Lazio - Inter (29 Oct 18) [0-3]

[ForzaNerazzurro]

Must-win game. We have to win these head-to-head games against the top 6 sides.
Lazio in particular is important because, in my opinion, they're our main competitor this season along with Milan and Napoli.
I don't think Roma and Fiorentina are good enough to pose any real threat.

We already won against Milan, if we win against Lazio we will be a bit comfortable for this half of the season CL qualification wise.

 

[Candreva Crosses]

For a team that almost looked like they could have troubled Barcelona, I think we should win this one. Lazio haven't looked great this year, and now we've got 5 days of rest to recuperate for this one.

SMS and Luis Alberto are nowhere near the same form as last year, and their defense is as shaky as always. We've also looked fairly laboured recently in building attacks, but that's against provincial sides (Parma, Sassuolo, Milan). Lazio will fight for the win at home, and we usually do better in those situations.

Are you high? Troubled Barcelona? They were chilling, like playing against children.

First 45 minutes we were fucking clueless. Barcelona's pressing made us look like headless chickens. Spalletti starting Valero was fucking stupid.

 

[YoramG]

Are you high? Troubled Barcelona? They were chilling, like playing against children.

First 45 minutes we were fucking clueless. Barcelona's pressing made us look like headless chickens. Spalletti starting Valero was fucking stupid.

Come on man, I said almost troubled Barca, chill I meant if Icardi/Lautaro/Politano took their chances, we might have scored a couple.

Anyway, Lazio thread, and I think we'll beat Lazio.

 

[brehme1989]

The players saw how nice the city of Barcelona is, they should wanna go there next season as well as visit new cosmopolitan places. Win here and make that possible. And permanent.

 

[Universe]

I came across an excellent analytical English language article on Statsbomb about Inter's offensive production. Not sure of best thread to post, so here it is:

https://statsbomb.com/2018/10/inter-milan-has-a-new-old-school-attack/

Includes nice animated gifs for the borderline illiterate. Definitely worth a read/cursory scroll-thru.

"At their worst, Inter will settle for the type of crosses that would make fans moan in disdain."

yep

 

[Il Drago]

With Nainggolan injured, choosing the player behind Icardi will be very tricky. Lautaro doesn't seem up to the task. At least not yet. If Valero starts, people will ask him to get subbed at the end of first half. Most people would disagree with it but i would start Keita. He has been poor so far. There's no question about it. But he has things to prove to Lazio and it's the position where he had his best matches during his Lazio days. So, i would go for this:

Handanovic
Vrsaljko-Skriniar-De Vrij-Asamoah/Dalbert
Brozovic-Vecino
Politano-Keita-Perisic
Icardi

The only other alternative is starting with Vecino behind Icardi and with Brozovic-Gagliardini duo in double pivot but it looks too defensive in my eyes.

 

[ADRossi]

Our midfield

 

[Kenny]

Is Gags available?

 

[Kramerica Industries]

Is Gags available?

Does it matter if he isn't going to play?

He's available, yes, but he's clearly out-of-favor right now and there's enough time between yesterday's game and Monday night to turn back to Vecino. Gags might get a chance against Genoa because we're going to desperately need to rotate the squad for that game, I would have to think.

 

[Irequis]

Keita should be the most favourable CAM when Nainggolan is injured. This is the position where Keita thrives the most as he scored 15 goals for Lazio in the season he played as CAM.

And Gag should be playing here. We are playing away so the additional physical presence and defensive solidity would not hurt and we should rotate Vecino as well.

For Asamoah, I am not sure if we should give him a breather to relieve him from his bad form or to play Dilbert the walking disaster

 

[brehme1989]

I'd use Politano as the AMC.

 

[Jafaar]

Joao Mario anyone?

 

[Dylan]

Roll out the B Team and still win. Padelli pack your toothbrush you're gonna be on TV.

 

[ForzaNerazzurro]

Joao Mario anyone?

No, I think our youths are more worthy of a spot on the bench.

 

[Jacquez]

I Hope Our cynicism hasnt disappeared with the defeat to Barcelona.
De Vrij must start, as must Politano.

 

[Universe]

I'd use Politano as the AMC.

I would honestly, no joke, play Vecino at AM.

Everyone knows Vecino contributes practically nothing to defense or playmaking deeper in midfield anyway. Valero looks better coming off the bench and is less likely than Berni to get on the scoresheet. The Brozovic - Gagliardini pivot has looked good in the past. Considering our lack of options we need to gamble on Gagliardini finding some form.

Considering Nainggolan's absence and that Brozovic's role is too important to experiment with, the sad truth is that Vecino is arguably our most potent AM candidate. I would just instruct him to shoot and be as direct in moving the ball forward to Icardi as possible.

And besides, Vecino also started his career as an AM

 

[chipschups]

De Vrij, Vrsaljko, Politano and Gagliardini must started. And Vecino as AM actually is a good idea since he lowkey transform into more attacking now and get licensed to attack the box more from Spalletti. Adding gagli it would made Vecino job is lesser and he only need focussing more helping made a room for Icardi being extra man at the box.

 

[Batman]

La prende Vecino pt 2

Icardi’s face in the background is full of joy

- - - Updated - - -

Anyways, I agree with Universe about trying Vecino as AM.

 

[syrus]

Icardi’s face in the background is full of joy

- - - Updated - - -

Anyways, I agree with Universe about trying Vecino as AM.

Joy or absolutely astonishment....

 

[Puma]

Lazio piss me off. In the past, they never got near us. But recently, they have become so consistent and persistent and it always feels as though they are always just behind us, waiting to pounce. I hope we can put them to the sword and create some distance in the standings.