[Fillipo Simone]

Derby thread. How low can we go - is the question I think.

[Danny]

We did very well at home to Malaga who are a much better side, but Juve are a class above even them.

We are on a good run right now - a spirited draw against a vastly superior Napoli side followed by a patchy 3-1 over Anderlecht - 2 good away results in a row.

But Juve are a machine. Only Inter have taken all 3 points from them in the past 51 or so matches - so while we're arguably playing them at home for the best time for us, I still say they'll gub us.

[han2503]

We did very well at home to Malaga who are a much better side, but Juve are a class above even them.

We are on a good run right now - a spirited draw against a vastly superior Napoli side followed by a patchy 3-1 over Anderlecht - 2 good away results in a row.

But Juve are a machine. Only Inter have taken all 3 points from them in the past 51 or so matches - so while we're arguably playing them at home for the best time for us, I still say they'll gub us.

You mean Malaga are a better side than us??

No we're the better side which shows you how terribly bad we're underperforming this season.

Juve are a super efficient team who might not have big stars but they play an unforgiving type of football. We won't be able to keep up with their fast paced tempo. You said yourself, Juve are a machine, and that is how they play

Our biggest enemy right now is ourselves. The passing percentage has got to be the worst we've come up with in years. Aside from our complete lack of pace, movement and terrible marking off set pieces, our passing has to be the most irritating thing about how we're playing right now

[Danny]

You mean Malaga are a better side than us??

No we're the better side which shows you how terribly bad we're underperforming this season.

Juve are a super efficient team who might not have big stars but they play an unforgiving type of football. We won't be able to keep up with their fast paced tempo. You said yourself, Juve are a machine, and that is how they play

Our biggest enemy right now is ourselves. The passing percentage has got to be the worst we've come up with in years. Aside from our complete lack of pace, movement and terrible marking off set pieces, our passing has to be the most irritating thing about how we're playing right now

I'm beginning to wonder if you (and X-Off) are now just playing devil's advocate.

We have a poor manager who doesn't know what system he wants, we have NO marquee players of the quality of old, and we're mid table (12th) in a rather weak Serie A.

Remind me where this inferior Malaga side are in a STRONGER La Liga? 5th is that?

What is with the DELUSION!

Our best player is El-Sha, a good good player but hardly Ibra. We have a pathetic squad, a poor manager, and no settled system.

You really think our squad is a higher quality than Malaga's?

Maybe it was last year - this year's Silva is Mexes. This year's Ibra is El-Sha. This year's Pirlo is Monto. This year's Nesta is Bonera.

When will it get through, it's an awful squad. The first team, at its BEST, could manage a top 6 place finish. I've said that before.

But no, you keep saying it's about underperforming...

[han2503]

I'm beginning to wonder if you (and X-Off) are now just playing devil's advocate.

We have a poor manager who doesn't know what system he wants, we have NO marquee players of the quality of old, and we're mid table (12th) in a rather weak Serie A.

Remind me where this inferior Malaga side are in a STRONGER La Liga? 5th is that?

What is with the DELUSION!

Our best player is El-Sha, a good good player but hardly Ibra. We have a pathetic squad, a poor manager, and no settled system.

You really think our squad is a higher quality than Malaga's?

Maybe it was last year - this year's Silva is Mexes. This year's Ibra is El-Sha. This year's Pirlo is Monto. This year's Nesta is Bonera.

When will it get through, it's an awful squad. The first team, at its BEST, could manage a top 6 place finish. I've said that before.

But no, you keep saying it's about underperforming...

Now this if over exxagerating!

No it's not am awful squad, it's DECENT and everyone agreed at the beginning of the season that winning our relatively easy group in the CL (compared to the groups we've been drawn in these past couple of seasons) and a top 3 finish in the league is DO-ABLE. And this was agreed upon by the MAJORITY of not only posters here but football observers in general. No we don't have huge star names this season but we have a solid core of very talented players.

The problem is that YES, we are underperforming terribly, hence the bad results on the pitch. But Malaga in no way have a better squad than us and let's not even go into the debate of La Liga vs Serie A!! La Liga is a 2 team league FFS, who cares where Malaga are (in fact aren't they struggling in that area too?)

