[han2503]

(IMG:http://blog.guerinsportivo.it/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Craiova-Milan-680x387.jpg)

Probable starting 11:

(IMG:https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DFkPwgUXoAA_xPt.jpg)

Not too happy about that 11 but it is expected that he will go for the safer route for now.

[X-Offender]

No reason not to play Calhanoglu. He's in top form. Montella trying to be Allegri.

[han2503]

No reason not to play Calhanoglu. He's in top form. Montella trying to be Allegri.

I think he's just trying to avoid a major "shock to the system" so to speak

He'll ease the new guys in.

Niang is the most worrying, I hope we don't end up duped once again by a good pre-season from him and we're stuck with him again

[Danny]

Absolutely horrified if that's the formation.

Not gutted at seeing Monto, with no Biglia he's fine. Pretty good v Munich in the DM role.

But the XI is pretty woeful. Up front and defence are shite, to put it bluntly.

[han2503]

Absolutely horrified if that's the formation.

Not gutted at seeing Monto, with no Biglia he's fine. Pretty good v Munich in the DM role.

But the XI is pretty woeful. Up front and defence are shite, to put it bluntly.

Romagnoli is still doing specific training in his recovery from the knee injury, same for Suso, Bonucci and Biglia weren't registered in time, Conti and Andre Silva haven't had much time to train with the rest of the team. So all choices are justified imo

We can't expect that Montella will go full blown new age just yet, he has to have the entire team at his disposal to do that.

He doesn't have many options in attack now with Lapa gone and Bacca not being played to avoid him getting cup tied (do you get cup tied if you play the qualifying round?)/having one foot out the door.

Suso is not fit yet either. The only issue is not playing Hakan and using Borini instead who is simply terrible. Why did we get him again? Still the most baffling transfer of the summer for me

[Jack Sparrow]

I guess we works like a dog and puts in a hard shift whatever role you give him. Remember Dirk Kuyt for Liverpool.

[Danny]

'He'll be used as squad'...

[Fillipo Simone]

I think he's just trying to avoid a major "shock to the system" so to speak

He'll ease the new guys in.

Niang is the most worrying, I hope we don't end up duped once again by a good pre-season from him and we're stuck with him again

I think it's bound to happen. Yesterday I read Montella wants to convince our management to keep Niang. And I'm sure he'll impress against Craiova, so... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[Danny]

I think it's bound to happen. Yesterday I read Montella wants to convince our management to keep Niang. And I'm sure he'll impress against Craiova, so... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Hey him impressing v the Romanians would already be an improvement. He literally stops once pre-season is over and competitive action starts. I know we've another friendly still to go but the competitive action has begun.

[Fillipo Simone]

But the main problem with him is that he's a very unintelligent and inadequate player.

[Jack Sparrow]

But the main problem with him is that he's a very unintelligent and inadequate player.

He's neither if you ask me. What he is in my book is inconsistent. There are plenty of people for example who have the skills of a Zidane, but can't deliver match-in match-out.

He's quite intelligent, has a good vision, energetic, works hard, maybe not a killer in front of goal however. These would make him a great fit to a squad. Problem is all of this is only when he's SWITCHED ON. And that's why I want him out. I think there are some players who'll never be able to break that mental barrier of being switched on for every game.

[Fishdoll]

Here are the call ups for the game:

Ecco la liste dei convocati rossoneri di Vincenzo Montella per la gara di domani contro il Craiova, valida per l’andata del preliminare di Europa League:

Abate, Antonelli, Bonaventura, Borini, Calabria, Conti, Cutrone, G.Donnarumma, A.Donnarumma, Gomez, Kessie, Locatelli, Mauri, Montolivo, Musacchio, Niang, Rodriguez, Storari, André Silva, Zapata.

No Calhanoglu, Bacca, or Sosa. Conti's there as well as the 2 who didn't go to Asia, Locatelli and Calabria.

[Danny]

Here are the call ups for the game:



No Calhanoglu, Bacca, or Sosa. Conti's there as well as the 2 who didn't go to Asia, Locatelli and Calabria.

Bacca was already confirmed absent. Sosa's no miss. But puzzled by Cal.

