paloschi43. you're posts are exactly 100% on point. This is the simple truth. I have stated these exact sentiments before, only to be met with "i'm being disrespectful to the old guard", "I don't appreciate Ambro", "I've forgotten how great Seedorf/Inzaghi was", "There is no such thing as performance cycles.."

Seedorf playing in England would be a damn joke. Players like mascherano and essien would eat him alive today. Maybe not 5 years ago, but to win in this modern game (WHICH IS DIFFERENT from even 2 years ago when we won Europe) you require strength, speed, and skill. Gattuso is losing his speed by the season. Ambro simply commits fouls, makes bad passes, can't dribble, and scores an occasional header.

Today we are weaker and slower than any EPL power, and our skill, which we banked on to beat them, is diminishing. Inzaghi is the goal poacher of the past, and while absolutely superb in Serie A, by no means should be our number 1 striker any more.

Let's take sentiments out of this. EPL powers are flying high, and destroying everyone they encounter. Meanwhile when Kaka is out of the team we can't even beat Werder Bremen. Enough with this stale "We are Il Grande Milan" and actually scare some of our opposition, something we haven't done for a few years now and earn that reputation again.

^^^ That team would be ultra competitive with a little bit of continuity. If the team you listed was actually our team next year, we would scare other teams. We may start slow, but by the end of the campaign, we would be watching something special.

Going to respectfully disagree with some of what you say, vnata. First off, I don't think the English model is one to follow for anything - style of play, style of management, etc, all the way down to ticket cost and the skyrocketing debts that many clubs have. As for them destroying everything in their wake -- er. Where does Porto come into this equasion? How about Man City?

I'm also going to disagree with Gattuso's assessment -- if you remember, he was arguably the team's best performer this season until his injury. He was poor last year but things were very different early this year. As for Ambrosini, no. I don't think you appreciate him. It's a judgment call though; I think he's better than Flamini, who to my eyes is the one who gives away far too many useless fouls.

As for Kaka being in or out of the team, I know I'm goign to be hammered for it, but he has been poor this year. In how many games has he actually made the difference and scored the match winner this season? How many games has he been poor?

I do agree about Inzaghi. He shouldn't be our #1 striker - he's a great impact player and he's a good alternative to Pato who is and should be the team's #1 striker. Pippo on the bench? Sure. And he himself has come out and said he doesn't have a problem with playing less.

What do I think should happen next year, then?

Milan need help in defense -- pick the CB from the current list which includes (at last count) Agger, Kjaer, Mexes, etc. It'd be better if we could get two CBs. I think we also need a left back because, let's face it, Janku just isn't cutting it any more. It'd be nice to see Albertazzi get a run as he does have the talent, but he makes Inzaghi look like the Incredible Hulk, he's so stick thin.

In goal, if we could pick up someone young and promising like Cagliari's Marchetti or Samp's Fiorillo, I'd go for it. It's not the priority that other positions are IMO.

In midfield, I'd bring back Abate. Gourcuff I've got my doubts over but I wouldn't pull out my hair if he were to return (I just don't think he's so good as many here seem to believe). I also think Milan need to get a Pirlo replacement to train up. My pick would be to steal Cigarini from Atalanta but I'm not dead set on him. If there WERE a pure #10 playing somewhere I'd go for him too but honestly off the top of my head I can't think of one.

The striker situation is a little more complicated. Pato's a definite keep, obviously. I'd keep Pippo too, not just for sentiment's sake. I think he can contribute but not as an automatic first choice. Borriello should be given a fair chance, which he's hardly had this year, but there should be another acquisition -- my ideal pick would be Giuseppe Rossi but there are a lot of good players. Paloschi has a lot of potential and I wouldn't mind his return but I'm half thinking another year on loan might not be the worst thing for him.

So who would I show the door to?

Well, Il Capitano is retiring and I hope he enjoys what he chooses to do - he's one of the best to have played the game.

Favalli, perhaps a 1 year extension - he's been more solid than a lot of the other guys. Kaladze I'd sell if there's an offer. Senderos should not be bought. I'd also thank Seedorf for his services and see if Ajax or another dutch club wanted him (maybe as part of a deal for Urby Emanuelson?). Prolly I'll get hammered for this too, but I'd take an offer for Ronaldinho too. Shevchenko? It's sad to see but he did it to himself. Perhaps he should go to Dinamo Kiev.

(fishdoll sorries for the mini novel)

I agree with Tennie, except for the Senderos bit. I think we should wait on it, till we know for sure if we're going to get another CB. Otherwise, we'd find ourselves shortstaffed again. With his injury problems behind, and a little bit of continuity, I think Senderos is looking good again. I'd probably prefer a loan extension, something I think Wenger wouldn't have a problem with.

