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http://i39.tinypic.com/auhb0x.png

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KEEPERS
1 - Marco Amelia
32 - Christian Abbiati
30 - Flavio Roma

DEFENDERS
13 - Alessandro Nesta
5 - Oguchi Onyewu
19 - Gianluca Zambrotta
18 - Marek Jankulovski
-- - Bruno Montelongo
25 - Daniele Bonera
33 - Thiago Silva
15 - Sokratis Papastathopoulos
17 - Massimo Oddo
77 - Luca Antonini
76 - Mario Yepes


MIDFIELDERS
16 - Mathieu Flamini
8 - Gennaro Gattuso (Vice-Captain)
10 - Clarence Seedorf
20 - Ignazio Abate
21 - Andrea Pirlo
23 - Massimo Ambrosini (Captain)
27 - Kevin-Prince Boateng
14 - Rodney Strasser

FORWARDS
7 - Alexandre Pato
9 - Filippo Inzaghi
11 - Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
90 - Nnamdi Oduamadi
-- - Robinho
80 - Ronaldinho
11 - Zlatan Ibrahimović

http://i43.tinypic.com/sowdue.png
IN:
DF Mario Yepes - Chievo
DF Elia Legati - Crotone
GK Marco Amelia - Loan from Genoa
GK Ferdinando Coppola - Atalanta
DF Cristian Daminuţă - Inter
MF Attila Filkor - Inter
DF Sokratis Papastathopoulos - Genoa
MF Kevin-Prince Boateng - Loan from Genoa
DF Bruno Montelongo - Loan from CA River Plate
FW Zlatan Ibrahimović- Loan from Barcelona
FW Robinho- Manchester City

OUT:
GK - Marco Storari - Juventus
GK - Dida - Contract rescined
DF - Giuseppe Favalli - Retired
MF - David Beckham - End of Loan
FW - Mancini - End of Loan
DF - Kakha Kaladze - Genoa
FW - Marco Borrielo - Roma


ON LOAN:
FW Dominic Adiyiah - Loan (Reggina)
DF Marcus Diniz - Loan (Eupen)
MF Attila Filkor - Loan (Triestina)



http://i43.tinypic.com/ddyf4x.png

Serie A: 17
Serie B: 2
Coppa Italia: 5
Supercoppa Italiana: 5
UEFA Champions League: 7
UEFA Supercup: 5
UEFA Cup Winners Cup: 2
FIFA Club World Cup: 1
Intercontinental Cup: 3

Good luck with this season, I hope you kick the Seria A from Benitez; and if you get Robinho... dear Lord!

Zlatan flanked by Robinho, Ronaldinho, and Pato is nasty.

Zlatan flanked by Robinho, Ronaldinho, and Pato is nasty.

the question is, explosion or implosion

nice work with the first post (Y) ... but "2009/10 kits" needs to be "2010/11 kits" :D




Zlatan flanked by Robinho, Ronaldinho, and Pato is nasty.they're going to need that firepower (along with quarterback Pirlo) to make up for the visible defensive frailties ...



EDIT:

http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/3748/zaparo.png

little mistake... i will fix it later.

Ibra will be number 11?

little mistake... i will fix it later.

Ibra will be number 11?

Most probably, :), hopefully after Gila and Hunt, Ibra'll make the 11 a fortunate number at Milan!

Thanks for opening the thread, Coruja!
I don't manage to get here quite that often but I do come around to read what you guys are saying :), Cheers to all my friends here!
I wanted to say that this year Milan will win everything :))))
Great opening game, good mercato, and a good setup and motivation from Allegri (at least how I percieve it), there's really a good feeling about Milan this year!
Forza Milan! Rossoneri siamo noi!!

P.S. I will try to drop by more often! Cheers!

Cheers Deni! This forum needs more Rossoneris.

I have to disagree when you say that Milan will win everything. Benfica will win the Champions League. Muahahah






I wish.

Last year was your best chance. Damn good squad you had.

Benfica or Milan?

Benfica. Certainly not Milan.

Yeah, i agree too.

Quim, Di Maria and Ramires are great losses.

We are being ****ty in this season, but improving game by game. Lets see if we can make a suprise in CL.

I like the signings that Milan is making. That rumour of Robinho... i dont know if i like it or not. Great player but... Ronaldinho, Pato and Robinho together? Dont know...

The clubs in Milan would be really hopping with Robinho and Ronaldinho partying together.

Most probably, :), hopefully after Gila and Hunt, Ibra'll make the 11 a fortunate number at Milan!

Thanks for opening the thread, Coruja!
I don't manage to get here quite that often but I do come around to read what you guys are saying :), Cheers to all my friends here!
I wanted to say that this year Milan will win everything :))))
Great opening game, good mercato, and a good setup and motivation from Allegri (at least how I percieve it), there's really a good feeling about Milan this year!
Forza Milan! Rossoneri siamo noi!!

P.S. I will try to drop by more often! Cheers!Cheers Deni! This forum needs more Rossoneris.

I have to disagree when you say that Milan will win everything. Benfica will win the Champions League. Muahahah






I wish.at his presentation, Zlatan said "sono venuto qui per vincere, quest'anno vinciamo tutto" ... as a Milanista, Deni can't help but agree! :biggrinx:

As a City fan, I cant stand Robinho... But the Milan fan in me thinks he can be successful in Italy, especially with Ronnie and Pato to party with and keep him from bitching all the time.

at his presentation, Zlatan said "sono venuto qui per vincere, quest'anno vinciamo tutto" ... as a Milanista, Deni can't help but agree! :biggrinx:

I've agreed every year, so it should be only fair to Ibra to agree this year again! :)


As a City fan, I cant stand Robinho... But the Milan fan in me thinks he can be successful in Italy, especially with Ronnie and Pato to party with and keep him from bitching all the time.

I actually hope he won't come, I kinda like it more if there are no first 11 material players on the bench. And I wouldn't swap him in the lineup with neither Dinho nor Pato. Although I wouldn't despare if he came. :)

I dont know whats happening on Borrielo situation but i dont want to see him in Juventus. I think he's a great player. And like Deni, im not happy at all with Robinho there. To many "party" brazilians in the squad. Milan needs some younger defence. Im 100% sure that next year Coentrão would be sold and i will be very happy if Milan pick him. Maybe Milan will make use of the good relationship with Rui Costa to make an agreement.

damn, sh!t is happening fast!

Borriello -> Roma

http://www.corrieredellosport.it/images/03/C_3_Media_1125803_immagine_oleft.jpg

http://www.corrieredellosport.it/calcio/serie_a/2010/08/31-126752/Robinho,+Borriello,+Behrami:+segui+l'ultima+giorna ta+di+mercato+in+tempo+reale


-----


Robinho[od] -> Milan

http://www.acmilan.com/NewsDetail.aspx?idNews=127675


-----


and the best news of all:

Kakha "The Liability" Kaladze -> Genoa

http://www.genoacfc.it/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10410&Itemid=31

Goddamn!

http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/2471/46721144369928935362112.jpg

Number? 77? 84??

^ difficult to say yet, with all the changes happening ...

EDIT: http://www.acmilan.com/NewsDetail_popup.aspx?idNews=127897&progr=1

Zlatan #11, Robinho #70 ... #2, 4 still open ...


-----


bad news, but not unexpected news, about Klaasy:

http://www.acmilan.com/NewsDetail_popup.aspx?idNews=127883&progr=0

shame ... I thought he would have gotten chances in rotation, coz Super Pippo can't be relied on as the sole change option at CF ... but he unfortunately felt otherwise (says so on his website) ...

Ibra fro 24m

Robinho for 15m

WTF???

That is great transfers, for the price you got them at those are steals. Even if one of them doesn't do great, you got them for 1/5 of their original prices.

Barca and Citeh were pwned by Gilliani

Gilliani > Rosell + Mubarak + Pep + Mancini

That happens when City and Barça are more interested in sell than Milan in buy. VdV is going to Spurs for 10m€.

Well this summer turned out to be crazy for Milan! Hopefully Allegri will know how to place Robinho into the lineup without disrupting Pato or Dinho. Up until now i've completely agreed with both Berlusconi and Allegri about how Pato should play much closer to the goal than before, and how Dinho whilst playing on the left should still cut in the center more. IMO Robinho should be a sub.



IBRA
.----------- PATO
DINHO----------------------------
---------------------------------BOATENG/FLAMINI
AMBRO--------------------
PIRLO

ANTONINI---T.SILVA--NESTA/SOKRATIS--BONERA/ZAMBRO
ABIATTI
Is IMO the best possible formation.

And then you have brilliant rotation possibilities with Robinho and Pippo.
Pato has gained almost 10 Kg of muscles this summer so he can easilly fill the CF role if Ibra is out of the team, and Robinho can play for either Pato or Dinho. + All the four of them with be highly motivated. But I wouldn't play all four at the same time, never. IMO Pirlo would suffer too much!

You guys have Amelia... why Abiatti?

But I wouldn't play all four at the same time, never. IMO Pirlo would suffer too much!

2-0 Down UCl 1/4?

Robinho should be a good fit, but I doubt he would have been signed to warm the bench, Deni. Here's my formation:


Amelia
Zambrotta/Bonera---Nesta---Silva---Antonini
Pirlo---Boateng
Pato----Ronaldinho----Robinho
Ibra

Pretty crazy how we were the most lethargic club in the transfer market and then decided to just go crazy in the final 2 available days...

I think Milan would be raped with that formation.

Who will do the dirty work.

Ambrosini is the named captain, so we'll have to assume he'll be the first name on the teamsheet ...

against teams like Lecce, and possibly Cesena, 1 DM can suffice ... that means the 4 cracks, if one understands the vernacular, can be played together ... but the Seedorf factor also needs to be considered when allocating that remaining spot (when a DM is dropped) ...

otherwise Pirlo will need 2 players (1 on either side) to protect him, coz he's a deeplying playmaker (a regista), not a DM ... that will mean only 3 up front ... or 2 with Seedorf in behind (i.e. a diamond midfield) ...

i do not envy your coach

If he succes must work for the ONU.

You have been reading "As" and "Marca" too much

IMHO if all the four play together Pato and Pirlo will suffer the most. I think unfortunately that Robinho is here to gradually replace Ronaldinho and for us to get the most out of Dinho, certainly Robinho waiting to come in for him will keep him motivated to do as he did against Lecce. Also Pato tends to get injured 'cause he's still young and in development, and that's when our attack in last couple of seasons weakened. It's better to have great cover for a team and have an organized team than cramp everyone in and then not have a decent player as a sub.

Anyhow Allegri also said that he will try and find a way to play them all together but ONLY in specific occasions, for me that's 3 or 4 games throughout the season. Allegri is not an idiot.

The first thing he wanted was another midfielder (Boateng) that can run in order to keep Pirlo less fatigued. Pirlo is a lot to Milan. I doubt he would make Pirlo chase the ball from opposition like Leonardo did last year, especially after he said that was one of the problems last year. I also doubt he would play Pato as a winger (which he would have to if he'd play all 4) after Leonardo was actually fired because Pato played too far away from the goal. For me there's just too much against it.

Believe in my formation :borat:

I imagine the three Brazilians will rotate around Zlatan who will start as many games as possible. No need to name a preferred XI, just base it on fitness, form, and matchups. All three are very different players.

I just saw on twitter than Pato grew 9cm over the summer? Is this verified?

How is that physically possible?

Makes more sense that they mucked up his measurements when they took him, or that's it's bull****.

I just saw on twitter than Pato grew 9cm over the summer? Is this verified?

^ apparently that's a guarantee every time ... Sthefany has verified ...

http://maxcdn.fooyoh.com/files/attach/images/1148/684/557/003/sthefany_brito.jpg

Man I actually thought about that :(

more seriously:

his height is listed as 179cm ... if he grew 9cm, he'd be 188, which puts him close to Zlatan -- and we'll very easily be able to tell if that's true, soon enough ...

this pic from Milan's website shows Pato standing next to Ronnie from today's training session:

http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/9288/23296810.png

they're both slanting a little, but it still does look like Pato may be slightly taller ... and with Ronnie listed as 182cm, it means The Duck could indeed have put on some height; just not 9 cm's worth ...

the Milan defence is a joke, though it was does not come as a surprise ... Cesena have taken their chances well ... it will need a lot more tactical organization in defence to make up for the lack of quality ...

Ibra is often playing from the right, or from deep ... not a problem coz he's putting in excellent balls, but there is ZERO movement from Ronaldinho ... Pato's dribbling has been ridic, but has been far from dangerous areas ...

Ambrosini is going to get himself sent off at the rate he was going ... his movement was good, but he's been involved in a few incidents where you could see a repeat resulting in a second yellow ... EDIT: bring on the Prince! give the armband to Pirlo ...

hope Allegri either gives Ronnie a kick up the backside and 15 minutes to prove himself, or he takes him off straight away for Robinho[od] ...

hope Allegri either gives Ronnie a kick up the backside and 15 minutes to prove himself, or he takes him off straight away for Robinho[od] ...

Got your wish. Robinho on for Ronnie with 35 minutes left. Defense is a joke, don't know why Boateng isn't starting in place of Rino or Ambrosini to be honest, they're both just tired legs.

when it's not your day, it's not your day ...

lots of lessons to be learnt ... plenty of potential there ... hope they brush off the negativity of the loss, and focus on the things that need improving with a constructive attitude ... only way to go about it, as far as I am concerned ...

haha wtf?!
jOp4A7CoeD0

haha wtf?!
jOp4A7CoeD0hahaha the handshake with Ronnie almost makes it look like a dare for the new guy Ibra to pick on one of the youngsters ... but I'm merely projecting my personal experiences from school, club, and sunday league teams in Toronto and in the States ...

I usually catch the training highlights on the Milan Channel, but I haven't been watching the past couple of days ... I'll definitely want to find out what the story is ...



---


came in just as Ambrosini was coming off for Prince (which made me smile), meaning I had missed the first 15 minutes of the match ... but it felt like the Milan players missed the entire half -- there was no presence on the pitch:

- the defence looks like it would get mauled by a more potent side, though Auxerre themselves were unlucky with the header off the bar (where Nesta didn't even bother jumping for the ball); and then the unbelievable decision by Oliech to shoot from an acute angle instead of passing it to either of his 2 completely unmarked teammates waiting for a tap-in ...

- the service to the forwards has been poor ... well, until right at the end of the half ... but the players look more disinterested than they do charged up to maul the weakest team [on paper] in this group of death ...

could easily see Ajax and Real punishing this sort of attitude in the coming away matches for Milan ... Allegri needs to give a rousing half-time talk to inject some enthusiasm so that we see some urgency (not of the desperate kind) to the play ... when slow is methodical, that's fine; when slow is lethargic, it is tempting fate to punish you ...

Pato looks like a midget compared to Ibra in that video.

much better second half ... the goal allowed Milan start playing well ... the second goal coming soon after the first built that confidence, with Ronaldinho especially coming into his own ... should have been at least one more, with Prince spurning a very good chance ... but the attacking players showed what they can do when they play with confidence, and that is a good sign ...

good for Ibra ... strikers are judged on goals, and the fans will be content that display, which is going to allow him to settle down better ... not only did he get 2 on his Champions League debut with Milan, but he just gave the Rossoneri their first home win in Europe since 2007!

Started watching it just before the 60th minute, was happy to see Boateng on for Ambrosini early on. Nice 2nd finish from Ibra, great setups from Ronaldinho. Our defense is still a massive worry and our central midfield just seems to get run over, we really need to step **** up over there or Real are gonna have a field day with us.

You guys have a good squad for attack on paper. didnt see any milan game yet so dont know how the central midfield links up with the forward attack and covering for defence...
as per Rony's post above...I guess if you guys have a good central defender and not any oldies , you guys may do well..

Started watching it just before the 60th minute, was happy to see Boateng on for Ambrosini early on. Nice 2nd finish from Ibra, great setups from Ronaldinho. Our defense is still a massive worry and our central midfield just seems to get run over, we really need to step **** up over there or Real are gonna have a field day with us.

Only if Real has been able to work on it's finishing...

QkhGL725P_w

hahaha, way to make it awkward by speaking your mind ... hilariously awesome! (H)

haha wtf?!
jOp4A7CoeD0hahaha the handshake with Ronnie almost makes it look like a dare for the new guy Ibra to pick on one of the youngsters ... but I'm merely projecting my personal experiences from school, club, and sunday league teams in Toronto and in the States ...

I usually catch the training highlights on the Milan Channel, but I haven't been watching the past couple of days ... I'll definitely want to find out what the story is ...following up on this, here's an article that seems to clear it up:

http://fotboll.expressen.se/internationellt/1.2138299/strasser-sager-att-det-var-ett-skamt

didn't think it was serious, and it wasn't ... watched the video of the training session from that day, and just moments before that kick incident, a crowd of senior players had surrounded Ignazio Abate, each taking a turn to flick his ear ... like I expected, it was all just typical dare/prank/joke stuff between teammates ...

trip. post by me? dove siete raga?

another unimpressive first half from Milan ... well, the game started alright: controlling possession, in the opposition half ... Inzaghi missed an absolute sitter to deny Ibra his first assist of the season ... then, out of the blue, Capuano rips a long-range volley to the bottom-left corner to leave Abbiati helpless ... and suddenly, Catania have multiple counterattack opportunities where they really should have made buried the match 0-3 ... but Super Pippo, ever playing the offside line, gets a rather undeserved equalizer ...

the attack hasn't been the most impressive ... but this defence, especially defending the counter, has been woefully exposed over the past couple of weeks ... Pirlo trying to shoot himself and the team in the foot with some serious mental lapses hasn't helped ...


EDIT:

second half was a little better than the first, more so because Catania hardly created any dangerous chances for themselves ... the problem was the lack of creativity ... it could have started brilliantly, with Prince finding Zlatan, who backheeled to Seedorf, but the shot was too straight at the keeper Andujar ... that proved to be a false dawn ... Ronaldinho's lack of pace meant he kept trying the same ball into the box, while both Pirlo and Seedorf were uninspiring ... the only guy who kept trying, and impressed thoroughly (as he has done since the start of the World Cup), was Kevin-Prince ... I posted this about him when the transfer looked set to go through:
Kevin-Prince Boateng => Milan via Genoa

reported in the Italian press ... Lazio were supposed to have signed him earlier this summer, but that didn't happen, and they got Hernanes instead ...

I was very impressed with K-P at the World Cup, and thought his form was bordering on sensational ... but that's only a 4-5 match run, and his confidence was clearly booming along with the rest of the Ghanaian team ... didn't see much of him last season at Pompey, so don't really know if he's become that good of a player ...he definitely is that good of a player, and is making the effort put in by Pirlo and Seedorf look pathetic ...

Oduamadi was brought on late on, and though he impressed in the pre-season TIM Cup, he never looked like beating the fullbacks during his short time on the pitch tonight ...

back to the drawing board for Allegri and Co. ...

such bullcrap ... Abate down injured, signalling for a substitution ... Lazio play on, referee doesn't whistle either, and they go straight for that vacant RB position to score the goal ... and then, when young Cavanda was down in an identical manner, Milan are told to wait by the referee ... I detest double standards, especially when it denies justice :willis: ... and just to rub the salt in, Zambrotta cracked an absolute SCREAMER off the crossbar ...

Robinho's bad. How he scuffed that breakaway is beyond me.

Robinho's bad. How he scuffed that breakaway is beyond me.He wasn't gonna beat Stekelenburg a 2nd time (re: World Cup QF)

wooooooooooooooooow, Pirlo goal was amazing.

killer goal..just amazing by pirlo

Pirlo is a class player, awesome goal!

Once in a lifetime goal by Pirlo.

ahem ... once in a lifetime?

wXPoYyRda6E

ahem ... once in a lifetime?

wXPoYyRda6E

There's a significant difference between this shot and the other one. Both are probably around the same length, the Parma shot maybe just a bit more further away and it was shot high and curved itself down just past the glove so the GK couldn't put it away. In this goal against Chievo, it's more of a straight shot right into the top corner. The first goal is much, much more difficult to do and more classy. Still, both good goals by a great player.

"At the start of your career, you want to get yourself recognised and you are more individualist.

"Then you understand that the group is more important than the individual and that you can only go far with the team.

"When my team-mates are happy, I am happy, too, because when I join a team I kill myself for my team-mates. If they win, I win, too."

What a prick. Hey douchebag, not everyone is out for only themself when they are younger. Only the narcissistic pieces of **** that no one likes to play with are like that. The guys that were only out for themself and wouldn't pass were the WORST teammates and I always hated passing to them, but I would because if it's the right pass it's the right pass. I'm a team player and I would never refuse to pass to anyone if it was the correct pass and I think a lot of people are like me, so unfortunately assholes like this keep getting rewarded.

^ hopefully you were drunk as you posted, or were performing an amusing parlour trick by talking out your ass ...

coz otherwise, that rant, coming a couple of days after Zlatan's 2 assists won the game for Milan, couldn't have been worse-timed ...

He says he now understands why teamwork is better than selfishness. Why it took him until 29 is a pretty disturbing question.

no, he says "at the start" you don't, "then" you do ... he got plenty of excellent assists at Ajax, and I loved watching him and Mido together ... at academies like Ajax, you are being judged on several things by vastly knowledgeable coaches; but if you're playing for FBK Balkan, then you need to do something get yourself noticed by teams like Ajax ... knowing what I know about him, that's what it sounds like he is talking about ...

ahem ... once in a lifetime?

wXPoYyRda6E

Rui Costa... :(

recorded the match and just got done watching it ... that was a joke ... but still, it took some serious fortune for Real to score both their goals, which is what makes the situation worse, IMO ...

when you play against a team that likes to break at pace, and you're not as fast, you need meticulous organization to control and dictate the pace of the game ... with a defensive line that doesn't inspire confidence (neither on paper, nor on the pitch), meticulous organization should have been paramount ...

on the freekick: no one but Zlatan jumped -- that is a lack of any organization, let alone meticulous organization ... and Seedorf turned away to make a nice gap for the ball -- if you're playing a pick-up game, that would be unacceptable; in the Champions League, that's so pathetic it's laughable ...

the second goal came about because of the disarray at the back when defending speedy attackers -- and in case you didn't know, disarray is a succinct way to say: lack of organization ... not surprising though, considering that Daniele Bonera has played exclusively as a right back under Allegri, but was suddenly starting at the centre of defence ... and not in just any match, but away to the biggest club in the world ...

both goals could have been avoided with some basic defending ... ceteris paribus, that must be embarassing to contemplate for the men in red and black ...

at the other end, there were some excellent chances: of them all, Seedorf should have buried his, or at least set up someone for a tap-in ...

lastly, I've said this before and I'll say it again: Kevin-Prince needs to be starting every game ... and seeing the ease with which Ronaldinho was constantly dispossessed (due to his inability to use intelligence to compensate for his inadequate pace), he should not be starting any big matches any more ...

as the season has unfolded, the evidence is slowing building to say that Allegri's lack of tactical nous is going to end up costing Milan dear ... the team doesn't look like it has a plan when it goes forward, and the defensive organization (not just on set-pieces) is a joke ...

the introduction of Super Pippo against Real Madrid can be pointed to as a counterpoint about Allegri's tactical capabilities ... prima facie, it looks a good case ... Allegri choose to go with 2 strikers in tandem, instead of bringing on Robinho ... but the reorganization of the setup was bizarre, and Inzaghi was often spotted on the wings, holding the ball, while Ibra dropped back, Boateng was advanced, and Pirlo continued to not see the ball in killer-pass-making areas ... still, it worked, didn't it? well, Inzaghi's first goal was a compound of 2 defensive errors, while the second was very offside ... so yeah, it worked somehow, and it's good to be lucky ... but those sort of gifts are rare to say the least, while saying it worked somehow is sort of my case in point ...

the thing Max has going for him is his composure and rationality when managing the team ... a match against Bari is a chance to rest some of the regular starters, as he has already hinted at (Pirlo, amongst others) ... I wouldn't mind him resting Zlatan too, to be honest ... what I want to gauge is his capacity to reorganize the tactics ... so far, not only haven't I been impressed, but I get the feeling a serious hiding is just around the corner ...

and what a week or two coming up: after Bari, it's Palermo and Inter within 4 days, with Auxerre in the Champions League and Samp in the league the week after ... if Allegri can effectively rotate his players and his tactics during that time, I'd have to admit to being impressed ... push has come to shove; let's see how the not-so-Mad Max reacts ...

He doesn't have the pieces to field a Scudetto winning team, simple as. Pirlo, Seedorf and company can't carry a midfield anymore and collection of forwards is laughable. Sure they're all good players, but they are all guys who offer so little on defense that you need to specifically plan for them NOT coming back on defense. A strong midfield can do it (Milan's is too old and slow) and tiki-taka can do it (because the other team never touches the ball; unfortunately this is also impossible for Milan to play), but other than that there's not much he can do. I guess he could adopt a Mancini-esque approach, but again, he doesn't have the midfield foundation for that.

So, Xifio. Have you switched from following Inter to now following Milan? Are you that much of a Zlatan fan? :|

He doesn't have the pieces to field a Scudetto winning team, simple as.with that defence, yeah ... but otherwise it's debatable ...


collection of forwards is laughable. Sure they're all good players, but they are all guys who offer so little on defense that you need to specifically plan for them NOT coming back on defense.for Milan, Zlatan always wins the defensive header at corners; and more generally, he drops back well enough for a forward -- it was never a problem, even under Capello and Mourinho, both of whom demand unwavering discipline to their carefully planned demands ... Pato cannot be accused of neglecting defensive duties; he covers a lot of ground ... but in the case of Ronaldinho (fitness) and Robinho (attitude), I agree ... Pippo is surprisingly not too bad in this department, though he is a non-factor against the big teams since he will/should only be used as an impact sub in those matches ...



Pirlo, Seedorf and company can't carry a midfield anymore

...

A strong midfield can do it (Milan's is too old and slow) and ... I guess he could adopt a Mancini-esque approach, but again, he doesn't have the midfield foundation for that.slow has never been a problem for Pirlo, Seedorf, or Milan ... when slow meant methodical, they won the Champions League ... but now slow has slipped into a mixture of lethargy and incapacity for Seedorf and others, and that is a no-go ... where Ringhio used to be tenacious in his tackles, he just looks clumsy now ... Ambrosini was never of the same quality as Gattuso, but he too has age catching up with him ... because slow was methodical, and slow has now become lethargy and incapacity, it is easy not to see the difference ... especially for someone like Silvio, who preferred to turn a blind eye till this past season ...

if he "adopts a Mancini", which is your way of saying 3 DMs I think, it would mean dropping Pirlo -- and that could work in certain cases ... that brings us neatly to Milan's stagnation, which can be traced to Carletto and Pirlo ... Pirlo could, and still can, pick a super pass; but always needs 2 defensive mids (one on either side of him) to give him the space he needs ... that severely restricts any versatility in the formation and tactic of the side ... that's why Pirlo never made it at Inter ... that's why Ancelotti kept virtually the same squad and formation year after year, and left Milan without a platform to build on ... and that was a major factor in allowing Silvio to slip into the bad habit of thinking he doesn't need to spend on new players, but could still challenge in Europe ...

the defence is the problem area, and there should hopefully be some new arrivals in January ... the midfield can be worked with for this season alone ... essentially, I criticize Allegri because there seems to be no serious meticulous organization to compensate for whatever areas are lacking ...

with meticulous opponent-specific planning (which would see some seriously well thought out plans, combinations, and rehearsed plays), I think a great manager can pull something out of the hat with the team ... in such cases, where the team seems deficient, a great manager makes the team greater than the sum of its constituent parts ... I don't think Allegri is the man for that job ... but I hope I am proven wrong by him rising to the occasion and delivering success ...



EDIT:
So, Xifio. Have you switched from following Inter to now following Milan? Are you that much of a Zlatan fan? :|yup ... never hidden it, either ... and Mourinho arriving at Inter in 2008 made it imperative for me to take a serious intellectual interest too in Inter ... now I follow Zlatan and what his team is doing at Milan, while most of my intellectual attention is with José at Real Madrid ... I also follow Cassano as much as I can ... (my dislike of Pep has helped lighten the load of matches I need to watch in full ... well, until he leaves Barça, anyway ...)

decisivo Ibra, sempre lui ... and his midas touch (with the conducive results elsewhere in the country) takes his team to the top of the table -- going into the Derby della Madonnina, that will hopefully be a psychological boost ...

the sour note is Super Pippo going off injured ... Pato didn't look too comfortable going off either ... it better not be anything serious for either ...


Milan looked dominant in possession at times, which was refreshing to see ... Palermo's goal from the blue seemed to throw the match back into balance ... but they couldn't capitalize, in no small part to Pastore's early injury -- carrying on with that knock, he could hardly do anything of note before the overdue substitution was made ... Iličić looked the most likely to conjure something for Palermo, but he was somehow held at bay ...

the penalty turned the match back in Milan's favour ... the goal for Zlatan seemed to wake him: he was suddenly all over the place, and unsurprisingly got the assist for Robinho's goal to effectively secure the points ... it should have been 4-1 and a second for Zlatan, but Robinho managed to f*ck up a simple square ball ...

all in all, very good momentum built up as the big weekend match approaches ...

Your posts would be so much better without all the elipses (''...''). It makes you sound weird in my head when I'm reading. You sound smart enough to use proper interpunction. :P

stream of consciousness writing ...

Pato out for a few weeks ... Super Pippo is convinced he will return to play again; that, while meant to be a positive message, means he'll be out for a long while too (some say the rest of the season) ... Ronnie's gonna be given his chance now, and it may be his last chance to prove his worth, or else we may be seeing a lot of him here in the US of A ...

i think that's a sufficient number of excuses to swoop in for the imminently free agent Fantantonio ...

peter pan is ours, back off

Finally! (Reffering to both the first place on the table and the win over Inter)

Things are so much easier without Mourinho, eh? :D

I cannot do anything else but to congratulate you guys on a victory. (and to put a curse on Rafael Benitez) You did well and held your line even with 10 men but as soon as that fat prick leaves Inter, we'll be owning again so enjoy this while you still can (H)

Things are so much easier without Mourinho, eh? :D
I can't believe Juve is still on par with Inter in November. Normally Inter would be on +10 already... :D

Things are so much easier without Mourinho, eh? :Dso much easier with Rafa :D


decisivo Ibra, sempre lui'nuff said for now ...

Single people do make a difference. Milan now has a hungrier team, Ibra is much more hungry now than Kaka' was just after winning everything with Milan. Pato wants to prove himself, Robinho too, Thiago Silva can easily be the best defender in the world at least for a short time, but he can, and he wants to show that, Boaten and Flamini are burning to do well, then you have Abate and Antonini who are dying to be WC players for Milan (they may as well never be, but the fire is important). Dinho, Seedorf and Gattuso have their off days. Nesta and Pirlo less of them. The keepers are quite as hungry too.

I'd say in football it's more of a good moment for some team to do good than class, class is there more or less with every team.

And for me Mourinho is THE SPECIAL ONE because he is the only trainer playing on that card. And he knows how to affect every last team member and make them know that they can and must make something, and that this is their moment. And he knows how to build the team up to that point.
He gives them the reason to ******* win, and that's why he can win the CL even with Porto (Which is a little bit different in the 21st century than in the 50's).

So yeah! Thank God that Inter don't have Mou anymore. Because I grow to like every of his teams, he always gives his team a heart. And sorry guys but Rafa is the worst manager to have after you've had Mou. **** half of Inter cried when he left, I guess nobody gives a **** what Rafa says after they've worked with Mou. I knew Milan would have a better year, solely on Rafa coming to Inter and Ibra and Boateng coming to Milan.

decisivo Ibra, sempre lui ...'nuff said for now ...ancora ... e che gol!

by the end of the season that quote-train is going to get mightily large

here's hoping! (Y)

decisivo Ibra, sempre lui ...'nuff said for now ...ancora ... e che gol!celebrate and dance so free ...

Allegri is a ******* joke... what the **** was that all about today? First sub at 89?! oh my...

the team has no depth ... but Allegri should have brought on Ronnie a LOT earlier, coz there was no creativity out there ... ironically, though, it should be the defence who need to be berated for conceding a cheap goal due to poor marking from a corner: Pazzo unmarked in the box? criminal mistake! cost the win ...

decisivo Ibra, sempre lui ...'nuff said for now ...ancora ... e che gol!celebrate and dance so free ...Ibra! ... e tutto lo stadio vibra! (H)

Too bad for you guys but we were better today :cool:

We've let you play Europa league at least, be thankful.


As for Milan winning two games in a row with 3-0 and being 13 points ahead of Inter, with most goals scored and least conceded in Serie A I can only say that I'm so glad that my Milan is back!

Every slavic player marks a winning era in Milan! :) (Savičević, Boban, Ševčenko and now Ibrahimović)

Forza Milan!

no time to watch the match today ... just watched some extended highlights ... from what I saw, the passing at times was very impressive, not least in the moves that led to the goals: a great ball from Zlatan to find Prince for the first goal; a great touch on the turn from Prince to play Robinho[od] in for the second goal; and a classic floated ball from Pirlo to allow Zlatan to control and bury the third ... there could have been quite a few more goals, all developing from some excellent interplay ... that is what I like to see ...

but defensively the frailties were still apparent ... Abbiati had to pull off quite a few good saves to keep a cleansheet, including from a penalty, which had been given because of what continues to be inept organization when defending a set-piece situation ... but Abbiati himself had an almost-clanger moment when he inexplicably tried to dribble the ball out of the box, and got dispossessed while finally trying to hoof it; Ramírez failed to find the empty goal from a difficult angle, but that really was only down to being put off by Abbiati's desperate and reckless tackle (which would have resulted in serious punishment if it were an outfielder who had committed that tackle) ...

so, going forward, the team looked good; defensively, not so much, despite the cleansheet ... nothing new about that ... but the consistency shown has been impressive ...

What will happen to Ibra at the end of the season? He still belongs to Barca right? Can Barca still keep him if they want?

they have no intention to ... unless Pep goes; but that's extremely unlikely ... and they sorta need the cash anyway ... as it stands, Milan have a given Zlatan their word to honour the 24 mil deal (8 mil p.a., over 3 years), which is why he agreed to move on loan this season ...

We've let you play Europa league at least, be thankful.


Dream on we were better in every department, Milan didn't stood a chance against our young players and hey that's not only my opininon so get of your high horse why don't you :rolleyes:
We were better on THAT DAY it's as simple as that, not saying that we ARE better than Milan all the time because we're not but I'm happy we were last week that's all.

Dream on we were better in every department, Milan didn't stood a chance against our young players and hey that's not only my opininon so get of your high horse why don't you :rolleyes:
We were better on THAT DAY it's as simple as that, not saying that we ARE better than Milan all the time because we're not but I'm happy we were last week that's all.

I wasn't serious, I don't need Milan to be the best.

What will happen to Ibra at the end of the season? He still belongs to Barca right? Can Barca still keep him if they want?
Milan have an option to buy him, and he's already signed a four year contract with Milan.

from Silvio's own company:

http://www.sportmediaset.mediaset.it/mercato/articoli/articolo49386.shtml

:bouncy:

this has to happen! the rumours are gaining strength ... i want this to happen!

from Silvio's own company:

http://www.sportmediaset.mediaset.it/mercato/articoli/articolo49386.shtml

:bouncy:

this has to happen! the rumours are gaining strength ... i want this to happen!

I believe it will. Milan love to have Italian players in the mix too and Cassano is perfect. IMO this guy should be on another level if he comes to Milan, finally a good chance in a top club, the hunger is definitely there in him, the talent too, and IMO he's perfectly mature and ready to give his best.

and IMO he's perfectly mature and ready to give his best.
What?! Why do you think Sampdoria (better said: Garrone) wants to rescind his contract? Why isn't he even playing anymore for months now? He verbally abused Sampdoria's president, the guy that's paying his salary! However talented he is, he'll always carry his irresponsible personality with him.

What?! Why do you think Sampdoria (better said: Garrone) wants to rescind his contract? He verbally abused Sampdoria's president, the guy that's paying his salary! However talented he is, he'll always carry his irresponsible personality with him.

I agree, but he's not so crazy now as he was back in his Roma days. Also there's Gattuso. :)

I believe it will. Milan love to have Italian players in the mix too and Cassano is perfect. IMO this guy should be on another level if he comes to Milan, finally a good chance in a top club, the hunger is definitely there in him, the talent too, and IMO he's perfectly mature and ready to give his best.I believe the possibilities are endless ... hope the fates agree ...



What?! Why do you think Sampdoria (better said: Garrone) wants to rescind his contract? He verbally abused Sampdoria's president, the guy that's paying his salary! However talented he is, he'll always carry his irresponsible personality with him.it's like if you hear someone wanting a divorce after a first public spat with their spouse ... if Garrone is that sensitive, so be it ...

fyi, the spat was over Cassano wanting to stay with his pregnant wife and not go to some minor ceremonial/award event that the club needed him to ... Tonio has apologized and has buried the hatchet for his part ...

you're right that Cassano's fiery temper and tendency to speak his mind in the heat of the moment has not changed and will not ... but truly intelligent managers can tailor player management and team chemistry to suit each case; but there's no substitute for talent (and I mean this in all aspects of life), and Fantantonio is magic ...

Xifio, you must be creaming over the prospect of both Zlatan and Cassano in the same team

Xifio, you must be creaming over the prospect of both Zlatan and Cassano in the same team:redface:

Is Milan's attack really the area they should be improving? How about a central mid under 35?

zlatan and cassano will fight most probably. Why do you bring Cassano ? Ronaldinho and Robinho both suck it's true, but you have Pato !

zlatan and cassano will fight most probably. Why do you bring Cassano ? Ronaldinho and Robinho both suck it's true, but you have Pato !

If worst comes to worst, better to have Cassano on your bench than Cassano dominating for another team

really can't see why Milan are still bringing offensive players.

Is Milan's attack really the area they should be improving? How about a central mid under 35?

And what do you call Boateng? He's the second best player for Milan this season. IMO until Seedorf or Gattuso leave Milan we don't need anyone in the middle.


zlatan and cassano will fight most probably. Why do you bring Cassano ? Ronaldinho and Robinho both suck it's true, but you have Pato !

Robinho maybe does suck as a player but he's giving his all for Milan, i'm glad that he's a Milan player.

really can't see why Milan are still bringing offensive players.

We have Ibra, Pato and Robinho,
Inzaghi is injured and Ronaldinho cannot play in attack as much as Pato and Binho can, and in the AM position Boateng and even Seedorf are ahead of him, so he's practically out of the picture. We do not have enough players up front, you might have a point if you mean do we need player of such calibre to be subs though. We would be better of with a Santa Cruz or someone in terms of stability in team but if we want to win, Cassano is perfect!

Cassano is alot better than pato, robinho, dinho or seedorf, He won't be on the bench it will be out of them 4

Cassano is alot better than pato, robinho, dinho or seedorf, He won't be on the bench it will be out of them 4

You're joking right ? I'll take Pato over Cassano anytime.

Is Milan's attack really the area they should be improving?really can't see why Milan are still bringing offensive players.if they were splashing big cash, you'd have to wonder ... but Cassano would be coming for peanuts due to this whole rescission saga ... and with Pato injured, Ronnie on the way out, and Pippo out for the whole season, the forward options are looking thin (the in-form K-P has actually been playing up in the trident quite a few times) ... and even after getting Cassano, I think loaning in a pure centre-forward still may be necessary ...



We would be better of with a Santa Cruz or someone in terms of stability in team but if we want to win, Cassano is perfect!I could see a loan deal being worked for the likes of Santa Cruz -- Man City need to get rid of some of their "deadwood" asap, not least for team chemistry ...




How about a central mid under 35?And what do you call Boateng? He's the second best player for Milan this season. IMO until Seedorf or Gattuso leave Milan we don't need anyone in the middle.yeah midfield isn't the biggest area of concern for this season; it's the defence (starting wingbacks, and backup central defenders) that the team needs to spend big on ... you keep hearing names like Mamadou Sakho, David Luiz, Greg van der Wiel, etc. in the Italian press ... we'll see what happens ...

You're joking right ? I'll take Pato over Cassano anytime.

The only way pato is an improvement over Cassano is his pace

I disagree. I'm not saying Cassano is bad, the dude's pretty awesome.. but I rate Pato better in almost every aspect. The kid has age on his side.. goal per game ratio.. dribbling...etc.

Cassano is a fantasista, Pato is a striker ... they are judged on different criteria ... though I have to say Cassano's dribbling is better than Pato's ... in any case, I'd see them both being in the best XI if/when Tonio arrives (and when the Duck recovers), so it'll be more about how they combine than how they compare ...

Cass-Ibra-Pato?

You guys wanna play Robinho and Ronaldinho as defenders? Seriously you need defenders. Buying Cassano is absolutely pointless right now.

I understand that you guys are a bit thin upfront, but how the hell are you gonna keep everyone happy with 5 top class forwards? These 5 players should be starters in any top team. Not on the bench. Well except Ronaldinho maybe.

What you guys need is a forward who'd be happy to stay on the bench but be up to it when called up in the first team.

If worst comes to worst, better to have Cassano on your bench than Cassano dominating for another team

Not if your finances aren't great, you're still regularly fielding Seedorf, Gattuso, Ambrosini, and Pirlo (good players, but all of them could quite literally get a career ending injury any day at their age), and the defense is shaky at best. Seriously, there are a lot of good CMs in Italy, ditto for defenders, there is no reason to even consider Cassano. Even Real Madrid wasn't that stupid.

There is no reason to even consider Cassano. Even Real Madrid wasn't that stupid.
Wait, what?

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200601/05/images/0104_D47.jpg

Hahaha, I didn't mean that literally. It wasn't a slight against Cassano.

Cass-Ibra-Pato?yes! (Y)

I think Milan's staff knows what Milan needs a lot better than we do. And who's to say they wont buy anyone else when they get Cassano, in fact Galliani said yesterday that we might buy a couple of players not only a forward.

Milan knows how to construct a winning team, the fact we didn't do that since 2006 was because Milan was practically put on hold by Berlusconi. Now he's hungry again.

It seems to me that when any team is in good form and has great players,when they get to the point where they seem to get even better the last argument every envious football fan has (including me) is why do they need another superstar. We all go for team chemistry and morale.

in case people haven't seen it yet:

http://www.sportmediaset.mediaset.it/bin/92.$plit/C_27_photogallery_3704_GroupPhotogallery_listphoto _itemPhoto_8_immagine.jpg

http://www.sportmediaset.mediaset.it/bin/70.$plit/C_27_photogallery_3704_GroupPhotogallery_listphoto _itemPhoto_7_immagine.jpg

always been a great satirical show ... but it's cool that they got him to actually talk about the Milan move before anyone else really ...

I'm really not a fan of the high numbers, 80..99..

Seconded. Milan numbers sucks. Get rid the old bitches like Zambrotta, Inzaghi, Gatusso, Nesta, Ambrosini, Bonera... and bring young blood.

Seconded. Milan numbers sucks. Get rid the old bitches like Zambrotta, Inzaghi, Gatusso, Nesta, Ambrosini, Bonera... and bring young blood.

And how much would that cost...

all you need is Boriello!!! 0-1!!!

unbelievable that Milan weren't leading by several goals before Borriello the mule got lucky :nape: ... when Zlatan played Robinho[od] clear through, I couldn't believe he f*cked up the control and lost the ball ... and Zlatan himself should have buried both his 1-on-1 chances; the first fluff was quite terrible ... ah well, just one of those days; this is where 6 point margins at the top of the league come in handy ...



I'm really not a fan of the high numbers, 80..99..yeah, I can understand that ... fyi, Cassano chose 99 at Samp as a tribute to Ronaldo, who decided to wear 99 at Milan; that's a good enough reason ...

I remember that, a small part of me wanted Ronaldo to succeed back then :(

all you need is Boriello!!! 0-1!!!

Exactly!

http://bi.gazeta.pl/im/1/8538/z8538071X,Marco-Boriello-strzelil-gola-dla-Romy-w-meczu-z-Basel-.jpg


We are not so bad as I previously thought. :borat:

http://media3.acmilan.com/uploads/news/images/mm2.jpg?t=1293475924

So, Leonardo to Inter eh. Thoughts?

So, Leonardo to Inter eh. Thoughts?I'm not a Milanista by the traditional definition, so my opinions are based on the individual ... and this is what I said when Leonardo was linked with the Brasiu job:

Leonardo is a gentleman of the sport, and a classy individual all round ... I think he has the sort of mentality necessary to pull it off ... whether he has the wherewithal to overcome getting fired, overcome his lack of experience, and bring all what is expected of him to the fore with the national team is another matter ... I still hope he is hired and can find success ... don't know if he will ...

I'm not a person who usually enjoys the feeling of wanting someone to fail (though very rare, there are exceptions to this) ... but while the FAchT man Rafa was in charge of Inter, I really wanted them to fail miserably in the league, and wanted to see Rafa embarrass himself trying to replace the Special One ... now that the chubby one is gone from calcio, there is no reason for me to feel that way about Inter (anti-interisti won't agree with me, I'm sure) ...

this current Inter feels like Milan of 2007 (where the upper management thought no changes needed to be made to a European champion side, despite an aging group of players providing evidence to the contrary) ... hopefully Leonardo can enhance his reputation by helping keep Italy's UEFA coefficient above Germany's ...

Fair points, but I don't think they will finish as bad as the Europa league places - one can only hope however :innocent_smile_1:

Fair points, but I don't think they will finish as bad as the Europa league places - one can only hope however :innocent_smile_1:hah ... actually, I just meant that all I really need from him to be happy is for Inter to beat Bayern over 2 legs in the Champions League ...

Ah, true. Does the CWC add to the coefficients?

Ah, true. Does the CWC add to the coefficients?unfortunately no; just Europa and Champions League ...




Cass-Ibra-Pato?yes! (Y)http://www.sportmediaset.mediaset.it/bin/5.$plit/C_27_photogallery_3745_GroupPhotogallery_listphoto _itemPhoto_7_immagine.jpg

(Y)



EDIT:


"Riguardo ai singoli, Antonio Cassano ha lavorato per tutta la seduta insieme al gruppo e ha realizzato un paio di gol in partitella: il primo in particolare su assist di Zlatan Ibrahimovic."


(Y)(Y)

Jealous.

just took 10 minutes of being on the pitch for Fantantonio to notch his first assist, for the match-winning goal no less ... excellent! (Y)

the lack of a focal point to the attack was interesting ... there should have been at least one tally on the scoresheet to Robinho and to Pato, but Agazzi in the Cagliari goal was having a great game ...

it was good to see Allegri integrating a few of the primavera players, with Merkel starting, Strasser starring, and Beretta (who scored in the UAE friendly) learning from the bench ...

I'm sure Max gleaned a great few things from the experimentation, allowed by Zlatan's absence ...



Abbiati himself had an almost-clanger moment when he inexplicably tried to dribble the ball out of the box, and got dispossessed while finally trying to hoof itanother lucky escape today for Abbiati ... he makes some good saves, but he will eventually succeed in shooting himself and the team in the foot ... I'm disappointed Marco Amelia isn't pushing him harder for the #1 jersey ...

Milan-Udinese 4-4 ::: highlights
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Z7hoAOWOgM

what a crazy match ... and what shambolic defending (all Udinese had to do was counter, and they pretty much scored) ... terribly sorry for Thiago Silva to be playing with those incompetent morons ... Bonera (rhymes with cholera) is a f*cking disaster; he got turned soooo easily time and again ... and Antonini went to sleep and thus kept Di Natale on for the first goal ...

it took all 4 attacking options for Milan to escape with a point: Robinho[od]'s working hard, both Zlatan and the Duck produce something even when they haven't had the best of games, and the clutch Cassano has already become integral (3 assists already, and he's only played a total of about 40 odd minutes in Milan colours) ...

Galliani better be planning some defensive purchases in the winter ...

mamma mia ibra! pazzesco!

bgWG9bpO_hw


not the first time either:

gg5M0ihBta8




otherwise the performance was poor, especially the first half ...

well, Cassano played well as usual, especially as he and Ibra were constantly combining ... i thought one of them would surely find the other to score the winner ... almost happened on several occasions; almost ...

I don't follow Serie A but just wondering who got dropped to allow a spot for Cassano? Can someone give me their latest lineup? Milan is my favourite team in Serie A.

I don't think Cassano is in the starting XI yet, he seems to be channeling some qualities of the former owner of his jersey (i.e. appearance). Today he came on for Pato, but the real person who he's replaced is probably 50 Cent's buddy Ronaldinho.

I don't think Cassano is in the starting XI yet, he seems to be channeling some qualities of the former owner of his jersey (i.e. appearance). Today he came on for Pato, but the real person who he's replaced is probably 50 Cent's buddy Ronaldinho.both named Ronaldo, and both called "Ronaldinho" at some point :biggrinx: ...

Cassano is not replacing Ronaldinho directly; they sold Ronnie this Jan so the club could slash the total wage bill AND get some transfer fees for him ...

however, Cassano was brought in because of the long-term injury to Inzaghi, coz Ronaldinho wasn't impressing enough to start, coz Pato was getting injured constantly, and coz Cassano was available for an otherwise impossibly low price ...

if Ronnie had stayed, he would have played just as much as he had done in the first half of the season ... but he wants to make the Brazil 2014 squad, and he's not going to do that by playing left-bench at Milan ... best he moved on, for all involved ... good luck to him ...



I don't follow Serie A but just wondering who got dropped to allow a spot for Cassano? Can someone give me their latest lineup? Milan is my favourite team in Serie A.the team is plagued with injuries ... and Cassano isn't starting yet because a couple of months of staying locked up at home has left him severely lacking fitness, let alone match fitness ... but he's come off the bench 3 times to resounding effect, and has looked his menacing best right away ...

Allegri likes to play a 4-3-3 when he can, but the team is ravaged with injuries, and Cassano's still getting back to full fitness, so he's playing 4-3-1-2, and using Cassano as the supersub ... some of the primavera youngsters (Strasser, Merkel) are getting a good look in with the first team ...

the energy of Prince Boateng is tangibly missing ... add Pirlo's absence to that midfield, and there's serious lack of creativity in the middle of the park ... Seedorf is sucking major balls, though it is at such times he comes good ... the lineup is hardly settled due to all this stuff ...

oh, and the wingback situation is a joke ... but the management obviously recognize it and are working on it (Criscito is just one name amongst the various strong murmurs) ...

MIlan have too many forwards..
i feel they can even squeeze in India's Baichung Bhutia who is a chutiya :D

Pirlo gots injured yesterday and will probably jump the sunday's match against Cesena. It is quite difficult make a good midfield for sunday (also Merkel after the goals gots injured) but we shouldn't have problems for the forwards.

MIlan have too many forwards.replying just coz this is actually a popular opinion, but one that is quite stupid: Allegri likes to play 4-3-3, and he has 4 forwards at his disposal for the rest of the season; that's the minimum number for any rotation whatsoever ... too many forwards? hardly ...


Pirlo gots injured yesterday and will probably jump the sunday's match against Cesena. It is quite difficult make a good midfield for sundayand in the pre-match warm-up, Ringhio got injured! so Thiago Silva had to play out of position ... that's why Galliani was working so hard to prepone Urby's signing from the summer to right away -- he won't be playing LB till the midfield injury crisis subsides ...


---


the match performance today was fairly comfortable, but far from convincing ... a lot of passes going astray, and the movement a little so-so ... defending was mostly crap, despite the cleansheet -- as per usual this season ...

still, a few positives to be taken ... haven't seen Robinho[od] work that hard ever! Cassano blew cold, mostly, but it still came as no surprise that he "assisted" Zlatan to force the goal ... there were plenty of other chances to make it a lot more than 1-0 ... Ibra kept playing one Milan player after another into the box with some sumptuous through balls over the top ... finally, in stoppage time, it was he who was played through, and he buried it, to buoy team spirits and truly make it feel like a win ...

Wow Dídac Vilà its going to Milan, he is meant to be the "new Capdevila".

Wow Dídac Vilà its going to Milan, he is meant to be the "new Capdevila".Mino Raiola

Merkel is showing how much he still has to learn about the defensive side of things ... he is lucky to have not gotten a second yellow for some late challenges, and he makes rudimentary mistakes when defending close to the D (clearing the ball, jockeying, etc.) ... usually he makes up for it by playing some great attacking passes, but that hasn't been the case today ... Allegri should definitely take him off for Urby at half-time, before it becomes an uphill XI v X affair ...

the attack hasn't really clicked in the first half ... that said, Cassano had a glorious chance when played in well by Zlatan, and he really should have buried it ... hopefully when Pato comes on, it is not because Milan are still searching for a goal ...

p.s. I'm watching this on FSC ... the English commentary for Serie A sucks, as usual ... e-Brimovitch? wtf is that?

van Bommel gets a red on his league debut and Ambrosini is injured...looks like the midfield crisis just got worse!

EDIT - but once again 'e-Brimovitch' comes through.

btw anyone know why the Japanese Ronaldo didn't get called up to Japan's Asian Cup squad?

van Bommel gets a red on his league debut and Ambrosini is injured...looks like the midfield crisis just got worse!how did I count out MvB when considering the uphill XI v X scenario?! but tbh, that was a crap decision, and was nowhere near deserving of a card ... at least I can be glad that my direct line to Allegri worked clearly clearly at halftime ...

as for Ambrosini, I don't mind him being out injured ... he has no passing ability, and he tackles well only when he doesn't have to catch a player ...


EDIT - but once again 'e-Brimovitch' comes through.hah, indeed -- goal and 'assist' for him ... and the new and hardworking Robinho[od] gets a goal and assist too ...



btw anyone know why the Japanese Ronaldo didn't get called up to Japan's Asian Cup squad?he is just returning from injury, and would have missed most of the competition (EDIT: article link (http://search.japantimes.co.jp/rss/sw20101225a1.html)) ... nearly had a goal today after coming on ... hopefully he can stay injury-free for a sustained period, and be able to convert his potential ...

http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/1995/gallianipleasedwithcapt.png

Is that really his happy face? What does he do when he is pissed off?

that was some terrible finishing yesterday ... Urby played really well, but I can't believe he blazed over when set up perfectly by Zlatan, in open space just 10 yards from the goal ...

usually Ibra produces something out of nothing at such times, so that the story of the match can be masked -- and he nearly did, but his something-out-of-nothing effort hit both posts before rebounding away ...

no luck yesterday, but there's no way Napoli won't slip up till the end of the season, so there's plenty of time to set things right ...



EDIT:

http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/1995/gallianipleasedwithcapt.png

Is that really his happy face? What does he do when he is pissed off?1) yes ... 2) the same ...

no luck yesterday, but there's no way Napoli won't slip up till the end of the season, so there's plenty of time to set things right ...well that was quick ... 2 points dropped yesterday has become 1 point gained on the nearest challengers today ...

the on-pitch chemistry between Cassano and Zlatan has been great since day 1, and has been progressively getting better ... and once Robinho[od] came on, the interplay between the front 3 was sumptuous ... long may it all continue ... I'd have had Milan as outside contenders if Cassano was eligible for the Champions League ...

I'd have had Milan as outside contenders if Cassano was eligible for the Champions League ...

I thought he was?

“From next season, if a player's club is eliminated and he signs for a new club by the end of the summer transfer window on September 1, he can play for his new club in either competition,” UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino had said.

Since Sampdoria were eliminated in the Champions League preliminary round – Il Doria played Werder Bremen and lost 4 – 5 on aggregate – Cassano can now play Champions League with Milan.

Copy pasted but I think it's right

I thought he was?Copy pasted but I think it's rightthis was discussed in the Inter thread regarding Pazzini ... just to reiterate, it looks like UEFA considers the "playoff" round to be part of the Champions League proper, and not part of the qualifying rounds ... makes no sense to me, but there we have it ...

this was discussed in the Inter thread regarding Pazzini ... just to reiterate, it looks like UEFA considers the "playoff" round to be part of the Champions League proper, and not part of the qualifying rounds ... makes no sense to me, but there we have it ...

I missed that part!! WOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

this was discussed in the Inter thread regarding Pazzini ... just to reiterate, it looks like UEFA considers the "playoff" round to be part of the Champions League proper, and not part of the qualifying rounds ... makes no sense to me, but there we have it ...

Ah. That will hurt Milan a lot.

haha

Why hasn't Gattuso retired yet?

I think the question is why Seedorf hasn't retired yet ...

the result isn't too much of a surprise considering the lineup Allegri decided to field ...


but before I get to that, let's clear up a couple of things:

- Milan's objective this season is clearly the league, not Europe -- just look at the ineligible winter signings ... as I've already said, even just Cassano being available would completely change Milan's outlook; but even then, they'd only have been outside contenders ...

- I'd like to note that the ref and linesmen were pretty poor ... offside calls incorrectly made, fouls on the edge of the box not called, fouls not called when defenders were clearly leading with the elbow going into aerial challenges, fouls for high-foot on the edge of the box not called ... all in crucial areas, that could have led to crucial, match-changing events ...

- if Milan had to concede, I'm glad the goal was from a counter, since I consider it the most pathetic approach to scoring ...

- shame Zlatan's overhead doesn't count ...



now, back to the selection stuff ...

there is no doubt that with Pirlo and Boateng injured, there was going to be an obvious lack of creativity and energy (respectively) missing in the middle of the pitch ... but this has been known for a while, so selecting a starting midfield with zero passing ability is inexcusable: considering it comprised a defender, an exclusive tackler, a sh!t frenchie, and a sadly pathetic Clarence Seedorf ...

Allegri clearly admitted his mistake by withdrawing Seedorf at the half, but there is no justification for starting him, coz he's been nothing but crap all season ... the second half was much better because of the change, but there was a lot more lacking in my eyes, and it should have been there from the start ...

I'd have wanted Allegri to be bold in the home leg, starting Merkel as the coordinating passer, in front of Gattuso and Sokratis (whose tackling has actually been impressive), allowing Thiago Silva to play in the heart of defence ... yes, Yepes did produce a couple of great saves from Gomes, but with more passing ability on the pitch, his headers wouldn't have been needed ... and yes, that means Pato would have started ...


clearly, Allegri wasn't ready to trust the youth options he had available, despite the more experienced options he opted having shown nothing to merit selection this season ...

the tie isn't done, by any means, and the second leg will have to see Max be braver with his selections and tactics ...




on the positive side for me, Raffie played well: some truly classy touches, and a couple of excellent attempts, but his delivery was lacking ...






----


p.s. I had to watch this recorded, so I've just got done, and I've also had time to soak in the immediate press reactions ...

I really wish there was a "crowd only" audio option on these broadcasts ... English commentary on the international feed is always shameless, and the in-match "analysis" is consistently ignorant bilge ...

FSC's Warren Barton didn't disappoint in continuing that trend in the half-time and post-match analyses; again, what a disgrace to journalistic integrity ...

the post-match reactions from the coaches and players have been nothing surprising, though I wish Allegri would have been probed further on his selections and tactics ...

Joe Jordan is not just a mean Scotsman, he's also a former Milan player. WTF was Gattuso thinking? Pictures are hilarious because Jordan's face seems to get tougher the longer it all goes on, almost like he's relishing a fight.

haha, what do you mean "WTF was Gattuso thinking"? are you not aware of Ringhio's tendencies?

The big game coming up, Milan vs Napoli. I hope that the match ends in a draw. Milan have a slight advantage with Lavezzi being suspended.

The big game coming up, Milan vs Napoli. I hope that the match ends in a draw. Milan have a slight advantage with Lavezzi being suspended.

i hope napoli will win, they deserved it...

i hope napoli will win, they deserved it...hahaha why is that?

Im not gonna lie after watching todays game. Im gonna tip my hats to Milan. Well deserved number 1 spot. Kevin Prince-Boateng and Pato (H). Gattuso's Headbutt (H)!!!!. oh yea and van Bommel :-(...

I seriously think this has been Milan's best balanced squad I've seen in a while. Very nice and best of luck to this season focus!!!

despite having an excellent goals-to-games ratio, Pato had not sparkled this season, and was no longer an undisputed starter ... The Duck had a point to prove, and boy did he prove it! hopefully its not just a flash in the pan to get the critics off his back ... if he can continue in this kind of form through the match in London, Milan are still alive in Europe ...

Jankulovski was the other man on the pitch who impressed me, rolling back the years at times to when he was one of the best wingbacks in the world ... if he starts against Spurs, I get the feeling he'll score ...

the last point is about a man not on the pitch: Antonio Cassano ... he always clicks with other mercurial talent on his team, and his influence off the pitch was clearly visible: Boateng made a point to run over to him on the bench after scoring, while Pato reserved a special embrace for him after scoring his goal ...

Well, that was a relatively comfortable win for Milan with Napoli rarely threatning and with Milan having full control of the game. Well done.

So Kaka's coming home this summer, right?

He has been also linked with City, Chelsea and Rubin Kazan.

city chelsea understanble but rubin kazan!!!! anyways galliani knows business dude 67m euros is magnificent u guys got.

city chelsea understanble but rubin kazan!!!!

Tatars got money.

http://www.marca.com/2011/03/01/futbol/equipos/real_madrid/1298993679.html

Tartars got money.

http://www.marca.com/2011/03/01/futbol/equipos/real_madrid/1298993679.htmlhaha tartars! awesome! (H)

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lm2JI7sGwYI/TUzI7BVVawI/AAAAAAAAMGU/lNNfWPI5410/s1600/GenghisKhanDetail1.jpg

Not that awesome, in Catalan its Tàrtars and in Spanish Tártaros so i thought it was Tartars in English, my logic is flawless.

:blush:

hah, no mate, you're right: it is tartars in english ... that pic's just a nod to their history, and the indomitable race they mixed with a very long time ago ...

Cant believe Milan din win yesterday given the utter dominace they displayed at the Lane . Robinho shud have scored before HT , no excuses at all . Pato was below par in his performance as well . Things are not looking good for the Italian clubs regarding European competitions . :(

yep things arent looking good for calcio but i would suggest you and juve fans along with a few other clubs to seek answers from Massimo Moratti.

yeah will do just that .


Taiwo on his way to Milan . Hope this transfer comes through , he's the best available left-back on the market and also a free agent , Galiani would be a fool to miss this oportunity .

good for Cassano, getting the assist for the winner after missing two absolute sitters earlier in the match ...


Taiwo on his way to Milan . Hope this transfer comes through , he's the best available left-back on the market and also a free agentthe Taiwo deal has long since been assumed a formality, given that the club wants him, and the player wants the move ... don't think he's the best on the market, but I do rate his abilities as an attacking wing-back, and he is the best free agent LWB option available this summer ...

Why the hell did you sign Dídac Vilà?!

Why the hell did [Milan] sign Dídac Vilà?!to have more than 1 top LWB option ... then Antonini can get the hint at the end of the season, and either f*ck off, or hang around as 3rd back-up ... and Jankulovski can save face and leave too, despite impressing me (for his age) ...

