[han2503]

This will most likely be the decisive match for Montella, not getting the 3 points here will most likely cost him is job, and I have to say, that from a long-term perspective, that would be the better outcome for us

[maldini03]

FT 0-0. Four games without a win for Montella. I think its time we part ways. He is a good coach, but he simply doesn't have the tactical wherewithal or the understanding of the team. Montella looked really well last year with the Fiat of the team but now that we have upgraded and given him a Mercedes he looks lost and has figuratively crashed it into a wall.

Bring in someone new, at least that kind of a change will spark the team and maybe right the ship for us.

On another note, the announcer in my stream (English) had mentioned how much more comfortable Romag looks when playing in a back 4 and I definitely agree. He is our most physically gifted defender IMO and he looked good (along with Zaps!) out there today. That being said, it looks like Bonucci has definitely lost a step and he needs to regain some confidence and I am floored at how bad Biglia has been for us. I say we trot out the Christmas tree from the days of old Milan. Push Bonucci into either the Pirlo or Gattuso role which should give more freedom to Kessie and Biglia.

The former looks much better going forward but is atm being asked to be a distributor, destroyer, and offensive force. I think he can become a great player but he needs to be given the freedom to do those things. When he was playing at Atalanta he wasn't the anchor, he was a box crashing shuttler with great physicality which I think this team seriously needs based on the inability to score goals and get consistent pressure from our forwards. I think Silva should be playing most if not all of the games as the SS. Let Hakan and Bona fight it out for the other playmaker spot and switch between Cutrone and Kalinic for the prima punta. I know I have suggested this plan before but I think it would work if we tried something like this:

---------------------------------Donna-----------------------------------
----Calabria/Abate --Romag---------Mussachio----------RR-----------
---------------------------Bonucci/Biglia------Kessie/Biglia/ Loca------
-------------Suso/Kessie-------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------Jack/ Hakan----------------------
-----------------------Silva/Suso/Hakan---------------------------------
--------------------------------Cutro/Kalinic-----------------------------

Down that right side, there would be less emphasis on pushing the FB forward, because you have Suso dropping deep to play the wing and generate some steam. I think Kessie can also play down this side when we are looking for a more balanced midfield approach. Silva is good in the build-up play, and he has that instinct to create something. Him playing the 1-2 game with Suso and opening up the oppositions left wing can spring crosses or lead to some mismatches working the inside.

Down the left, the main attacking pressure would come from RR delivering early crosses, and working that left wing with Jack ideally or Hakan who both favor that side of the field.

Bonucci at this point is a better long passer than Biglia who seems to have no creativity whatsoever and has really looked like **** from that anchor spot. He doesn't kill attacks and he definitely doesn't start them. I would rather have a guy that is going to do one or the other really well than do both jobs insignificantly. Bonucci is the anti-Pirlo a defensive player who can play the long ball but he is a strong stopper. He is good in the air and he can add some steel to a dull midfield. This gives us the opportunity to add creative players around him without sacrificing defensively.

The two out- and -out strikers we have are essentially poachers. Kalinic is more dangerous with crosses whipped in, while Cutro is the better player at building up and moving in those small spaces.

In defense:

When teams try to counter, if we are pushed up the wings with RR for example, Romag shifts over to put pressure initially and Bonucci picks up the midfield runner. This leaves Kessie or Biglia, whoever is playing in that left-central mid spot to clog up the top of the box and the wingback to track back and either pressure down the wing with the pulled CB or to track a late runner.

I know that Suso doesn't help much defensively but when we counter with him coming to the edge of the box we generally look dangerous. He would be given the duty of kick-starting counter attacks by either dumping the ball inside to the playmakers or playing it long to the hold up prima punta.