Kaladze, I wouldn't mind selling, but if we are keeping him, it must be coz Favalli isn't extending.

The problem with Milan, is there is no correct gradation in quality in the squad. What Sacchi meant by balance.

So if our first XI is all A+ players, ideally the bench should consist of A- and probably a few B-level players. We have an A+ first XI, and then all B to B- level players. Especially in defence and the forward line. I would say only the DM area is well covered for Milan.

Nice post Tennie...u usually don't post like this...but yea u said a lot of right things here...I don't know about Ambro being better than Flamini.....Giuseppi Rossi would very well be a nice Addition but would he help us in Attack....If we get him with Dzeko, its a plus...I just want milan to become the best team they were some years ago...Plus, i want them to become the best team with the players i want...like Abate, gourcuff, silva, kaka, santacroce, Dzeko and so on.......

Oh its definite that we'll get a new defender!!! and we don't Need Senderos, he's very very slow...And we need to push up our game upper towards the midfield not our Penalty box cuz i realise that we drop back to the extent of our penalty box...Senderos should go back...

This post has been edited by gal_kenny: Apr 15 2009, 04:34 AM

No..I understand, what I mean is just one new player at defence is not enough.

Our entire defence needs to be refreshed. We need a new LB. Preferably someone young and fast. An understudy RB for Zambrotta. Someone young and showing potential.

But let's assume:

If we buy Mexes/Agger and also get Maxwell. Then yes,our defensive line would be:

RB: Zambrotta, (Antonini/Bonera)
CB: Nesta, Mexes/Agger, Kaladze, Bonera, Favalli
LB: Maxwell, Janku, (Zambrotta/Antonini/Favalli)


This would be fine, provided we're also integrating Darmian and maybe Albertazzi in. Otherwise even this lineup lacks depth.

If our brand new CB gets injured, and Nesta can't put his injury worries behind him, we're back to square one.

U forgot Thiago Silva!!!

Good point.

Assuming he's quality, I think our CB problem is covered. Even then, we need one of Favalli and Senderos.

We still need a fullback though. Antonini hasn't got a lot of play time, but when he was, he hasn't wowed. I know he's been played out of position but then so has Santon.

Tennie, I in no means am advocating English football. But what we have witnessed over these last few years is an evolution of the game that is being played there. There's no doubt that not long ago the style of play in the EPL was comparable to watching pinball. It was tiresome watching long ball upon long ball hoisted from the back. That coupled with minimal midfield play and lack of creativity made the English league disgusting to watch for the lover of the beautiful game. Players there made up for lack of skill by being brutish and physical. The truly skillful players were either in Spain, and primarily Italy.

Today is different. The Premier League money has resulted in the English game being infused with Latin flavor. Now you have the skill of the latin game, the power and directness of the english game (and the emerging African talent), and world class pace. The game is being played at a higher pace. Defenders don't have time to just sit on the ball and pick their pass at leisure when you have strikers like Adebayor, Torres, Drogba running at you constantly cutting space down. Teams like Liverpool and Chelsea cut down space as effectively as the Italian Serie a defenses used to. The game that is played there is the game of the future. Only a few players on our team could play this game. This is why for all the pretty football that Barca played, in the past few years they were completely stymied by English opposition. Last year against united, and the year before they were smacked 2-0 by the scousers in Camp Nou. They didn't have the strength on the ball to counter the incessant closing down by English teams. The work rate required of players these days has gone up. Other leagues must adapt to this in order to beat the English teams. I'm not saying they can't do it, but this is the direction the game is going in. Just like how tennis has been revolutionized by the WIlliams sisters (power), and Basketball by African americans (power, speed, athleticism). The sport of football today is quickly becoming dominated by players who play quickly. I'm not saying you have to be big, because Robinho is small, but still effective because of the pace at which he reads the game. this is in start contrast to a Seedorf or Tiago who take time on the ball.

You point out Porto and Man City. First off, United has not lost yet. I hope they do, but there's no saying they're done QUITE yet.. Porto stunned United in leg 1, why? because they played quickly. They wasted no time playing the ball around the back. The one time they did Rooney snuck in and stole a goal. They played with pace, constantly going forward, and putting pressure on the weakened, Ferdinand-less United backline. They didn't waste time in the defensive midfield and back 4 like Inter did. They played physically. Inter tried this slower approach, and what happened? Inter were kept in their half for about 80% of the two legs. Juve attacked Chelsea differently than Inter attacked United, and even then they were always coming up second in 50-50 balls. Why? Chelsea were just bigger and meaner, and bossed them off the ball. Juve played well by all means against Chelsea, but anyone watching that tie, while it was admittedly close, knows that Chelsea looked the more likely of the two teams to advance. and what happened when Juve play a high line trying to push up the field? Drogba outpaced Mellberg in a 50 yard sprint and sealed the tie.

