Not so surprising if you think about it.
We're back to the
February issues.
In January the team would put in complete performances or finish games stronger than they began it, because Rebic and/or Hakan used to come on and bring life to or re-energize the team.
By February they were both starters, leaving us with no one on the bench who could carry the team for the last half-hour. The team would play teams off the park in the first half, only to plummet at the end(Inter, Juve, Fio).
The fatigue issue disappeared completely after the break, for multiple reasons.
Players got the rest they needed, and Pioli was given a real chance to prepare the players for his physically demanding tactics.
The summer games were played at a slow tempo. There were cooling breaks. The games had lower distance covered than usual, despite a lot of added minutes.
We had great impact subs again. Ibra would rotate with Rebic.
Saele, Bona and Leao learned to make the most out of their cameos.
All that has been taken away from the team at the moment.
The preseason preparations were shorter than usual and ruined by NT call-ups.
The match tempos are rising as the temperatures are falling.
Ibra and Rebic have only been available for one game together so far.
Bona is gone. Leao has just returned from an injury, illness and holidays.
Diaz hasn't had enough time to adapt to the team. Hauge is yet to debut.
Daniel and Colombo are Primavera kids that play like Primavera kids.
We'll be fine once the absentees return and the new players acclimatize.