[TriniKing_CE]

Okay,

So last time around (Spet 18th) we only managed to get 1 point at home after equalizing in 45min to make it 1-1.

This weekend we will be playing in Catania, so as Alegri would say, don't expect an easy game.

CATANIA TOUGH NUT TO CRACK | AC MILAN

From the Italian Cup to Serie A, from Genoa to Catania. Coach Simeone, in only his second game in charge of the southern side, welcomes a rossoneri side to the Massimino stadium fresh from their victory over Sampdoria in the Italian Cup. So far all five of Catania's wins this season have come at home, where last season the Milan giants produced a last gasp winner.

MILANO - Not an easy trip the one to Catania, where Milan will play on Saturday evening at 8.45pm for round 22 of the Serie A season. Past games and very recent encounters suggest that it will not be easy at all to beat Simeone's men, the man who officially took over from Giampoalo on January 18th. the change was made after a run of poor results from the Sicilian side although they still remain formidable at home.

Catania have in fact won all five of their games this season at home, in front of their adoring crowd. At the Massimino stadium they have picked up 19 of their 22 points with victories over Parma, Cesena, Udinese, Bari and Brescia. On top of thjis they have drawn against Bologna, Napoli, Fiorentina and Chievo. They have only lost twice, against Inter and Juventus.

Maxi Lopez is Catania's top scorer so far with 5 goals to his name, followed by the defender Silvestri with three goals. And the new coach will be hoping to have the defender available for the game against Milan as he explained in the press conference. He spoke on tuesday and will not be holding any other press conferences until after the game so that he can concentrate completely on the game in hand and getting his side ready. Simeone, who started his adventure on the catania bench with a defeat against Parma, said he would play with a 4-3-3 formation with Biagianti, Potenza, Izco and Llama all doubtful.

Milan have won their last two games in Catania but the victory of two years ago, on May 3rd 2009, broke a negative streak that had been on-going since 1964 where the rossoneri had picked up six draws in a row. That run, including the 1-1 draw in 2007 with Seedorf and Spinesi the scorers and also the 1-1 draw of 2008 with Pato and once again Spinesi on the scoresheet, came to an end in the 0-2 victory of 2009 with goals from Inzaghi and Kakà. Milan repeated that result a year ago in November when Huntelaar scored a brace in the dying moments after coming on in the 39th minute of the second half.

RECENT MATCHES

SEASON 2009-2010
29 NOVEMBER 2009: CATANIA-MILAN 0-2

SEASON 2008-2009
3 MAY 2009: CATANIA-MILAN 0-2

SEASON 2007-2008
27 FEBRUARY 2008: CATANIA-MILAN 1-1

SEASON 2006-2007
13 MAY 2007: CATANIA-MILAN 1-1

SEASON 1983-1984
2 FEBRUARY 1984: CATANIA-MILAN 1-1

Link: http://www.acmilan.com/en/news/show/131846

BETWEEN GENOA & CATANIA | AC MILAN

Lots of work in the gym today with only Pirlo and bonera out on the field. Tomorrow training resumes at 12.00 and at 5pm the squad will leave for Sicily.

MILANELLO - Following the good win over Sampdoria in Genoa that takes Milan through to the semi finals of the Italian Cup, the sqaud were training today at Milanello to prepare for the match against Catania. The session started at 11.30 and it involved the usual in-between game workout.

The training session was a standard affair with no real differences in the work carried out between those players who played at Genoa in the Italian cup game and those who did not. Many of the players did work out in the gym, both those injured and those who played against Sampdoria.

Andrea Pirlo and Daniele Bonera did some running which is part of their specific work-out program. The team leaves Malpensa airport tomorrow at 5pm.

Link: http://www.acmilan.com/en/news/show/131850


EDIT: Nearly forgot... See Sig. <Forza Milan!!!> (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

This post has been edited by TriniKing_CE: Jan 27 2011, 10:36 PM

[X-Offender]

Sportmediaset's suggested line-up: Abbiati; Abate, Papastathopoulos, Yepes, Antonini; Ambrosini, Thiago Silva, Van Bommel; Robinho; Pato, Ibrahimovic.

I'd play Thiago in defense and Emanuelson in midfield.

This post has been edited by X-Offender: Jan 27 2011, 10:48 PM

[acid911]

Huntelaar. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif) Not once, but twice in the dying moments!

[Darunia]

Sportmediaset's suggested line-up: Abbiati; Abate, Papastathopoulos, Yepes, Antonini; Ambrosini, Thiago Silva, Van Bommel; Robinho; Pato, Ibrahimovic.

