[han2503]

Who: Hellas Verona vs. AC Milan



(IMG:http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah232/hannvis/VeronaMilan_zps72e415e9.png)



Where: Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi



(IMG:http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah232/hannvis/stadium_zps31695f46.png)



When:
19th October 2014 @ 15:00pm CET


Head-to-Head Record



(IMG:http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah232/hannvis/veronamilanstats_zps68d043c7.png)

[han2503]

Menez is still a big doubt for the game, hopefully Pippo doesn't play him if he's not 100% fit we have other players who can more than fill in that position, no need to create further problems for ourselves.

Bonaventura and DS had minor knocks with the NT but should be ready to play this game

[Danny]

Great threads this year Han, I proudly steal the pics for Twitter.

[X-Offender]

Yeah, kudos for the threads, Han.

That's an old picture, though. Bentegodi is a bit more modern nowadays:

(IMG:http://rollerclubscaligero.it/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Stadio-12-1.jpg)

[Jack Bauer]

Seems like Essien is the favorite to replace De Jong in the starting lineup.

[han2503]

Seems like Essien is the favorite to replace De Jong in the starting lineup.

So Essien AND Muntari at the same time??


Great double the enjoyment and fun(ny) moments (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)


Thanks for the pic x-off, I'll change it, and thanks guys, just trying to do something different so that it's not always the same old match thread openings

[X-Offender]

Mediaset probable line-up: Diego Lopez; Abate, Alex, Rami, De Sciglio; Muntari, Essien, Poli; Honda, Torres, El Shaarawy.

Menez out injured.

We're gonna lose this, mark my words. With that midfield and without Menez any half-decent team can take advantage of our mediocrity.

[Jack Sparrow]

We'll see.

I do feel for Pippo, because we really are without any central midfielders.

[han2503]

We'll see.

I do feel for Pippo, because we really are without any central midfielders.

He's been playing Bonaventura there. So what's the deal with dropping him and playing the dynamic duo from Ghana FFS?!!

Essien is redundant, just play Muntari in the anchor position and play Jack and Poli on either side of him, plus this way Muntari gets shackled and the amount of damage he does to our general gameplay is lessened as well so this is doubly beneficial for us

[Rossoneri7]

Historically, this is an important game. Just like the derby or the Juve game and I think we have what it takes to take the full points.

[Jack Sparrow]

He's been playing Bonaventura there. So what's the deal with dropping him and playing the dynamic duo from Ghana FFS?!!

Essien is redundant, just play Muntari in the anchor position and play Jack and Poli on either side of him, plus this way Muntari gets shackled and the amount of damage he does to our general gameplay is lessened as well so this is doubly beneficial for us

I don't see it that way. I think you give too much credit to our ballplayers to actually hold on to the ball. This will be a touch match any which way, especially with Honda not having caught a break.

[han2503]

I don't see it that way. I think you give too much credit to our ballplayers to actually hold on to the ball. This will be a touch match any which way, especially with Honda not having caught a break.

The ballplayers are the ones who do all the work in terms of keeping possession, Essien and Muntari wouldn't help in that, they'd only create further headaches in terms or pressure on our defence and stifling any creativity when it comes to getting in behind the Verona defence, especially since there's no Menez.

I really don't get where some get the ridiculous notion that more defensive/muscle players is equal to a more stable defensive game. It usually works in a completely opposite manner and creates more confusion in midfield and more pressure on the defence because our midfield can't string more than 3 or maybe 4 passes together

How many games do we need to watch where our coaches fill up our midfield with these kinds of players and we're not only impotent in attack but become totally inept defensively to prove this very point?

[X-Offender]

I really don't get where some get the ridiculous notion that more defensive/muscle players is equal to a more stable defensive game. It usually works in a completely opposite manner and creates more confusion in midfield and more pressure on the defence because our midfield can't string more than 3 or maybe 4 passes together.

Yep. And what's worse is that these defensive players are absolute crap. It'd be different if we played with, say, Khedira, Busquetes and De Rossi. But we have Essien, Muntari and Poli instead, and except for Poli, the other two do more harm than good.

[Jack Sparrow]

And I just feel the ballplayers will do as much harm. Because they're not Pirlo, Kaka and Seedorf. With no defensive cover, once they lose the ball we're screwed.

I'm going to trust the coach who sees the players in training to make the call. Menez being out is bad news. Too much stress on Bonaventura and Honda now, since I'm guessing both Pazzo and Torres will start.

[X-Offender]

And I just feel the ballplayers will do as much harm. Because they're not Pirlo, Kaka and Seedorf. With no defensive cover, once they lose the ball we're screwed.

