On January 23, Inter Milan will face Juventus at home in the first leg of the Italian Cup quarter-finals.
This season is the return season for the Bianconeri after Juventus was ordered to be relegated due to the Calciopoli scandal. Although a year has passed, it is obvious that Calciopoli has had a profound impact on Juventus.
After nineteen rounds of the league, Juventus won ten, drew seven, and lost two, accumulating 37 points, ranking third in the league.
If you just look at the league rankings, Juventus' results don't seem too ugly.
However, if you look at Inter Milan's score of 57 points, just after the halfway point of the league, Juventus was left behind by Inter Milan by as much as 20 points. For Juventus, the former Serie A hegemon,
It was a huge failure.
The 'Calciopoli' incident had a huge impact on Juventus. The most important impact was the loss of stars such as Cannavaro, Emerson, Ibrahimovic and Zambrotta.
The Serie A hegemony almost suffered a near-dismemberment blow. Although they were willing to invest money in the transfer market in the first season of returning to Serie A, it is obvious that the re-establishment of a dynasty is definitely not achieved overnight. The overall strength of
The gap, this is the most fundamental reason why their score difference with Inter Milan is so big now!
Before this, there has been a debate in Turin about whether Juventus still needs to compete for the league title this season, or should they finish their work in one battle and shift their focus on the basis of ensuring qualification for the UEFA Champions League?
Go to the Italian Cup. Now, Juventus urgently needs a championship to boost their confidence and morale, even though this is only the Italian Cup that they did not value before!
The game against Inter Milan may be a test and verification. If Juventus can surpass Inter Milan, then their confidence will also be greatly improved. If they surpass Inter Milan, they will enter the fourth place of the Italian Cup.
If they are strong, they can even surpass Inter Milan. Which team can stop them from winning the Italian Cup?!
Therefore, the away game against Inter Milan in the first leg of the Coppa Italia quarter-finals is crucial for Juventus. If they want to advance to the semi-finals after the second round, this away game must have
A good result, at least not a loss.
Even, Juventus is eager to win!
If they can defeat Inter Milan on the road, it will be a shot in the arm for Juventus, which will have an immediate effect on improving their confidence and self-esteem.
Therefore, in this game, Juventus head coach Ranieri used all his main players to strive for victory.
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Li Ang also knows this very well, and of course he will not give Juventus a chance to find confidence in him.
However, unlike Juventus who used all their main players, Li Ang made appropriate rotations in this game.
The changes in the defense are relatively big.
In the goalkeeper position, veteran Toldo got the chance to start.
In the defense, Bonucci and Burdisso formed a central defender partnership, with captain Zanetti as the left back and Maxwell as the right back.
In the midfield, Carlos is the unbeatable main force, Muntari got the starting opportunity, Marchisio also replaced Silva on the right, and Mata still started on the left.
On the forward line, Diego Milito got the start, and his partner was Aguero. Adriano was placed on the bench to rest in this game.
It can be said that Li Ang rotated most of his main players in this game.
Of course, this cannot be said that the substitute players of Inter Milan who got the first start are not good enough. Whether it is Burdisso, Maxwell, Muntari and Marchisio, their strength is not bad, even now.
The starting lineup is not inferior to their opponent Juventus today. It can only be said that Inter Milan is indeed strong now and has a deep bench.
On the other hand, Juventus had almost no changes in the starting lineup from the previous meeting between the two sides in the league. It’s not that Ranieri still has great trust in the starting lineup that was violently abused by Inter Milan. In fact, this is already
Now he has the strongest lineup he can put together.
Juventus returns to Serie A and there is no Champions League to play in. People are still unable to predict the future of this veteran giant. This is the reason why Juventus is temporarily unable to attract top stars to join them even if they are waving their checkbooks.
Because of this, Marchisio, who can only play as a substitute under Li Ang, has become a savior in the eyes of Juventus and they are eager to get this player.
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Regarding Juventus's defense line, which is somewhat old and rough at the same time, Li Ang made targeted arrangements.