I'd play Thiago in defense and Emanuelson in midfield.

Agreed, backline should be

Abate Yepes Thiago Silva Antonini

[X-Offender]

I wouldn't mind Sokratis alongside Thiago, though Yepes has been excellent so far.

[TriniKing_CE]

Huntelaar. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif) Not once, but twice in the dying moments!

+1 That was amazing! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[TriniKing_CE]

I wouldn't mind Sokratis alongside Thiago, though Yepes has been excellent so far.

+1

I wouldn't mind Thiago in next to either of the two in order for Emanuelson to get the start as well, but both have basically played well in the past few appearances, I'm okay with either option at this point.

Any word on the injury status of Abbiati, Nesta, Zambrotta, Bonera, Gattuso, Flamini, Strasser, Pirlo, Boateng & Pippo?

This post has been edited by TriniKing_CE: Jan 28 2011, 04:52 AM

[acid911]

+1 That was amazing!

More than amazing, Trini, more than amazing. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) It was breathtaking. Snatching victory from the jaws of defeat (in this case, draw). The first goal was epic, the second one a minute later was the work of titans. For me only his last goal in the Milan shirt topped these two (the left foot volley from 40-yards out).

The most clinical finished in world football, only Ibra, Pato, Dzeko, and Torres, follow him in the list below, IMO.

[il_diavolo_mtl]

why the **** is ambro playing over Urby...

[il_diavolo_mtl]

abate's riding a hot streak so we don't need to cover him with a useless ambro. Mark my words this will be the game Van Bommel out classes ambro

This post has been edited by il_diavolo_mtl: Jan 28 2011, 07:24 AM

[dst]

I wouldn't mind Sokratis alongside Thiago, though Yepes has been excellent so far.

Sokratis can also play on the right. That's where he was playing in Genoa's 3-man defense actually. He's solid going forward and better than Abate and of course he's better than Abate in defense. But I think Silva is needed in this midfield role, he's excellent there.

Urby is not playing because he's tactically not very aware I think and Catania are going to play a much more conservative game than Sampdoria did.

[han2503]

Personally I'm not happy that we're risking Thiago in the midfield, and even though Sokratis and Yepes have been solid most of the time, there are still moments were they run into each other instead of cover each other. Thiago should be in defense imo, no question about it, he's more likely to get injured in that midfield which is another issue, we have huge games coming up, we can't afford him getting injured when Nesta is out too.

Urby, Van Bommel and Ambro in the mid is more then enough imo

[X-Offender]

Any word on the injury status of Abbiati, Nesta, Zambrotta, Bonera, Gattuso, Flamini, Strasser, Pirlo, Boateng & Pippo?

Abbiati is not injured. We know Nesta, Gattuso and Seeodrf will be back in 2-3 weeks. No idea about the rest.

why the **** is ambro playing over Urby...

The new arrival takes the place of the squad captain? That's unheard of. Emanuelson should earn his spot.

[X-Offender]

Called-up players: Abbiati, Roma, Paleari(61); Antonini, Bonera, Ely(53), Jankulovski, Oddo, Papastathopulos, Thiago Silva, Yepes; Ambrosini, Calvano(54), Emanuelson, Merkel(52), Van Bommel; Cassano, Ibrahimovic, Oduamadi, Pato, Robinho.

Abate out as well. WTF is going on with all these injuries??? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[acid911]

Abate out as well. WTF is going on with all these injuries???

I say it's about time B&G did the world a favor and burn the Milan lab (including the clown-faced doctors inside), put the ashes in a titanium safe, kill whoever knows the combination and launch them into the center of the Sun. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) For all intents and purposes, this is the 13th addition to our already large injury-list.

I don't know what kind of a job are these guys doing. Losing both Flamini and KPB at the same time was bad enough, then a host of other long-term guys in Zambrotta and Pirlo, and now then Nesta and Abate. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Get serious!

[Jack Sparrow]

Mmmm....maybe it's just that football's changed. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Though I think a lot of our players are playing with injuries. And I also heard that Milan lab has been shut down for sometime now. We have a different medical setup now.

[acid911]

Could be, but at least we have a medical facility in Milano. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) And seriously, I am not impressed at all by the job they are doing. May be the doctors are not diagnosing correctly, or maybe the players return earlier than they should. Part of the reason could be the players themselves. At the end of the day it's the club's loss.

We practically drew the last couple of games because of missing key players. Had everyone been available ...