Just because me and x-off agree on these things does not mean we're playing advocates, we're putting our points across. You just simply do not agree with them (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

I think that what youre trying to do by saying "Oh Malaga are so much better than us" is try to underplay the fact, and yes it is a fact, that we are not performing to the calibre that we should be, far from it. With the squad we have we should at least be in third in the league considering how incosistant Napoli have been lately as well. And we certainly should have won that EASY, yes EASY, group.

[Forza Milan!]

Now this if over exxagerating!

No it's not am awful squad, it's DECENT and everyone agreed at the beginning of the season that winning our relatively easy group in the CL (compared to the groups we've been drawn in these past couple of seasons) and a top 3 finish in the league is DO-ABLE. And this was agreed upon by the MAJORITY of not only posters here but football observers in general. No we don't have huge star names this season but we have a solid core of very talented players.

The problem is that YES, we are underperforming terribly, hence the bad results on the pitch. But Malaga in no way have a better squad than us and let's not even go into the debate of La Liga vs Serie A!! La Liga is a 2 team league FFS, who cares where Malaga are (in fact aren't they struggling in that area too?)

Just because me and x-off agree on these things does not mean we're playing advocates, we're putting our points across. You just simply do not agree with them (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

I think that what youre trying to do by saying "Oh Malaga are so much better than us" is try to underplay the fact, and yes it is a fact, that we are not performing to the calibre that we should be, far from it. With the squad we have we should at least be in third in the league considering how incosistant Napoli have been lately as well. And we certainly should have won that EASY, yes EASY, group.

+1

Getting a little tired of hearing about the quality of the squad. Yes it is not nearly as good as last year, but (on paper) it is still better than most other Serie A teams. We should be in the top 3 in Serie A and shoud have won a relatively easy group in CL. On paper. (Keep in mind that most of our much maligned players are good enough to make their NTs on a regular basis.)

So, what is wrong? IMHO, morale and tactics.

Losing key players certainly impacted morale, though I get the impression that the "turning point" was Cassano leaving and maybe the loss to RM. However, it is the coach's job to motivate the team, and hollering "DAI DAI" through the game or yelling at half time somehow does not seem all that inspiring.

As for tactics, it is all about the coach.

Bottom line, no matter how you turn it, we all know what our biggest problem is right now.

In any case, to stay on topic, Juve will be tough for us. Hope for a victory (of course), but would be happy with one point right now.

[Danny]

+1

Getting a little tired of hearing about the quality of the squad. Yes it is not nearly as good as last year, but (on paper) it is still better than most other Serie A teams. We should be in the top 3 in Serie A and shoud have won a relatively easy group in CL. On paper. (Keep in mind that most of our much maligned players are good enough to make their NTs on a regular basis.)

So, what is wrong? IMHO, morale and tactics.

Losing key players certainly impacted morale, though I get the impression that the "turning point" was Cassano leaving and maybe the loss to RM. However, it is the coach's job to motivate the team, and hollering "DAI DAI" through the game or yelling at half time somehow does not seem all that inspiring.

As for tactics, it is all about the coach.

Bottom line, no matter how you turn it, we all know what our biggest problem is right now.

Sorry, but this really is ridiculous. How can you call a team whose best player is SES the 3rd best in Serie A? Have you noticed the quality of Fiorentina and Napoli? We don't have a player half as good as Hamsik or Cavani.

The continued delusion about how good our team is is actually starting to grind.

Yes, the manager's a shambles. Yes, the tactics are all over the place.

But the squad is dire! Look at the defence! Mexes is our best defender and he's just 'good'. No more. Best midfielder is Monto - good good player but I'd take Hamsik any day. SES has bailed us out but choosing between him and Cavani is no contest.

For a Milan team normally endowed with Maldinis, Nestas, Ibras, Silvas, Pirlos, Shevas, Kakas - now look at us.

Top 3? Not a chance. A great coach could get this side into top 6.

[Zed.D]

SES has bailed us out but choosing between him and Cavani is no contest.

Yet in our recent game El Sha outshone Cavani...