Inter Milan picked up the speed from the first second of the game and continued to accelerate during the game.
Looking at Inter Milan's starting lineup, except for goalkeeper Toldo and captain Zanetti, they are all young people or players in their prime, and they are full of hard work.
Li Ang relies on the fact that his team is full of young people, with good physical strength and good running skills, bullying Juventus's defense line composed of Lerottaglie and Zebina. In addition, Juventus's current main central defender Ji
Jellini has not grown into the height that he will later become the main center back of the Italian national team and the best defender in Serie A. He is still a trap.
There is a saying that is very true, good defenders grow up by filling the pits step by step.
Zebina, Lello Taglie, Chiellini plus Grigra, under the pressing and rapid attack of the Inter Milan players, it can be said that they were a little embarrassed.
At the beginning, when they saw that Inter Milan rotated most of the starting lineup in this game, some commentators also said that Juventus, who had used all their main players, might really have a chance to take away the game from the San Siro.
A relatively satisfactory result, even a victory.
However, after the game started, they began to find that even facing Inter Milan with this semi-substitute lineup, Juventus seemed to have no way to compete!
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Ranieri handed Juventus's midfield defensive tasks to Nocerino today.
However, facing the continuous impact of Inter Milan, Nocerino was a little tired of coping.
This time, after Nocerino blocked an attack from Marchisio, he said something anxiously to Zanetti, saying that he needed Zanetti's help.
However, Zanetti also felt uncomfortable. The Ghanaian Muntari was his main opponent today. This Ghanaian has a fierce style. Zanetti, who is about to turn 31, cannot bear to face such a fierce black guy.
Ranieri also saw the tightness in the midfield on the sidelines, so he made a plan and asked veteran Nedvěd to withdraw to help the team defend.
In today's game, Ranieri's goal is very clear. First, make sure not to concede a goal. Even if it ends in a boring draw, it is still acceptable. If he can finally sneak in and take away a victory, then it will be perfect.
Nedvěd's position took the initiative to retreat and did a series of work in the backcourt. At the same time, he also supported Zanetti and Nocerino at any time. With Ranieri's adjustment, the Juventus team's rear became more
A little more stable...
Li Ang glanced at the visiting team's coaching bench. Ranieri's adjustment seemed a bit conservative, but it was the most correct choice for Juventus. This 'tinker' still has two brushes.
Of course, Li Ang cannot let this happen. Once Juventus' defense is stable and Juventus takes a breather, the two sides will fall into equilibrium and enter a tug-of-war. Juventus will not be without the power to counterattack.
It's Inter Milan's turn to take the pressure.
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Marchisio was slightly at a disadvantage in the fight with Nocerino, as Marchisio's physical confrontation ability was not as good as Nocerino's.
Marchisio is a midfielder with comprehensive skills and balanced abilities. It is undeniable that he has a very good sense of forward attack, outstanding running without the ball, and is also very skilled in small skills, but overall he is still a defensive player.
As a midfielder who is the main player, he can bring surprises in offense from time to time, but his ability is not enough to make him a fixed protagonist in the team's offense. Such a player does not pay too much attention to him when the opponent's defenders
He may surprise you at any time, but if the opponent consciously pays attention to you, it may be difficult to achieve anything in the attack.
Marchisio's physical confrontation ability, ball distribution ability at the front of the penalty area and vertical breakthrough ability in the middle are not outstanding enough. It is difficult to make a difference in the face of the opponent's intensive defense. At the same time, his advanced position also weakens his contribution to defense.
Li Ang thought about it and decided to let Marchisio come back to replace Muntari, and let Muntari move forward to participate in the attack. In training, Marchisio played as a midfielder and Muntari played as a right midfielder.
All have been tried before, so this interchange will not cause confusion.
Muntari is a rough guy, not someone who does fine work. Li Ang asked him to move forward, not to let Muntari be the core of the offense, but to let Muntari contain Nocerino, liberate Marchisio, and retreat.
Marchisio may actually be able to produce better offensive effects.
