Stefan de Vrij

andrei

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Played okay today I guess?
Played excellent today.
I don`t know, probably it`s just hopium, but I still believe he could regain his form. He won`t be what he was under Conte (arguably the best CB in those years), but he could be significantly better than the last 2 years.
 

#NotForMe

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Yea, felt like he is back to what he was; WTF? I don't get it, but I am happy, please keep it up man.
 

thatdude

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We are playing a deeper line again. His kyrptonite is pacey strikers and having to mark open space. When we sit deep and compress our lines he can still do a good job mopping up.
 

#NotForMe

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The funny thing is I don't think we played that deep; there are a lot of us pressing up high, like at 5:23 - it is like even when he can't get a clear win on the aerial, it was not disastrous like last season; another one is at 7:04 before Lautaro goal, it came from his interception.
His heat map, like I won't call this particularly deep, especially our possession is 47%:
1692491529644.png

His mind is somehow more present, at least that is how it feels .. which makes it even more odd.

Maybe it is the lack of pacey strikers? Like you mentioned? I don't know, but his position is more on point.

I think it has to do with what Inzaghi has set up though, but still his personal performance alone is kinda back to where it should be.
 
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CoolMan44

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He was actually solid in the latter half of last season as well. He had a really poor start to the season last year, especially Milan derby and his terrible 10 minute cameo against Udinese (3-1 loss). However, after Acerbi won the starter spot, De Vrij was actually good in the second half of the season. Granted he didn't played any of our biggest games (CL knockouts, etc.) but he was quite solid in Serie A.

Problem is his high salary, but hopefully he can continue doing well when needed.
 

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Welcome back bud
 

uny_arturo

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Slowly becoming Rano eh? Did okay again and a few of his long passes weren't too shabby either
 

pier

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Another solid performance with a couple good touches.
Almost got beaten by a good long ball and Nandez that coming from behind, but Calha was able to read the situation and clear the danger.
 

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That long ball was almost a disaster but luckily Hakan bailed him out. That’s the worry with De Vrij. That can happen at anytime. Acerbi isn’t any faster but it just feels like he mops up those situations better.
 

crzdcolombian

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Man... wish we hadn't resigned him especially on the wages he is on.

Def the position we need to fill soonest. Acerbi/ De Vrij just aren't good enough for a team that wants to be champion.
 

diamen

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I can remember many many goals we conceded because of such long balls behind De Vrij. For example this one:

Apart that he played well.
 

brakbrak

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Man... wish we hadn't resigned him especially on the wages he is on.

Def the position we need to fill soonest. Acerbi/ De Vrij just aren't good enough for a team that wants to be champion.
You'd rather us signing Bonucci?
 

Damageplan

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He looks to have found his stride but gets easily exposed. Acerbi isnt any faster but is fantastic at reading the game.
I rate De Vrij and I know he has some stuff left in him.
 

#NotForMe

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Yea it actually is not about his speed, but I also don't think it is the anticipation or game reading ability; in general they both are rare out of position, and it is also not about cutting the opponent off, cause even the highlight above he actually covered the space quite well, cause bare in mind the forward can drop back too, and the pass was just pinpointed too well; the problem is his assertiveness, toughness, strength, determination and aggressiveness; like he is very well within range to chase down the opponent and wrestle or pressure the fuck out of him.
Just for comparison is in CL final Bastoni was Chasing Halland and that made Halland have to take a bigger touch and needed to stretch further for the shoot. These things add up.
 

ath

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Came to post this, I think he'll start at the derby so we can see if he can keep it up with greater adversity.
 

Alex de Large

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Not much work to do either him or Sommer this first games. Out midfield plus Darmian, Dumfries, Dimarco and Bastoni are too good defending too.
 
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