season) in the last 6-7 minutes of the match.
Cagliari's Top Performers:
Brkic's addition to the team has brought a new found belief and discipline to the backline which relaxed guys like Rossettini and Capuano. As the new starting keeper, he was able to saved them points single-handedly these past few weeks.
Dessena and Donsah have been phenomenal with the consistency they displayed in the center of their midfield in setting goals, hassling opponents, and tracking back.
Avelar on the left has been their main threat going forward unlike their right side.
Conti has been the model professional despite falling out of favor in the selection these past 2 month. Whenever they call on his experience he delivers in stalling play and winning fouls from the opposition's forwards.
Ekdal started the season great in the offensive third but his role and impact has diminished slightly after his injury. Still, he is a threat that seems charged up against us.
Crisetig's steady impact in weaving their rhythm has finally come to fruition even though his road is a along one to claim a constant first place. His defensive play needs to grow too.
I was about to post an alarming prediction about his situation in Caglairi but instead I'm going to post my fears here.
In their last game against Roma, Zola understandably chose Conti ahead of Lorenzo in the regista role even though the captain hasn't played in the last 4 Serie A games and was used as a makeshift CB in their coppa defeat to Parma. At first, I was concerned about our boy's playing time especially after the sudden public reaction of Caglairi's sporting director Francesco Marroccu to Ausilio's comments about Crisetig by reassuring that he & Longo will stay in Sardinia.
Francesco Marroccu Comments:
Like hell you well...
I thought I was exaggerating but then came the Torino game and he was on the bench (predicted to start in Cagliari's press) and wasn't even used as a substitute despite the fatigue signs on Conti in the final stages of the second half. My fears weren't eased until I remembered a preview piece from one of Torino's affiliated magazines where they labelled Ekdal and Crisetig as a leader and a revelation, respectively. It got me thinking about the rejected offers Ausilio mentioned in his AskAusilio & Inter Channel interviews, one of which was from Torino. So, it's either an indirect message to Inter and Ausilio on the way he spoke about Caglairi and their weak chance to sign the kid or the simple possibility that Roma and Torino were too physical of opponents for Crisetig to handle.
On the other hand, what is a clear fact now is that Conti and Crisetig will be rotating in one position which is the deep playmaker, unlike how our boy was shuffled between that and the box to box role under Zeman.
Regardless of our best thoughts for our boys, Caglairi are still endangered with relegation especially after Chievo's victory over Sampdoria. The standings table will explain more than words their current situation.
As you can see, it's a tight race that pushed the likes of Atalanta, who will face Juve next week with many injuries and suspensions, down a risky road where every point from now on matters. In their plan for survival, Cagliari will have to continue the realistic option Zola adopted in the counter attacking football against us, Verona, Sampdoria, Empoli, and Milan. If you have noticed, there are two games against direct relegation candidates, a courtesy they won't have until the last 3 games (Chievo & Parma) when they fold the season with Juve.
Cagliari's Injuries:
Unlike us, Caglairi will have a week to prepare their side after two unfortunate games that they failed to win even though they were the better side if it weren't for individual shortcomings. During this week, we will hear if their fullbacks Balzano and Pisano are back in training after a long layoff due to injuries that have effected the threat of their right side.
Stats:
WhoScored
Attacking Zones:
Goals:
Passing:
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Final Thoughts:
On a personal level...
I have enjoyed my time following Caglairi this season and have learned a lot on that other side of the pitch we usually brush off and forget in preparation for the next game, and that's probably why I opened this thread. After meeting their supporters on Twitter and FB and other sites, you get the passion and fears that course through them and in particular the rage at their management for their current predicament. That's why, with all respect and love to the other guys who work on the match day openers, I didn't want this one to be just another game against a bottom half team.
Batman asked if I will be supporting them and it's a good laugh for us but I'll be lying if I said their problems don't bother me as they effect the people I grew to respect and was surprised with their friendliness. Of course, I'll be supporting my team but I won't be cheering against them.
FORZA INTER!
&
GOOD LUCK CAGLIARI!
&
GOOD LUCK CAGLIARI!
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:thumbsup:
