And Cardacio to boot (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Not only that, Cardacio and Viudez showing up... Brocchi and Emerson will have zero playing time. It would only be logical to sell them, or loan them out. Emerson simply isn't good enough. Talk about a player that peaked early. He peaked like five years ago and declined since then.

I think it's a little early to assume these kids are going to supplant a regular sub like Brocchi - however much we may all want that to happen. The kids have only had 1 training session with the team so far. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

No they wouldn't, as much as I'd like to. Their time will come. Apart from taht, agree with what all you guys said. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) Let's see whose careers we helped in stalling: Gorcuff, Emerson, Simic, Digao, and to a lesser extent Favalli and Brocchi. Players like these are needed, yes, to help in times of trouble, but as a side result they are now nowhere. Almost no club is desperate to sign them.

In reality we should have sold them when the right opportunity and time came, so they could continue their career's progress. As much as I hate it loaning out Gorcuff was the right thing to do. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif) We should do the same with our old guns so they can salvage what little time and energy they have and finish off on a high playing and starting regularly with another club. Particularly now that we're investing in youth. Speaking of which, here's Viudez wiki page:

Tabaré Viudez

Regarding Gourcuff... he played well the first season he was with us. He had a respectable 21 appearances the first season, but he had an injury. He regained his fitness, but his skills were a bit rusty... so loaning him out was perhaps the best thing to do.

As far as Emerson, he's been injured most of the time since he got to Milan. And he's not a great player in any sense. He's past his best.

Simic was bought as a utility player... but I agree he could go elsewhere and do better. His performance in the Euro Cup, while not wonderful, was pretty solid.

And Digao is Kaka's brother... he was loaned out to Rimini for a season or two, so we should do something like that again.

Favalli and Brocchi get more playing time than these other players (especially Brocchi). I just think it's great that management is understanding we need to put more youth in our team... it has to be done one way or another.

Well, Digao was brought to Milan to persuade Kaka to stay at Milan so that he can be with his brother and not feel lonely (which is out of question now that he has a wife and son). But, yeah, that's the story.

And yeah, Brocchi is no good. But I don't know which team would like to buy him. Because I think he'd prefer to fattening up his bank account rather than getting some first team action with some small team.

What a waste. I'd call him the biggest flop this side of Oliveira, but at least Oliveira actually played.

YEah Milan management got taught some lessons with regards to Oliveira and Emerson... that's why they are going with more reliable players like Ronaldinho, Flamini and Zambrotta...

I don't care if we lose this. If we get hammered again, or completely outplayed.. that's anotehr thing.

The fish doll wouldn't mind too much if we brought Vedran Corluka back after the game.

^^

I still don't think he's better than Simic. If we're buying, unless it's someone a step above Simic, I'm not interested. Of course, anyone a step above Simic, would rather go someplace where he'll have guaranteed appearances.

We need one more defender Kaladze-class. (Let's face it, minus his concentration lapses, Kakha is very good..as good as Rio, who until last two seasons, was much more kaladztrophic!), someone who's much younger and therefore wants to prove a point, that way Kaladze is forced to show up one way or another. Kaladze's is another position which ought to be under competition. Bonera is too much of a utility player to threaten Kaladze's position. Bonera went up against Simic and won the battle for the place. Nothing to be said there.

My most primary concern is not really Kaladze, but actually Alessandro Nesta, and the fact we need to have someone come in for him, because he is facing more injury concerns. He's probably our best defender... and we need to find someone viable to fit in for him at least... or at least add further depth. I know it will be very difficult to find a defender of his caliber... maybe perhaps... impossible... but we have to start from somewhere.

Lets face it. Our midfield is the best in the Serie A, and arguably Europe as a whole. I'll state that with a bit of confidence. But our defense faces some challenges.

And we also have to face that Maldini is getting older and will probably only put in half of a season this last season.

This post has been edited by Giancarlo: Aug 7 2008, 06:37 AM

I've realized that our keepers consist of a Black Panther, a Spider, and a zebra. Our GK uniforms were probably made by Garanimals.

Hehe...well it's not that mix and match. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Garanimals lets goalkeepers be goalkeepers.

This morning's practice has taken place.

After warmup, the team divided in three groups for specific work.

Following specific work, the team worked on ball possession drills in three different groups (not necessarily the same 3 groups that did specific work).

Finally there was a practice game with Kalac and Dida in goal.

There will be an afternoon training session as well.