[Tennie]

(IMG:http://i29.tinypic.com/2yoxpvr.jpg)

Milan play Panathinaikos in a friendly this Friday -- at the Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan.

Can somoene explain to me why on earth this game's being played? Are we getting lots and lots of $$$$$$?

[Dracoris]

We better be. They just got back from America, what the heck are they doing coming back?

Its another Greek team, maybe they'll buy Gattuso.

This post has been edited by Dracoris: Aug 2 2010, 06:53 PM

[X-Offender]

Match of the titans my foot.

[vnata001]

ignore please! DP sorry.

This post has been edited by vnata001: Aug 2 2010, 07:58 PM

[Coldest]

I'm wondering if Pirlo and Dinho will be available for this one ?

[Bluesummers]

I wonder if Adiyiah and gooch will make this trip

[vnata001]

It may not mean much cuz it's preseason and all, but at the same time it'd be so unfair to him to not notice it. I want this to be a milanfan forum consensus: Mathieu Flamini has been the brightest part of our preseason thus far.

His performance against Arsenal is pretty much as good a performance a defensive midfielder can put on against a team of that calibre. Both goals we conceded in the Emirates Cup were scored on the right hand side of our midfield and flank - Arshavin making Gattuso eat grass and playing in Chamack, and Oddo with an UNFORGIVABLE effort to clear a good Pjanic cross. Arsenal were far more dangerous down Sokratis/Oddo/Gattuso's side of the field.

Meanwhile, Antonini and Flamini forged wonderful chemistry both in their pressuring and their coordination in sending each other forward.

The guy was everywhere, disrupting runs down the flank, closing down space in the middle of the park, and making runs into the heart of opposition defense to rip a shot, lay it off to someone more creative, or stretch them wide and play in a low cross. He's hit a couple posts now, and has the best passing range out of any of our defensive midfielders.

At age 26, Flamini is in the prime of his career. He's rejected offers to leave because he's stated again and again he likes Italy, and wants to play and prove himself at Milan. If he doesn't get a solid chance to, I'll deeply resent this club. Gattuso has done nothing to merit his starting place these past few seasons. In fact, at any 'top club' outside ours, he would have lost it.

I hope Allegri sees this, and Flamini keeps it up. I think if he keeps up his high work rate, smart passing, and is able to finally catch a little bit a luck with a goal, he'll win a spot on merit - regardless of whether he picks up cards quickly (cuz so do Ambro, Rino, and EVERY other DM out there).

Also, Sokratis looked positionally unaware on the right, and while that may change with experience, this IMHO is the best AC Milan XI heading into next year with what we got - and i've given each player tactical advice.

Abiatti/Amelia
- Zambro (Be Conservative, but patient going forward)
- Nesta (Orchestrate)
- Thiago (Be an offensive, space creating, but disciplined)
Sidekicks: Sokratis,Yepes, Bonera (not bad at all)
- Antonini (ATTACK, help Flamini, Pirlo, and Dinho)
- Ambro (Be Conservative - play sweeper, score from set pieces, but don't be any more adventurous than that, why? cuz of the next guy)
- Flamini (Live up to your nicknames of "Flatusso" and "Mad Dog Flamini" Be everywhere. Box-to-Box, help Antonini and Pirlo)
- Pirlo (come forward more, CUZ YOU ARE EVERYTHING FOR US when it comes to ball possession. focus on Pato and Borriello for long balls, or play quick short range passes with Dinho to find space in the final 3rd, and last but not least, SCORE YOUR FREE KICKS)
- Pato (help Pirlo and Dinho with off-ball runs, help midfield in general buy picking the ball up and turning quickly - you've shown that ability this preseason - looks like you've worked on your tactically dribbling. Stop overdribbling in the box, and put more shots on target)
- Ronaldinho (You're job should be easy, EVERYONE is working for you. 1) Play close to Borriello to start. if you get the ball, DRIBBLE the line and find the forehead or feet of our striker. 2) Dribble into the box and either force a save, or cut it back to the top of the box so Pirlo and can switch play or rasp a knuckle ball. 3) after defenses are scared of your dribbling, pick up the ball deeper, and allow Pirlo into the final 3rd. : use your overlapping runs, OR MAKE THE FINAL BALL. You have MANY helpers coming forward to help you, use them precisely, or watch us get ripped open with your indecision and pray for Ambro)

Borriello/Hunter - WE NEED CONSISTENCY OUT OF YOU TWO BASTARDS. SHOW US how our midfield should play for you, don't try and do more than you can to 'help our midfield' - just finish the millions of chances you'll find.

