[han2503]

Who: A.C. Milan vs. Atalanta B.C.



(IMG:http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah232/hannvis/milan-atalanta_zpsbca60ba3.png)



Where: Stadio San Siro



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



When:
18th January 2015 @ 3:00pm CET


Head-to-Head Record



(IMG:http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah232/hannvis/milan-atalantastats_zps1a94695a.png)

[Danny]

Like I said, at the time of me saying it we had never lost with Alex in defence. First time we did was v Sassuolo.

And if you want to get really pedantic, and sure, let's, with Alex at the back we've conceded:

8 goals while he was on the pitch. 11 appearances. One defeat.

With Mexes on the pitch we've conceded:

5. 7 appearances. One defeat.

Basically they're almost exactly the same player, but Alex won't get sent off nor get involved with stupid spats with opposing players.

In essence, remove the crap from Mexes' game and make him even better in the air and you have Alex.

As for your Alex & Mexes theory (at least you've removed the atrocious Rami from the equation at last) I still say they're far too similar and it won't work. But I stand by the assertion that our best defensive display was v Lazio, and they are one of the best teams we've played this season. And that was Alex & Zapata.

[han2503]

Like I said, at the time of me saying it we had never lost with Alex in defence. First time we did was v Sassuolo.

And if you want to get really pedantic, and sure, let's, with Alex at the back we've conceded:

8 goals while he was on the pitch. 11 appearances. One defeat.

With Mexes on the pitch we've conceded:

5. 7 appearances. One defeat.

Basically they're almost exactly the same player, but Alex won't get sent off nor get involved with stupid spats with opposing players.

In essence, remove the crap from Mexes' game and make him even better in the air and you have Alex.

As for your Alex & Mexes theory (at least you've removed the atrocious Rami from the equation at last) I still say they're far too similar and it won't work. But I stand by the assertion that our best defensive display was v Lazio, and they are one of the best teams we've played this season. And that was Alex & Zapata.

I haven't removed Rami from the equation at all. I still maintain that he's the same level as Zapata, just remove the ridiculous passing give-aways and you have the same player. Both incapable of playing without someone who can lead the line, both capable of making bad mistakes, both have played very well when paired with Mexes.

One game doesn't say anything. Lazio were horrible on that day, we scored 3 times on them relatively easily. They've improved since then but basing your entire theory on that one game for me makes no sense. I've seen our defence perform better than that .i.e being more composed and efficient in how they handle the opposing team's attacks rather than scrambling around like we did at times vs Lazio

Alex and Zapata weren't that great last week, yet you blame it on rotation, but in reality you can blame that very same factor for any of our player under-performing as none of them (aside from maybe Menez) have had any good consistent run of games

As for my theory, you can't discredit it since you're never actually seen it in action.

And regarding Mexes, last I checked he's never been sent off this season. And has rarely had to walk that walk since he's been with us

[Danny]

I haven't removed Rami from the equation at all.

Yes you have, you asserted he was our best defender along with Mexes. That was the partnership you advocated.

I still maintain that he's the same level as Zapata, just remove the ridiculous passing give-aways and you have the same player. Both incapable of playing without someone who can lead the line, both capable of making bad mistakes, both have played very well when paired with Mexes.

One game doesn't say anything. Lazio were horrible on that day, we scored 3 times on them relatively easily. They've improved since then but basing your entire theory on that one game for me makes no sense. I've seen our defence perform better than that .i.e being more composed and efficient in how they handle the opposing team's attacks rather than scrambling around like we did at times vs Lazio

Alex and Zapata weren't that great last week, yet you blame it on rotation, but in reality you can blame that very same factor for any of our player under-performing as none of them (aside from maybe Menez) have had any good consistent run of games

Alex was ok, not brilliant but ok. But Zapata was terrible and he HAS been rotated to hell. He's arguably been the biggest victim.

As for my theory, you can't discredit it since you're never actually seen it in action.

And you can't credit it as neither have you!

And regarding Mexes, last I checked he's never been sent off this season. And has rarely had to walk that walk since he's been with us

Sometimes your pro-Mexes bias is comical.