I'm going to trust the coach who sees the players in training to make the call. Menez being out is bad news. Too much stress on Bonaventura and Honda now, since I'm guessing both Pazzo and Torres will start.

What more can Muntari offer in terms of defensive stability that Bonaventura already doesn't? Just because he's labeled as DM makes him a better player when it comes to defending? You're the one who says we shouldn't confuse reality with FIFA, yet you're doing the exact same thing.

[han2503]

And I just feel the ballplayers will do as much harm. Because they're not Pirlo, Kaka and Seedorf. With no defensive cover, once they lose the ball we're screwed.

I'm going to trust the coach who sees the players in training to make the call. Menez being out is bad news. Too much stress on Bonaventura and Honda now, since I'm guessing both Pazzo and Torres will start.

How would someone who can actually see a pass and complete it do more harm than someone who's mostly there to run around aimlessly, maybe win a couple of balls and then loses it all over again

I'm not saying go gung-ho and provide absolutely NO defensive cover. I'm saying put Muntari in the anchor position and play Jack and Poli on either side of him, that way you have a more balanced mix of industry AND creativity. Plus as I said multiple times the anchor position is probably the only position Muntari's negative influence on our gameplay is reduced because he's tactically shackled into that position instead of being given the box-to-box role which he always interprets as a "free - do whatever the f@ck you want" role.

What more can Muntari offer in terms of defensive stability that Bonaventura already doesn't? Just because he's labeled as DM makes him a better player when it comes to defending? You're the one who says we shouldn't confuse reality with FIFA, yet you're doing the exact same thing.

Exactly

[Rossoneri7]

And I just feel the ballplayers will do as much harm. Because they're not Pirlo, Kaka and Seedorf. With no defensive cover, once they lose the ball we're screwed.

I'm going to trust the coach who sees the players in training to make the call. Menez being out is bad news. Too much stress on Bonaventura and Honda now, since I'm guessing both Pazzo and Torres will start.

Trust the coach to know better (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[han2503]

Milan fitness boost in Verona

Nigel de Jong is suspended, but Jeremy Menez, Giacomo Bonaventura, Marco van Ginkel and Diego Lopez are ready for Verona-Milan.

It kicks off on Sunday at 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT), click here for a match preview.

De Jong sits out a ban in midfield, so the return of Van Ginkel is a boost for Coach Pippo Inzaghi.

Cristian Zapata is also back, while Bonaventura – who missed out on international duty due to injury – Menez and Diego Lopez are fit again.

Milan squad for Verona: Abbiati, Agazzi, Diego Lopez; Abate, Alex, Armero, Bonera, De Sciglio, Rami, Zaccardo, Zapata; Essien, Muntari, Poli, Saponara, Van Ginkel; Bonaventura, El Shaarawy, Honda, Menez, Niang, Pazzini, Torres

Some great news and certainly no excuses that we have limited choices in midfield.

Monto aside we basically have a fully fit squad no?

[X-Offender]

Some great news and certainly no excuses that we have limited choices in midfield.

Monto aside we basically have a fully fit squad no?

Yep, everyone is present. Pippo has all his men at disposal, let's see how he'll utilize them.

[kurtsimonw]

Mediaset probable line-up: Diego Lopez; Abate, Alex, Rami, De Sciglio; Muntari, Essien, Poli; Honda, Torres, El Shaarawy.

Menez out injured.

We're gonna lose this, mark my words. With that midfield and without Menez any half-decent team can take advantage of our mediocrity.

Seeing that lineup makes me sad. How we have fallen. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[Danny]

Yep, everyone is present. Pippo has all his men at disposal, let's see how he'll utilize them.

ALMOST everyone (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

But absolutely delighted to see Van Ginkel back. He looked so special, and I'd love him to start. This international break has been great for us tbh!

--------------Lopez

Abate----Alex----Zapata------Armero

----MvG-------Poli----------Bonaventura

-----Menez------Torres-------Honda

Yes, I would give Armero a start. MDS simply hasn't impressed this season, and he needs to know he has competition for the LB slot.

As for midfield, Essien God know, Muntari...no.

I know that midfield has no chance of starting but I'd like it.

[Danny]

Seeing that lineup makes me sad. How we have fallen. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

I'd be stunned if both Essien and Muntari start.

[X-Offender]

Oh, they will.

[han2503]

ALMOST everyone (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

But absolutely delighted to see Van Ginkel back. He looked so special, and I'd love him to start. This international break has been great for us tbh!

--------------Lopez

Abate----Alex----Zapata------Armero

----MvG-------Poli----------Bonaventura

-----Menez------Torres-------Honda

Yes, I would give Armero a start. MDS simply hasn't impressed this season, and he needs to know he has competition for the LB slot.

