[han2503]

Who: AC Milan vs. AC Fiorentina



(IMG:http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah232/hannvis/milan-Fiorentina_zps47e9402b.png)



Where: Stadio San Siro



(IMG:http://www.acmilan.com/uploads/club/sansiro.jpg)



When:
26th October 2014 @ 8:45pm CET


Head-to-Head Record



(IMG:http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah232/hannvis/milan-fiorentinastats_zpsdf9b3f34.png)

[X-Offender]

Gotta win this. One week to prepare, everyone bar Monto available, playing at home. Time to bring the big guns!

[Danny]

Good chance of a win - I'd go with:

----------Abbiati (he's earned it)

Abate---Alex-------Zapata-----Armero

-----Bona-----De Jong------MvG

----------------Honda

-------Menez------------SES

Torres is woeful at the moment, and SES is showing industry, but no attacking flair because he's playing too deep.

So that's what I'd pick.

[X-Offender]

Good chance of a win - I'd go with:

----------Abbiati (he's earned it)

Abate---Alex-------Zapata-----Armero

-----Bona-----De Jong------MvG

----------------Honda

-------Menez------------SES

Torres is woeful at the moment, and SES is showing industry, but no attacking flair because he's playing too deep.

So that's what I'd pick.

How good that midfield would be. I believe Bona will start this one, but it will be with either Poli or Muntari. I'd be more than fine if it's with Poli.

My prediction:

Lopez
Abate - Alex - Rami - MDS
Bona - De Jong - Muntari
Honda - Menez - SES

PS: Danny, it's true that Abbiati was super against Verona, but that's just like him. He has an amazing game followed by 2-3 shoddy performances. Plus let's not forget the guy is 37. If fit, Lopez has to start.

[Danny]

I'll be blunt about Lopez - he's not really impressed me yet.

As for MDS - absymal for too long, needs to be brought down a bit by being dropped. Right now he's walking blindly through matches without feeling he'll ever be dropped.

[han2503]

I like both line-ups you guys put out (minus Muntari in what x-off is predicting of course). However, I'd still go ahead with Torres for now, the Menez in the false 9 position only worked in those 2 opening games then it sort of went downhill from there.

Plus I think you guys are neglecting what Torres as a pure CF brings to the 4-3-3 Pippo uses, Just see which one of Menez or SES is in the best form to start the game and play one of them on the left.

As for DS, I'd still go with him over Armero, for me a FB is not just about his running up and down the flank, it means being a defender too, and DS is that, Armero not so much

[Danny]

I am fascinated by what team Pippo will put out. Only player we don't have for this one is Monto.

We have, in theory, a very strong squad to choose from, and it would frustrate me to see Rami, Muntari and SES start.

Yes, I've changed my mind on SES. I'd rather a front 3 of Menez/Honda/Torres. Because...if we start with our best midfield we won't need SES support in there. And if we start with our best defence we won't need his support there either.

[X-Offender]

Mediaset line-up: Diego Lopez; Abate, Alex, Rami, De Sciglio; Poli, De Jong, Muntari; Honda, Torres, El Shaarawy.

If Pippo doesn't play Bonaventura and Menez again, I'll be pissed.

[han2503]

Mediaset line-up: Diego Lopez; Abate, Alex, Rami, De Sciglio; Poli, De Jong, Muntari; Honda, Torres, El Shaarawy.

If Pippo doesn't play Bonaventura and Menez again, I'll be pissed.

Attack is okay imo, Defence is good.

But that midfield AGAIN! When he has so many players to choose from all of which bring in much better qualities to our midfield than f@cking Muntari. Getting so sick of this.

The only way we'll be rid of him is if he has a nightmare showing ala Bonera, otherwise we're stuck with him.

Just play Bona, DJ and Poli FFS

[Danny]

Mediaset line-up: Diego Lopez; Abate, Alex, Rami, De Sciglio; Poli, De Jong, Muntari; Honda, Torres, El Shaarawy.

If Pippo doesn't play Bonaventura and Menez again, I'll be pissed.

Hope that's wrong wrong wrong. Absolutely absurd to play Rami, Poli, and Muntari when we have Zapata, Van Ginkel and Bonaventura.

And to have the ever-underperforming El-Sha as attack instead of Menez again is comical. Ditto Torres who's been a total failure since he left Liverpool and ain't showing us any signs he can do it here.

So...I'll just assume that's way wrong.

[Danny]

Attack is okay imo, Defence is good.

Both are one player off being really good. But as it stands both are mediocre at best. Rami is a liability, and Alex is having to clean up after him. MDS is in bad form but I'll forgive that as we know how good he can be.

And attack is a mess. SES, Torres and Honda - SES cannot offer anything up top (neither is Torres for that matter), and Menez' absence is ludicrous.

Another frustrating selection if it turns out to be accurate.

[X-Offender]

The only way we'll be rid of him is if he has a nightmare showing ala Bonera, otherwise we're stuck with him.

Or if he breaks a leg... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/innocent.gif)

[han2503]

Both are one player off being really good. But as it stands both are mediocre at best. Rami is a liability, and Alex is having to clean up after him. MDS is in bad form but I'll forgive that as we know how good he can be.

And attack is a mess. SES, Torres and Honda - SES cannot offer anything up top (neither is Torres for that matter), and Menez' absence is ludicrous.

Another frustrating selection if it turns out to be accurate.

Rami is a liability but you want Zapata?

Nah man, you just like Zapata, Zapata can be a huge liability as well, especially his passing, at least Rami can make a simple pass out of defence so that's one less thing to worry about.

I think the defence is good. Attack was a toss up between SES and Menez and I think Stephan deserves to start after the game he played last Sunday and as I said, I think Torres is very crucial for our attack, even if he's not scoring atm.

My only issue (which has been the case throughout this season so far) is that midfield. Muntari again, after weeks of being a complete liability in our midfield, he still gets to start when there are Van Ginkel and Bona rotting on the bench, just unfathomable how this guy gets to start each week when he offers nothing to our game aside from trying to assist the opposition. That's the only area where I wish the prediction is incorrect, however, going be recent trend, I think it's spot on, especially midfield, that's the midfield Pippo usually goes for.

Or if he breaks a leg... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/innocent.gif)

I absolutely cannot stand him, but I'd never wish that on anyone

[X-Offender]

I absolutely cannot stand him, but I'd never wish that on anyone

Though I know you would secretly rejoice if that does happen. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/innocent.gif)

[Danny]

Or if he breaks a leg... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/innocent.gif)

Most disgusting post you'll ever make. Disappointing. I wouldn't wish a broken leg on any footballer bar one who'd deliberately broken someone else's. I suggest you retract this view.