hybrid_tiger
Coach
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Discussion time.
I'm interested in what people here have to say about the fact that Italian teams in Europe have this season been beaten by British teams who have finally wised up and employed the kind of defensive football that the British have whinged about in the past when Italian teams beat them.
Exhibit A: Rangers vs Fiorentina
Exhibit B: Liverpool vs Inter
Exhibit C: Arsenal vs Milan
Exhibit D: Capello being employed to manage England
It is clear that British teams have finally learnt that to get results, you need to be rock solid at the back.
Manchester and Chelsea have the best defensive records in European competitions this season, I believe. No coincidence that both are in the final.
On another note, and somewhat related, the fact that the English FA has given the job of NT manager to Capello signals a massive change in thinking at the English FA, doesn't it?
Basically, the good season that English clubs are currently enjoying in Europe is largelly based upon a shift in mentality regarding the approach to defending. Italian teams were beaten this season against English opposition, mainly because they couldn't break down the defences. Arsenal vs Milan was a great example of this, as was Inter vs Liverpool.
Manchester United epitomise the hard-nosed defending away, and conservative approach at home. They only managed 6 goals in 6 games leading into the final, whereas Chelsea have scored 10 goals in 6 games leading up to it.
Anyhow, a few years ago the British media, along with alot of people on here would have cried blue murder at Italian teams using these kind of methods. Now that it's working for them, I can't hear a peep from anyone in this regard.
Just an observation.
I'm interested in what people here have to say about the fact that Italian teams in Europe have this season been beaten by British teams who have finally wised up and employed the kind of defensive football that the British have whinged about in the past when Italian teams beat them.
Exhibit A: Rangers vs Fiorentina
Exhibit B: Liverpool vs Inter
Exhibit C: Arsenal vs Milan
Exhibit D: Capello being employed to manage England
It is clear that British teams have finally learnt that to get results, you need to be rock solid at the back.
Manchester and Chelsea have the best defensive records in European competitions this season, I believe. No coincidence that both are in the final.
On another note, and somewhat related, the fact that the English FA has given the job of NT manager to Capello signals a massive change in thinking at the English FA, doesn't it?
Basically, the good season that English clubs are currently enjoying in Europe is largelly based upon a shift in mentality regarding the approach to defending. Italian teams were beaten this season against English opposition, mainly because they couldn't break down the defences. Arsenal vs Milan was a great example of this, as was Inter vs Liverpool.
Manchester United epitomise the hard-nosed defending away, and conservative approach at home. They only managed 6 goals in 6 games leading into the final, whereas Chelsea have scored 10 goals in 6 games leading up to it.
Anyhow, a few years ago the British media, along with alot of people on here would have cried blue murder at Italian teams using these kind of methods. Now that it's working for them, I can't hear a peep from anyone in this regard.
Just an observation.