As for midfield, Essien God know, Muntari...no.

I know that midfield has no chance of starting but I'd like it.

Jack is going to have a coronary in 3...2...

Oh, they will.

Sadly I agree

[X-Offender]

OFFICIAL: Abbiati; Abate, Alex, Rami, De Sciglio; Poli, Essien, Muntari; Honda, Torres, El Shaarawy

Told you so, Danny.

[acid911]

Exactly. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sleep.gif) We may not be good, but we sure are predictable!

[han2503]

OFFICIAL: Abbiati; Abate, Alex, Rami, De Sciglio; Poli, Essien, Muntari; Honda, Torres, El Shaarawy

Told you so, Danny.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/puke.gif)

Expect a sterile and mediocre performance.

[X-Offender]

Shame on Pippo.

[han2503]

1 thing you don't get with Menez that you do with SES is the sheer effort and hard work he puts in when we do not have the ball

[han2503]

We have no one that can swing a pass to open up play in that midfield

[X-Offender]

What a terrible shot earlier from SES.

[han2503]

What a terrible shot earlier from SES.

Hit it into the ground

[han2503]

GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Does that count as an assist for Abate??? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[milanbuf88]

Own goal on Hellas! Great assist by Abate haha

[X-Offender]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[han2503]

Own goal on Hellas! Great assist by Abate haha

That's 5 for the season I think he has as much as Fabregas for the season(?)

[Forza Milan!]

Own goal on Hellas! Great assist by Abate haha

Well, we did need some help (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[han2503]

Now they need to work hard an get another so there aren't any mishaps.

Essien has been good imo.

I think that anchor position is the only one him or Muntari should be allowed to play, too bad for them De Jong is heads and shoulders above them, but they both could be good cover players, anywhere else they're a burden on the side more than anything else

Abate and Honda are awesome on that right side, they've formed a great understanding with each other

[han2503]

Wide open in midfield to make the shot while we have 3 defensively inclined players in there (IMG:style_emoticons/default/innocent.gif)

[X-Offender]

Again with the stupid corner kicks.

[han2503]

HONDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA


What an assist El Shaarawy!!

[milanbuf88]

HONDA!!! Perfect long pass from El Shaarawy!

[X-Offender]

HONDA!!!

[milanbuf88]

Luca Toni has still got it in his old age. Nice save Abbiati

[Forza Milan!]

Toni almost had that one.

[han2503]

Wow Toni!!

Still awesome!

SES hacked down terribly on the counter

[han2503]

The amount of f@ck ups Muntari manages to make in one game is astonishing

[milanbuf88]

Muntari gives away a corner with his shitty touch.

[han2503]

Abate definitely not offside on the assist

[han2503]

Why do they keep letting them cross??

Great save Abbiati

[milanbuf88]

Another great save by Abbiati. Gotta do better against their heading attempts.

[han2503]

Poli... Should have at least directed that toward goal

Really wish Bona was in that midfield

[han2503]

WTF was Essien doing there??

[han2503]

Why the f@ck are they letting 100 year old Toni dribble them in slow motion FFS??

[milanbuf88]

Muntari bumbling around midfield. Runs into El Shaarawy and then immediately gives the ball away.

[X-Offender]

Rami and Muntari have been crap.

[han2503]

Muntari bumbling around midfield. Runs into El Shaarawy and then immediately gives the ball away.

I hate him as much as the next person here, but that was Essien

[milanbuf88]

Essien is incredibly slow.

[han2503]

The front 3 have basically been our midfield, Honda, SES and Torres have been basically doing it all and by-passing our inept midfield, winning the ball and creating the plays all on their own

[milanbuf88]

I hate him as much as the next person here, but that was Essien

Was it? My bad. I'm going to blame that on stream quality haha.

This post has been edited by milanbuf88: Oct 19 2014, 02:49 PM

[X-Offender]

Decent first half. We let Verona attack too much in the last 15-20 minutes, but otherwise we weren't as bad as I thought we'd be. We must thank Abbiati with two super saves, as well as Verona's defender with that ridiculous own goal.

[han2503]

Was it? My bad. I'm going to see that in stream quality haha.

Yeah it was.

HT

Decent first half but that midfield is seriously making what should be a straight forward game into a constant battle to try and keep that clean sheet, I thought Essien was doing good in the first 30 minutes or so, but he's so slow. Poli is doing his usual thing, ok but still not what we need from someone who's our only link to the attack in midfield

Muntari his usual self bumbling around, losing the ball and trying to make terrible passes that never come off

[han2503]

Hoping Pippo brings Jack in for one of the dynamic duo in the second half, we need to kill this off ASAP because I can't see us keeping a clean sheet and we can't afford to let them in it again as Verona are not a side that will go down meekly.