This post has been edited by vnata001: Aug 2 2010, 08:12 PM

[Locke Lamora]

Match of the titans my foot.

Excactly my thoughts (except you could replace 'foot' with... something else. As for 'Soccer classic', when was the last time Milan duked it out with the mighty Greens?

[Linkman]

Great post vnata, I agree with all of it!

[m1ke]

We were apparently interested in Sotiris Ninis a while back - I wonder if that's got anything to do with it.

[Tennie]

(from acmilan.com)

Call ups:

I CONVOCATI PER DETROIT
03/08/2010
MILANELLO - Questi i 22 convocati rossoneri per la trasferta di Detroit:
Abate, Abbiati, Amelia, Antonini, Beretta, Bonera, Borriello, Flamini, Gattuso, Merkel, Nesta, Novinic, Oddo, Oduamadi, Onyewu, Papastathopoulos, Pato, Roma, Seedorf, Strasser, Thiago Silva, Zambrotta.

No Ronaldinho or Pirlo.

Also no Verdi (they're doing tests on his knee according to milannews of a couple of days ago), Janku, or Kaladze.

[Coldest]

(from acmilan.com)

Call ups:



No Ronaldinho or Pirlo.

Also no Verdi (they're doing tests on his knee according to milannews of a couple of days ago), Janku, or Kaladze.

Despite the fact that I want Ronaldinho to play, but I have to respect Allegri.... He probably thinks "If you're not 100 % ready, you ain't gonna play" That's the attitude.

[Bluesummers]

well he doesn't have much choice. If Ronaldinho is injured and can't play this season, we might get relegated.

This post has been edited by Bluesummers: Aug 3 2010, 07:53 PM

[Tennie]

It's hardly that dire.

[han2503]

What about Pirlo?

Is he injured or just not in top condition yet?

[Coldest]

well he doesn't have much choice. If Ronaldinho doesn't play this season, we might get relegated. Thats the sad but honest truth.

not for X Off... He probably thinks he's better himself than Ronnie. BTW, talking on topic, I think there's no rush to play Ronaldinho. Anyway, I personally would like to see him play against his ex-team Barca. I guess he will comeback for TIM trophie.

[han2503]

It's hardly that dire.

Ronaldinho alone won't get us there but remove 5 players (Dinho, Pirlo, Nesta, Pato and Thiago) from out first team and we're there so fast your head will spin

[Bluesummers]

Ronaldinho alone won't get us there but remove 5 players (Dinho, Pirlo, Nesta, Pato and Thiago) from out first team and we're there so fast your head will spin

disagree. I'd say if Dinho/pirlo and nesta weren't there, we'd be in relegation zone forsure. Silva and Pato are necessary but they can be replaced. Every time one of those main three got injured, we could barely win games.

This post has been edited by Bluesummers: Aug 3 2010, 07:58 PM

[han2503]

disagree. I'd say if Dinho/pirlo and nesta weren't there, we'd be in relegation zone forsure. Silva and Pato are necessary but they can be replaced. Every time one of those main three got injured, we could barely win games.

Not that dire imo.

But the 5 I mentioned are the key. Last season we lost Nesta and Pato and we suffered big time but we still managed somehow. And we'd managed say we lose Pirlo and Thiago but we definately won't be in the top 4.

Imagine losing all 5 I mentioned (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif)

[Bluesummers]

Not that dire imo.

But the 5 I mentioned are the key. Last season we lost Nesta and Pato and we suffered big time but we still managed somehow. And we'd managed say we lose Pirlo and Thiago but we definately won't be in the top 4.

Imagine losing all 5 I mentioned (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif)

Galliani will have a heart attack forsure (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

This post has been edited by Bluesummers: Aug 3 2010, 08:04 PM

[Tennie]

I haven't seen anything explicit in the Italian media regarding Pirlo being injured. I'm guessing that he's just not match fit after the break and there's no pressing need to rush him back for a one-off friendly in suburban Detroit.

[Coldest]

Not that dire imo.