[X-Offender]

Allegri said in today's press conference that Flamini should return next week against Lazio.

[Jack Bauer]

We have 11 injured plaers. Just from them you can make a good starting 11 for a top Serie A side.

[X-Offender]

Considering Abate is injured and we don't have neither Zambrotta nor Bonera available, I wonder who will Allegri play on the right. Oddo, or Sokratis? My money's on Oddo.

[Jack Bauer]

Considering Abate is injured and we don't have neither Zambrotta nor Bonera available, I wonder who will Allegri play on the right. Oddo, or Sokratis? My money's on Oddo.

Don't count Bonera out, though I also think Oddo will start.

[X-Offender]

Oops, didn't notice Bonera was called-up.

[arivanjj]

Gazzetta:
Abbiati

Oddo, Thiago Silva, Yepes, Antonini

van Bommel, Ambrosini,Emanuelson

Robinho, Pato

Ibrahimovic

[William405]

Possibly the best formation that we can be put.I hoped Cassano would start ahead of Robinho though,also I don't know if Merkel should have played instead of Ambrosini or Van Bommel...Two holding midfielders is too much,I'd put Merkel instead of Ambrosini.

[han2503]

Gazzetta:
Abbiati

Oddo, Thiago Silva, Yepes, Antonini

van Bommel, Ambrosini,Emanuelson

Robinho, Pato

Ibrahimovic

I like that, however I agree with William that Cassano ahead of Robinho would be better. He's the one that can really provide that final pass to Pato and Ibra.

Robinho there will just push Pato out wide

[Ry4n]

i like the lineup it gives us stability the last two times we played here we've drawn i want a win and no more conceding stupid goals

[kurtsimonw]

A draw wouldn't surprise me, only Inter and Juve have won there so far this season.

[Ry4n]

A draw wouldn't surprise me, only Inter and Juve have won there so far this season.

if Juve can win there considering there season just saying that gives us even more reason why we should win (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[X-Offender]

When will you people realize that Cassano can't play behind the strikers? Just because he has good feet doesn't mean he can play out of role.

Anyway, it will looks like Pato will be benched tonight, according to Mediaset. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[William405]

Imo,benching Pato after his good performance,at least in the first half,would be a big mistake.

If it we're up to me,I'd use this formation:

Abbiati

Oddo, Thiago Silva, Yepes, Antonini

Merkel,Van Bommel,Emanuelson

Cassano

Ibrahimovic, Pato

X-off:Why can't Cassano play behind the two strikers?

This post has been edited by William405: Jan 29 2011, 03:37 PM

[han2503]

When will you people realize that Cassano can't play behind the strikers? Just because he has good feet doesn't mean he can play out of role.

Anyway, it will looks like Pato will be benched tonight, according to Mediaset. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

He can play it better then Robinho that's for sure....

[X-Offender]

X-off:Why can't Cassano play behind the two strikers?

Because he's not mobile. A trequartista needs to play at two fronts, midfield + attack. Cassano doesn't have it in him to do all that running, just like Dinho didn't have it.

[X-Offender]

He can play it better then Robinho that's for sure....

Well, Robinho is the opposite of Cassano. He's fit to play in that position, but he doesn't have the necessary qualities. But I think, at this moment, he's a better choice than Cassano.

[William405]

Ok,I may agree,although I think he's better than Robinho there,here's an updated version of my formation:

Abbiati

Oddo, Thiago Silva, Yepes, Antonini

Van Bommel,Ambrosini,Emanuelson

Merkel

Ibrahimovic,Cassano/Pato

Oh,I wished if we bough Lucas instead of Emanuelson or Van Bommel.

[RinoIlCapitano]

He can play it better then Robinho that's for sure....

you guys didnt watch robinhos last performances??? I really think you didnt, except 4 the finishing part he was the absolute best player on the pitch delivering a lot of very good balls to Thiago, Ibra.... magic balls, so please dont wright this kind of stuff just because you dont like him 4 some of your crazy reasons , you really look silly with this comment or you simply didnt watch any match from NY (which i really doubt). And dont now come out with the f...ing finishing part, we all heard that! Robinho is awesome in 2011!

[William405]

He's useful in build up play,but when it comes to the final touch,he's useless.He shoots,when he can pass and vice versa.

Don't be too fast judging our opinions,we're just saying Cassano can play better behind the strikers.Just because we're saying Cassano is better in that position than Robinho,doesn't mean we disrespect what he has offered us till now.He's been good,really good but he's not as efficient as Cassano is.With Cassano,one magic touch and you have Ibra all alone,if Cassano is given the space he needs.Although for now,Robinho-Ibra-Cassano is our best attacking combination.That doesn't mean Pato is inferior to Robinho but Allegri has to found a way to put Pato in good use.

