The Official Game Status Update Thread

[Nentsia]

Meanwhile in my laboratory, Catenaccio is getting me better and better results. When Blac was Schalke, and I was Napoli, we had our best game ever that eventually ended in 2-3 for Blac. Too many goals against in my opinion, so back to the Lab. Some test games end in goalless draws, but for several games in a row, my testing team (Internazionale), won with 1-0. Keeping Blacarite teams from scoring is not my only goal. I want to do so while using my preferred 5-3-2. As I explained, this poses some problems as Blacarism means 4 attackers, double support down the wings (where I have only 1 defender), and two central midfielders that can both build up the attack and smother any potential counter-attacks of mine.

After having tried everything, and my defensive organization getting infinitely complex (only to still have Blac score - driving me crazy), I have learned that the solutions are sometimes... very simple. But for the sake of gamesmanship I'm not going to tell what that solution might be. As it stands now, my Inter concedes about 1 scoring chance to Blacarite teams in every 137 minutes. In some games my Catenacciari scored an early goal and managed to defend that lead, and in other games (like the one above), they managed to steal a late goal after waiting patiently for 80 minutes.



But the truth must be told: even I can barely watch my team play. After 3 passes they lose the ball and return to their trenches. But the defensive principles that have helped this team to stay defensively solid can also be applied with other playing styles, so there is hope that I might combine a solid defense with a playing style that doesn't result in... 37% ball posession (look at that dreadful 59% pass completion). But for now, Catenaccio it is.