But the 5 I mentioned are the key. Last season we lost Nesta and Pato and we suffered big time but we still managed somehow. And we'd managed say we lose Pirlo and Thiago but we definately won't be in the top 4.

Imagine losing all 5 I mentioned (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif)

But there's nothing strange about it. I mean, there're two types of players in team. One is leaders or key players and second one is helpers. I want to say that all of players cant be equally important to a team. What would Barca be without Xavi, Nesta, Messi, Puyol, Pique ? Or MU without Wayne, Nani, Carrick, Rio, Vidic ?

[han2503]

But there's nothing strange about it. I mean, there're two types of players in team. One is leaders or key players and second one is helpers. I want to say that all of players cant be equally important to a team. What would Barca be without Xavi, Nesta, Messi, Puyol, Pique ? Or MU without Wayne, Nani, Carrick, Rio, Vidic ?

That is true, but the "supporting cast" if you want to call it that, at those teams is very strong and they both have great benches that can handle 1 or 2 important players to be injured. While we don't

Imo we have a very good first 11, but looking further then that, we have nothing, which is why we struggle in the league while Inter sail through it. Because they have an amazing squad, not just 11 great players with the rest being more or less average, like we do

[Tennie]

So in other words, depth is a serious issue with Milan.

[han2503]

So in other words, depth is a serious issue with Milan.

Exactly

[amancik]

Sign Sotrinis Ninis!!

[Coldest]

Panathinaikos have defeated Inter 3-2 in a friendly match played in Toronto, Canada

[Jack Sparrow]

While we're still unbeaten. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Now if the shoe were on the other foot...there'd be mass chaos here. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[m1ke]

^^ We lost to Varese!

[d'Arc.LP]

Milan will earn 1 mil. for going in USA and play agains the Greek team - link

[Tennie]

milannews reports that Yepes has a minor knock and that he didn't make the trip to Detroit. link

[MizNelson]

For some reason, that just sounds so odd, "didn't make the trip to Detroit."

[X-Offender]

Why does it sound odd, Miz?

[MizNelson]

I don't know. Probably because we're a big international football team who's been all around the world and Detroit sounds so...small and ordinary in comparison.

Anyway, Milan are reportedly pocketing 1 mil. euros for this trip.

[Fishdoll]

Gazzetta reports that Pato twisted his ankle in training. He probably won't play, therefore.

Sokratis apparently also has a muscular issue (this according to tuttomercatoweb).

[han2503]

Gazzetta reports that Pato twisted his ankle in training. He probably won't play, therefore.

Sokratis apparently also has a muscular issue (this according to tuttomercatoweb).

And the curse of the injuries has started. At this rate we'll barely have a team left by the start of the season

[CHU-LIP]

And the curse of the injuries has started. At this rate we'll barely have a team left by the start of the season

A proper* team, you mean... we have enough squad players, but... well...

So no Pato and Sokratis? Are the others all available, or? Without Pato I think we should start Huntelaar.

[Fishdoll]

Huntelaar didn't make the trip, Chu. He just got back to milanello to training a couple of days ago.

[CHU-LIP]

Shame, Huntelaar misses too much of pre-season... I believe it was important trying out some line-ups including Huntelaar since last season he wasn't that well to play along with.

[samira]

Has Huntelaar been on the traning?

Good god.. The game starts at 02:00 CET.
It friday , Im probably going to miss the match

[Fishdoll]

Yes, Samira. As my post above indicates, Huntelaar returned to training at Milanello a couple of days ago.

[samira]

How has the training been for him?
I have seen anything in acmilan.it

[Fishdoll]

Then you're not looking hard enough, Samira.(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) there's news about daily training on the club website in both English and Italian.

[han2503]

Is Pirlo making the trip? Has he been injured or just not in shape?

[Coldest]

I guess he's out of shape.

[samira]

Then you're not looking hard enough, Samira. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) there's news about daily training on the club website in both English and Italian.

haha, typicall me

if the game is played at night 02:00 6/8 its allready been played
I got confused on that but I get it now (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)
Will Pirlo be back to the season?

[Fishdoll]

Pirlo, Ambro, Pippo, Huntelaar, etc are all training at Milanello.

[han2503]

Pirlo, Ambro, Pippo, Huntelaar, etc are all training at Milanello.