For me,If Pato has to play then I think we should have a 2 strikers,and 4 midfielders.Either Cassano or Robinho supporting Pato because I don't know if Ibra-Pato will ever work,not at the current situation to say the least though.

[KillerMax]

I think what Robinho should do, or in fact what Allegri should instill in him is that he should take less shots and pass the ball more often. Otherwise, I agree with the person before me that he has been on fire this guy!

[X-Offender]

Abbiati

Oddo, Thiago Silva, Yepes, Antonini

Van Bommel,Ambrosini,Emanuelson

Merkel

Ibrahimovic,Cassano/Pato

That's exactly how I'd play today (except Bonera instead of Oddo). But TMW reports that Merkel should play instead of Emanuelson, with Robinho behind Cassano and Ibra. IMO that would be a huge mistake. Merkel is an attacking midfielder, he's not capable of defending like Emanuelson is. We'd be way too unbalanced. Don't f@ck this up Allegri!!!

[samira]

Catania-Milan, Formazioni Ufficiali/Official Line-up
CATANIA: Andujar; Augustyn, Silvestre, Spolli, Capuano; Carboni; Ledesma, Sciacca, Gomez, Mascara; Maxi Lopez.
MILAN: Abbiati; Bonera, Yepes, Thiago Silva, Antonini; Ambrosini, Van Bommel, Merkel; Robinho; Ibrahimovic, Cassano

U guys got it almost your way (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[William405]

Not the formation I wanted to see really.

This post has been edited by William405: Jan 29 2011, 08:02 PM

[kurtsimonw]

Depends how it's set out. I don't mind the lineup, it'll do the job. 3-1 Milan.

[Milan Are Brilli...]

Why do I get the feeling this is going to be one of those games that we just don't turn up in.

[Darunia]

Don't like Bonera at RB, but to be honest he's better there than CB. Forza Milan!

[samira]

AC Milan are unbeaten against Catania since 1963 (1-0). Since then, the Rossoneri have notched-up 9 wins and 10 draws against Catania.

Tagliavento refereed 10 Milan games, including the last derby in which Milan won. Milan won 6 games and drew 4 times with him.

But that's just stats and I hope Cassano does not act selfish agian.. Or is it just me that notcied it?

[Darunia]

I want to see a good performance.. we've been grinding out wins by playing ugly football, it would be nice to play well for once. Of course 3 points in the most important thing

[Fillipo Simone]

Bonera again. Why?

[han2503]

Still don't understand why he sat Pato on the bench after his performance in the Coppa

[han2503]

Merkel is worrying me

[CrazyMilanFan]

merkel needs to keep his cool

[servbot]

Man I haven't been able to see matches lately, between the new signings and the injuries it's like we have an entirely new team!

[Fillipo Simone]

Merkel is worrying me

Exactly. Did you see how he missed the tackle minutes ago? Could have been his second yellow.

[han2503]

Merkel will get sent off at this rate...

The Catania players know he's the weakest link and are going down everytime he touches them

[Fillipo Simone]

And now again! Gee, Allegri, take him off!!

[X-Offender]

Merkel playing out of position, awful results.

[CrazyMilanFan]

robinho has been a bit off and catania are trying to get merkel sent off

[Fillipo Simone]

This match is so hard to watch...

[X-Offender]

Enough with the long balls!!!

[Fillipo Simone]

Was it offside every time Ibra touched the ball so far?

[CHU-LIP]

Merkel playing out of position, awful results.

He's actually not playing out of position.

[han2503]

Merkel is not out of position, he's been playing in the same position practically every week. The problem is that the Catania players have been putting a lot of pressure on him because they know he's the weakest link in the midfield

[X-Offender]

Merkel is a trequartista guys, not a side midfielder. He can't defend.

This post has been edited by X-Offender: Jan 29 2011, 09:31 PM

[CrazyMilanFan]

cassano had a good chance earlier

[Fillipo Simone]

Merkel is not out of position, he's been playing in the same position practically every week. The problem is that the Catania players have been putting a lot of pressure on him because they know he's the weakest link in the midfield

+1

This match is really hard to watch. No rythm, no flow, no tempo. I don't ask them to play like Barca, but this is really bad.

[Dracoris]

Ref needs to ball up and give out some yellow cards for diving. Catania looks like they're playing ball on a swimming pool instead of a football pitch.

