Printable Version of Topic

Posted by: han2503 Jul 15 2014, 08:41 PM

Just saw that we're playing a Lega Pro team tomorrow at 6pm (CET). Milan channel will be showing the re-run at 9, going to check if sky will be showing it somewhere live

Posted by: Danny Jul 15 2014, 10:15 PM

Yeah 5PM for us in Blighty I believe. SES will be playing in this one as will Alex.

Posted by: han2503 Jul 15 2014, 10:19 PM

Yeah. He'll also be playing Rami in midfield as he has no midfielders atm aside from Primavera players.

Mastour should get the second 45 minutes as well, which will be exciting to see

Posted by: Danny Jul 16 2014, 12:49 AM

Where's Cristante?

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Jul 16 2014, 06:27 AM

Odd thing. Honda seems completely left out of all the team talks and discussions.

Posted by: han2503 Jul 16 2014, 08:59 AM

Well every international player that took part in the world cup hasn't really been mentioned, they're still all on holiday

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Jul 16 2014, 09:35 AM

Hmm true. He did talk of Balotelli joining the team again in US. Surprising that no one asked questions about Honda, considering he is our Asia golden ticket.

Posted by: han2503 Jul 16 2014, 11:25 AM

In reality, I do think Balo is the only name out of the internationals on peoples' minds. His future is unclear atm. De Jong and Abate being the only other question marks

As for the others, I think it's being taken for granted that they will be part of the squad for next season

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Jul 16 2014, 12:38 PM

Yeah you're probably right. Forget Honda, they haven't even mentioned Muntari the Magnificent.

Posted by: rip Jul 16 2014, 04:52 PM

any streams?

Posted by: han2503 Jul 16 2014, 05:02 PM

http://calcion.me/live1.htm

Posted by: rip Jul 16 2014, 05:04 PM

thanks

Posted by: rip Jul 16 2014, 05:26 PM

El sha scores

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Jul 17 2014, 06:20 AM

Anyone saw the match. I saw the goals. Both came in from Zaccardo crossing. What do you think of the game as such? Is Saponara an option for the midfield three?

Posted by: han2503 Jul 17 2014, 08:36 AM

He looked good, but really this was a 2nd division Lega Pro side, I don't think it's a good basis to make a judgment off of. Against better sides he'd get pressured off the ball way too easily in midfield.

That being said, I think it all depends on how Pippo lines the midfield up, which could allow for Honda (as x-off has been campaigning for) or Saponara to play in midfield and be sufficiently covered by the other 2 players (probably De Jong and Poli). Still I think we're in desperate need of another CM, preferably someone creative who's not afraid to get stuck in either.

Posted by: arivanjj Jul 17 2014, 01:02 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJdbvkaMTKk&list=UU74LuQTwWXSjaV7EdTIrcwA

those haircuts. smh.

Posted by: han2503 Jul 17 2014, 01:10 PM

Niang is still as crude, brutal and uncultured on the ball as ever, heard some French team wants him, we better offload him ASAP before he becomes unsellable

Posted by: han2503 Jul 17 2014, 01:44 PM

@ Jack, this is what Pippo had to say regarding Honda

Side note; So far I'm really liking what Pippo has to say with regards to systems, tactics and how he'll use his players.

Posted by: Danny Jul 17 2014, 03:47 PM

Apart from the fact Honda fell out with Seedorf for playing him on the right...

So, so far I'm hearing DS on the right, and now Honda.

Why is Pippo making the same errors Seedorf did?

Posted by: han2503 Jul 17 2014, 03:54 PM

Last I read DS was considered a LB for Pippo. I guess the uncertainty around Abate could push him to the right which I'm not crazy about as he's very average there. As I said to Fillipo, selling Abate and getting Criscito will mean weakening our FB area as DS would have to shift to the right and Criscito isn't as good as Abate anyway.

As for Honda, was there really anything indicating that he and Seedorf fell out?

