If we look at their careers it's no contest. Bacca is on a different planet to Lapa. But in the here and now, circumstance dictated or not, Lapa is probably the better option purely on the basis he feels wanted and puts in the effort. He lacks in quality by comparison, but Bacca's current poor form and morale is a hell of a leveler.

Truth is neither is really close to being the ideal choice. We need someone new next month.

A cheap version, albeit Jack said it tongue in cheek, of Luis Suarez.

Well, let's see what happens. I'm just voicing my concerns here. I think Lapadula is not first team material, at least not if we wanna try get the 3rd spot.

Oh yes, I get you.

But let me ask you one thing - you think we can make it through with Montella's tactic and just Niang, Lapadula and Adriano at hand? You think Serie A is suited for that kind of tactics, especially considering the weaker defending teams?

And like Danny said, Bacca is worlds apart from Lapadula. I think Bacca is the closest player we have to a star. He has his deficiencies, but man - are you really ready to cross-off or sell perhaps one of the 3 best players in your roster just because your tactical vision/approach is better suited for a average or potentially solid striker?

I would agree with this. I think he's a good bench option. And he's done better than I expected him to. But he is not the type I would look to for a higher level for the team.

I think I've given up on the third spot the moment I heard the budget for winter. I think Montella has as well, and will use the rest of the season to rotate around and really improve the players while ensuring we remain in EL spots. His language has changed from Milan can beat everyone to we're x points away from 5th position, so this is a good place.



I'm talking of this season. I think the management realise this too. Montella is no fool, and knows that Bacca is a superb striker but that he doesn't have the kind of supply from forwards and midfield. I think Bacca is biggest with another striker and provider exclusively playing up and supporting him. But that places a lot of stress on our pretty sub-par midfield and average defence. It's not a coincidence that our defensive record has gotten better and Bacca's scoring rate has dropped, both at the same time. Effectively to make Bacca score more we have to risk conceding more.

Right now in defense, we operate a bit like an amateur Atletico. We press hard, and sort of form a wall around the 18 yard box, forcing opposition wide and trying to score from those sort of starting positions. When we're on our game, barring individual mistakes,if you'd notice all the goals we concede these days are those types of goals, which are harder not-to-concede.

So anyway, to your question -

I think the management WILL NOT sell him. I think they know they need someone of his class to make it in Europe. I hope they're having conversations with him and keeping his morale high. But for now, we are desperately looking to win points and Lapadula is doing that for us more than Bacca. We also cannot rule out Montella arriving at a technical solution that would enable both Bacca and Lapadula to flourish. Maybe a 4-4-1-1 or even a diamond of sorts. Right now we are a 4-3-3 becoming a 3-4-3.

But next season, I believe a lot of transfer focus will be on the sort of additions that would really make a striker like Bacca lethal.

I would love Milan Badelj. Badelj is a top controller, would free up Locatelli, Montolivo, Bertolacci, Bonaventura etc. a lot more, and free the pressure from the front 3 who currently are responsible for our entire offense. We're no Barca, and Niang, Bacca, Suso is no MSN.

I recently (thanks to twitter hype) started watching this kid called Vincent Koziello. He's from Nice, with whom I think we have a decent relationship. He also looks really good to me.

I understand that we're also probably landing Orsolini. Decent player, but needs a couple of years at Genoa (if you know what I mean (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) )

All in all, I'm very optimistic about this team. But for this season, we have to be quietly cautious yet hopeful.

Yes, I think you managed to find the balance here and explain all the tactical aspects nicely.

What I still hope for us to do is grab that 3rd spot. Because playing Europa League (other then money) doesn't bring much. Look at Inter...

Calling Bacca's performance against Juve fair is incredibly generous. He was sub par. His skill set is such that he offers very little other than finishing ability so when his finishing is poor it greatly effects his rating. He had multiple good opportunities and flubbed them all. I expect far more from some one who is purported to a star and a lethal finisher.

This post has been edited by milanbuf88: Dec 28 2016, 03:48 PM

Perhaps. Ah well, let's sell him...

Anyway. What's our status right now with the takeover and all? Why is our winter budget cut?

Well lets see, we have no CL money, no Serie A money, but we do have 200M deposit from the Chinese. Not sure of the usage of the 200M, as Galliani puts it we have to sell before we buy.

Id be surprised if we end up with a good signing, think it will just be a shuffle if anything.

The 200M are not for Milan (they are for Finvest). As I understand it, the agreement between the buyers and current management is that the transfer market will be "net zero". Neither party wants to sell Bacca, so it will be others (like Luiz Adriano) that would fund any purchase.

Realistically speaking, I would not expect us to make CL this year. EL is a reasonable expectation, CL a bit of a stretch.

And when will the takeover finally happen? Any news on that one?

I understand your cautiousness guys, but bear in mind that Milan have to fight for a 3rd spot against Napoli and Lazio, who ain't bad but also are not unbeatable. I think it's more then doable. In January we play Napoli which will be a big thing. We'll see.

February? March? Who knows ...


Yeah, CL is still possible, but IMHO it is a stretch. I agree that Napoli and Lazio are not that great, but neither are we (a few injuries and an off day for some key players, and we can easily drop more points). Also, it looks like Inter may have gotten their act together, and they are not that far behind us.

Indeed, absolute farce of a takeover again. Not quite on pure fraud levels like Bee but not a LOT better!

Any thoughts on Gago? I have to assume this is a temporary solution until we get real money.

Not too keen, but wont hurt for rotation (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)