The performance against Torino was not impressive enough to be considered a turning point of the season, but at least the team had the right fighting spirit, mentality and sense of urgency. Everything starts from there, and the discussion about personnel and tactical decisions is worth nothing if the attitude is mediocre or worse. The win saved everyone another week of manager rumours, as it’s pretty clear that nothing will happen until November at best.
The performance was similar to the one against Bologna just after the first international break, and it didn’t take long for things to fall apart again afterwards. While it was a step in the right direction, it remains to be seen if the squad will continue like this or if it was just a flash after a few hellish days and the retreat, which seemed more like a face-saving charade. before the press and the fans than something serious.
The most positive note was that Dusan Vlahovic was committed and involved instead of waiting for the ball in the box, where he has trouble reaching it. Perhaps it was simply a matter of Arkadiusz Milik not being on the field for most of the game, but that should definitely be the case in every game. He is not the old-fashioned goal-poaching No. 9 that the coaching staff usually portrays. He’s not the most skilled passer, but he has good enough technique to participate in the setup. The more touches he gets, the more pace he picks up and he gets ready to take advantage of the rare scoring opportunities he has. And improving the volume of those should naturally be the top priority.
The Bianconeri found balance with an evolution of the 3-5-2/4-4-2 hybrid they have used for most of the season under Andrea Pirlo. It was more complicated because both Danilo and Alex Sandro, and not only the former, had the fluid role of winger and centre-back, and Juan Cuadrado and Filip Kostic alternated in attack or retreat depending on which flank the action took place. That is now possible thanks to the presence of the Serbian, who has experience as a full-back. It’s a convoluted but workable solution, especially with Gleison Bremer out of games with a hamstring injury. Daniele Rugani is what he is at the moment, and protracted issues didn’t help make way for Federico Gatti, who was poor the only time he really got into the fray. It is difficult to field youngsters in these circumstances, and they should not be asked to lift the team, nor should they be judged too harshly. Still, trouble will be just around the corner if Leonardo Bonucci can’t play three games in a row to avoid muscle issues, as the system relies on having a great, experienced anchor.
While the scheme worked well in the back, it gives a big role to Weston McKennie, who is comfortable sliding to the wing when Cuadrado has to be deep. He does occasionally get good results, if anything, because of his energy, but his lack of development and his insistent wandering around are quite concerning. Fabio Miretti has done much better when called up, but the role would be less natural for him. He can potentially do it with his athleticism, but he would have to learn the defensive reads quickly to avoid mistakes.
Also, Leandro Paredes shouldn’t be pushed aside so quickly. Although he has been far from great, the team needs a distributor in midfield. Things tend to get ugly when Manuel Locatelli and Adrien Rabiot have to work too hard in that regard. He would probably do better with two men flanking him. However, the Italian handling of McKennie’s current duties is a question mark. He starred in a box-to-box down the left side of the pitch in his best games for the Azzurri, with Jorginho at quarterback in midfield. It’s worth exploring, which may very well happen in this one. While not optimal, there is some logic behind giving the US international the starting job, even though other options would have more advantages. Whichever way you look at it, the pieces don’t fit.
It is possible that he will rest one of the veterans at the back, with either Daniele Rugani or Federico Gatti replacing him, but the change before Benfica’s tilt should be enough for it not to be much of a concern. It could be argued that the Old Lady should focus more on Serie A than the Champions League at the moment, given the slim hopes of getting through. The main doubts are in midfield and between Milik and Moise Kean.
likely alignment
3-5-2: Szczesny; Danilo, Bonucci, Alex Sandro; Square, Locatelli, Walls, Rabiot, Kostic; Vlahović, Milik.
Absences:
Pogba (meniscus tear), Chiesa (ACL tear), Bremer, Di Maria, De Sciglio (thigh strains), Kaio Jorge (patellar tendon tear), Aké (malleolus fracture).
Empoli changed coaches and multiple starters, but his style of play remains the same. It’s a rare side where the philosophy comes from the higher ups rather than who sits on the bench. Moving on from Aurelio Andreazzoli was audacious considering they had a quiet campaign but will probably want to open a mini-cycle with youngster Paolo Zanetti. The two wins over Bologna and Empoli embellish their first run of results that comprises a ton of draws. After losing the opening goal against Spezia in their worst performance yet, only Roma and Milan have surpassed them. His intensity is always on point.
The gaffer’s scheme was bordering on reckless in Venezia, but has found a happier middle ground in Tuscany. That also comes from the characteristics of his players, since here he has more veterans and brave midfielders, who help a lot in the defensive phase and the darker areas.
Empoli is well known for being a hotbed of new talent, with the brightest being Fabiano Parisi, who was somehow shunned by bigger teams despite a dearth of good options at full-back. It’s much more than that, as he’s one of the best playmakers, he has stamina for days and can bend opposing baselines with his runs also in odd positions on the field, not necessarily just going up and down his side. .
They are introducing another brilliant product of Primavera in Tommaso Baldanzi, a true number 10 who stands out for his agility, shooting skills and charisma at such a young age. He’s still flying a bit under the radar because an early injury slowed him down, but he’s bound to blow up loud. He’s technically third in the pecking order in his role, but Nedim Bajrami has been below par after a weird summer in which he probably thought he was leaving. Marko Pjaca has the technique to handle it, but he is more of a winger or second striker, as he can get lost when he operates down the middle.
They have depth and quality up front, and they were wise not to go overboard with youth and sing the smart Mattia Destro because any team, especially those that create a lot, can always use someone who catches cheap goals. That takes some pressure off Sam Lammers and Martin Satriano, who are dynamic and well-rounded but not the most consistent scorers.
They took a hit with the inevitable departure of Kristjan Asllani, and replacing him has been a problem because Razvan Marin hasn’t been very good so far, and he tends to be a turnbuckle when opponents charge. They occasionally used Alberto Grassi to get more muscle, but he is out with a broken rib. Liam Henderson replaced against Monza and it worked. They have two complete box-to-boxes in Nicolas Haas and Filippo Bandinelli, who can do a bit of everything in the two phases, but nobody can afford to have a hole in the middle of the field. And the former Cagliari man hasn’t made up for his shortcomings with his production in the final third, although his skill set and set-piece prowess are eye-catching.
His defense is in the middle of the pack, and they’ll take him considering his overall chutzpah. They’re bound to stay out of trouble if they can keep it that way all season. They benefit from having one of the best goalkeepers in Serie A in Guglielmo Vicario, who is simply spectacular, and a rearguard that forged last season as three components are the same, with Sebastiano Luperto as captain. Juventus loan Koni De Winter has stepped in nicely after Ardian Ismajli’s fall. While Parisi often works on his own, the other fullback, Petar Stojanovic, is more conservative and they have a good combination of size and quickness. They have also brought in a more proactive alternative at right-back Tyronne Ebuehi to spice things up whenever they want or need to.
likely alignment
4-3-1-2: Vicar; Stojanovic, DeWinter, Luperto, Parisi; Haas, Marin, Bandinelli; bajrami; Good, Satrian.
Absences:
Ismajli, Akpa-Akpro (thigh strains), Grassi (rib fracture), Tonelli (ACL tear).
