Here's an interesting fact. Last year we had the same number of points after 7 rounds. Guess who we played in the 8th. Genoa, away. To me, this game will define the season. If we lose, it will be LE all over again, but if we win, it will give us good momentum for the next few games which aren't really that hard.
You have to consider Luis Enrique actually played all games and didn't get a 3-o win gifted to him. Anyhow I worry that the NT pause is coming at the wrong time. I'm not entirely convinced by our win yesterday and would rather there be continuous work than this break.
Did Borini not score his first goal in this fixture last year? Maybe it's time for Destro to get his goal Am reading that the hope is Dodo will be fit for Genoa - I doubt it but maybe at the least if he can play the left then Balza can play on the right and we don't have to see Piris again
They say that last week he started doing the complete training sessions and participating in the friendly matches. So perhaps he could be ready. Given the severity and length of his injury I would opt for caution and try to introduce him slow. Perhaps introducing him late in the second if things are going well.
The second half was much more convincing than the first, Lamela was a little selfish at times but scored and worked hard, Bradley plays both sides well...he is fast and runs into space, Destro seems cursed, and I love Marcos at CB. I hope he is a starter. So I hope we see this against Genoa: Stek Dodo Marcos Castan Balz Florenzi DDR Bradley Lamela Totti Destro
At least we have a nice break to rest Totti. He was walking the last 10 minutes of the Atalanta game. And Immobile and Borriello are really going to test whoever is in our back line.
StekelenburgMarcos - Burdisso - Castan - BalzarettiBradley - De Rossi - PjanicLamela - Osvaldo - Totti
For what it's worth Zeman said in the post match yesterday that he sees De Rossi playing intermedio and not in the middle. So I would not be so confident with all these predictions putting him in the middle. Secondly any formation that leaves Florenzi out is neither explainable or justifiable. Beyond a shadow of a doubt our best midfielder, there is no midfielder on this team that deserves to start ahead of Florenzi.
I reckon Zeman will play the same front 3 that he did against Atalanta.He is going to keep starting with Destro until he scores.
Dodo is now off the injured list and should be available for the game, unless he gets injured again in the meantime. xD We could see him slot into the left back spot, with Balzaretti moving over to the right. This just might solve our defensive problems for the time being.
Not to mention integrating into Serie A, he's already being built as our savior. If it doesn't happen the media and fans are going to be very hard.
Wouldn't be surprised if Dodo just disappears off the charts now. I hope im wrong but i just get the feeling Zeman is not going to trust this boy
Start same 3 up top. Definitely I actually do see Osvaldo leaving; why would he play half 19 games a season instead of 38 somewhere else; The rotation is gonna make him leave
Dodo had been practicing all week and looks good to go. Also i wonder if De Rossi and Osvaldo get the nod this week, Zeman would be crazy to bench them both again, then again it is Zeman! StekBalzaretti - Marcos - Castan - DodoBradley - De Rossi - FlorenziLamela - Osvaldo - Totti Thats the formation i would like to see
DDR made an important point about Dodo, it's unfair to him to put so much pressure on him when he hasn't played a professional match for nearly a year never mind making his debut in Italy.