[KillerMax]

livescore.com says Torres scored whereas you guys are saying Honda?

[Fillipo Simone]

Yes, well, let's not over-Muntari ourselves, shall we? Because all in all this was a decent first half. Good play by Honda, Torres, Abate, Poli and Abbiati especially. I only expect SES to step up finally - and the second half could give him more space for a speedy attack.

[milanbuf88]

livescore.com says Torres scored whereas you guys are saying Honda?

Definitely Honda.

[KillerMax]

Definitely Honda.

Awesome. How many is that for him so far this season?

[milanbuf88]

Solid first half. The midfield is so unstable though. Way too many give aways and no creativity. I think El Shaarawy and Torres would be better served by some one able to give a decent pass. Abate has looked dangerous with his crosses.

[Forza Milan!]

Yes, well, let's not over-Muntari ourselves, shall we? Because all in all this was a decent first half. Good play by Honda, Torres, Abate, Poli and Abbiati especially. I only expect SES to step up finally - and the second half could give him more space for a speedy attack.

Decent first half, but the result is a tad "generous". Abbiati had some great saves ...

[milanbuf88]

Awesome. How many is that for him so far this season?

The commentator said five. Damn impressive by Honda.

[han2503]

Yes, well, let's not over-Muntari ourselves, shall we? Because all in all this was a decent first half. Good play by Honda, Torres, Abate, Poli and Abbiati especially. I only expect SES to step up finally - and the second half could give him more space for a speedy attack.

Him and Essien have been easily our worst players out there, how can we not mention them? This thing with Muntari is so ridiculous on this forum, why the sudden need to not even talk about how really terrible he is when we see it in our faces each week?

He was bad, and that is a fact, saying we should not over-Muntari things is ridiculous imo just because 1 or 2 people always find a way to defend him and it becomes a debate we shouldn't say anything about him ruining our game?

Awesome. How many is that for him so far this season?

5 and 2 assists as well

[KillerMax]

5 and 2 assists as well

I don't mean this as gloating(as I have no reason to). Just an honest question. How do you feel about Honda now Kurt seeing as you believed him to be mediocre at best?

[han2503]

HONDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

6

[milanbuf88]

HONDA!!! Great shot. What a pass though!! Was that Rami?

[han2503]

What a pass from Rami.

[William405]

Honda...so clinical tonight, amazing pass from Rami!

This post has been edited by William405: Oct 19 2014, 03:15 PM

[han2503]

lol, what a goal that would have been from Torres

[han2503]

Honda...so clinical tonight, amazing pass from Rami!

Could have had a hat-trick just now

[han2503]

Essien is so f@cking slow when he receives the ball and has to get it out from under his feet

Say what you want about SES but he's been great today, he only needs that goal to relax a bit more

[han2503]

Great save Abbiati

We should not be letting them press us so far back, just keep the clean sheet and score another if you can

[milanbuf88]

Bad give away by Torres. Great block by Alex.

[X-Offender]

Need to make some changes now.

[milanbuf88]

Essien is such a shadow of his former greatness. He has been slow and awful.

[X-Offender]

OK, we're playing like sh*t now.

[han2503]

OK, we're playing like sh*t now.

We switched to neutral as soon as we scored the 3rd

[X-Offender]

We switched to neutral as soon as we scored the 3rd

Exactly.

[han2503]

lol, Bonera for Honda!

WTF? Are we trying to gift them a consolation goal?

[William405]

What the hell??

[han2503]

Trifecta of class on the pitch Muntari>Essien>Bonera

[milanbuf88]

Pippo's subs are way too conservative.

[X-Offender]

OMG Bonera!

[han2503]

HAHA!!

Predicted it!!!

1-3

[William405]

lol, Bonera for Honda!

WTF? Are we trying to gift them a consolation goal?

And, that's exactly what happens.

[han2503]

Lovely attempted block Muntari (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

[X-Offender]

And here it comes. Expected. We've been invisible for the last 20 minutes.

[han2503]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Should be 3-2 now.

Completely falling apart in defence and midfield, shocking considering the personnel we have out there (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

[William405]

Inzaghi clearly doesn't ascribe to the notion that a good midfield can control the match. You don't need 10 defenders...

We almost conceded again..

[milanbuf88]

Nene puts it over the bar from 2 yards out. Should be 3-2. This is what happens when you sit back and make **** subs.

This post has been edited by milanbuf88: Oct 19 2014, 03:47 PM

[X-Offender]

Should have been 2-3.

[han2503]

Wtf was Pippo thinking with those changes...