[Fishdoll]

Bacca was already confirmed absent. Sosa's no miss. But puzzled by Cal.

It could be conditioning. The guy didn't play the last half of last season and may have some cobwebs.

[Danny]

It could be conditioning. The guy didn't play the last half of last season and may have some cobwebs.

A low tech qualifier v Romanians we've never heard of doesn't seem too much for a guy who strolled Bayern and Dortmund. Surely it would even help get the lad back to full match sharpness.

[Fillipo Simone]

He's neither if you ask me. What he is in my book is inconsistent. There are plenty of people for example who have the skills of a Zidane, but can't deliver match-in match-out.

He's quite intelligent, has a good vision, energetic, works hard, maybe not a killer in front of goal however. These would make him a great fit to a squad. Problem is all of this is only when he's SWITCHED ON. And that's why I want him out. I think there are some players who'll never be able to break that mental barrier of being switched on for every game.

I know what you're talking about but Niang isn't one of those players. Inconsistency is only a minor problem with him IMO. I've seen him countless times and can tell you only my assessment: his shooting is poor, his vision is mediocre, he reacts primarily on instinct and strength and neglects intelligence and technique and best of all - he is not aware of his limitations. He has the posture and arrogance of the next Balotelli but isn't half his way yet.

All in all - I'm staying on my prior statement - completely inadequate for Milan and our ambitions this season.

[han2503]

I think it's bound to happen. Yesterday I read Montella wants to convince our management to keep Niang. And I'm sure he'll impress against Craiova, so... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Hmm, I still think that if a good enough offer comes in we'll sell him. If it's not adequate we'll keep him. I doubt Montella is crying his eyes out to keep him, he's the one who wanted him gone last season, let's all remember. One good friendly performance does not a good player make.

Fiorentina are reportedly interested so hopefully we can find him a club and we can get some good money in for him

Hey him impressing v the Romanians would already be an improvement. He literally stops once pre-season is over and competitive action starts. I know we've another friendly still to go but the competitive action has begun.

Niang's problems are that he's clumsy on the ball and a terrible finisher and that's just the footballing side, mentally he's even worse, as soon as he lost his starting place last season he gave up, and when he was given chances he looked as if he'd prefer to be anywhere else but on that pitch, that last game he played for us last season was the final straw with Montella, the indifference he showed is what prompted Montella to publicly say that he needed to go.

I just don't think he'll fit in at a big club, he can't handle being a rotation player and he's simply not good enough to be a starter. A team like Genoa or Torino would be perfect for him imo

Here are the call ups for the game:

No Calhanoglu, Bacca, or Sosa. Conti's there as well as the 2 who didn't go to Asia, Locatelli and Calabria.

Hakan and Sosa were apparently left back for fitness purposes. Bacca and Paletta were left back for transfer market reasons

[X-Offender]

I know what you're talking about but Niang isn't one of those players. Inconsistency is only a minor problem with him IMO. I've seen him countless times and can tell you only my assessment: his shooting is poor, his vision is mediocre, he reacts primarily on instinct and strength and neglects intelligence and technique and best of all - he is not aware of his limitations. He has the posture and arrogance of the next Balotelli but isn't half his way yet.

All in all - I'm staying on my prior statement - completely inadequate for Milan and our ambitions this season.

Yep, completely agree.

[Fishdoll]

Lineup:

MILAN: G. Donnarumma; Abate, Zapata, Musacchio, Rodriguez; Kessie, Montolivo, Bonaventura; Borini, Cutrone, Niang. A disp.: Storari, Mauri, André Silva, Conti, Gomez, Antonelli, Locatelli. All.: Montella

[X-Offender]

The attack line is atrocious, but hopefully it will do the trick.

[han2503]

The attack line is atrocious, but hopefully it will do the trick.

Looks atrocious on the pitch as well

[han2503]

Monto nearly assists the Romanians, Donna saves our @sses

[maldini03]

Kessie is miles better than Monto in midfield. He is doing the job of two players. Cutrone is moving well up top, and Niang has a good work rate so far. Mussachio is a beast back there will be nice to see him with a real solid partner. RR is also moving well. We lack a spark though.