We heard a lot of things about players who had issues with him, namely Abate, Monto, Abbiati but I never heard anything about Honda.

Posted by: Danny Jul 20 2014, 03:20 PM

Between the lines is a player who is far from happy there. But generally the Japanese are a polite people and unlikely to publicly castigate.

PS there's a friendly in like 2 hours v Monza. Thread?

Posted by: han2503 Jul 20 2014, 03:31 PM

I'll change the thread name and we'll talk here about it as it will be pointless to open countless threads for friendlies which end up having only 1 or 2 pages of posts (if that)

The game is at 6 pm CET for anyone interested in watching, I'll try to find a stream link closer to kick off

Posted by: han2503 Jul 20 2014, 03:35 PM

Probable formation

MILAN (4-3-3): Abbiati; Zaccardo, Rami, Bonera, Constant; Poli, Modic, Saponara; Niang, Pazzini, El Shaarawy. All.: Inzaghi

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jul 20 2014, 03:48 PM

Who's Modic?

Posted by: han2503 Jul 20 2014, 04:17 PM

Primavera kid, very promising imo, we saw him last season in a couple of friendlies under Allegri as well

Posted by: TriniKing_CE Jul 20 2014, 04:37 PM

OFFICIAL line-up vs Monza (4-3-3): Abbiati; Zaccardo, Bonera, Alex, Constant; Poli, Cristante, Saponara; Niang, Pazzini, El Shaarawy.

Milan bench: Agazzi, Gabriel, Robinho, Rami, Albertazzi, Mastalli, Pinato, Benedicic, Di Molfetta, Modic, Simic, Mastour.

Posted by: TriniKing_CE Jul 20 2014, 04:40 PM

Streams for Monza-Milan:

http://calcion.me/live20.htm

http://calcion.me/live9.htm

http://calcion.me/live8.htm

http://calcion.me/live10.htm

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 20 2014, 04:48 PM

It's Modric, Han misspelled his name. That's right, we signed frigging Modric!

Posted by: TriniKing_CE Jul 20 2014, 04:54 PM

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 20 2014, 04:58 PM

If Pippo has plans on playing Saponara as LCM, then I see no reason why he can't play Honda there as well.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jul 20 2014, 05:11 PM

Too slow and out of form?

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jul 20 2014, 05:16 PM

Good God, I really do dislike the new shirts. Font, colors, stripes, nothing seems to be in line. And the English cross? That's maybe retro, but a tad too much if you ask me.

Posted by: han2503 Jul 20 2014, 05:16 PM

More like rushed and confused

Posted by: han2503 Jul 20 2014, 05:17 PM

They look like PJs

Posted by: han2503 Jul 20 2014, 05:19 PM

Niang is so brutal on the ball, even when he tries to make a simply pass. It's like he's playing Fifa and letting to power-up reach red

Posted by: han2503 Jul 20 2014, 05:19 PM

Niang is so brutal on the ball, even when he tries to make a simple pass. It's like he's playing Fifa and letting the power bar reach red

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jul 20 2014, 05:28 PM

Nah, this match is a waste of time to watch. Too early to tell anything. It's just a warm-up.

Posted by: han2503 Jul 20 2014, 05:36 PM

Yeah, I've switched off, I'll try to see some extended highlights.

Posted by: TriniKing_CE Jul 20 2014, 06:25 PM

69min

Niang with a penalty. 1-0 Milan

Posted by: TriniKing_CE Jul 20 2014, 06:46 PM

My stream finally ended up dying after sticking several times.

My twitter is blowing up with heaps of praise for Mastour who apparently provided a really nice assist.


AC Milan ‏@acmilan 14m
75' Goooooooal! Mastalli beats the keeper with a powerful shot, well served by Mastour! #ACMilan vs Monza 2-0

Posted by: TriniKing_CE Jul 20 2014, 06:48 PM

FT: 2-0 Milan

Posted by: TriniKing_CE Jul 20 2014, 06:54 PM

Not the greatest quality video (or best camera angle), but her is a video of the second goal:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyS3QaraZkg&hd=1


...just 3 minutes after Mastour's introduction in the game.

