[han2503]

Well, we were able to escape without a scratch vs Empoli, thanks to our direct rivals all messing up. This week we'll have another golden opportunity, Crotone are fighting tooth and nail to stay in Serie A, so I don't expect a walk over, but we should still be able to get the 3 points here.

That said, Romagnoli is still out injured (so expect another horror show from the dynamic duo of Zapata and Paletta), DS is suspended, and Antonelli is once again injured (has he managed to stay injury free for more than a month this season?), so most likely Vangioni and Calabria will start in the FB positions

Sosa is also suspended so Loca will start in the centre, I honeslty don't know why Montella considers Loca and Sosa as an either/or scenario, I think they'd work well next to each other, and anyway, Loca is no regista, he's a box-to-box mid, so he'd be perfect on the side of someone like Sosa

Lapa could also be given the go ahead over Bacca once again from what I'm reading

[Fillipo Simone]

Han, you're wrong. Milan needs to offlaod both Bacca and Lapadula next season. I really don't see much potential in Lapa. He's already a formed striker who doesn't have much space to grow. We need to get a star striker next season and a backup that's either a talent for the future or a seasoned player who has a few Serie A seasons behind.

Danny has been right. Lapadula is perhaps working his butt off, but that's the main point - at his best, playing at 101% he still isn't efficient enough, not good enough. Work rate may pay off for players like Kuco or a classic DM, but not for a striker. Not even a substitute one.

I don't see the point in keeping Lapadula. He's already 27 and I think he's perfect for teams like Crotone or Genoa.

[han2503]

Han, you're wrong. Milan needs to offlaod both Bacca and Lapadula next season. I really don't see much potential in Lapa. He's already a formed striker who doesn't have much space to grow. We need to get a star striker next season and a backup that's either a talent for the future or a seasoned player who has a few Serie A seasons behind.

Danny has been right. Lapadula is perhaps working his butt off, but that's the main point - at his best, playing at 101% he still isn't efficient enough, not good enough. Work rate may pay off for players like Kuco or a classic DM, but not for a striker. Not even a substitute one.

I don't see the point in keeping Lapadula. He's already 27 and I think he's perfect for teams like Crotone or Genoa.

You think that way because neither of you like him for some odd reason. Yet you prefer Bacca to be starting over him now...

As for next season, so you want to get rid of both our strikers and start fresh there when we have a striker that would be ideal to be our backup option. You want to waste time and money to bring in 2 strikers when we have much more pressing issues in midfield

Our strikers will always be at a disadvantage because of our midfield, so they're not going to be converting a lot of goals either way. I say, we sell Bacca, keep Lapa as the backup for whoever the new guy will be and focus on upgrading that midfield and defence.

Like I've probably said a thousand times, the striker is not that important in the grand scheme of things, what's important is having a strong defence and a midfield capable of controlling games and creating chances, Juve won a Scudetto with Matri and Iaquinta upfront, that should say it all

[Fillipo Simone]

You think that way because neither of you like him for some odd reason. Yet you prefer Bacca to be starting over him now...

As for next season, so you want to get rid of both our strikers and start fresh there when we have a striker that would be ideal to be our backup option. You want to waste time and money to bring in 2 strikers when we have much more pressing issues in midfield

Our strikers will always be at a disadvantage because of our midfield, so they're not going to be converting a lot of goals either way. I say, we sell Bacca, keep Lapa as the backup for whoever the new guy will be and focus on upgrading that midfield and defence.

Like I've probably said a thousand times, the striker is not that important in the grand scheme of things, what's important is having a strong defence and a midfield capable of controlling games and creating chances, Juve won a Scudetto with Matri and Iaquinta upfront, that should say it all

You're approach is relativistic or reductionist at least.

Firstly, it's not true that I dislike Lapadula. Nor do I like him: he's a correct player who gives his best. Problem is, IMO even at his best he's inadequate for a more ambitious Milan. He's not good enough and that's the end of my assessment, no oddity in my opinion, no theory needed.

Bacca is clearly the better player. I don't see how this can be denied. Look at Bacca's stats and career, then take a look at Lapadula. But before you jump at me for saying what I've said - yes. Lapadula fits in better. Yet, tell me Han - and I really dislike these kind of what-if's - you honestly think that if Montella would have played Lapadula as a starter for every game this season we would have done better - - in terms of points, results and goals??

Juventus is a rare example. One that can be repudiated with tons of other teams who, as Jack noted, thrive on great modern strikers.