Take Borini off, push Bona to the wing change Monto for Loca and throw Mauri in there.

Edit: Goalllll RR can take a fk.

This post has been edited by maldini03: Jul 27 2017, 07:45 PM

[han2503]

Goal! Rodriguez

The new guys are the only ones who are really impressing me tbh. Bonaventura aside that is, he's always good

[maldini03]

Don't forget that superstar Borini. He has been a ghost save for that one pass to Cutrone.

[X-Offender]

The three upfront have been shite, which is no surprise.

[han2503]

Niang keeps proving that he's only good in friendlies btw

[han2503]

Kessie is definitely the most impressive player on the pitch

[han2503]

Monto the worst player on the pitch. Rodriguez is struggling to play out and instead of moving his lazy @ss to give him an easy out ball he just stands still. He's the one that just kills our entire game, the concept of pass and move is totally lost on him

[CrazyMilanFan]

Not the best of game.. struggle for most of 2nd half

[Danny]

Monto the worst player on the pitch. Rodriguez is struggling to play out and instead of moving his lazy @ss to give him an easy out ball he just stands still. He's the one that just kills our entire game, the concept of pass and move is totally lost on him

I actually thought in the system we played Monto was good! He was only operating in his new role of DM and I thought he did ok one slip up aside.

[Danny]

Kessie is definitely the most impressive player on the pitch

No, Shambalsnidjac from Romanian Crytek was the best.

[Fishdoll]

Can we pay someone to take Montolivo and Niang away, please? they were disastrous.

Only saw part of the game on a bad stream but was not too impressed, esp with those two. Kessie again impressing as well as Musacchio and Rodriguez.

[d'Arc.LP]

I think that this Silva was shiet tonight.

[han2503]

I actually thought in the system we played Monto was good! He was only operating in his new role of DM and I thought he did ok one slip up aside.

What??

Sorry but no, and this is no new role for him it's what he's played throughout his time with us. The man is simply finished. The fact that we pay him 3.5m a year hurts my brain. Another thanks to Galliani for renewing him last season. The amount of face palms required for all the bad moves Galliani has done and will continue to have a negative impact on us are endless


One important observation though, this 11 we started is, imo, worse than the best 11 we could have fielded from last season. So I'm not too shocked we donkey assed it. We played pretty badly. Monto is basically a zombie on the pitch, simply not good enough to even be a sub for Biglia at this point imo. That being said, the entire team looked just about dead by the 55 minute mark. Obviously they're not ready for a full 90 just yet. But even when we were more alive in the first half and had the upper hand, we still looked as we did last season, simply clueless in how to create chances. Obviously we're missing a lot of creative players and that attacking line will only see the light of day again this season in the 2nd leg.

Mostly I'm happy that the new boys are all impressing. Conti and Silva looked out of sorts for the few minutes they came on. Hopefully Montella just gives them the start in the next game and won't subject us to the horror that is a Niang/Borini wing show that we saw today


Side note: Cutrone has a lot of potential, we should really look into loaning him to a team that will give him regular time

[han2503]

I think that this Silva was shiet tonight.

My god!

This fast judging of players gets on my nerves so much!! He looked out of sorts, no two ways about it, but an iffy 15 minutes when our team had basically stopped playing does not make a player shite!

Conti also looked like he couldn't settle in, but I have absolutely no doubts about his abilities. With Silva I'm not as confident because I haven't watched him much while at Porto, but I'm definitely going to give him the appropriate amount of time to settle in and show us what he can do.

[Danny]

What??

Sorry but no, and this is no new role for him it's what he's played throughout his time with us. The man is simply finished. The fact that we pay him 3.5m a year hurts my brain. Another thanks to Galliani for renewing him last season. The amount of face palms required for all the bad moves Galliani has done and will continue to have a negative impact on us are endless

You used to be his biggest fan too (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Danny]

My god!

You called?

[d'Arc.LP]

My god!

This fast judging of players gets on my nerves so much!! He looked out of sorts, no two ways about it, but an iffy 15 minutes when our team had basically stopped playing does not make a player shite!