[William405]

It's all about the midfield ,it's a big problem,these injuries.What do you expect...

Emanulson should replace Merkel.

Pato should enter,I saw Allegri give him some instructions in mid first half.

This post has been edited by William405: Jan 29 2011, 09:37 PM

[Ry4n]

Catania please go to serie B already we're tired of comming down to this dump and your stupid fouls and dives must stop its pissing off !!!

This post has been edited by Ry4n: Jan 29 2011, 09:39 PM

[han2503]

Imo, Merkel needs to come off, as soon as that second half starts. Pato needs to come on for the invisible Robinho. We need something we're not going to score at this rate.

The midfield looks disjointed, Yepes is really pissing me off with his long balls to the right that end up either out or back with the opposition

[William405]

Not to mention most of our build up play has to pass through Bonera,lol.

[Ry4n]

Imo, Merkel needs to come off, as soon as that second half starts. Pato needs to come on for the invisible Robinho. We need something we're not going to score at this rate.

The midfield looks disjointed, Yepes is really pissing me off with his long balls to the right that end up either out or back with the opposition

+100

do it Max please !!!!!

[KillerMax]

Imo, Merkel needs to come off, as soon as that second half starts. Pato needs to come on for the invisible Robinho. We need something we're not going to score at this rate.

The midfield looks disjointed, Yepes is really pissing me off with his long balls to the right that end up either out or back with the opposition

Pretty much sums up what I think about the game so far.

Merkel is not ready for Catania away from home by the looks of it. I think Emanuelson can be useful in attacking but I don't know if he can tactically survive this crazy Catania team. Robinho has been bad. We miss a real trequartista, don't we?

This post has been edited by KillerMax: Jan 29 2011, 09:46 PM

[Fillipo Simone]

Emanuelson in. Smart move.

[han2503]

VB sent off, nice one (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

[servbot]

wtf

[X-Offender]

Red van Bommel. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

[CrazyMilanFan]

WElcome Van Bommel

[Fillipo Simone]

van Bommel red carded. Not deserved IMO. The ref could have let him sly. Could be his reputation that contributed.

[Milan Are Brilli...]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) Van Bommel. Never thought this would happen.

[han2503]

Agree with Filippo, Bommel only really made 2 fouls, the Catania players have been playing dirty all game. Bad call imo, and could cost us dearly

[Jack Bauer]

That was totally bullshit. No way he deserved a yellow card there (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

[Milan Are Brilli...]

MVB's first booking was a horrible challenge. It was sly because it looked like he tripped him but you watch it again and you realise he stamped on the guys ankle. Horrible player, get out of Milan please.

[Fillipo Simone]

Sokratis in. Meaning Thiago back to DM and Robinho out?

Robinho!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[han2503]

Why aren't the catania players getting carded? They've been fouling Ibra a lot, not consistant

[CrazyMilanFan]

we need a goal from something

[han2503]

GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

[X-Offender]

BINHO!!!!!!

[servbot]

MVB's first booking was a horrible challenge. It was sly because it looked like he tripped him but you watch it again and you realise he stamped on the guys ankle. Horrible player, get out of Milan please.

The first one was bad but this last one was nothing.

Goal Robinho!!!!!!!!!!

[Jack Bauer]

F@ck Yes !!!!!!!!!! Get In!!

[han2503]

Robinho!!!!!

Nice free-kick from Ibra, Robs with the rebound in. He finally scores (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[CrazyMilanFan]

1-0 robinho..... Now we can make the change if we want to

[Fillipo Simone]

Peeh, he can hit the target after all.

Not Papa, Oddo in.

[Milan Are Brilli...]

Yes Robinho.

Now hold on, 1-0 will do fine.

[han2503]

Why Oddo, not Sokratis. Bonera in the center really worries me....

[servbot]

umm...Oddo?

Between him and Bonera on, we're playing with 9, not 10!

[CrazyMilanFan]

where will oddo play RM

[Jack Bauer]

Why Oddo, not Sokratis. Bonera in the center really worries me....

+1

[han2503]

Pato warming up, but can't really see a point to it. Ibra needs to stay on while Robinho is better at staying back in midfield and helping out

[Jack Bauer]

where will oddo play RM

Oddo - Rb, Bonera CB, Silva - DM

[Dracoris]

I always thought Van Bommel would actually earn his first red card. Oh well, cowardly divers get what they deserve. SCORED ON.

[han2503]

lol this ref is really killing me

[X-Offender]

Oddo worries me.