[kurtsimonw]

But did we not play with an all-attacking formation against Bologna?

If anything, I think the players are the ones that do not seem to care too much.

Abbiati; Zambrotta, Maldini, Kaladze, Jankulovski; Flamini, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Seedorf, Ronaldinho; Inzaghi.

That's very defensive. A team needs to have at least 4/5 attacking players, or players with the ability to really attack. We have about 2 and a half in that lineup.

[Tennie]

I think the reason it was as defensive as it was is because the defense ...well, has Kaladze in it. If our cb pairing were more solid, then there'd probably only be a need for one DM.

For what it's worth, Zambrotta got forward rather a lot in the Bologna game and provided some very nice crosses. So he could be considered attacking after a fashion.

[dst]

Abbiati; Zambrotta, Maldini, Kaladze, Jankulovski; Flamini, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Seedorf, Ronaldinho; Inzaghi.

That's very defensive. A team needs to have at least 4/5 attacking players, or players with the ability to really attack. We have about 2 and a half in that lineup.

I don't think that's defensive. It's not attacking either. Anyway, in the second half with the changes we were more attacking... if only the guy in your sig had not forgotten how to score a goal...

[kurtsimonw]

I don't think that's defensive. It's not attacking either. Anyway, in the second half with the changes we were more attacking... if only the guy in your sig had not forgotten how to score a goal...

Not defensive? Come on. Most of football today is 4-4-2 or the new 4-2-3-1/4-1-2-3 kinda formation. Most teams play with at least 2 or 3 out and out attacking players, backed up with an attack midfielder or 2. So that's 4 or 5 very attack minded players. Unless you mean it's not defensive for Carlo..

Come on, that was a good save, had that been Pato, Pippo, Ronnie or Kaka' that's what everyone would be saying.

[Zed.D]

Carlo is a defensive-minded coach IMO. 4-3-2-1, his favorite formation, is as defensive as you can get. especially when you think last season one of those '2' was Seedorf who is not an attacker, but a midfielder, and two of those '3' were defensive midfielders. I think it's something like this:

O

O ----- O

O ---- O ---- O

O ---- O ---- O ---- O

red = attackers
orange = midfielders who can attack - but not as efficient as an attacker
brown = players who have little influence in attack, if any
black = players who don't have any influence in attack at all

(X)

Seedorf ----- Kaka

Ambrosini ---- Pirlo ---- Gattuso

Janku ---- Kaladze ---- Nesta ---- Oddo

Not to mention our full backs couldn't contribute much to attack last season. Janku was usually out injured [when Maldini played in the left he did good IMO] and Oddo couldn't really make many decent crosses.

So, it's only two out and out attackers while like Kurt said many teams have at least three, some even four, and at the same time they don't field more than one defensive midfielder.

I personally think as long as Carlo insists on using this mainly useless formation (yes, useless!! except for some CL games) we won't succeed. simple as that!! how he and Galliani always nagged about being unable to "unlock the small teams' defenses who come to San Siro and close themselves up" is beyond me. they should've first took a look at their own team's lineup and formation...

[acid911]

Top post, zd. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/king.gif)

[dst]

@zd That has to be the most visually pleasing post ever! (After those who include pictures of beautiful girls (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) )

Come on, that was a good save, had that been Pato, Pippo, Ronnie or Kaka' that's what everyone would be saying.

I wouldn't. These chances should be converted even if it was a defender in his place... I mean... they are paid to kick the ball, if they can't direct it in from that position then they should not be paid...
If I ever excuse anyone for missing that kind of chance you should remind me of this cause I'll be biased if I do.

[Zed.D]

Top post, zd. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/king.gif)

Danke!

@zd That has to be the most visually pleasing post ever! (After those who include pictures of beautiful girls (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) )

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

This post has been edited by zdrossoneri: Sep 18 2008, 03:39 PM

[Jack Sparrow]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) If you're waiting for me to call you legend...don't hold your breath zd. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) Those two just want you to lend them money. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[acid911]

Danke!

Anytime. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)

If you're waiting for me to call you legend...don't hold your breath zd. Those two just want you to lend them money.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[dst]

Anytime. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)

That was 'danke' not 'spank me'!

[acid911]

That was 'danke' not 'spank me'!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Thanks for lifting up my mood. Now, I just want Milan to get a good win, and that will wrap up a good day!