He'll probably be out on loan next season . We have Antonini , Marek and Emanuelson who can fill that position , and if Taiwo comes we'll have 4 left backs to choose from .. someone needs to go .
We have a ****-load of full-backs but no one to take Pirlo's place when he's injured.

Good thing is that the Scudetto is practically in the bag at this point , only few games remaining and no chance for Inter or Napoli to catch up .

Urby is now a mid, and no longer a LWB ... he can play there, but the fact that he's not starting there already suggests that that's not where Allegri is looking to play him ...

next season, I'd prefer to see Dídac Vilà as understudy to Taiwo in the first team, rather than out on loan ... Antonini and Jankulovski should go ... Zambrotta can be the experienced wingback back-up option on both sides ...

Galliani should have worked harder on convincing Bosingwa not to sign a contract extension with Chelsea ... if Milan are serious about challenging in Europe, Abate shouldn't be anything more than a reserve RB option in the squad ...

Montolivo as Pirlo's replacement is another priority for the summer ...


EDIT: oh, and Ruud Van Nistelrooy can replace Super Pippo (assuming he retires) ...

If they tried they could have probably gotten Clichy.

Congrats you got Taiwo fantastic player

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!

http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/4411/av6823406.jpg

Zlatan just wins titles.

congratulatios AC Milan!!!

http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/1223/49329955.jpg


http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/7512/69636721.jpg


http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/6194/21413079.jpg


http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/2011/15595833.jpg


http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/8696/69529560.jpg

Zlatan won 7 leagues in a row, impressive.

Zlatan won 7 leagues in a row, impressive.

Ajax2003+2004, Juve 05+06, Inter 2007/08/09, Barcelona 2010, Milan 2011, why 7? 9...

My god is that a record? Anyways congrats guys.

Ajax2003+2004, Juve 05+06, Inter 2007/08/09, Barcelona 2010, Milan 2011, why 7? 9...

And as far as I can tell, he has never finished below 2nd as a professional when he's played a full season.

Zlatan is a fully professional gloryhunter.(H)

Though Ajax didn't win the title in 2003 (PSV did), but he did win his first title with them in 2002.

thought I'd catch the Milan match on the Fox Soccer Channel ... Christian Miles just spent 5 minutes talking about Zlatan as a star player to keep an eye on, and was then surprised not to see his name in the starting XI or on the bench ... well, Zlatan was involved in a car accident yesterday; and even though he is doing well, and not badly hurt, he was never going to be risked ... but clearly that level of research is too much for FSC to do ...

anyway, Milan's new home kits look pretty sweet ... lots of space between the kitmaker's logo and the club badge for the scudetto patch next season ...

He has like 24 cars so... who cares.

congrats guys, 18nt title at last.

Seedorf played amazingly well at the end of this season, he looked so young. Maybe it was the last time that Gattuso, Pirlo, Inzaghi, Seedorf, Nesta and Ambrosini celebrated together. what a generation, multiple Serie A and UCL in their basket.

Btw, it was the longest championship ceremony I've ever seen but musics were epic.

Yeah unbelievable generation to be honest. Its sad though Nesta is almost at his end. I don't really see defenders full of class of Nesta and previous legendary Italian defenders.

haha (H)

QGZ6vtC6gPo

K-P! (H)

and a reason to include this in a post:
:mike:

my dream to win futbal and dance celebratory bllie jean song.

first look at Philou in rossonero colours:

http://img862.imageshack.us/img862/5061/xifiomilanphiloufirstlo.png

great to see a player I like join two of my favourites already at Milan ...



---



I'll most likely be following Milan just as closely next season ... but it's almost "that time of the year", and lots of rumours are already circulating that could change that:

despite having a contract till 2014, Fiorentina are apparently once again interested in signing Cassano, though they'd probalby have to fork up a good chunk of change to land him ... the other rumour involving Cassano is in a deal for Pastore -- supposedly €20-30mil plus Fantantonio ...

the one potential story that would interest me most is the Kaká-Zlatan straight swap ... Galliani, Allegri, and Mino, have all been asked about it ... while they maintain that it is unlikely, the possibility has not been dismissed ...

we know that Milan will buy Zlatan at the agreed-upon €24million fee from Barça ... and we know that rumour season is what it is ... but this deal is realistically possible considering all parties involved:

- any club, after purchasing a player's contract, can sell him on if they choose to before registering their squad;

- Zlatan has only been registered for Milan in 2011, so would not have a problem with FIFA's maximum 2 clubs per year rule;

- Real and Mourinho wouldn't prevent Ricky from leaving Madrid if the right deal came along;

- Milan, the tifosi, and Ricky, would reunite in harmony, if it came to that;


http://cdn.calciopro.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/galliani_kaka.jpg http://cms.442.haymarketnetwork.com/contentimages/blog/SerieAaaaargh/Mourinho_Zlatan.jpg


- Zlatan and José have always spoken very fondly of one another, both during and after their season together at Inter;

- José is looking for a striker who offers both height and touch play, and Zlatan obviously fits the profile;

- Ricky and Zlatan earn about the same, so the financial discussions shouldn't be too complicated either;


a cashless player swap is certainly a realistic possible, so long as the players are agreeable to the swap ... there are many things to be apprehensive about for both players when considering the move, though I can't think of a better opportunity for Zlatan to prove Pep wrong -- that's probably not a priority, but it must be something that would cross his mind if the opportunity does in fact come up ...

I certainly look forward to enjoying watching Fantantonio and Zlatan combine for Milan in the Champions League next season ... but I won't lie: the prospect of Zlatan reuniting with José, each with his own reason to prove a point by delivering the Champions League, is potentially more exciting for me ...

What about Ganso?

Mark van Bommel, Thiago Silva and Flavio Roma renewed their contracts.

However, there is a big question mark over below players future.
Nesta
Pirlo
Seedorf
Ambrosini
Inzaghi
Legrottaglie
Jankulovksi
Gattuso

I think Nesta and Gatuuso will stay.

I don't think that Ibra-Kaka swap will ever happen. Barca lawyers will be careful to avoid such things.

Zlatan and his way to express the joy. I know that he used to train some sort of martial arts but this is too much. It's not the first time he kicked one of his teammates. Weird.

http://kiep.pl/img14/2011/05/19/1305803102haha.gif

Pirlo leaving Milan for Juve . Sad sad days as a Milan fan . :(

If true, he will be another great player who player for all three big clubs, Inter, Milan and Juve.

If true, he will be another great player who player for all three big clubs, Inter, Milan and Juve.
It is true ! :(

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/921119/andrea-pirlo-exits-milan-but-alessandro-nesta-and-inzaghi-stay-on?cc=4716

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/921907/allegri:-pirlo-replacement-will-be-?cc=4716

He better live up to his words...

They have signed Taiwo and Mexes for now .

It would be hard for Milan fans to see him in Juve's shirt but they have lots of old player. they need to sell few of them and add more young players. They won first Serie A in 7 years by adding new young players like KP Boateng:) and Robinho.

Fair enough , Taiwo is a really good prospect . Also , they could fill Pirlo's boots by signing players like Yoann M'Vila - that guy is amazing !

M'Vila really is good player he play in France NT too

Milan should move for either Modric and if possible Bale too.
4-3-1-2
Abbiati, Zambrotta, Nesta, T.Silva, Taiwo, Boateng, Van Bommel, Bale, Modric, Pato and Ibra.
Great Idea......destroy the Spuds.

"Leonardo too much of a gentleman, Del Neri is integral, Luciano Spalletti is bald, while Cesare Prandelli is diplomatic."
ROFL

Montolivo as Pirlo's replacement should be another priority for the summer ...^ this, not Witsel ...

really surprised they haven't already taken advantage of the Montolivo contract situation to seal a deal ...

Zlatan just wins titles.

Domestic that is.

I know I picked him amongst the names to look at for Italy's immediate future:me too ... I've got some ideas:

----------

...



SS

...

Stephan El Shaarawy 17 [EC hopeful depending on his progress; genuine WC hopeful]but the figures being bandied about are crazy -- around €5m PLUS Alexander Merkel, and that too only on a co-ownership?!! I know the kid is good, but that's so hefty a price, even the Genoa Cricket and Football Club are themselves shocked with giddy disbelief ... they've already hit the lottery with Galliani choosing to do most of his transfer business with them recently; but this deal would be the jackpot ...

well for the past week or so, it has looked like Galliani's "Mister X" is Cesc Fàbregas as Pirlo's replacement ... just don't see how Milan could lure Cesc ahead of Barça ...

I mean I could see Milan including replacement players in part-exchange (like, fingers crossed, sending back Flamini) to sweeten the deal ...

but apart from being the player's choice, Barça have a much better talent pool, which is already being plundered immorally by the Arse ... Barça wouldn't hesitate to make legal use of Arsène's fetish by including a few ready-for-action youngsters in the offer (like, I hate to say, Thiago, and/or even Jeffrén if he's not included in the Alexis or Mata deals) ...

Montolivo as Pirlo's replacement should be another priority for the summer ...apparently he will be the replacement for Pirlo ... big plaudits to Uncle Fester once the deal is complete! (Y)