[han2503]

Who: A.C. Milan vs. U.S. Sassuolo



(IMG:http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah232/hannvis/milan-Sassuolo_zpseb010f2c.png)



Where: Stadio San Siro



(IMG:http://www.acmilan.com/uploads/club/sansiro.jpg)



When:
6th January 2015 @ 3:00pm CET


Head-to-Head Record



(IMG:http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah232/hannvis/milan-Sassuolostats_zps5de0bded.png)

[Danny]

In Abate's absence that is absolutely our best defence. Rami is excellent as RB and everyone else is as good as we have in those positions.

Midfield is what I asked for in light of no De Jong, and with Cerci not available that's our best option up top.

Basically, it looks like Pippo's finally finding our best team and sticking with it.

Really looking forward to tomorrow's match.

[han2503]

In Abate's absence that is absolutely our best defence. Rami is excellent as RB and everyone else is as good as we have in those positions.

Midfield is what I asked for in light of no De Jong, and with Cerci not available that's our best option up top.

Basically, it looks like Pippo's finally finding our best team and sticking with it.

Really looking forward to tomorrow's match.

I don't see how it can be our best defence though, I think Mexes has shown in these few short weeks how important he is and how much of a stabling force he's been on our defence as a whole. You might not like the guy because he is a hot head, but he came from out in the cold and improved our defence completely, something that not even Alex could do when he was playing regularly before his injury, whether it was with Rami or Zapata, both guys actually started to look like the good defenders they are since Mexes has been back. It's been very clear to see what the common denominator was in this situation imo.

As for midfield, I personally still don't get why we have to include a slow, somewhat of a liability DM in there if there's no De Jong. We're playing Sassuolo here, putting Monto in the centre with Poli and Bona on either side of him would work like a charm, without the added baggage of having Muntari or Essien play in slow motion in the centre. If we were playing a more difficult fixture sure, the added muscle would be needed, but against Sassuolo?

[Danny]

I don't see how it can be our best defence though, I think Mexes has shown in these few short weeks how important he is and how much of a stabling force he's been on our defence as a whole. You might not like the guy because he is a hot head, but he came from out in the cold and improved our defence completely, something that not even Alex could do when he was playing regularly before his injury,

That's not even slightly true. We've never lost a competitive match with Alex in defence. Your pro-Mexes bias is blinding you to how astounding Alex has been for us. I've been pretty fair re: Mexes, he's played well recently, hothead moments aside, but Alex is simply our best defender.

Mexes in defence - we lost in Genoa. We're yet to lose with Alex at the back.

His cameo v Roma while half fit was arguably the reason we held out for the draw.

For me Alex is the best bits of Mexes, Rami and Zapata mixed together. Puts his head where it hurts, absolutely titanic in the air, astounding positional sense, fantastic at last-ditch blocks.

Maybe this is OTT but IMO he's been as good for us in his appearances as Silva was. Albeit in a much weaker Milan.

whether it was with Rami or Zapata, both guys actually started to look like the good defenders they are since Mexes has been back. It's been very clear to see what the common denominator was in this situation imo.

Fair enough, most others see it differently.

As for midfield, I personally still don't get why we have to include a slow, somewhat of a liability DM in there if there's no De Jong. We're playing Sassuolo here, putting Monto in the centre with Poli and Bona on either side of him would work like a charm, without the added baggage of having Muntari or Essien play in slow motion in the centre. If we were playing a more difficult fixture sure, the added muscle would be needed, but against Sassuolo?

You've not watched Essien recently much - he's been far more like his old self. I've been harsher than most on his failings especially given how happy I was with us signing him, but recently he's been quite simply very good indeed.

As a DM backup for De Jong he's a fine deputy.

Re: the rest, we need Bono up top as we're threadbare there and Cerci isn't ready to start. Otherwise yes, for me our best midfield is of course De Jong, Monto and Bona, and for now the best attack is Menez, SES & Cerci. Hopefully we get Destro and that completes the puzzle.