Conti also looked like he couldn't settle in, but I have absolutely no doubts about his abilities. With Silva I'm not as confident because I haven't watched him much while at Porto, but I'm definitely going to give him the appropriate amount of time to settle in and show us what he can do.

Dude I said he looked bad tonight, not that he is bad in general. You wanna say that he was good or what ? He lost all his duels and didnt even complet 1 pass.

[X-Offender]

I agree. Silva was very bad tonight. Didn't do one single thing right.

As for the game, it was what I was expecting. Half of these players will never start for us once we have the full team at disposal. Niang and Borini are absolutely useless. Borini has a lot of determination but he's just not good enough, whereas Niang was just being Niang for most of the game.

From the new guys, Kessie was great as usual, but I thought Musacchio was fantastic. His reading of the game, his interceptions and anticipations, they are those of a great defender.

I really hope Montella starts a bunch of new players next game. Bonucci, Biglia, Calhanoglu and even Silva have to start.

[Danny]

I really hope Montella starts a bunch of new players next game. Bonucci, Biglia, Calhanoglu and even Silva have to start.

My understanding is that registration issue I alluded to applies to the whole tie, not just the first leg. But the dispensation is managers can select one last-minute wildcard, which would give us a choice OF Bonucci or Biglia.

I have to admit my stream tonight was rubbish, so it was hard to fully judge the performances. But Kessie was titanic, Jack industrious, Niang energetic but completely ineffective (usual competitive Niang again), Musacchio strolled it, Crotone was excellent, Borini a waste of a shirt, and I THOUGHT Monto did well in terms of being a DM but apparently everyone else hated him!

PS: no comment on Silva.

[X-Offender]

My understanding is that registration issue I alluded to applies to the whole tie, not just the first leg. But the dispensation is managers can select one last-minute wildcard, which would give us a choice OF Bonucci or Biglia.

I have to admit my stream tonight was rubbish, so it was hard to fully judge the performances. But Kessie was titanic, Jack industrious, Niang energetic but completely ineffective (usual competitive Niang again), Musacchio strolled it, Crotone was excellent, Borini a waste of a shirt, and I THOUGHT Monto did well in terms of being a DM but apparently everyone else hated him!

PS: no comment on Silva.

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

[Danny]

That's his new name didn't you know (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

(my best ever typo and it was only one letter)

[maldini03]

I thought Conti when he came on brought a lot of energy on that right wing. He played slightly differently than Abate (more advanced) and as a winger but I thought he was good. I'm excited to see how he does going forward.

Musacchio, Kessie, RR, Cutrone were the best for me

Monto, Borini and to some extent Niang the worst - hopefully their replacements can really bring up the quality of the team.

Does seem like we need another creative player to create chances for the forwards because the wingers that we do have are not promising.

Also Montella needs to drop the 4-3-3 and find a better system to suit the team

[Danny]

I have a horrid feeling Borini is a starter.

[maldini03]

Over Suso? Very Doubtful, I think it will be (if he persists with the 4-3-3):

Donna; Conti, Romag/Musacchio, Bonucci, RR; Kessie, Biglia, Bona/ Hakan; Suso, Silva/Mr. X, Hakan/Bona

With this team, I think we look pretty solid. I think the forwards if we don't get someone good will happen by committee. I would rather we switch formations to something like the Christmas tree, which prioritizes overlapping WBs and playmakers who drift inside. It also requires a complete forward, which atm we don't have. I see Silva as occupying more of the SS role.

[X-Offender]

Does seem like we need another creative player to create chances for the forwards because the wingers that we do have are not promising.

Don't forget that with Biglia, Calhanoglu and Suso our ball possession will increase significantly and we'll be able to create more chances. The latter two are especially known for making many assists.

[X-Offender]

Over Suso? Very Doubtful, I think it will be (if he persists with the 4-3-3):

Donna; Conti, Romag/Musacchio, Bonucci, RR; Kessie, Biglia, Bona/ Hakan; Suso, Silva/Mr. X, Hakan/Bona

With this team, I think we look pretty solid. I think the forwards if we don't get someone good will happen by committee. I would rather we switch formations to something like the Christmas tree, which prioritizes overlapping WBs and playmakers who drift inside. It also requires a complete forward, which atm we don't have. I see Silva as occupying more of the SS role.