Huntelaar I understand because Holland made it far in the WC. But what's going on with Pirlo, Ambro and Pippo?

[servbot]

crap, for a brief moment, I thought I could watch this to occupy some of my workday.

Then I remembered the game is in the US.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

[Fishdoll]

So...here we go.

Rino with the armband.
Abbiati
Zambrotta Nesta Silva Antonini
Gattuso Seedorf Flamini
Oduamadi Borriello Merkel

(or something like that. Pretty sure it's those guys who just walked out. Oduamadi gets a fins up for cool hair.)

[Fishdoll]

Cisse sporting a platinum blond mowhawk...and Govou went to Panathinaikos? didn't know that.

Milan's defense looks slow.

EDIT:

Pitch is in shocking condition.

Thiago Silva looking decent so far. Abbiati with a nice save.

Commentary atrocious.

ooo. Oduamadi and Merkel nice combination. Almost!

This post has been edited by Fishdoll: Aug 7 2010, 01:15 AM

[Fishdoll]

Commentary continues to be atrocious and wildly inaccurate. Can't pronounce names, can't get even the most basic details right.

They just said that the sod had been laid this week -- well, most of it is already dead. The pitch is mostly brown.

Mad Dog looking good today. (This fish may decide to like him after all).

Zambrotta has made a couple of good runs.

Borriello's hair doesn't look AS awful now. Nesta with some designer stubble (earmuffs on so not hearing my person's squeals).

[Fishdoll]

Aiee, crap marking on set plays. Need to work on that for the league.

Panathinaikos keeps challenging Milan's goal, can't be too much longer before they score. And oh dear, medics out to look at Abbiati, surely we won't lose him before the season starts. Again. Oh joy, Rino getting taped up too.

The kids continue to do well. Borriello is way out on the left flank, god knows why.

(Is nobody else watching the game?)

[Fishdoll]

Antonini showing some nice moves. Oduamadi with 'Odu' on the back of his jersey.

Borriello is at least moving this game, unlike in London.

Passing is looking a little better than last week, which is a relief.

Haha, Rino tries a bicycle kick. Not too badly (keeper caught it).

Commentator now quoting wikipedia (be thankful you're not being subjected to this). Did you know we have a player named Jan Klaas Huntelaar?

Abbiati is at least awake. Defense, not always. Cisse goal annulled for offside. Nesta's slow today.

HT 0-0

[nuh]

we aren't playing bad it seems like a 50-50 match gattuso is showing a better performance, than before...

[Fishdoll]

Strasser warming up but no subs yet.

Ah. Here we go. Bonera in for...Silva?

EDIT: And Marco Amelia in for Abbiati.

Nesta playing in super slow motion today. Ugh.

Ninis off the underside of the crossbar.

Bit of handbags between Antonini and Seitarides. No cards, nothing too bad.

Cisse breaks at speed and leaves the Milan defense for dead, another ball off the underside of the crossbar, Leto pushes the ref and gets carded. That one looks like it was a goal. Ugh.

The defense as a whole looks awful.

This post has been edited by Fishdoll: Aug 7 2010, 02:21 AM

[Dracoris]

that was a goal fo sho

[Fishdoll]

The kids are at least trying. Rino isn't doing too badly.

Strasser and Sokratis in for....Nesta and oh dear, for Turtle.

[Dracoris]

Someone should tell Gatusso to go home on the green bus instead.

[Fishdoll]

No communication between defense and midfield and no big surprise given the lineup that there's a lack of creativity in said midfield.

Berretta in for Borriello.

Defense cut open again and another chance. Thankfully Amelia is awake.

[Fishdoll]

Berretta snap header looked good. Abate in for Rino.

*yawn*

FT 0-0. Now I need to wake up.

[Dracoris]

Well at least our goalkeepers are getting a lot of training!

[Fishdoll]

At least there's that!

[elcordobez]

Well at least our goalkeepers are getting a lot of training!

Amelia made a a few good saves,but that half save he made on Govou's effort which hit the bar i think actually bounced in.

I think our goalkeeping situation is the best we've had for a few seasons.


But that was quite a boring friendly tbh we should have lost,we had promising link up plays from our youngsters though,Merkel again was solid i just hope those guys can help turn their performance into results for us this season.

