I still think people are right to compare him to (Zidane (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) ) for raw talent anyway, definately not for personality! otherwise I'd hate Gourcuff too! (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
Then if there's anyone you should give 2 seasons to it's this whizz kid! (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/king.gif)

That's one of the many reasons why you can't compare them! (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

Good! don't believe that because that is so NOT what I expect! Why doesn't anyone take any notice of what I say? You all seem to get me wrong & misunderstand me, it's so frustrating at times!

Yes he came from Argentina - Racing - and like Porty said his own fans were glad to see the back of him, so why do you expect him to be any good here? after 1, 2 seasons - it makes no difference!

This post has been edited by milanista1899: May 20 2007, 10:40 PM

Just because the fans don't like him it doesn't mean he's a bad player.

Joey Barton is undoubtedly Man City's best player, their only player.

Everybody at the club, fans included, will be happy to see him leave.

Barton is fast becoming the EPL's version of Pacman Jones.

That must make Inter the Serie A version of the Cincinnati Bengals.. They're both full of thugs. ¬_¬

I'm glad you have watched most of the games.

Gourcuff is not Zidane neither is he Messi. He is Gourcuff. He is one of those unique players that will become special. Either here in Milan or somewhere else. The only thing that worries me is the fact that he will have a very very tough time finding space in this team and a player his age needs to play more to develop.

I agree with Bluesummers that Yoann will never be Zidane. No-one will be.

Messi is something else.. But Fabregas and Rooney?

They're both hyped up for playing in big teams in a big league.. where they are the star. I don't think either comes to being allowed to be used in the same breathe as Messi though.

Messi > Every young player

theres a lil diff between grimi and barton. barton moons opp. fans, puts fellow teammates in the hospital and has a brother who being investigated or is already in prison for murder (racial hate crime, so that tells you what kinda background he comes from) (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) grimi wasnt liked by his fans cuz he was apparently overrated or i dunno maybe he wasnt playing well near the end of his spell at racing.

what i've noticed is that over the pas 2-3 seasons our B team has struggled. whenever we had to play the b squad, they rarely ever got us the results we needed. and any championship team needs bench players to step up when asked to perform. if we want to win serie a next season we're gonna have to improove on our depth. obviously this game ment nothing as far as overall season in concerned but really how often do our fringe players win games?

True (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) Maybe I shouldn't have jumped to that conclusion, but I'm guessing the reason wasn't because he's anything like Barton (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) I think if he was we definately wouldn't have got him - Barton's qualities (not footballing ones) remind me a bit of Cassano, that's the same (and only) reason we didn't get him! Plus, when it comes to news of players from Latin countries, Porty's our man, and I had no reason to disbelieve him (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

This post has been edited by milanista1899: May 21 2007, 04:28 AM

Hiho, all. I'm just back from Milan and will add my observations on the game. Apologies in advance if I don't make much sense, as I'm knackered and whacked out on painkillers (I broke two toes at the stadium and it is NOT fun hobbling around cobblestone streets afterward like that).

Anyway, as for things that stuck out.....

1. If you go to the San Siro, sitting on the Orange side is generally a good place to be. I was able to get Tribune seats from the Milan Point store and was sitting opposite the Milan bench. Behind the bench was the VIP area where the first team players were watching. I only realized it was them when, after Billy scored his goal, Pippo Inzaghi stood up on the railing and did the sort of cheer he usually does when HE scores.

2. The ovations for Billy. There were several of them. First was when the players came out for their warmups. Then when the teams came out (when Billy had his son with him). Then again when they took their places for kick-off. And of course a huge ovation when he scored the penalty. The roars were deafening when he was substituted and when he took his lap of honor. It was a really nice touch when the first team players all came out wearing Costacurta jerseys. (did anyone get a clip of that whole scene? Amazing, that. Seemed to me that Maldini and Nesta were the ringleaders of the 'toss Billy into the air' thing).

3. The Curva was in fine voice, for the entire game. There were a lot of cheers for Billy of course, but general cheering throughout the whole game. There were even chants of 'Juve Juve Vafancullo' when they showed the score of the Juve-Arezzo game on the screen (Juve 5-Arezzo 1). The Curva (as well as the rest of the crowd) didn't seem terribly upset or surprised that Milan lost. It was more of a 'let's celebrate Billy' attitude.

4. The kids. Granted, some of them looked a little shaky, but most of 'em hadn't seen a Serie A game all year. Di Gennaro had a couple of good runs and looks to be a talent for the future. Grimi...well, he started well but had some howler moves on defensive coverage. The one who impressed me (and the native Milanese sitting around me) was Darmian, who's a Berretti, not a Primavera. He looked pretty good, IMO, for a kid. The Milanese commented jokingly that it was nice to see him playing with the 'Grande' (which could either mean 'the grownups' or 'the first team'), to which one guy behind me commented jokingly, 'You think that Gourcuff is a Grande?'.

5. Oliveira. This guy lost or misplayed EVERY SINGLE BALL. He was horrible! Borriello wasn't spectacular but he at least tried. Can we give Oliveira to the Merda or something? I don't care if the team makes a loss, but this guy is useless.

6. Scarves for sale. There were several CL Final scarves on sale (t-shirts too), and one other scarf I found particularly amusing. Rough translation is: 'WE (in red and black) will be playing the CL Final on May 23. YOU (in blue and black) will be shopping in Milan.'

7. VIPs in the audience. Donadoni was there. Savicevic was there. I think Boban was there too. (side note: I saw Donadoni after the game in downtown Milan.)

In general, no, it wasn't the best of games in a pure footballing sense. But I don't think many people at the stadium were really expecting one. Everyone's thinking ahead to Athens. The game WAS, however, a fine send-off for Billy, and I'm glad I was there.

Amazing observations Tennie. Thanks for that. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Yep, a nice read that. (Sorry to hear about the toes though, must be painful.)

The result wasn't important at all. The fact that Billy scored meant more to me than the 3 points.

You're one of the lucky few that can say 'I was there'.

Nice read Tennie. Vewy nice.

Now... back to business:

Sell Borriello. Sell Oliveira. Sell Brocchi.
Get Vieri.

Vieri's left ankle > Oliveira

(IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Do NOT sell Oliveira! It will come back to haunt us. Unless he guys to Villa or Sevilla, I wouldn't mind selling then. ¬_¬