The formation you put is perfect, but rather than a Christmas tree it needs to a be a 4-2-3-1. 3-5-2 would be suitable as well, but I'm not a fan of it and we'd have to sacrifice both Suso and Bona.

[Danny]

Don't forget that with Biglia, Calhanoglu and Suso our ball possession will increase significantly and we'll be able to create more chances. The latter two are especially known for making many assists.

Weirdly I'd actually argue that we're far better when we have less possession and simply use what we have better.

The Sacchi Milan didn't exactly horde the ball and neither did Carlo's, and they're two of the best in our history.

The possession based tiki tika is done, and Milan are best when we use our possession carefully, strangle opponents, and smack the b*stards on the break.

Hence I don't really think it's about possession = chances = goals.

Our victory over Bayern only saw us have 30% of the ball in the whole match. But what we did with that possession was clinical.

[X-Offender]

Weirdly I'd actually argue that we're far better when we have less possession and simply use what we have better.

The Sacchi Milan didn't exactly horde the ball and neither did Carlo's, and they're two of the best in our history.

The possession based tiki tika is done, and Milan are best when we use our possession carefully, strangle opponents, and smack the b*stards on the break.

Hence I don't really think it's about possession = chances = goals.

Our victory over Bayern only saw us have 30% of the ball in the whole match. But what we did with that possession was clinical.

OK with your reasoning, but the bold part, what??? Ball possession was one of Carlo-Milan's strongest traits. We used to dominate in that respect.

[Danny]

OK with your reasoning, but the bold part, what??? Ball possession was one of Carlo-Milan's strongest traits. We used to dominate in that respect.

I'm pretty sure Catenaccio was still in full thrust in many of those years. Don't get me wrong, I know Carlo had more of the ball than recent eras, but we're not talking Barca-esque 70/30 here. Maybe 55/45 etc. We played better football than even the likes of Man Utd, and usually we won - it just wasn't constant constant ball ball ball. Not as I remember anyway! He just used the ball better than the more wasteful way his Bayern did against us.

[X-Offender]

I'm pretty sure Catenaccio was still in full thrust in many of those years. Don't get me wrong, I know Carlo had more of the ball than recent eras, but we're not talking Barca-esque 70/30 here. Maybe 55/45 etc. We played better football than even the likes of Man Utd, and usually we won - it just wasn't constant constant ball ball ball. Not as I remember anyway! He just used the ball better than the more wasteful way his Bayern did against us.

Sorry man, but I think you're wrong. Carlo's tactics with us were principally focused on ball possession. It was a distinct trait. You probably don't remember it well.

[han2503]

You used to be his biggest fan too (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Now I can't stand watching him on the pitch, opinions change and Monto has done a bang up job of changing mine. Just awful

Dude I said he looked bad tonight, not that he is bad in general. You wanna say that he was good or what ? He lost all his duels and didnt even complet 1 pass.

I said he looked off too, but there's a way and there's a way, he got 15 minutes after coming back from vacation. People want to judge Silva too quickly. He's a 21 year old coming into a new league into a team that still trying to find the right rhythm.

We have to give him some time. Which is why we'll be signing another striker this summer

I thought Conti when he came on brought a lot of energy on that right wing. He played slightly differently than Abate (more advanced) and as a winger but I thought he was good. I'm excited to see how he does going forward.

Musacchio, Kessie, RR, Cutrone were the best for me

Monto, Borini and to some extent Niang the worst - hopefully their replacements can really bring up the quality of the team.

Does seem like we need another creative player to create chances for the forwards because the wingers that we do have are not promising.

Also Montella needs to drop the 4-3-3 and find a better system to suit the team

Thought Conti looked off the pace as well when he came on tbh. I agree that he make good runs and plays higher up the pitch but in a back 4 that could get us into trouble. He stays too high up and we get caught out

I have a horrid feeling Borini is a starter.

Nah.

