StriderHiryu Posted 1 August 2019 Posted 1 August 2019 Leicester City have been dominating the news recently, but not for matters on the pitch! So let's put that right! On Friday evening we take on the highly impressive Atalanta from Serie A, coached by the shrewd operator Gian Piero Gasperini who performed a miraculous feat in 18/19 to guide the Bergamo club to their first ever Champions League campaign, scoring more goals than any other team in the division! Make no mistake, this is a brilliant team who pack one hell of a punch. Atalanta typically line up like this, and surely what will grab your attention straight away is that they line up with 3 centre backs and 2 wingbacks. A very similar system in fact to Wolves in the Premier League, who our opponents on game day one. Brendan Rodgers was quoted this week as saying: "Part of our plan was that Wolves will most likely play with a back five and Atalanta play with a back five, so this is our final detail in preparing for that game. It's a good test for us Atalanta", he added. "They have been over here and they've played a few games, so we have watched some of the games and how they play. They are a very good side which is why they finished third and qualified for the Champions League." Another interesting aspect of their play which is very unusual for Italian teams is their style of play, which is dare I say it - Rodgers-esque? Atalanta employ a high pressing game, though they often take this to extremes with their front 6 players often man-marking their opponent in the offensive phase. Imagine the legendary Pontus Kamark's fabulous job on Middlesbrough's Juninho in the 90's and stretch that across almost the entire team. ^ Here you can see that not only are the Atalanta front three pressing their opponents, but even their central midfielders are marking their opposite number, effectively reducing Fiorentina in this case to playing the ball long as no safe option is on. In this match, despite going one down, the Bergamo outfit would recover to win 3-1, showing they stick to their guns even if faced with an early setback. It's clear to see why Rodgers has favoured such opponents. This will be an acid test for our team in dealing with a team that put you under so much pressure that you have to pass your way out of a press and keep the ball. Against Man City at the end of last season, this was something that impressed many neutrals - teams that go to the Ethihad and try and play their way out of trouble are few and far between. But if there was a criticism there, it was that for all our fine play we created very little of note. Can we put this right on Friday night? It will make for a very interesting game to watch, with all eyes on Turkish international Caglar Soyuncu who may well be auditioning for the part of "first team centre back" this season should our beloved Slabhead leave us for the plastics up north. Very much looking forward to our final open friendly of preseason, and our first at the King Power. COYB!
UniFox21 Posted 1 August 2019 Posted 1 August 2019 5 minutes ago, StriderHiryu said: "Part of our plan was that Wolves will most likely play with a back five and Atalanta play with a back five, so this is our final detail in preparing for that game. This is a brilliant piece of prep that I'd not even picked up on. Really gives us an insite into the detail he goes into regarding pre season and opposition tactics.
Nicolo Barella Posted 1 August 2019 Posted 1 August 2019 They're a great team and I'm very excited to watch us play them, BUT, they're stylistically so different from Wolves I'm not sure how much them having a back 5 will help us. Nevertheless, very glad we're playing them.
HybridFox Posted 1 August 2019 Posted 1 August 2019 Could be an entertaining game for a friendly. There will be goals but I'm actually hoping we look solid defensively. Given everything that's gone on, it would be a statement if we can shut them out. Interested to see who we play in the middle as well. We are littered with options this season!
NaijaFox Posted 1 August 2019 Posted 1 August 2019 Great prep, if everyone comes through without injury...
Dan Posted 2 August 2019 Posted 2 August 2019 2-2 draw. Expecting a really good game actually. These are a very interesting side.
TheLittleBigMan Posted 2 August 2019 Posted 2 August 2019 They have a player called Zapata. That's pretty cool. 80's space rock right there. Looking forward to the game and bloody excited for the season.
Vardinio'sCat Posted 2 August 2019 Posted 2 August 2019 Caglar to get injured early doors, and then Wes to slip in like an old friend and look brilliant.
TheLittleBigMan Posted 2 August 2019 Posted 2 August 2019 Having said that, and having crunched the numbers extensively, along with my research team, we've come to the conclusion we have absolutely no idea how this seasons going to pan out. Here's a chart.
TheLittleBigMan Posted 2 August 2019 Posted 2 August 2019 4 minutes ago, Vardinio'sCat said: Caglar to get injured early doors, and then Wes to slip in like an old friend and look brilliant. I feel like i've just read the works of satan. I shall have nightmares and wake up shaking and crying.
