THE THEME. It was the department under observation and did not disappoint. Gaetano inspires, Samardzic scores, Ederson is a guarantee.
Read more Atalanta, Daniel Maldini on loan to Cagliari
Reading 1 min.
Gaetano inspires, Samardzic scores, Ederson is a guarantee of running, competitiveness, and insertions. And the Nerazzurri midfield is already toned. With mechanisms that flow smoothly in the passing and in the will to constantly seek each other, between the playmaker and mezzalas, and then to command the game, to manage ball possession with patience and clarity while waiting for the decisive through ball in the area. Sarri’s football ideas, in short, are already visible, especially from the waist up.
Samardzic the mezzala
And the players so far are making progress. Samardzic, for example, is increasingly fitting into the new role of mezzala that the Tuscan coach has tailored for him. Signs of good adaptation from the Serbian playmaker are emerging. Lazar was involved in the build-up of the first goal and scored the second, intercepting the ball and netting after a long solo run. Certainly, he had a wide open field ahead, left culpably deserted by Schalke 04’s poor positioning at that moment, but the way Samardzic placed the ball in the net, disorienting defender and goalkeeper, is the exact picture of his talent that Sarri intends to fully exploit, both in the build-up phase and when it comes to finishing or closing the action. Lazar was also quite orderly in managing the passes he made without taking too many risks. There is clearly room for improvement in movements, reading the game, and, more generally, tactically, but the match in Gelsenkirchen also told us that in that position Samardzic can make a difference.
The one who has been making a difference for some time is Ederson, who on Saturday, August 8 was not overwhelming in his runs and his usual all-field play. But he started with conviction and gave substance and competitiveness to a midfield line that absolutely needs his physicality and his ability in coverages.
Read more Muñoz launches Italtrans in the Silverstone qualifiers
Gaetano growing
Gaetano lost some precious balls in front of his area – on one, in the second half, he then made up for it by closing the angle to the opposing player –, but he crafted the assist for the first goal and dispensed wise, inspired, never trivial touches, as a playmaker who knows how to lead the team. In the first half he also made a decisive recovery, showing that there is further room for growth even in defense. And then when he has the ball at his feet, technique, ideas, and perfectly measured passes always emerge.
Obviously, it is August and physiologically other ingredients need to be put into the midfield engine. But, against Schalke 04, the Nerazzurri midfield gave positive sensations and hinted at even greater potential.
