Piotr Zieliński

[uny_arturo]

Still doesn't feel like he's ready to fully replace Mkhi yet. What's missing?

 

[Fapuccino]

Still doesn't feel like he's ready to fully replace Mkhi yet. What's missing?

I think Mkhi at his peak was a better attacking footballer than Zielinski. That might still be the case. Not sure.

 

[BasedGodPunk]

I’m not sure iniesta in his prime could replace the great Mikhi under master Simone Inzaghi. That camel is getting rode til its legs collapse.

 

[Il Drago]

I think Mkhi at his peak was a better attacking footballer than Zielinski. That might still be the case. Not sure.

You can't really compare them at their peaks. Different positions on the field.

At his peak Mkhi was an AM/winger while Zielinski has always been a CM.

 

[vex]

Still doesn't feel like he's ready to fully replace Mkhi yet. What's missing?

Inzaghi uses mkhi to push the ball forward. He is really great at running with the ball and just about the only dude in our midfield that does it effectively, hence the playing time. Zielinski has better technique, but he is still missing the attacking spaces and carrying the ball part of mkhi duties when he is on the pitch. Mind you, I still think we can get away with even this version of zielinski in our midfield, it's just that having someone like mkhi gives you another dimension you wouldn't have otherwise.

Also, I wouldn't be too worried for his playing time like some people here. There are machines used before every match to determine fatigue levels, so I doubt he is being pushed mercilessly. I think he is just a genetic freak to be able to run and play at this level and age, and inzaghi is well aware of it.

 

[Ethor]

Did some things great today, then not so much. It appears he's hesitant to shoot. Maybe that will change with more playing time.

 

[BasedGodPunk]

I think using him as a DM is complete suicide tbh. He is amazing going forward and has some good defensive work rate but he plays around and loses the ball too much. With the aslanni experiment deteriorating I’d like to see us play it safe and use Barella back there. I know that takes a world class player out of his natural fit but this gap at holding mid is doing what it did in 2022-23. It’s causing too many poor performances.

 

[nutsncider]

His pass to dimarco on the 2nd goal was a beauty

 

[Glass box]

Not impactful enough

 

[Besnik]

I already said in the match thread that, he's been rather disappointing so far. A player of his calibre with plenty of experience/skills on his baggage, should do better than this. Our second goal is all on him, that's great, but he just can't keep up some continuity in term of performance. Way too sloppy though. Feels like he's in short of confidence, but then again, he was underwhelming at recent times in Napoli aswell.

He needs to work A LOT more on tactical aspect though. Also it's quite frustrating how his decision making has a lot to desire, despite that he has so much experience.

Inzaghi's style of play requires strict tactical discipline, and these whom aren't as good on it, are exposed very easily.

 

[Fapuccino]

I never expected much from him to begin with. Don't know where the hype came from. He's a squad player. Not great, not bad. Just there to rotate with Mkhi.

 

[Besnik]

I never expected much from him to begin with. Don't know where the hype came from. He's a squad player. Not great, not bad. Just there to rotate with Mkhi.

While he was through a great form in Napoli, he was one of the best midfielders not only of the league but also from top leagues of Europe. I don't see an issue on being hyped by a player of Zielinski's calibre, but the thing is that we thought he could redeem himself at Inter. There's still plenty of room for that, but he needs to work on continuity and of course improve tactically.

 

[Ethor]

Hasn't really shown much in the past two matches, starting to question his future utility with the club.

 

[Batman]

Hate to say it but his approach reminds of Kuzmanovic’s.

 

[bubba zanetti]

Needs to play ahead of Asslani. Asslani should play only vs bottom teams when we play at Meazza.

 

[wera]

Needs to play ahead of Asslani. Asslani should play only vs bottom teams when we play at Meazza.

Asllani this season played in Serie A more than 60 minutes against Monza away (1:1), Hellas Verona away (0:5 win - played whole match), Venezia away (0:1 win), Bologna home (2:2), Empoli home (3:1 - played whole match). You could actually say he usually plays more in matches away from home and results ain't that bad.

Also played '71 against Sparta Prague away (0:1).


Last season - he only played one CL match that he played fully - the 3:3 against Benfica away. He also played '55 in the 1:1 draw against Real Sociedad which is one of those games where people were searching for a scapegoat.
The first match where he played most of the match was matchday 22 against Fiorentina away (0:1 win). Also featured heavily in the wins against Lecce away (0:4), Atalanta home (4:0), Genoa home (2:1). Played '74 in the home loss against Sassuolo (0:1) and '90 in the home win against Frosinone (5:0). Actually the results when he starts are actually really good.


Zielenski so far only played DM for us in the 4:4 game against Juventus, the home win (1:0) against Venezia and today's win. While I agree that Zielinski could start the more dangerous games for us instead of Asllani, it's not like Asllani haven't played a really good match against Lecce too. With the same result even! You'll have to trust our players a bit more, even the ever dependable Brozović had bad games here and there. It's natural. Asllani has his limitations, but he isn't that bad that he should become the next FIF meme player.

 

[Fapuccino]

I don't see much of a difference between him and Asllani in terms of their passing (both are decent imo), but I feel Zielinski is just better defensively. I don't trust Asllani defensively in big games.

 

[wera]

Zielinski also does better under pressure, which is the main thing why Frattesi and Asllani shouldn't play together

 

[CafeCordoba]

I don't see much of a difference between him and Asllani in terms of their passing (both are decent imo), but I feel Zielinski is just better defensively. I don't trust Asllani defensively in big games.

Disagree on Zielinski being better defensively. He isn't reading the game like he should in DM role (well he isn't always doing that properly in mezzala role either) and he's quite weak physically like Asllani, and maybe even less aggressive than Asllani.

But as @wera mentions, he's a lot better under pressure with the ball.

 

[bubba zanetti]

I don't see much of a difference between him and Asllani in terms of their passing (both are decent imo), but I feel Zielinski is just better defensively. I don't trust Asllani defensively in big games.

Disagree. Zielinski needs much less time for pass then Asslani, who needs eternity for that.