[han2503]

This is the July Schedule

(IMG:http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah232/hannvis/Untitled_zpsrtghywpt.png)

The Audi Cup will be played in August along with Real, Bayern and a 4th team that has not been announced as of yet

Plus, there will probably be other Italian friendly tournaments we'll be playing in August. The Tim trophy for sure, maybe the Birra Moretti trophy and the Berlusconi trophy, although it didn't happen last season IIRC

Can't wait to get trashed by Real again this summer, it's becoming an annual festivity for us in the pre-season.

Probable line-up for today's game

(4-3-1-2): Abbiati; Abate, Ely, Paletta, Albertazzi; Poli, De Jong, Nocerino; Suso; Cerci, Cutrone.

[han2503]

Theoretical team then:

Lopez, Abate, Alex/Mexes, Romagnoli, Antonelli/MDS; De Jong, Bertolacci, Monto.; Ibra; Bacca, Adriano

That for me is a top five team. It's a vast improvement on last season, but I think UCL is just a little bit off. I stand by that.

After all, a very strong Sevilla featuring Bacca's 20+ goals also could only manage fifth, and they were managed by Emery.

Maybe not the most 'like for like' there is but gives a vague indication.

(really disappointing that the Witsel story appears to be fading so dramatically. I'd have him in instead of Monto.

That team you posted is depressing more than anything else. Especially the midfield.

Also important to acknowledge that there is no way Ibra will be used as an AM unless there's a situation where Miha has no other choices for that position

He will be the starting striker just a bit behind Bacca. Adriano won't be a starter

Nonsensical argument. I've just pointed out next to an alpha partner he's fine. Which you agree with. Then say he's not viable. Completely ignoring the part where you accept he is.

Next to a leader he's generally fine, I agree. But he still makes passing mistakes even when next to someone who's leading the defensive line next to him. Which is unacceptable imo for a defender who's starting for us to commit such an elementary level mistake. This is not simply just someone who doesn't have positional sense, but someone who will commit mistakes which are 100% avoidable!

Ah yes, and Mexes is Mr Perfect (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Where have you ever seen me say that he was even close to that?

Which is why I cannot fathom why you trust Mexes so implictly when he too has commited more than his fair share of basic calamities.

Because Mexes' problems imo are not related to his quality, but more to his temperament which can let the entire team down every now and again.

When it comes to basic defensive errors you rarely see Mexes committing one. Sure he has it in him, but then again, even some of the best defenders around right now have that in them, and I don't consider Mexes anywhere near their level

Utter semantics. Whether by sale or contract expiry we've shed lots of players. You can't dispute that.

Saying we've gotten rid of 400 players was pointless also. We've gotten rid of 12 players in total IIRC, counting the ones sent on loan as well. Yet we still have a roster that exceeds the required number by over 10, and that's not even counting the potential 3 more signings we reportedly want to make

There's still a lot of work to do in this regard and not all players will be that easy to get rid of

We get rid of 10 players and you're still not happy!

If we got rid of the 10 deadweights we still have left consider me ecstatic

@ x-off, I'd personally prefer if Suso was loaned tbh. Can't see him getting significant time tbh and it would be a waste to leave him on the bench for another season. Same with Niang, there really nothing all that special about him, but if he goes to Genoa and manages a 10+ goal season we can get decent cash for him the following summer