[han2503]

Around 35k season tickets have been sold so far. So hopefully we'll have a pretty big crowd for the first home game of the season.

3 points before the international break will be crucial here, especially since the other teams we're up against for 4th all started well

[d'Arc.LP]

Danny shall we start with the ratings ? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Donnarumma: 7.5 - Some great saves, we wouldn't have gotten 3 points without him. Couldn't do anything about the conceded goal and looks much better and confident with the ball on his legs. Glad that we held on to him.

Conti: 7.5 - Very good work rate contrary to the previous games. Liked him quite much and pairs perfectly with Suso. Maybe he can work more in the defensive part and improve, but he is surely an improvement of Abate.

Musacchio: 6 - Not his best night, seemed quite unsure with the ball and actually made some mistakes. Also he wasn't very good in building the game from the back.

Bonucci: 6.5 - I would rate him 5.5 based only on his 1st half, being quite poor and making mistakes, but improved his game by a lot in the second half. I'd like to see him be more concrete, more strong in the duels.

Rodriguez: 7 - Same evaluation as Conti, only he has been less active in the front but I think having a mate like Borini with him in the left doesnt help at all.

Kessie: 6 - His worst game till now, not like we have been used to see from him. He was the main reason why we conceded that goal which would be much more suffering if Suso didnt score.

Montolivo: 6.5 - As usual, not good, but the best of our midfield. Even if he wasnt good at playmaking, at least he ran a lot and covered much more space than Hakan and Kessie.

Hakan: 5 - FLOP! I said I wont judge him until he is played in his position but his mistakes tonight were nothing compared to his position. Couldnt pass, couldnt hold the ball, not even dribble or anything else. Lost every duel. A match to forget for him. We saw that in his face when he was in the bench.

Suso: 8 - MOM! Assist + A spectacular goal. He dominated that right wing, cant really comment on how good he is. Dont remember we had a good winger like him in a long time. He might miss some stamina and I would rate him 9 if he ran more and covered more space but when he has the ball he knows what to do.

Cutrone: 7.5 - Silvas signature might seem useless after all if he continues to perform like this. Did his job, scored a great chance. Also he is very good with his back to the goal. Im really enjoying him play.

Borini: 6 - The guy brings nothing to the team. Appart from running, he is useless. Cant remember doing anything useful, a good pass, run, cross or shot. Nothing.

I will rate subs with NA cos the team wasnt trying so much and neither Kalinic or Biglia could show their qualities. As for Antonelli, he is always a 0 for me.

Montella: 6 - The guy needs to be more flexibile regarding the formation and philosophy. 4-3-3 makes Bonucci, Conti, Rodriguez and Hakan play worse than they are. It also makes Silva and Kalinic stay in bench. While with a 3-4-2-1 or 3-4-1-2 we would have a much more interactive formation, a formation that would make everyone look better.

[Danny]

Danny shall we start with the ratings ? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I made mine more abstract this week. But let's dance (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Donnarumma: 7.5 - Some great saves, we wouldn't have gotten 3 points without him. Couldn't do anything about the conceded goal and looks much better and confident with the ball on his legs. Glad that we held on to him.

Not so convinced about the ball at his feet but yes, he's been a vast improvement this season on second half of last. Made some great saves in this match.

Conti: 7.5 - Very good work rate contrary to the previous games. Liked him quite much and pairs perfectly with Suso. Maybe he can work more in the defensive part and improve, but he is surely an improvement of Abate.

Bit harsh on Abate, he was a great servant for us. But this was, as I said, Conti's best game for us.

Musacchio: 6 - Not his best night, seemed quite unsure with the ball and actually made some mistakes. Also he wasn't very good in building the game from the back.

Bonucci: 6.5 - I would rate him 5.5 based only on his 1st half, being quite poor and making mistakes, but improved his game by a lot in the second half. I'd like to see him be more concrete, more strong in the duels.

Both rubbish. Simple as. I got slated on here a week ago for being so critical (not by you), particularly re: Bonucci and now everyone can see it.

Rodriguez: 7 - Same evaluation as Conti, only he has been less active in the front but I think having a mate like Borini with him in the left doesnt help at all.

He lacks pace. Otherwise he's a good asset to the team and he's growing on me.

Kessie: 6 - His worst game till now, not like we have been used to see from him. He was the main reason why we conceded that goal which would be much more suffering if Suso didnt score.

Generous with the score. I'd have gone 5 at most.

Montolivo: 6.5 - As usual, not good, but the best of our midfield. Even if he wasnt good at playmaking, at least he ran a lot and covered much more space than Hakan and Kessie.

I didn't mention him but I was quietly impressed with him tonight. I think he's handling this new Milan era quite well.

Hakan: 5 - FLOP! I said I wont judge him until he is played in his position but his mistakes tonight were nothing compared to his position. Couldnt pass, couldnt hold the ball, not even dribble or anything else. Lost every duel. A match to forget for him. We saw that in his face when he was in the bench.

Yeah, as us Scots would say, mince.

Suso: 8 - MOM! Assist + A spectacular goal. He dominated that right wing, cant really comment on how good he is. Dont remember we had a good winger like him in a long time. He might miss some stamina and I would rate him 9 if he ran more and covered more space but when he has the ball he knows what to do.

His one flaw was his failure to track back for one big chance they had = Conti was out of position and no one was covering. But then it's never been Suso's remit to defend so I guess that won't change. Otherwise really good night.

Cutrone: 7.5 - Silvas signature might seem useless after all if he continues to perform like this. Did his job, scored a great chance. Also he is very good with his back to the goal. Im really enjoying him play.

Our best striker. Easily.

Borini: 6 - The guy brings nothing to the team. Appart from running, he is useless. Cant remember doing anything useful, a good pass, run, cross or shot. Nothing.

And yet you scored him higher than Cal (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) I really don't mind Borini at all. He's a player's player.

I will rate subs with NA cos the team wasnt trying so much and neither Kalinic or Biglia could show their qualities. As for Antonelli, he is always a 0 for me.

Montella: 6 - The guy needs to be more flexibile regarding the formation and philosophy. 4-3-3 makes Bonucci, Conti, Rodriguez and Hakan play worse than they are. It also makes Silva and Kalinic stay in bench. While with a 3-4-2-1 or 3-4-1-2 we would have a much more interactive formation, a formation that would make everyone look better.

Quite simply this squad is a 3-5-2.

It's filled with midfielders and three massive defenders. It is set from the ground up for that formation and it is surely only a matter of time before we go it?

Donna

Musac, Bonucci, Romagni

Conti Jack Kessie Biglia Rodriguez

----------Suso
---------------Cutrone

This post has been edited by Danny: Aug 28 2017, 12:02 AM

[d'Arc.LP]

I made mine more abstract this week. But let's dance (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Quite simply this squad is a 3-5-2.

It's filled with midfielders and three massive defenders. It is set from the ground up for that formation and it is surely only a matter of time before we go it?

Donna

Musac, Bonucci, Romagni

Conti Jack Kessie Biglia Rodriguez

----------Suso
---------------Cutrone

So, what do we do with Kalinic and Silva ?