[han2503]

A tough one with a squad that's still decimated, I'd like to be a bit more optimistic, but...

[Forza Milan!]

... too bad he is just an "Everton reject" :-)

This post has been edited by Forza Milan!: Feb 21 2017, 09:58 AM

[Danny]

... too bad he is just an "Evernon reject" :-)

He is ;) but he's doing the business for us no doubt about it, and it seems I was wrong about what he can bring.

This match was the most enjoyable Milan experience for me this season. It beat both the derby and Juve wins for me purely because this was the first time I've looked at a Milan XI and actually liked the shape and team selection. Only Romagnoli, Antonelli and Jack would have made that XI stronger (in terms of where this Milan is right now).

I had a good feeling right before kick off, one which took me totally by surprise, and lo and behold we looked like the form we had last year. Well organised, players fighting for the ball, using it well, and while we didn't dominate possession, we don't need to - that's NOT the route to winning matches.

I liked the XI - that was close to our best defence and midfield - the removal of Locatelli was a Godsend and it made midfield a lot more cogent. Defence was not bad bar their goal, what Paletta was doing is anyone's guess, and Pasalic had a great match. Kucka was quiet but better than he has been and Sosa was excellent till he started to fade later on.

But the attack was intriguing - Bacca still doesn't suit Montella's system, and never will, but Suso, for the lack of pace he has, was more dangerous than he has been in ages, and was heavily involved in most things. But Deulofeu was our MOTM - his goal aside, the boy has pace to burn, and is like a mature and skillful version of the Niang we had, but with end product. If attitude is why he hasn't made it in football, well he's clearly grown up since he joined us. Has done little but impress and given our game a new angle. Sosa has a great outlet now to feed the ball from deep, and the Argentinian has one of the best right pegs around - it's like a radar.

We deserved the lead, but alas we did act like a team who aren't used to the lead and we sat in deep for the 10 minutes after we scored and they easily got it back to 1-1. But we responded well ourselves, Deulofeu scored a belter and this time we dealt with the lead way better.

Big credit to Montella for switching to a 3 at the back - a masterstroke. Fio were struggling to break us down as it was, and with more bodies at the back and midfield, we strangled them.

All round great night - the team got it right, individuals showed up, and Montella nailed it.

NOW - prove me wrong Milan and show this is an upturn in form, rather than a flash in the pan. God knows we could use European football again.