And Man City? I dislike them, but hate them all you want a few smart signings in Defense, and an impact striker and you have 5 English powers.

Let's not get into the standards of the pitches, and how much better they are there than they are in Italy.

Anyways, enough about that. I don't mean to sound like an advocate for EPL, cuz i am not in this forum cuz i'm an EPL fan. I want the Serie A to rise again. And in order for it to do so, it must adapt. And in turn, we must.

As far as milan goes. Gattuso is fundamental. He's our hands down starter and i'm not suggesting at all he shouldn't be. I didn't forget his great start to this season. As far as Ambro goes, we disagree, his days of contributing on a consistently high level are over. Flamini is simply more capable, and i can't agree with playing him for his previous reputation when there's a better player losing his prime years on the bench as one enters the twilight.

When we beat United in the CL semis of 07, we had strength, speed, and skill. We took the kind of game they like to play right to them. Nesta helps of course. But Seedorf played well, direct, and positively. No one on our team took long on the ball. we moved it quickly and precisely. We simply aren't doing that any more. Whether that's on Carlo or certain players is debatable.

THe rest of what you say, I agree with. Kaka has been off form this year, and seemingly can't stay healthy for very long. It's a bit concerning. Additionally, i like the GK names you listed. I agree with you assessment on the Defense, and point out that i've backed off of Favalli. He's been quality (for playing lower end Serie A teams). I in no way crucify you for wanting Dinho gone, and I want him gone for the same reason I want Seedorf gone, he plays too slowly. If he can show in these last games he's capable of picking the pace at which he plays up, then it may be worth keeping him. Based off of performances we've seen thus far, show him the door. Emanuelson would be a dream. A pirlo understudy would be wise too. I don't think we have to look outside of Italy to find one..

Now, sentimentally - Seedorf is a f**kin legend. Ambro is a titan and a warrior. Shev will always be in my heart. I'm only trying to be realistic, and take into consideration who we're up against in the quest for being the best in the world.

(I, like fishdoll, want to apology for the novel)

This post has been edited by vnata001: Apr 15 2009, 10:20 AM

The best post Milanfan has ever seen so far IMO. nothing will beat the sheer amount of truth and realism that this post possesses. bravo, vnata. bravo!

EDIT: except one little thing... I can't see Man City as the EPL's fifth power.

This post has been edited by Zed.D: Apr 15 2009, 11:45 AM

I believe that EPL is a bit overrated these days. Sure, it's been the most successful league in Europe in the past two years but that doesn't make the EPL style to play football the one and only way to win silverware.
When we faced ManU in 2007 we didn't adapt to their style. Both teams game was based on accuracy, technical perfectness and brilliant passing. But it was more like a Rock band (ManU) facing a classical orchestra (Milan). ManUs game was based on raw physical power, strength and speed, while Milans the key point of Milans game was the flow. The ball wasn't simply passed from one player to another, it circled around based on a blind understanding between each and every player.
So what I basically want to say is, there is not only one truth. After all, the English teams hat little competition in the past two years. Milan lacked fresh blood, Juve will suffer from Calciopolli for some more years, Real is not the club it used to be during the Zidane era, Barca was in transition and Inter...well is Inter. It'll be really to see how the eglish teams cope with this CF Barcelona.
Plus, if the EPL style would be that dominant they'd rule the UEFA-Cup as well, which they don't. It's mostly the big 4 in England being that dominant.

What do you guys think of Metzelder?

http://goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/04/1...madrid-decision


He is supposedly "available"

28yrs old...experienced enough but not too old

Could be pricey though

This post has been edited by elcordobez: Apr 15 2009, 02:01 PM

He makes Seedorf look like Speedy Gonzalez. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Good player but really quite slow.

Injury prone too right?

Metzelder was very poor in the Euros. Some people commented that Metzelder+Mertesacker is the weakest central defense Germany has had in its entire history.

I'd personally love to see Agger in Red & Black. This kid can also play as a left back and has a powerful left foot. He had Adebayor in his pocket for almost 90 minutes in the league game against Arsenal. He also possesses a penchant for attacking. I have noticed that he sometimes dribbles the ball all the way up to the opponent's area.