Posted by: Danny Jul 20 2014, 06:59 PM

People seem to have had problems watching this...

Points to note:

1: Mastour. Wow. 16 years of age and he looks like he's been doing it for years. We could have a total gem on our hands here. His setup play for Mestalli was absolutely excellent. And don't say 'it's only Monza'. Because Mastour is 'only' a kid.

2: Pippo. His passion on the sideline is very Conte-esque. He wants his players to work, and tbh, they did. Thery respond to him, they respect him, because they know he respects them.

3: Shirts are growing on me. Don't like the crest much but the design is starting to seep into my consciousness.

4: A real positive of Pippo is he is more than happy to give youth a chance. These are kids he reared in Primavera, and they trust him. And now here he is, giving them the same chance in the first team.

While it's incredibly early days, and Monza are not Real Madrid I saw more passion out there from the manager and players than I can remember pretty much the whole of last season.

Posted by: Danny Jul 20 2014, 07:01 PM

His arrogance on the ball was amazing, but with end product. I don't mind a player loving themselves a bit and being slightly cocky, as long as they can deliver. And he did.

Posted by: han2503 Jul 20 2014, 07:01 PM

The kid is looking very good so far. Obviously this isn't a level of opposition where you can really judge, but I think it's a good test in terms of his physique and strength and whether or not he is ready to play with the seniors.

Posted by: TriniKing_CE Jul 20 2014, 07:03 PM

Good stuff Danny thanks for the post!

I have to say the shirt is also beginning to grow on me a bit as well (certainly don't 'like' it still, but its not horrible)

The England like crest though I don't care for it, I also prefer our usual emblem.

Posted by: TriniKing_CE Jul 20 2014, 07:07 PM

In the event anyone's interested, I added a couple pics to an earlier post on the 2nd page I think.

Here are just a few more, nothing special, but just to add to the moment I guess.

Posted by: Danny Jul 20 2014, 07:09 PM

From what I saw he'd do no bloody worse than Balotelli!

Agree the opponents aren't quite marquee, but the experience is vital.

Posted by: Danny Jul 20 2014, 07:09 PM

Great pics Trini.

Posted by: TriniKing_CE Jul 20 2014, 07:16 PM

My main worries regarding Mastour (which I am sure are very much the same for many of you on here) are:

With all the hype surrounding him he is placed under too much pressure and expectations from the fans would be unrealistic.

However, should he be able to deal with the above mentioned, I'd still also fear for his safety in the league. As many of you expressed as well, with this young mind and small stature, defenders and so forth from opposing teams are not going to take kindly to his style of play and may intentionally attempt to injure him, and that would be a damn shame.

Posted by: TriniKing_CE Jul 20 2014, 07:16 PM

No problem

Posted by: TriniKing_CE Jul 20 2014, 07:24 PM

Saw on Twitter that the Curva Sud was chanting against Robinho - Telling him to take off the Captain's armband & asking him if he's leaving or not.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jul 20 2014, 07:47 PM

Robinho had the armband?

Posted by: TriniKing_CE Jul 20 2014, 07:47 PM

Just a few more highlights from Mastour today:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDHDfJUoSsk

Posted by: TriniKing_CE Jul 20 2014, 07:54 PM

Okay.... last one


Much better quality - Both goals from today:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCEP0a6ZE0Q

Posted by: TriniKing_CE Jul 20 2014, 08:14 PM

At one point yes...

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jul 20 2014, 08:55 PM

Good God.

Posted by: TriniKing_CE Jul 20 2014, 09:02 PM

Hopefully it was a send off of some sorts for him.

Posted by: Danny Jul 20 2014, 09:05 PM

It's actually the cross of St Ambrose, the patron saint of Milan. But like you I don't like it.