VLC86 Posted 2 August 2019 Posted 2 August 2019 4 hours ago, StriderHiryu said: Leicester City have been dominating the news recently, but not for matters on the pitch! So let's put that right! On Friday evening we take on the highly impressive Atalanta from Serie A, coached by the shrewd operator Gian Piero Gasperini who performed a miraculous feat in 18/19 to guide the Bergamo club to their first ever Champions League campaign, scoring more goals than any other team in the division! Make no mistake, this is a brilliant team who pack one hell of a punch. Atalanta typically line up like this, and surely what will grab your attention straight away is that they line up with 3 centre backs and 2 wingbacks. A very similar system in fact to Wolves in the Premier League, who our opponents on game day one. Brendan Rodgers was quoted this week as saying: "Part of our plan was that Wolves will most likely play with a back five and Atalanta play with a back five, so this is our final detail in preparing for that game. It's a good test for us Atalanta", he added. "They have been over here and they've played a few games, so we have watched some of the games and how they play. They are a very good side which is why they finished third and qualified for the Champions League." Another interesting aspect of their play which is very unusual for Italian teams is their style of play, which is dare I say it - Rodgers-esque? Atalanta employ a high pressing game, though they often take this to extremes with their front 6 players often man-marking their opponent in the offensive phase. Imagine the legendary Pontus Kamark's fabulous job on Middlesbrough's Juninho in the 90's and stretch that across almost the entire team. ^ Here you can see that not only are the Atalanta front three pressing their opponents, but even their central midfielders are marking their opposite number, effectively reducing Fiorentina in this case to playing the ball long as no safe option is on. In this match, despite going one down, the Bergamo outfit would recover to win 3-1, showing they stick to their guns even if faced with an early setback. It's clear to see why Rodgers has favoured such opponents. This will be an acid test for our team in dealing with a team that put you under so much pressure that you have to pass your way out of a press and keep the ball. Against Man City at the end of last season, this was something that impressed many neutrals - teams that go to the Ethihad and try and play their way out of trouble are few and far between. But if there was a criticism there, it was that for all our fine play we created very little of note. Can we put this right on Friday night? It will make for a very interesting game to watch, with all eyes on Turkish international Caglar Soyuncu who may well be auditioning for the part of "first team centre back" this season should our beloved Slabhead leave us for the plastics up north. Very much looking forward to our final open friendly of preseason, and our first at the King Power. COYB! Mancini has gone to Roma so they won’t start like that tonight but cool post. Looking forward to seeing Duvan Zapata, I’m sure he was there when I was over there but he didn’t do much at all but last season he was a beast which has seen him linked with Atletico.
VLC86 Posted 2 August 2019 Posted 2 August 2019 8 minutes ago, TheLittleBigMan said: I feel like i've just read the works of satan. I shall have nightmares and wake up shaking and crying. Don’t pretend you don’t like the sound of Wes slipping in like an old friend.
TheLittleBigMan Posted 2 August 2019 Posted 2 August 2019 It's not the sound that bothers me to be honest.
