[Fillipo Simone]

MoM goes to Rami IMO. Very good showing, if this wasn't just a happy coincidence, we should think of combining him and Abate as our main fullbacks. IMO Mexes and MDS were good as well, Lopez especially. Zapata made a slightly less convincing appearance.

Flop was between Muntari and SES for obvious reasons. Han compared Stephans miss with Icardi's, but it wasn't quite the same. Still, my pick is Muntari.

[acid911]

By the way, I'll vote while I'm here. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) And saw the match in full.

Mexès top, he was making clean clearances at the back like crazy.
Muntari flop, destroyed several chances we had at attack by his back passing.

Agree with most of the assessments above, though. Good showings from Rami, DeScig, and Lopez. And the usual mess from Essien and Torres. But on the whole, this was one of the weaker derbies I've seen, with neither team asserting itself on the pitch for a sustained period of time. Just a total no show from both Milan squads.

[William405]

By the way, I'll vote while I'm here. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) And saw the match in full.

Mexès top, he was making clean clearances at the back like crazy.
Muntari flop, destroyed several chances we had at attack by his back passing.

Agree with most of the assessments above, though. Good showings from Rami, DeScig, and Lopez. And the usual mess from Essien and Torres. But on the whole, this was one of the weaker derbies I've seen, with neither team asserting itself on the pitch for a sustained period of time. Just a total no show from both Milan squads.

What? What? Mexes top??Muntari flop?? Danny will have a stroke when he sees this. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[acid911]

What? What? Mexes top??Muntari flop?? Danny will have a stroke when he sees this.

Ah, no, he's a chum of mine. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) But really, I did not see anyone have more impact in the team than him (Rami came close, though) in how he marshaled the defense. And as for Muntari, it was a coin flip between him and Essien, in how they broke up play and ensured that the ball rarely left out midfield.

In fact, now that you mention it Essien deserved the flop tag more, on terms of performance. Muntari only edged him in how he behaved on the pitch and the fact that he's a tad bit younger. Do they have their uses? Yeah, but starting matches is not one of them, and hopefully with a full strength squad, we see less of these two gentlemen.

[William405]

Ah, no, he's a chum of mine. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) But really, I did not see anyone have more impact in the team than him (Rami came close, though) in how he marshaled the defense. And as for Muntari, it was a coin flip between him and Essien, in how they broke up play and ensured that the ball rarely left out midfield.

In fact, now that you mention it Essien deserved the flop tag more, on terms of performance. Muntari only edged him in how he behaved on the pitch and the fact that he's a tad bit younger. Do they have their uses? Yeah, but starting matches is not one of them, and hopefully with a full strength squad, we see less of these two gentlemen.

Yeah, both were giving away balls in horrible places as we've accustomed to. I would resist giving Essien the flop only for his play on the goal.

I think Mexes had a really good game too. This is the first time I've felt our defense is somewhat secure. Might have to do with Inter sucking too, though. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[acid911]

Yeah, both were giving away balls in horrible places as we've accustomed to. I would resist giving Essien the flop only for his play on the goal.

True man, we've been accustomed to this style of play ever since these two showed up. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sleep.gif) At least when Seedorf was here playing he'd stick with the ball and move his butt forward. These two just seek out the nearest individual and pass the ball back. Nothing kills our game more than this. Nothing.

I think Mexes had a really good game too. This is the first time I've felt our defense is somewhat secure. Might have to do with Inter sucking too, though.

Exactly, and that's why he's playing I guess, regularly. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I don't know, maybe he'll be shipped out soon, or opt to leave in the winter or summer window. But as long as Mexes is here, he should be starting. Unless he has a major dip in form, which I've not seen from him like ever. That's the sign of good players.

He's not great, and prone to embarrassing moments here and there. But he's the best we've got. There's a reason whey he's on 4m a season, because he has experience and the skills to start for a club like ours. Only if Silva and Nesta were still on, then he'd be warming the bench. And that's logical.

Let's hope the somewhat secure feeling about our defense is not a one off, though. We need stability!