If they have Puyol, we have Nesta.

Gourcuff? Maybe...

Iniesta is a defensive midfielder, Gourcuff is offensive... That's is and will never be the same, I asure you... (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I think lat season was the final heave of the classic Milan of the 00-05. However, this season does not like looking being the dawn of a new era as pointed out. Instead, it is more the decaying remians of a once great team that is worn out, and frankly probably died in the Nou Camp.

Don't get me wrong, there is still much class and the midefield is an excellent nucleus for the future, but elsewhere, I think Milan have become unconvincing.  The point about us being 12 poiints ahead of Inter last season  and our points deduction only 8 is a good one, with merit. However, what is not being taken into account is that our team has since been weakened. Now things looking more even. then, given the considerable strength of the Inter team, the momentum is now surely with them.  I think the only way we could win the Scudetto for sure, is to abandon our CL hopes. Despite getting a great group, there will be much tougher tasks ahead. I don't think this season's squad is strong enough to challenge for both, in essence. It's decision time. Personally, while I do prefer the CL, it is much harder to win. One bad night, and all the hard work before has come to nothing. At least in the league slips can be compensated for.

Perhaps I've been a bit harsh, but I don't think we can really expect too much from our much weakened team.

I think the era you're talking about ended in Instanbul ... maybe that's just me though!!

anyway ... we might seem exhausted or worn out or whatever but Inter is the same sh1t as always ... they can't change and that's why I think the Scudetto is a very "aproachable" target!!!

You have sais this before and you are not wrong, believe me, I know what you are saying and I had thought it before, but I do have faith in out team, and yes maybe our defence has been weakened since eveybody is now a year older, but you never know, for 1 I don't count Stam as a big loss, he was getting injured a lot anyway and now we replaced him with someone that is almost as good as him and younger with less injury risk.  Billy is old yes, but he won't be playing a lot of games and when he does play he always does good, even when playing as a RB, we can always rely on him. Maldini is coming out of injury but I'm sure that he will want to make his last year as a Milan player a memrable one. Kaladze has been playing great in the centre and we can't deny that he and Nesta made a great central pairing last season. Nesta is my only scare, he seems like he is getting more injury prone as every season passes by, and that really worries me since we always rely on him especially when Paolo is injured. And with the fullback situation we can do what I have been suggesting for the past couple off weeks; alternating between Cafu and Serginho.

The midfield is still the best in the world I think, we have the right balance and our midfield players have such great understanding with eachother, and that's what makes it so great.

And finally, yes our attack has been weakened by the loss of S****, but we have replaced him with someone, that is a gamble, yes, but we could hit the jackpot with him, you never know. And let's not forget, when S**** was still with us we refused to criticise him because he was our 'god' but now that he is gone, a lot have started to see how many flaws he had, especially in his last few seasons. The guy is 30 years old, he was in the beginning of his decline, and if you look at his recent scoring records you could see that. People that support other teams and where on different boards where saying when he was sold and the ammount of money was made known where saying that Chelsea got robbed again, because a 30 year old player in his decline is not worth 35 mil pounds. And Milan fans refused to hear this because we where still hurt by him leaving, but now that I think about it, I think that they were right all along

Nesta is not injury prone ... He just gets injured everytime a World Cup's around the corner!!!!

the guy's the best CB in the world ... and probably the unluckiest one!!! (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)
... (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/king.gif)

After a turbulent summer in which both clubs were implicated in the match-fixing scandal, AC Milan and Lazio will cross swords at the San Siro on Sunday as they look to put their troubles behind them on the field.

Both sides start the campaign with a points deficit - a result of the punishment handed down by Italian football authorities - with the home team needing to win eight points back before they can start to move up the table.

The visitors are even worse off and have been stung by an 11-point handicap.

Milan's Brazilian forward Kaka is raring to go after suffering further disappointment with the national side in this summer's World Cup, and he is hoping to take inspiration from compatriot Felipe Massa.

Massa, a driver for Formula One team Ferrari, invited Kaka into the Ferrari garage ahead of the Italian Grand Prix this week, an experience that clearly had a big effect on the player.

"I am certain Milan will be the Ferrari of Serie A," said Kaka.

He is also aware of the need hit top gear when Lazio arrive on Sunday.

"I cannot wait to get back into action. I expect Sunday to be a difficult game straight away against Lazio, but we are optimistic and are aware of our strengths and what we are capable of.

The match also marks the side's first competitive game without the departed Andriy Shevchenko.

Despite the Ukrainian's hero status at the club, Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti could already be grooming his future replacement, with new signing Ricardo Oliveira desperate to fill Shevchenko's boots in attack.

Oliveira has inherited Shevchenko's number seven shirt, but has no qualms about the weight of expectation.

"People say it is important, but all I know is that people are giving me a responsibility and I don't want to let them down," he said.

"Sheva gave a lot, was here for seven years, and made a name for himself at Milan, but now I am here to write my own story."

Oliveira may have to wait to gain a starting place with Italian internationals Alberto Gilardino and Filippo Inzaghi both fit for selection.

Lazio arrive at the San Siro eager to start erasing their negative points tally - a target that has taken on even more importance in the light of their added exclusion from the UEFA Cup.

The possibility of a successful league campaign is now all that remains for the club, having already been eliminated from the Coppa Italia.

Former Milan midfielder Pasquale Foggia, who is on loan at Lazio this season, is looking forward to returning to the San Siro on Sunday.

"I dream of winning in Milan," said the 23-year-old.

"Of course they are a team full of champions, but we will give it our best shot and nothing is certain."

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