[vnata001]

http://www.d1g.com/video/show/?id=2369193

http://www.d1g.com/video/show/?id=2369096

- yoann with the lovely side footed flick on to ribery.

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=9...digy+born+again

A prodigy is born again
(FIFA.com) Friday 10 October 2008
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After making an excellent start to the season, Bordeaux midfielder Yoann Gourcuff is very firmly in the limelight. Not that the fans who have followed his progress since his Ligue 1 debut with Rennes on 7 February 2004 are too surprised about that, their early appraisals of the youngster having been confirmed by his sparkling performances for the French club, which have helped swell his army of admirers.

As is invariably the case with other French prodigies such as Samir Nasri, Hatem Ben Arfa and Karim Benzema before him, the 22 year old has been hailed from the stands as the successor to Zinedine Zidane's throne, a lofty comparison that his coach Laurent Blanc does not entirely dismiss.

"It's too early to compare him to Zinedine because he's only 22," comments the Bordeaux boss. "That said, the two of them have similar qualities. They bring others into play and help teams play better."

One man with a slightly different take on the situation is the midfielder's father, Christian Gourcuff, who is Blanc's opposite number at Lorient. "This comparison is just something the media like to play with and Yoann doesn't think about it all. He's an admirer of Zidane's but that's all."

While it is perhaps too early to describe Gourcuff as the new Zizou, there is little doubt the two have much in common, not least a similar physique and a host of technical attributes that allow them to drift from one flank to the other, pick out a team-mate in space or effect a graceful pirouette to avoid the attentions of a close marker. What is more, their career paths have also crossed, with Yoann spending time in Serie A before decamping to the banks of the Gironde, and Zidane moving in the opposite direction. The question is, do these shared characteristics give the kid from Brittany the credentials to take up Zidane's mantle?

From Rennes to Milan
Although still in his early 20s, Gourcuff has already built quite a career for himself. Sold by Rennes to AC Milan in 2006, he acquired valuable experience with the Italian giants over the following two seasons, and even though the first of them was marred by injury, he still totalled 21 league appearances.

Despite stronger competition for places in 2007/2008 restricting him to 15 games, Gourcuff was content with the progress he was making. "My performances were better, more consistent," says the man himself. "I felt more a part of things. I felt good. Even so I needed more time out on the pitch to keep progressing."

In the eyes of Blanc, his Italian sojourn was a vital learning curve. "It gave him the chance to assimilate and take on board all the requirements and demands of football at the highest level. That's going to help him for the rest of his career, particularly in terms of physical preparation."

The loan deal that saw Gourcuff move to Bordeaux in the summer has led to the first-team football he has been craving. And in the eyes of his father, the switch has paid off.

"I've seen a development, especially since the start of the season. Getting an extended run in the team has given Yoann more confidence and made him more effective. His increased maturity means he can analyse his performances better and that's something he's picked up from his time at AC Milan, where they really keep your feet on the ground."

The statistics back up what everyone has been saying. As well as a goal and three assists in eight Ligue 1 appearances so far this season, Gourcuff also scored his side's only goal in their two UEFA Champions League matches to date. Along with Marouane Chamakh, the youngster has been the French outfit's most impressive player this term.

Les Bleus come calling
To cap it all the U-19 European Championship winner has also embarked on his full international career, making his debut as a late substitute in the August friendly against Sweden. While the new boy did not even get a touch of the ball on that occasion, he saw more action in the 3-1 FIFA World Cup™ qualifying defeat to Austria on 6 September before starting and starring in the 2-1 win over Serbia four days later, setting up Nicolas Anelka's clinching goal and hitting the bar from distance.

Now that his son has arrived, Gourcuff Sr believes perseverance is the key to sustained success. "He needs to improve how he manages the good times and the lean spells and he needs to keep it simple when he finds himself in difficult situations on the pitch."

It is a view shared by Blanc. "The hardest part starts now. Yoann has to cement his position and become consistent in the seasons to come."

This post has been edited by vnata001: Oct 11 2008, 09:51 PM

[han2503]

Scored an amazing goal today for France.

But if I'm not mistaken Bordeaux have an option to buy after the loan expires at the end of the season. Still can't forgive Carlo for throwing Yoann away like garbage just so he can keep ******* off at his 2 defensive mid system, and actually subbing in Brocchi instead of him.

Hopefully by next season Milan somehow manage to keep him and Carletto will be out on his @ss. And I'm praying that Pato doesn't suffer the same fate also

[jefri91]

We lost a great player (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)