[han2503]

Well I'm off to sleep, got to wake up early tomorrow. This is just a terrible way to end the weekend!

[kurtsimonw]

No Zlatan hurts us big.

[amancik]

No Zlatan hurts us big.

Not only him, Robinho and Boateng too ... they were lack of movement in the centre ...

[Rossoneri7]

Deserved win for Napoli .. They were sharper in many aspects with respect to our Milan.

The injuries coupled with the tough Barca game took away the juice from our midfield. I strongly believe this Was a game Ringo/Ambro could have added strength and grinta to our midfield. KPB also was missed today, as was Ibra.

We didn't have it easy .. Seedorf and van bommel couldn't do more .. They need a break, they were too tired to keep up with Barca then Napoli.


All in all, injuries was the main reason why we couldnt deliver. A nice stat; when Napoli win the first leg of the Milan showdown during their Maradona days .. They always finished above us. That said, its going to be a tough season for Napoli. First off thry need to keep their feet on the ground to deliver, and I hope they can do better against merda and juve.

[Jack Bauer]

We lost to Cesena and drew with Catania in the beginning of last season so I wouldn't push the panic button just yet. Yes, we have some thing need to fix but let's not forget that we are missing few important players and Napoli away is probably the hardest game in Serie A right now.

Milan, Inter and Roma = 3 points out of 18.

[amancik]

Deserved win for Napoli .. They were sharper in many aspects with respect to our Milan.

The injuries coupled with the tough Barca game took away the juice from our midfield. I strongly believe this Was a game Ringo/Ambro could have added strength and grinta to our midfield. KPB also was missed today, as was Ibra.

We didn't have it easy .. Seedorf and van bommel couldn't do more .. They need a break, they were too tired to keep up with Barca then Napoli.


All in all, injuries was the main reason why we couldnt deliver. A nice stat; when Napoli win the first leg of the Milan showdown during their Maradona days .. They always finished above us. That said, its going to be a tough season for Napoli. First off thry need to keep their feet on the ground to deliver, and I hope they can do better against merda and juve.

+1

Injuries certainly aren't helping us, but we should've done better in terms of general play. We lacked movement and cohesion throughout. Napoli were also very dangerous in counter-attack so it exposed us at the back as we pushed up to look for a goal. Napoli are definitely forces to be reckoned with but I wouldn't say they're ready for Scudetto yet; I'm referring to the depth in their squad.

[Fillipo Simone]

The Antipode Barcelona match:

Simply put, everything we made good against Barcelona went down the toilet against Napoli. Ratings first:

Abbiati - 5 - could have done better; how many saves did he even make?

Bonera - 5 - impotent, yet trying to get forward one too many times
Thiago - 5.5 - not the best games for him, but also no big mistake
Nesta - 5 - showed surprisingly nervous moments and wasn't on level
Abate - 5 - much trying and running, little gain and profit

van Bommel - 5.5 - solid in his usual job, but didn't connect the midfield as he should have.
Seedorf - 5.5 - tried hard, but he's not up to playing a whole match any more
Aquilani - 6 - scored a nice header, also had a chance to tie up the result, but once again gone MIA afterwards
Nocerino - 5.5 - tried but mostly futile

Pato - 4.5 - dived, pushed around Napoli players, made horrible attempts; one of his worst performances
Cassano - 6 - some nice passes and the great assist, yet lacked chemistry and feeling for Pato

Allegri - 4 - wrong mindset, again; wrong starting decisions; wrong subs - but under very hard circumstances.

Milan medical team - 1 - no explanation necessary.

DUELS

Cavani vs. Pato
I'm not a fan of Cavani, but he worked hard, was omnipresent and actually helped the Napoli defense, yet scored three excellent goals with maximal realization. Pato on the other hand provided little then just dives and uncontrolled shots. His pace one again went out unused (which isn't just his fault). While Cavani was a unit in the trident with Lavezzi and Hamšik, Pato and Cassano played different matches, there was no link-up.

Maggio vs. Abate
Maggio played a well balanced and rational game; stood defensively solid - even with some mistakes - but was efficient when attacking. Abate on the other hand tried much harder then Maggio, but he simply lacks skills and technique. Milan has little gain out of his runs forward - against weaker sides it may come as a benefit - but Napoli was tactically aware and made use out of his tendency.

Hamšik vs. Seedorf
Both showed strength, but Hamšik had the rhythm and drive, while Seedorf was allover the place, yet went out with zero effectiveness. Seedorfs experience and work played a too small role for such a important match where tempo was necessary. Both didn't show up at the needed time, yet Hamšiks energy gave Napoli an edge.