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 20 2014, 09:49 PM

Galliani: "We're not going to sign a winger cos we have Mastour"

...

He didn't really say it, but if he does I wouldn't be too surprised.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Jul 21 2014, 12:31 AM

Danny boy (in bold) You pedophile you


But yeah I do agree Pippo is the right person to integrate the youth into the first team. That is where our coaches (potential future coaches) should be coming from. Looks great on a marketing front, but will it all work when the season begins?

Mastour's movements were always an eye catcher, since he was 13/14. But also that we wont know till the season begins how effective Mastour is against Serie A's meanest tacklers. I wish the kid well and hope we end up with a gem of a player (.. so we can later sell for $$$)

Posted by: han2503 Jul 21 2014, 09:23 AM

Thanks for tge vids and pics Trini

Posted by: Danny Jul 24 2014, 02:34 PM

Quick reminder we've Olympiakos tonight 01:00 UK BST.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jul 24 2014, 02:45 PM

Maybe we can convince them to take Essien.

Posted by: han2503 Jul 24 2014, 03:15 PM

Hmm, so does that mean that Pippo should keep him off the field so he doesn't discourage them or that he should play him so that they can be impressed?

I'll watch it tomorrow on Milan Channel, no way will I stay up until 2 in the morning to see us half assing it in some friendly

Posted by: Danny Jul 24 2014, 03:29 PM

PFFFFFFFFFFT!!!! I've stayed up till 6AM to watch Rangers lose to US college amateurs 3-1 in a meaningless friendly on an American Football Grid Iron pitch.

As for Essien, he has shown MOMENTS of half-decentry (new word, I like it) so if he could do that for an hour if he played we could offload the utter loser for some decent cash.

Posted by: Danny Jul 24 2014, 03:30 PM

It may require Derren Brown.

Posted by: han2503 Jul 24 2014, 03:35 PM

I like the devotion, but atm, considering my passion for this club is probably at an all time low and it is just a friendly, I'm not going to make myself suffer through it, especially when we all know it will most likely be a terrible game and I can watch the re-run tomorrow at a decent time

decentry... I'll try to fit that into a sentence when the opportunity strikes

Posted by: kurtsimonw Jul 24 2014, 04:05 PM

I have to force myself to watch Milan when they're live on tv at a decent time on my day off nowadays, if I'm honest.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jul 24 2014, 04:15 PM

Hopefully not this season anymore.

Posted by: han2503 Jul 24 2014, 04:16 PM

I don't force myself, I still anticipate watching games, but more like with a sense of dread rather than excitement which was the case back in the good old days

Posted by: Danny Jul 24 2014, 07:59 PM

I'll never find myself ever feeling 'forced' to watch either of my teams. Don't mean that as a criticism of anyone else and how they conduct themselves, it's just my clubs are in my blood and through thick or thin I love them even more.

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 24 2014, 08:03 PM

But the fact that you're feeling 'forced' expresses how much you care for that club, as any other fan would give up and stop watching.

Posted by: Danny Jul 24 2014, 08:30 PM

Wouldn't I be the 'any other fan' you refer to here given I don't feel forced?

Or do I misunderstand you?

Posted by: William405 Jul 24 2014, 08:31 PM

Well, since we're speaking about that...Personally, if Milan is on TV..I can't but watch it.

The problem comes when I don't have the channel, and have to sit through a match watching it frame by frame due to my lousy internet..that's when I say get to the "**** it" point.

Posted by: han2503 Jul 24 2014, 09:05 PM

I think he's referring to the bandwagoners who would jump ship rather than feel like they are forced to watch games through the sheer love they have for the club they support.

If I didn't love Milan, it would be easy to start supporting Real or Barca or City or PSG

Posted by: Danny Jul 24 2014, 09:28 PM

My support for Milan intensified and solidified in 2002 basically at the peak and beginning of the end of the standing of Italian football on a global scale.