As for Zanetti, Marchisio has a balance of offense and defense. With Marchisio's defensive ability, it is not a problem to deal with it, not to mention that Carlos can help.
Li Ang walked to the sidelines and whistled inside. Marchisio cast his gaze and made a gesture of changing positions. Marchisio understood immediately.
Later, taking advantage of a dead ball opportunity, Muntari and Marchisio completed the handover of work.
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Next, during an attack by Inter Milan, Nocerino discovered that the person rushing up this time was not Marchisio, but Muntari!
When Nocerino saw Muntari getting the ball, he followed him up. Muntari didn't seem to want to get rid of it immediately, but turned around to protect the ball and waited for Nocerino to come up.
Nocerino and Muntari confronted each other.
Muntari's physical fitness is very good. In this confrontation, the Ghanaian had the upper hand.
Muntari leaned back, and Nocerino, who was caught off guard, lost his balance and was about to tilt backward. At the critical moment, he grabbed Muntari's clothes with his hands and finally regained his balance.
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Muntari did not give Nocerino a chance to continue to pester him. He once again squeezed Nocerino with his strong body. When the opponent focused on the physical confrontation between the two, Muntari passed the football to
Marchisio came up to meet him.
Then Muntari turned around and rushed forward. Marchisio then sent a direct pass at the right time. The two midfielders cooperated tacitly and got rid of Nocerino.
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"Beautiful! Liang asked Muntari and Marchisio to switch positions, and the effect is obvious!"
"Marchisio retreated and organized the offense even better. Muntari's confrontational ability also had an effect!"
"This is a true master-level operation! With a small change of position, the situation immediately improved! I am now looking forward to the gratifying results that Inter Milan's changes will bring!" Rossi said in admiration.
When Nocerino rushed forward to entangle him again, Muntari suddenly stopped, and then the two people collided with each other. But before Muntari fell to the ground, he passed the football.
This is when Marchisio got rid of the physical fight with his opponent, and his offensive ability was also reflected. He jumped in smartly, and after getting the ball, he dribbled the ball straight into the middle of the penalty area!
"He's going to break through from the center! Stop him!" Juventus goalkeeper Buffon shouted behind the defenders.
Marchisio's sudden breakthrough attracted the attention of all Juventus defenders.
Chiellini stood in front of him.
At the same time Grigra is also moving closer to the center.
The two sides are about to meet.
Marchisio suddenly flicked his ankle and moved the football to the left!
Although Diego Milito and Aguero are still under the close surveillance of Juventus defenders, no one is watching Mata on the wing...
After seeing Marchisio pass the ball to the wing, Diego Milito and Aguero moved towards the goal in perfect coordination.
However, Marchisio, who completed the ball distribution, abnormally did not advance towards the goal, but stayed outside the penalty area.
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The center backs of Juventus were all attracted by the sudden advances of the two forwards, Diego Milito and Aguero, and they all ran towards the penalty area.
Just like this, a gap immediately appeared around Marchisio!
There was no one defending him at this time!
Mata was dribbling the ball as if he was going to continue downing, but he suddenly stopped, pulled the football back, and then pushed the football horizontally with his left foot!
Nedved was experienced and he was immediately keenly aware of the other party's intentions.
The frightened Nedved rushed towards the unguarded Marchisio.
Marchisio stood there, turned sideways towards the ball, and raised his right foot.
He wants to shoot directly!
Nedved gritted his teeth and risked a card to stop Marchisio from shooting!
He knows very well how bad the situation will be for Juventus once Inter Milan takes the lead.
Nedvěd slides and tackles directly!
Marchisio seemed to have been prepared for this, and without the need for direct physical confrontation, his offensive talent began to show.
Marchisio pulled the football beautifully, and at the same time, he used his left foot as the axis, half-turned, and beautifully avoided Nedvěd's sliding tackle!
Then his movements were very coherent, and then he made a slight adjustment and shot with his feet!
The football flew towards the goal in a wonderful arc!
