Normally I would have created this thread already on saterday right after the friendly match against AEK Athens, but now when we're about to sell Benatia and possibly Destro, Castan who's struggling with an injury and Maicon who isn't even close to being 100% fit, I'm less excited. Hopefully we can win this match. It would give our confidence a huge boost.
MDS Toro - DDR - Astori - Cole Pjanic - Kieta - Ninja Gervinho - Totti - Iturbe Hope Daniele doesn't have to play CB but who knows what will happen in the next 5 days
Gervi is in top form, and he raped them last year, but Iturbe doesn't look inform right now so I'm not sure about him. I really hope DDR doesn't have to play CB, we lose so much power in midfield and defense when he plays there.
Agreed, this first match will be difficult now. My perspective on the season has changed drastically after all that has happened these past few days alone.
Not all of them, but I watched enough. Last game he was dreadful apart from the goal. I think he needs more time, even Gervi didn't reach great form with us until late Sep/early Oct last season. Not worried about him right now, but I'm not counting on him to be difference maker at the moment, but at the same time I won't be surprised if he steps up his game as the season starts.
Iturbe needs to not try to do too much. If he has the confidence to take on everybody, that's fine, but he needs to know that this isn't Hellas Verona; there are other creators in this team, and he needs to use his teammates. There will be a transition period, but we don't lose anything defensively by playing him, so I'm fine with him starting. I'd like to see him come on as a sub around the 60th though, where the effect of his ridiculous speed would be a huge problem for fatigued defenders.
I think that Iturbe will start making the difference soon enough , just need to be patient and give the guy time to settle in. I think with DDR playing as CB we have an extremely valid alternative , but the thing is that he's the one that makes the difference defensively when playing as DM . He's like our anti-air missiles turret , intercepts a good portion of any possible danger , and then the CBs clean up the few balls that manage to come through.
I just feel the other way. First game against our sweet enemy, don't mind losing or drawing but desperate to win.
I'm wondering weather we should play Destro or Totti from the start. Montella will definitely press us high with his backline regardless. He will try to put pressure on our midfield knowing we are not strong defensively at the moment. Destro would make Savic and Gonzalo work harder and press them back more than Totti, and could give our wings more freedom which would be great for Iturbe if he starts.
I don't care if we invent a time machine and sign prime Maradona. When Totti is healthy, he plays no questions asked.
I think Destro will be good to go by Saturday. Totti's presence on the field is unquestionable, he gives everyone a boost and his magic is still there at the highest level even at 37. He showed everyone that vs Madrid a few weeks ago. Fiorentina will throw everything at us. They will try to expose our defensive weakneses by pressing. I just want us to win this game and make a statement that we are not a weaker side that everyone is saying we currently are.
From Manolas presentation: Do you feel ready to debut in the league? It will obviously be a choice of the coach, he will judge if I can start from the first minute. I do not feel 100%, but 120%.
@Warman - if fiorentina do as you say and press us high with their backline, there's no better player on the planet than totti to play the perfect through ball behind the defense to an onrushing gervinho and iturbe !!!
It is really simply. For teams who play open games it should be Totti and false 9 formation. For minnows who park the bus it should be Destro and classical striker formation. So here Totti and false 9 to start - Destro to come in later if needed.