Gargano vs. Nocerino
Gargano wasn't in the first plan, yet had influenced Napoli's game and had his share of contribution, while never loosing energy and strenght. Quite the opposite for Nocerino, who tried, but was without and freshness or determination of a Gattuso in his good days or even Ambrosini, yet showed the exact same offensive invention Rino is giving.

Mazzari vs. Allegri
Allegri was missing key players, which should not be forgotten. Yet, his line-up, the wrong mentality and tempo of the team - all is pointing to a similar development as last season; only now with a much harder schedule. As anticipated, Allegri is troubling with the midfield, as his only creative options have big handicaps - Aquilani hasn't completely blended with the team and wents missing after a good start, while Seedorf isn't up to playing 2 matches a week. With no Boateng or Robinho around, and with impotent yet determinately offensive fullbacks Milan simply lacks alternatives and easy chances. Allegri went right into Mazzarri's tactical trap and never managed to get the team free.

[Zed.D]

Ah...

There's not much to say. it's a tradition that we lose over there. last season was an exception but then again last season we went on to win the title. with a whole squad out injured, maybe we shouldn't have expected more.

Deserved win for Napoli. if there's one team outside of northern Italy that I want to do well it's them.

Just a few thoughts:

Pato's passing was at its absolute worst tonight! and someone tell him it's good to win FKs, if you actually succeed! and... learn to pass for ****'s sake!!

Seedorf was... just not really good. lots of misplaced passes and questionable plays/moves. expected more form him in a game like this.

Abate, showed his true colors tonight. an ordinary player who sometimes puts in good performances.

Abbiati, I'd say he could've done better on the first two goals.

But hell, even Nesta made at least one costly mistake. go figure! almost everyone played poorly tonight. it just wasn't meant to be our night.

Positives to take out of this game are...

Nothing. ecxept that this loss doesn't really worry me. with our injured players back we should get back to winning ways soon.

This post has been edited by Zed.D: Sep 18 2011, 10:14 PM

[Fillipo Simone]

There's not much to say. it's a tradition that we lose over there. last season was an exception but then again last season we went on to win the title. with a whole squad out injured, maybe we shouldn't have expected more.

Tradition? In 4 years we lost only 1 match in total against them.

[kurtsimonw]

Good post, Fillipo. Agree with most of it.

As JB said, no need to panic just yet as we started poorly last season. Hopefully Juve and Napoli start to slip up sooner rather than later though as I see them both being better this season.

[Zed.D]

Tradition? In 4 years we lost only 1 match in total against them.

I remember 2 losses under Carlo alone. the one that deprived us of CL and another one. but my memory's fucked up. I even forget some results of last season.

Let me rephrase it like this: it's a tradition that we struggle at San Paolo. happy? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[drucurl]

Ah...

There's not much to say. it's a tradition that we lose over there. last season was an exception but then again last season we went on to win the title. with a whole squad out injured, maybe we shouldn't have expected more.

Deserved win for Napoli. if there's one team outside of northern Italy that I want to do well it's them.

Just a few thoughts:

Pato's passing was at its absolute worst tonight! and someone tell him it's good to win FKs, if you actually succeed! and... learn to pass for ****'s sake!!

Seedorf was... just not really good. lots of misplaced passes and questionable plays/moves. expected more form him in a game like this.

Abate, showed his true colors tonight. an ordinary player who sometimes puts in good performances.

Abbiati, I'd say he could've done better on the first two goals.

But hell, even Nesta made at least one costly mistake. go figure! almost everyone played poorly tonight. it just wasn't meant to be our night.

Positives to take out of this game are...

Nothing. ecxept that this loss doesn't really worry me. with our injured players back we should get back to winning ways soon.

Well I have a LOT of positives to take out

1. Pato was awful BUT tonight he took on three defenders and got past them. Not your average defenders either. It's been a LONG time since he has done that and though everything else he did was crap....IF he regains his ability and resumes on the path that Ancelotti had him on he could turn out to be something special yet.

2) Antonini was not utter and complete rubbish That's always good (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

3) Aqualani growing in his role in our midfield (Same for Nocerino).

4) El Sharawaay getting his debut and FUUUUU $h!tlegri for not letting him on earlier

5)I dunno why fellow rossonero are so impressed with Cassano I hope any lingering hope that he could be used as anything resembling a decent support striker has died after this game and Allegri puts pressure on management for a proper CAM

[Bluesummers]

Not really worried, saw this coming as Napoli played amazing against Man City. I was hoping for a draw.


We need Ibra and Robinho, Cassano and pato just don't cut it for starters.

[d'Arc.LP]

"I will not comment on the referee, but, we were unlucky. We will be more lucky next time. We must remain calm." -- Allegri

[Bluesummers]

Ref was biased but that was to be expected.