Suarez had 31 goals in 33 league games. Very impressive no matter how you look at it. Ronaldo had 31 goals in 34 games in his best season there.

BTW, I think Pogba's penalty was a dive and not sure if it started on the line. Seemed to me like he dived before that little contact.

This post has been edited by Jack Bauer: Oct 6 2014, 09:49 PM

Agreed, that's the call I was talking about.

Both Totti's and the handball were just laughable for me, but the Pogba dive was a definite no.

Yeah, that's what I'm saying, it's incredible that he hit that amount of goals, same goes with Ronaldo when he was in the EPL, but when you then see him and Messi scoring 50 a season it's just bordering on the insane.

For me the 30+ goals in the EPL are far more impressive than anything he's done in Madrid in the league

Sorry, what did I say incorrectly again? Point remains. If your story based on what the Club said is true, Abate should be banned for the rest of the qualification period.

Galliani already clarified it. There is no problem. Abate has been having ankle problems and could do with a break. The NT was in agreement and decided to rest Abate rather than risk a more serious injury. I don't think either Milan or Abate would say no, if Conte demanded he show up.

I think Conte is alright with playing a second string side.

I don't know if they still enforce it, but to stop players pulling out of England friendlies they had a rule that if someone can't make the England squad, they have to miss at least 1 club game, either directly before or after, the International games. Was to stop the "Oh, I'm "injured" so can't play away at Moldova in a friendly" rubbish.

So Abate should be banned for what Milan have instructed to Conte?

wtf are you on about? You're beyond illogical.

Firstly, what lies beyond illogical? And try not to maintain your silly line of insults, hmh (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Secondly, if the Club and Abate decided to surpass this months NT matches just to be sure he'll rest and regains complete fitness (without any other more serious reason), yes, a ban from the Azzuri wouldn't be surprising at all. Because the Clubs action presents a dangerous precedent.

IMO a ban would be completely ridiculous. It's in Conte's interest as well as Milan's to have Abate healthy and in good form for the future. Azerbaijan and Malta are scrubs. Conte could probably take the U-19 team and still win both matches. There is nothing wrong with the player, club, and coach having a discussion about the players health and whether or not he is needed for these matches. I'm sure that if Conte had a problem with this he would have expressed it and Abate would answer the call up.

It's a problem if Conte call him up and Milan and Abate lies about the injury.

On the other hand my understanding is Conte asked, Milan said they'd like him to rest for a fortnight because of his muscle fatigue and Conte agreed. Probably because Conte too wishes to try something else for these two games and Abate is not critical. I think it was a friendly agreement.

I think our players are pretty worn out. Don't forget Jack's injury

Both Abate and Milan have been very above board with NTs and I don't think we will start to be sneaky now.

Why say that? You hurt my feelings! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cry.gif)

Yes, it's a problem. Because one immediately makes the connection and asks: if he played all 90 minutes against Chievo, in a match we had in our bags some time before the final whistle, why didn't Pippo sub him as soon as we were 2-0 up? And don't tell me our team is in problems with muscle fatigue. If that's the case, then Roma, Fiorentina, Juventus and Napoli could be even more fatigued.

You see what my problem is? It's pretty peculiar. In the last few years I've seen tons of clashes between NT and clubs about fatigued players. And it usually ends up in favor of the NT. This Conte-Milan agreement, if true, sounds funny and opens up a precedent. Now any player can try and ask the same. For instance, why should Pirlo take up with Malta and Azer?

Good question. Made even more interesting because he is someone who announced retirement. Because Conte asked.
I think when it comes to NT it is a lot about personal equations.

One thing is that I don't think anyone in Italy has a problem turning up for the NT. It seems to work differently there.

I'm not insulting you, I'm pointing out you're being totally unreasonable and illogical. If that qualifies as an insult, the Internet is not the place for you.



Ok, for the third time you're putting incorrect words in my mouth and I'm getting absolutely sick of it. If you can quote where I have included Abate ANYWHERE in the request to Conte, then you're doing well. I expressely said THE CLUB. In other words, they hold the power, they made the request, they pay his wages, and if they have said to Conte to release him from NT duty, his OWN wishes are secondary.

Do you understand the words I am saying?

Are you going to the stadium for the game?

Nope. The game clashes with his private pornhub time. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smoke.gif)