KingsX Posted 2 August 2019 Posted 2 August 2019 Two of the top 26 sides in world football* and you don't have to go to Shanghai or LA to see it. * source fivethirtyeight ... no, I don't wish to argue the merits of it
Buce Posted 2 August 2019 Posted 2 August 2019 9 hours ago, StriderHiryu said: Leicester City have been dominating the news recently, but not for matters on the pitch! So let's put that right! On Friday evening we take on the highly impressive Atalanta from Serie A, coached by the shrewd operator Gian Piero Gasperini who performed a miraculous feat in 18/19 to guide the Bergamo club to their first ever Champions League campaign, scoring more goals than any other team in the division! Make no mistake, this is a brilliant team who pack one hell of a punch. Atalanta typically line up like this, and surely what will grab your attention straight away is that they line up with 3 centre backs and 2 wingbacks. A very similar system in fact to Wolves in the Premier League, who our opponents on game day one. Brendan Rodgers was quoted this week as saying: "Part of our plan was that Wolves will most likely play with a back five and Atalanta play with a back five, so this is our final detail in preparing for that game. It's a good test for us Atalanta", he added. "They have been over here and they've played a few games, so we have watched some of the games and how they play. They are a very good side which is why they finished third and qualified for the Champions League." Another interesting aspect of their play which is very unusual for Italian teams is their style of play, which is dare I say it - Rodgers-esque? Atalanta employ a high pressing game, though they often take this to extremes with their front 6 players often man-marking their opponent in the offensive phase. Imagine the legendary Pontus Kamark's fabulous job on Middlesbrough's Juninho in the 90's and stretch that across almost the entire team. ^ Here you can see that not only are the Atalanta front three pressing their opponents, but even their central midfielders are marking their opposite number, effectively reducing Fiorentina in this case to playing the ball long as no safe option is on. In this match, despite going one down, the Bergamo outfit would recover to win 3-1, showing they stick to their guns even if faced with an early setback. It's clear to see why Rodgers has favoured such opponents. This will be an acid test for our team in dealing with a team that put you under so much pressure that you have to pass your way out of a press and keep the ball. Against Man City at the end of last season, this was something that impressed many neutrals - teams that go to the Ethihad and try and play their way out of trouble are few and far between. But if there was a criticism there, it was that for all our fine play we created very little of note. Can we put this right on Friday night? It will make for a very interesting game to watch, with all eyes on Turkish international Caglar Soyuncu who may well be auditioning for the part of "first team centre back" this season should our beloved Slabhead leave us for the plastics up north. Very much looking forward to our final open friendly of preseason, and our first at the King Power. COYB! Did you write this Strider? As I was reading it I assumed it was a copy and paste article from a sports journo, but the penultimate paragraph suggests not.
Harry96 Posted 2 August 2019 Posted 2 August 2019 Saw the highlights of their game vs Norwich their attack is deadly with Gomez zapata muriel
StriderHiryu Posted 2 August 2019 Author Posted 2 August 2019 6 minutes ago, Harry96 said: Saw the highlights of their game vs Norwich their attack is deadly with Gomez zapata muriel Yeah they beat Norwich 4-1 away from home despite not starting Zupata. They are a very, very good outfit. Their manager deserves massive credit. They probably have 10% of the budget that Milan and Roma do but beat them to the Champions League places.
Meat and 2 veg Posted 2 August 2019 Posted 2 August 2019 4 hours ago, Vardinio'sCat said: Caglar to get injured early doors, and then Wes to slip in like an old friend and look brilliant. Benkovic will be 3rd choice. Wes can turn up but won’t be in the squad imo, shouldn’t be anyway.
Meat and 2 veg Posted 2 August 2019 Posted 2 August 2019 Schmeichel Pereira Soyunucu Evans Chilwell Mendy Tielemans Maddison Perez Vardy Albrighton would love to see Benkovic get a run out and Barnes or albrighton idk
Nicolo Barella Posted 2 August 2019 Posted 2 August 2019 1 hour ago, Buce said: Did you write this Strider? As I was reading it I assumed it was a copy and paste article from a sports journo, but the penultimate paragraph suggests not. He did, he makes this kind of post sometimes, mostly about Leicester's tactics though
foxfan92 Posted 2 August 2019 Posted 2 August 2019 37 minutes ago, Meat and 2 veg said: Schmeichel Pereira Soyunucu Evans Chilwell Mendy Tielemans Maddison Perez Vardy Albrighton would love to see Benkovic get a run out and Barnes or albrighton idk Is Mendy definitely match fit? Picked up an injury in the Rotherham friendly didn't he? Otherwise this is what I'm expecting to see.
UniFox21 Posted 2 August 2019 Posted 2 August 2019 40 minutes ago, Meat and 2 veg said: Schmeichel Pereira Soyunucu Evans Chilwell Mendy Tielemans Maddison Perez Vardy Albrighton would love to see Benkovic get a run out and Barnes or albrighton idk I'd expect Hamza to start over Mendy initially.
Beechey Posted 2 August 2019 Posted 2 August 2019 If they operate a back 3 with no wingers, our wingers and full backs will again be pivotal to the outcome. They'll need to double up on the wing back and intelligently find space. Want to see Barnes finding some gaps.
RonnieTodger Posted 2 August 2019 Posted 2 August 2019 Intrigued by Atalanta. There were a couple of other underdogs looking like they'd get into the Champions League like Frankfurt and Getafe but both fell at the final hurdle. I remember watching Atalanta smash Everton home and away in the Europa League.
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.