This post has been edited by elcordobez: Aug 7 2010, 04:38 AM

[Bluesummers]

Merkel should move up to the first team. We don't need another midfield signing, he's good enough to play and will probably be better than what we would have signed anyways. (ledesma etc.)

[han2503]

Are there any highlights, I slept though it and from the rundown the fish made it seems I made the right choice...

[elcordobez]

Are there any highlights, I slept though it and from the rundown the fish made it seems I made the right choice...

highlights -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TA4uA3WqRuE

Should subscribe to that guys channel he usually has everything.

[Fishdoll]

Wow. So the game went to penalties - which Fox Soccer in their pinheaded wisdom did NOT show.

Milan won the penalties 5-3 (with Bonera scoring the winner). link

EDIT: Here're the official postmatch comments from acmilan.com's english page (they really do have a better translator this year):

ALLGRI: "We are improving with hard work."
8/7/2010
PONTIAC - "After London and the USA I can go home satisfied. Also this evening we gave our all and created a lot while the energy lasted. To keep on working in a happy and relaxed manner is fundamental. I together with the team are getting to know each other, so they is plenty of room for improvement. Here there are quality players, which helps a lot. Antonini? It was he who gave me the opportunity to play him in midfield, because in football only skill is never enough. Merkel? He is skillful, knows his whereabouts on the pitch and has the right timing for his passing. He needs to grow, like the other youngsters, who all can comfortably hold their own in the first-team squad."

BONERA: "What matters is that we are united in intent."
8/7/2010
PONTIAC - "At the final whistle we thought the match had ended a draw; instead, there were penalties. We won and it worked out that my penalty was the winner. This is the first time that something like this has happened to me and it is a great feeling. I am happy especially about the spirit we showed. The match could have been more difficult than it was, seeing the state of the pitch, the opponents, the weather; however, we showed the necessary group spirit. Fitness level is improving and it is good to see that in the middle of different problems, we are working hard to improve. And it is the united spirit that gives us reason to hope. We haven't had much time these past few days, so we have intensified our work rate in training. This will continue when we return to Milan and after resting a couple of days, we'll get back training again."

AMELIA: "The coach can rest content."
8/7/2010
PONTIAC - "I am satisfied about this evening's match. I believe it was a good entertaining match despite uncertain conditions underfoot. I made a number of saves, but also Abbiati played a good first half. The fact we are taking steps match after match means there is a lot of hard work being done. As far as I am concerned, playing with different defenders gives me the chance to get to know my team-mates more and to create a feeling with all of them. What's more, the coach can evaluate everybody. What's certain is that we gave them a number of scoring chances, which is normal at this stage of the pre-season. As their goal goes, perhaps it was in, but I haven't seen a replay of what happened. It can happen in football, though. This evening, anyway, the result wasn't as important as what we showed the coach on the pitch.

MERKEL: "I am delighted to be playing so much."
8/7/2010
PONTIAC - "I feel fine and I am happy. It is a magical moment because I am enjoying playing so much, between here and London I have played a lot. I feel the coach's trust in me and this is important. During the match, I touch the ball often, I link up a lot with the team. I am just as happy with the players closer to me, Borriello and Pato, than with those who play deeper. I am in the middle of so many champions, and I hope I can learn a lot from them and become a champion too.

This post has been edited by Fishdoll: Aug 7 2010, 12:09 PM

[Dracoris]

Wow. So the game went to penalties - which Fox Soccer in their pinheaded wisdom did NOT show.

Milan won the penalties 5-3 (with Bonera scoring the winner). link

EDIT: Here're the official postmatch comments from acmilan.com's english page (they really do have a better translator this year):

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/dunnosmiley.gif)

What the heck? Nice FSC, nice.

edit:

This is a clip of Nesta from last night.....just the guys reaction on the ground makes me laugh everytime. Go Nesta go.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UI-X1E4gxIk...ature=sub#t=24s

This post has been edited by Dracoris: Aug 7 2010, 03:23 PM

[samira]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/dunnosmiley.gif)

What the heck? Nice FSC, nice.

edit:

This is a clip of Nesta from last night.....just the guys reaction on the ground makes me laugh everytime. Go Nesta go.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UI-X1E4gxIk...ature=sub#t=24s

HAHAHA, so great !

[Coldest]

When is Milan's next friendly ?