I'm really happy Queiroz is on board with having the 3 pressing attackers that are multi skilled, its something we've had but have lacked using under Pekerman and I've wanted us to employ it for years. It would help us use more attacking 8's if needed but I agree its unlikely, but I do think its doable in games we look to dominate or if we need a goal late etc. Man City use a formation with double 8's quite often and they get away with it because they invert their fullbacks rather then push them wide, it covers for the CM's and breaks up counters.
The funny thing about this though is that the formation with three pressing attackers is getting a lot of heat from some Colombian analysts because it reminds them too much of what Bolillo did in 2011. I heard El Patrón Bermúdez try to make that comparison the other day.
Those analysts are morons. The blueprint of our game has never looked better. Sure Under Pekerman 2012-2014 we looked fantastic and attacked a ton at home, we had peak Falcao and James healthy but so far in a short period of time Queiroz has given us a formation and way of playing that isn't totally dependent on individual talents but a system that we have multiple players who can fit into and that can trouble any team home or away. The style we've been playing is to defend and attack take the game defensively to teams high up the field, we never did that under Pekerman and doing it now with especially with the guys we have will give any team problems.
Yup. Saying things like Queiroz's tactics look a lot like Bolillo's is kind of moronic. Even though the three striker systems may look a little similar... ... the way they are applied both offensively and defensively is different. I just thought it was funny.
Illicic can be such a good player at times but can be horrible at other times. Especially his decision making in the final third. I think it will be a matter of time until Muriel gets his spot but his seniority and trust seem to be winning out at the moment. Maybe Muriel can start the Champions League games in some sort of rotation.
Ilicic isn't a slouch, he was fantastic for long stretches last year, he an Muriel are very different players. If you need more width and defensive work you go Muriel if you want more central and pure attack you go Ilicic. I think they'll rotate Muriel, Ilicic, Duvan and Papu with all the games they have and based on what they did last year, its a great mix with each player giving you something different. Roger to Atalanta in January!
Those Croatians looked very good too. Good pressing and passing and centers. They did not forgive those defensive mistakes.
That Croatian team has some talent, but holy shit they completely bum rushed Atalanta. Atalanta are going to give up goals because they always go for it and attack, there's a price to pay for that. Overall Zapata didn't get a ton of service, basically had a goal stolen from him with a really good save from the goalie when he turned his defender really well and got off a really good shot that the goalie somehow got a hand too going the other way. He scuffed another decent chance late where he got 1v1 with the goalie and tried to curl it inside the corner with the outside of the foot but it didn't come off and it was well wide. Tough game for them to open their Champions league campaign.
Fantastic. Had to shake things up after the anemic performance in Croatia. Hope they play well and it is the start of something really special. .
Duvan is in bench agaisnt roma.......his two last matchges werent good muriel wasnt called up dont know the reason
I guess it was a good strategy to not start him. Playing 3 games in a week can take a toll on anyone.
Good for him. He's proving more and more that we're in good hands following Falcao's retirement...which actually makes me sad to some extent but I think that we're all just happy knowing that we have a striking talent like him that is actually not becoming a disappointment.