Now will be the first time during the entire week, that I will focuse on tactics and analysis of this game.
I´ll start off with the lineup:
[ 4 - 1 - 2 - 1 - 2]
Keeper: This is the most difficult decision I can take. I don´t blame Toldo for any of the goals that he has conceded this season, but he has not been himself and he isn´t secure in his role. I saw the game against Valencia and Fontana did two outstanding saves and match-winning saves. I will go with Fontana for this game, as we can not afford to have someone with a fragile confidence on the pitch.
Defence: I move Il Capitano on the left back position and insert Ze Maria as the right back. Favalli has thus far failed me with giving me confidence in him, while Ze Maria surely has. Milan also build their flank plays mainly on the right flank with Cafu. Therefore having Zanetti there, is a great comfort.
The two central defenders goes without saying.
Midfield: Let´s continue with using a stopper. Milan has three very dangerous offensive midfielders (Kaka, Pirlo and maybe even Seedorf). Therefore we have to stop their midfield from delivering the ball in the deep to Sheva. So Cambiasso continues.
Then I put Davids on there. He´s obviously been the biggest flop so far, but we all know what he is capable of. This is a game from him, since I have understood that he is not too fond of Milan and he´s also a big-game player. He will play on the left flank, and try and distract Gattuso. Do you guys see that I have put up the exact same formation as Milan use? One of the tactical points I have thought of, is playing Davids against Gattuso, so that Gattuso is forced to mark our least offensive threat and not Stankovic.
Veron plays the same role as he has done the last games. He needs to pick up some of his game though. And he definitely need to start passing faster, because Milan uses a lot of pressing on the ball.
Stankovic receives a free role.
Strikers: Adriano is a given. Then I pick Martins on top with him, since Martins is the player in our team that has the best record against Milan. Don´t kill me for saying this, but not on any circumstances do I want to see Vieri on the pitch. Vieri has showed very little enthusiasm and quality in previous derbies, and even laughed with Milan players when we are down. My aim for this derby is to have agressive and passionate players on the pitch. Vieri will get exluded, and if Martins can´t play 90 minutes, Cruz should start.
The overall tactic is the same as Milan´s almost. We do not build so much on the flanks, but we defend there. That is essential. The other games where we haven´t used any wingers, we have been very bad with defending on the flank. This is Davids and Veron´s duties tonight.
But unlike Milan, we will have two very good attacking fullbacks. This we should use, and definitely Ze Maria who is off for a difficult match against Maldini.
Movements is the key-word. If we don´t move a lot, Milan will defend against us very easily.
To be honest, I´m not as optimistic about this game, as I have sounded like the whole week. My guess is that Milan will win, mainly because that happens when I focuse too much on a game.
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