[han2503]

Back to business, first league game of 2012. Hopefully we start the year on a high.

Juve will be away to Lecce, so I can't really see the opportunity to gain ground here, but you never know...

Anyone have any idea on who is still injured?

[han2503]

Who are the creative ball playing midfielders? Van Bommel is the only one. VAN BOMMEL

Can't you see how much either Montolivo or Merkel would add to that midfield?

And that's why I see it as a weak midfield, so I would play it safe and start with both Furby (AM) and Robinho (SS).

I see Carmona is called up. Let's start him at AM, and bench Emanuelson. I also don't see much in Emanuelson. Carmona seems the closest thing to what we miss in midfield. So:

Carmona
Nocerino , Van Bommel , Boateng

Because if we going to play Robinho as AM, it will be runners, runners, and runners, oh, and Van Bommel...

Are you freakin kidding me with this chu??

We need players who will make a difference, playing a youth player really won't make any sense as he would be easily bowled over by an Atalanta side who will play a very physical game.

So what if we don't have a typically creative player in the midfield?? We still mostly rely on Ibra to create the goal opportunities, Aqui just keeps the ball moving, something Boateng will still manage to do without much trouble.

And who's talking about Monto or Merkel?? They're not even part of the team! Our options are Urby or Robs, which is why EVERYONE here wants Robinho to start behind the strikers which would be the logical thing to do

I don't see how Emanuelson can make the difference. I my opinion it's better to play a midfield of classy workers and fighters without a true AM (which we're playing anyway all season long) then add in one half-decent and newly pronounced AM like Emanuelson.

Agreed