Brilliant summation of our Tonali problem The Tactics Board

@Tactics_Board_ To me this video highlights some flaws in De Zerbis system and then takes two freeze frames from a 90 minute game to pin it on Tonali? Data that speaks somewhat to the point but not really causal to the actual issue.

It’s not either or, it’s both imo De Zerbi primarily wants to build through the centre but Tonali isn’t elite at doing that, and in the PL you have to have an elite progressor to do that So he takes him out the block to progress, but then that also takes away his best ability which is his OOP work in midfield, because if the ball gets turned over in that sequence he’s not there to recover it having moved to progress it out wide

@JimOhSoSpurs @Tactics_Board_ Ok well then it’s a Fernandes problem. Or a Bentancur problem. This is weapons grade idiocy.

@JimOhSoSpurs @Tactics_Board_ Huh

@Tactics_Board_ he didn’t explain this as a tonali problem. he showed a de zerbi tactical problem.

@Tactics_Board_ But the problem also counteracts RDZ’s style and he was the one who badly wanted him

@Tactics_Board_ right, you’re then labelling it as a de zerbi issue. if he misprofiles the players and plays them out of position, that’s on the manager then too. that’s my point.

@LilywhiteLab @Tactics_Board_ It’s so annoying how we spend huge sums of money on some objectively great players, but just profile them in completely senseless ways. Xavi being deployed at LW last season, Porro being used in the wrong areas, Fernandes in the 10, Bergvall until very recently

@Tactics_Board_ Liked the video as well and his content is class but I had a different interpretation of our problems for this match today (which I dropped in his comments too)

@Tactics_Board_ This is interesting I’m gonna watch the game back before Monday will look out for your points

@LilywhiteLab @Tactics_Board_ Nobody, not a single person, looked at our progression issues from deep last year, and thought “you know, what we really need is Sandro Tonali.”

But there’s Fernandes to balance that issue… today the problem was out wide in the final third imo. Pairings like Savio x gray and Marmoush x Robertson don’t know how to play with each other to create 1v1 scenarios often enough. Why didn’t we cross more when Solanke was on? Only started when he came off.

@Tactics_Board_ He' playing Tonali as a 6/8 from the left - like he does for the national team. The passes over the top to Gray/Savio should have led to goals. Both passes came from the advanced left side position. Just use the eye test.

@Tactics_Board_ He went to lw position very few times out of the 90 mins to cover for robertson who was the only player isolated on the left flank the entire game. do some analysis with facts rather than pushing agendas. Crap game followed by crap analysis from so called our top content creators

@Tactics_Board_ Can he also sum up why ur a fuckin wet cunt?

@Tactics_Board_ The “Tonali problem” just screams I didn’t get the player I wanted so I’ll just keep pilling on the guy so that the masses know that I didn’t want him🫩

@Tactics_Board_ This is a load of bollocks.

@Tactics_Board_ wouldn't the solution be to play fernandes at the base with bergvall or gray as a secondary progressor while tonali goes box to box?

@LilywhiteLab @Tactics_Board_ There’s how many players in the top right of BOTH charts??? You’re missing the mark here. You’re saying Tonali isn’t the greatest midfielder in the world, but no one is saying that. That doesn’t mean he’s a or the problem.

@LilywhiteLab @Tactics_Board_ That’s not what I’m saying at all

@Tactics_Board_ Fuck me, can’t listen to that nerd, fucking bedroom tactico’s! If Van Heck and Fernandez took their chances none of these weirdos would be looking to blame a midfielder who had a decent game. Poor decision making in the final 3rd was not down to Tonali!

@LilywhiteLab @Tactics_Board_ Makes you wonder how we splashed so much on him

@LilywhiteLab @Tactics_Board_ Intrigued by it defo

@Tactics_Board_ NUFC fan here - I come in peace. Tonali offers absolutely nothing going forward. He also gives little in terms of protecting the back four when opposition have sustained control. Where he excels is chasing the ball back when you’re facing a counter attack. Otherwise useless.

@LilywhiteLab @Tactics_Board_ You really think RDZ bought Tonali because of the Brescia link and not because he believes he’ll fit in his tactics?

@Tactics_Board_ If I may add an opinion as someone who’s watched him for the past few years… There’s no Tonali problem, he’s been misprofiled by RDZ and the fee has skewed fan expectations, you thought you were getting Xavi when the reality is you simply overpaid for a limited player

@Tactics_Board_ How about y’all go on the pitch and play/coach since y’all know better than the coach