Yesterday we played our best game in preseason. While results don't matter in friendlies, but that Chelsea game was really ugly, and what was more concerning that in our first 3 friendlies, we didn't manage to have the lead even for 1 minute.
When United created that chance early on, and than scored from the corner, I was disappointed. But credit goes to our team, because they get their shit together, and we played well. We dominated United, we held posession, we created multiple chances. And that second half performance was great.
Torriani: I like him, he is a great shot stopper. The question is, can he be more? The issue with Torriani is that he is a traditional line keeper, while in the modern game, you kind of need a sweeper keeper. And those instincst are something that is not there with Torriani
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Terra : Worst player on the pitch. He struggled, made many costly mistakes. The penalty was his fault, the second United goal was his fault. He struggled with retaining posession. He is definitely a Lecce, Cagliari level player, who will have a market from these relegation fighting teams.
KDW: He was pretty bad as well. KDW is not a great player, but not a total fodder. He is an average CB. Someone who can be a reliable 5th choice CB, but that is it. Last year, it seemed to me that he is better on the ball, I thought Amorim's football would suit him better. But in the preseason, he didn't really convince me. He had many lost balls, misplaced passes, he panicked when pressed. He is not better on the ball than Gabbia, and Gabbia has higher IQ on the pitch.
Pavlovic: He also struggles a lot in this system. He didn't have a good preseason, I would say. The first United goal was his and Musah's fault. Pav lost the ball on several occasion, which didn't prove costly, as he corrected his mistakes, and fought for every ball. His ball-carrying skills are valuable, and a great fighter on the pitch. But passing and ball controll are part of his weaknesses. He is not the best fit for Amorim's football, I have to say, but he puts his heart out every day, and we need players like that.
Chuk: Easy MOTM for me. 1 goal, 2 assists, what more can you ask? For now, Chuk proved enough in preseason to be a valuable player in our squad, he earned his stay.
Musah: Bad mistake in United's goal, but I have to say that I simply don't understand how Maguire, an ariel threat was marked by Musah on a corner. Musah provides high energy, and dynamism on the pitch.
Jashari: He was great. He was all-over the pitch, pressed well, which resulted in our first goal. He retained the ball well, and switched the sides fast multiple time with accurate long-balls. Jashari is showing promise.
Estupinan: If this match was not a friendly, Estupinan would have been red-carded. He committed many stupid faults. We need to get rid of him.
RLC: Great game by him. I can't remember the last time he played great games 2 out of 3 matches. He was for once showing aggression, pressed well, retained the ball in difficult situations, and scored a beautiful goal.
Ramos: No coach would turn down having a player like him in the team. He is our best striker in years. He is a grinta player, high workrate, great stamina. He can set up chances, like with the assist on Chuk's goal, or with the quick 1-2 with RLC. He also scored a beautiful header.
Cisse: He was more on the average side yesterday. He retained the ball well, but most of the times, he wasn't that much involved in our attacks. In the first half, he Leao'd a shot after a quick 1-2 with Ramos. In the second half, he had a nice play with Chuk, which resulted in his goal.
Gila: Day and night with him and without him on the pitch. He is a leader, a great defender, who shows aggression. He is a reference point in the buildup, that we desperately missed in the last 2 friendlies. He is the CB most suited to Amorim's football.
Modric: Class, as usual. Jashari had a great game, but we didn't even feel his sub, due to an amazing performance by Modric.
Bart: he is not a flashy player, but he is miles better than Estupinan. I hope we manage to get a better LWB, and Bart can be his backup.
Ricci: High workrate, good stamina. That is about it. He was subbed in to the double pivot with Modric, and after Comotto came in, Ricci was playing the RAM position. I don't like Ricci, I don't rate him.
Camarda, Comotto, Diawara, Vladimirov: I didn't see enough.
Now onto the real test - away against Torino to start the season.