I think the semifinal of the CL that season pretty much cemented me as a Rossoneri, and as we've declined since then, my support has never wavered.

I see supporting your team as, within reason, watching/attending out of love whenever wherever it is/you are. No matter what state your team is in.

I've never really felt forced to watch my clubs, I actually enjoy it, no matter how bad we are.

Maybe I'm masochistic.

Posted by: han2503 Jul 24 2014, 10:14 PM

Well, personally speaking, I'll watch every competitive game, no matter what. These last 2 to 3 seasons the football has been horrifying, which made watching the team that I support feel like a chore to me, whereas in the past I used to look forward to each game with so much excitement and enthusiasm. I think that's part of the reason why I irrationally hate Allegri so much. Because he took away the joy of watching Milan play for me.

But staying up until 2 am to watch us half assing a friendly where we'll mostly be playing second string players, atm, is not worth it for me. It's not like there's a new player that we're all excited to see how he fits into the team. Pippo won't even be playing Alex or Menez. So staying up so late to watch Zaccardo, Constant and Bonera running around like headless chickens just doesn't appeal to me atm.

And also, with the way things are going in the transfer market I'm more pessimistic rather than optimistic atm, which is why my passion for Milan is probably at an all time low as well.

Posted by: Danny Jul 24 2014, 10:36 PM

Alex and Menez could play. Both included on the trip. And seeing Mastour up against a decent team could be well worth it. Ditto the progress in recovery of SES.

There are a few subplots.

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 25 2014, 01:45 AM

So, we're losing...

Posted by: il_diavolo_mtl Jul 25 2014, 02:55 AM

3-0 FT...only saw the last minutes but it looks like olympiacos fielded their best team and we have some kids

Posted by: Danny Jul 25 2014, 03:03 AM

We started with Zacccardo, Rami, Bonera, Albertazzi, Poli, Cristanti, Saponara, Pazzo, Niang and SES.

For us to be mauled that badly shows no matter how many times we change the bloody manager, this just isn't going to change until Silvio sells up.

Sure, it wasn't our very best team but then...what is? Right now no one can agree on our best defence, midfield or attack.

The only thing we all concur on is that De Jong is our best player.

We are utterly over run by the Mexes, Pazzos, and Polis of this world. Honest decent pros but a trillion miles off what a Milan should have.

This time last year in this same tournament we got mauled by Man City 5-3. That was a fair reflection of how the season transpired.

This could even worse because we were at least able to score back then. Against a better team!

Woeful. Long, horrible, dark season ahead unless Pippo works a miracle.

PS: he still f*cking plays MDS as RB.

Posted by: il_diavolo_mtl Jul 25 2014, 03:03 AM

Albertazzi to blame for the first, though zaccardo lost dominguez
and bonera ( i think) with a HUGE blunder on the second
third was a wonder goal, nothing to do

Posted by: il_diavolo_mtl Jul 25 2014, 03:06 AM

I don't know how you came up with this list... I dare you to isolate any aspect that englobes Pazzo, Poli and Mexes...

Posted by: Danny Jul 25 2014, 03:08 AM

You might want to read the sentence after it. That'd help.

Posted by: Danny Jul 25 2014, 03:09 AM

You didn't watch the match for God's sake, how can you form an opinion on the result?!

Posted by: il_diavolo_mtl Jul 25 2014, 04:51 AM

so, to be sure, they are the problem?


Most of the highlights i watch, or for that matter most highlights in general show the goals...

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jul 25 2014, 07:36 AM

Naah, I don't think it's that alarming yet. They're in better form and started with a full team.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jul 25 2014, 07:38 AM

No, you're a true fan

Posted by: han2503 Jul 25 2014, 08:10 AM

Have not watched the game or the goals, but looking at that starting line-up vs a full strength side (not a bad side by any stretch either), it was bound to happen.

Bonera and Zaccardo are probably the biggest defensive liabilities in this league, Albertazzi never convinced me, I don't get why we brought him back from Verona.