This was basically the team from last season aside from him, Kessie, RR and Musacchio. Suso, Hakan, new CF, Bona will all have a spot ahead of him, plus we're still looking for another winger according to Montella, so he'll be lucky to get a sniff next season

Over Suso? Very Doubtful, I think it will be (if he persists with the 4-3-3):

Donna; Conti, Romag/Musacchio, Bonucci, RR; Kessie, Biglia, Bona/ Hakan; Suso, Silva/Mr. X, Hakan/Bona

With this team, I think we look pretty solid. I think the forwards if we don't get someone good will happen by committee. I would rather we switch formations to something like the Christmas tree, which prioritizes overlapping WBs and playmakers who drift inside. It also requires a complete forward, which atm we don't have. I see Silva as occupying more of the SS role.

I really hope Montella does not persist with this 4-3-3 nonsense. We simply don't have the wingers for it, and we looked pretty bad on Thursday in terms of build up and in terms of player being mostly out of position.

4-3-1-2/4-3-2-1 or 3-4-1-2/3-4-2-1 is the way to go for us with the players we have

[Danny]

Sorry man, but I think you're wrong. Carlo's tactics with us were principally focused on ball possession. It was a distinct trait. You probably don't remember it well.

Matters not anyway who's right or wrong - what matters is now, and either way, possession football is not the way to go. Not any more.

[Danny]

I said he looked off too, but there's a way and there's a way, he got 15 minutes after coming back from vacation. People want to judge Silva too quickly. He's a 21 year old coming into a new league into a team that still trying to find the right rhythm.

We have to give him some time. Which is why we'll be signing another striker this summer

If it helps any a Porto fan I know rated him thus:

Apparently he's a player who didn't suit Porto's system, and wasn't hugely rated by the fans - but some hold the view that surrounded by better players/system he will thrive. However she also added that Sanches is a pile of p*ss and hopes we don't sign him.

Nah.

This was basically the team from last season aside from him, Kessie, RR and Musacchio. Suso, Hakan, new CF, Bona will all have a spot ahead of him, plus we're still looking for another winger according to Montella, so he'll be lucky to get a sniff next season

I'm allowed to be scared.

[X-Offender]

Matters not anyway who's right or wrong - what matters is now, and either way, possession football is not the way to go. Not any more.

It's true, and I don't think we have the right quality to make ball possession our strongest trait. But we definitely will have the upper hand against smaller teams when the likes of Biglia, Suso, Hakan and Bona will play together. And obviously more assists too.

As for Silva, he reminds me a bit of Torres and a bit of Pato, but probably not as good of a finisher.

[Danny]

It's true, and I don't think we have the right quality to make ball possession our strongest trait. But we definitely will have the upper hand against smaller teams when the likes of Biglia, Suso, Hakan and Bona will play together. And obviously more assists too.

Like I say, if you look at the dichotomy of both our ICC matches; Dortmund didn't seem to have all of the ball but what they had they used clinically. We then did the same to Bayern.

As for Silva, he reminds me a bit of Torres and a bit of Pato, but probably not as good of a finisher.

Physically I'd have to agree on Torres, but sadly the Torres we had and not the one at his prime.

[han2503]

If it helps any a Porto fan I know rated him thus:

Apparently he's a player who didn't suit Porto's system, and wasn't hugely rated by the fans - but some hold the view that surrounded by better players/system he will thrive. However she also added that Sanches is a pile of p*ss and hopes we don't sign him.

I'm just going to wait and see with him, he definitely has talent from the little I've watched, but that's not all that is needed to succeed.

I just hate when people make up their minds about players before they've given them the proper time. Lots of players take time to fit in. Even Modric in his first year at Real wasn't all that good.

It's why I stress how important it is for us to get a good striker who will not only assure us a certain amount of goals but also take the pressure off of Silva so he can adjust and hopefully live up to his billing. Because if he does, we'll have a gold mine on our hands in terms of marketing potential with this one.

As for Renato, the talent is there imo. The kind of football he played for Benfica and the Euros showed that, he made a mistake going to a team like Bayern so early in his career. And if we can get him on an option to buy deal we should jump at the chance

I'm allowed to be scared.

You are, I am to on the inside, but I can't see him getting much space once the entire squad is assembled and at Montella's disposal