As for the midfield, that was bound to get run over, Poli is the only one in there capable of doing any actual running and defensive work. Cristante strikes me as a bit of light weight, that's why I've said over and over that we should loan him out as he's just not ready yet, Saponara is just not a CM and it's a mistake to play him there imo. At least with Honda it makes more sense because he's a great passer and more experienced.

SES, Pazzo and Niang upfront... Pazzo seems like he won't ever get his touch back after that surgery. SES is still looking rusty from the friendlies I saw previous to this one so I can't imagine that anything about that changed and Niang... Well there are just no words to describe how bad he is imo.

That being said, let's not all get in a tizzy over a friendly, this is the exact reason why I chose to get an actual good night's sleep instead of staying up until some ungodly hour to watch this cr@p

Posted by: Bluesummers Jul 25 2014, 08:34 AM

Its just disgraceful. They just keep tarnishing our reputation more and more.

If we don't finish 3rd this year (which we wont) i can see berlusconi selling. There is no way he'll spend on milan. He did it for 30 years, hes done.

The only other option is he dies this year and barbara takes over and makes changes. Shes seems to be very motivated. Whatever happens I hope she sticks around.

Posted by: han2503 Jul 25 2014, 10:22 AM

Just watched the highlights. Zaccardo... I mean why haven't we just terminated his contract if he doesn't want to leave. What a total waste of space he is.

Bonera also, I hope Pippo doesn't do a Seedorf and plays him based on the simple fact that they were buddies back in their playing days. The guy is finished, has been for a while now. You simply cannot play him at CB.

Albertazzi... He looks mediocre at best, and this just coming for the 4+ minutes of highlights I watched, his positioning seemed awful on all the occasions when we were defending.

On the other hand, the attacking play looked good, the finishing though was poor, should have at least scored twice from the chances we created

Posted by: dst Jul 25 2014, 10:54 AM

hahahahahaha what a joke!

Nope, that was not Olympiacos's first team!

Posted by: Danny Jul 25 2014, 12:21 PM

Terminate his contract? Pippo actively blocked his transfer away! He's staying.



Attacking play looked good? Man, highlights really do deceive!

Posted by: Danny Jul 25 2014, 12:23 PM

Not them in particular, but the fact Milan are basically relying on that level of player now. I like Poli, but Monto at his best he ain't.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jul 25 2014, 12:47 PM

Monto at his best happens once or twice in a few months. That's one of the main problems, not Poli

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 25 2014, 01:11 PM

Even with a full-strength line-up we would still have problems winning against Olympiacos or any prepared team for that matter. We finished 8th, remember? So, how come everyone is surprised that we lost to them with a crappy line-up in the first game of the season?

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jul 25 2014, 01:14 PM

I don't think we're surprised. It's just that we don't wanna lower our standards.

We also never but once in the last 20 seasons had two such bad season in a row.

Posted by: kurtsimonw Jul 25 2014, 01:29 PM

Are people actually taking anything from a pre-season game? Something to complain about, I suppose.

Posted by: han2503 Jul 25 2014, 01:37 PM

No, he wanted to stay and impress Pippo as he did not want to go to Turkey. This was confirmed by Galliani

Well yeah, some of the chances we had (going by the highlights of course) looked like good plays.

Posted by: Danny Jul 25 2014, 02:11 PM

July 2013. Milan 3 - 5 City. We complained. And then had the worst season for 16 years.

Write preseason off at your peril.

Posted by: Danny Jul 25 2014, 02:12 PM

Don't you know Galliani talk? Whatever he says means the opposite!

Posted by: han2503 Jul 25 2014, 03:24 PM

He has no reason to lie in this case, Zaccardo is barely considered as part of the team.

He had offers, he declined all of them in favour of sitting his @ss on our bench.

Pippo never publicly stated that he wanted him to stay (I'm sure it's the opposite way around), and there was never even a hint of a report that Pippo wanted him to decline the offers.

This is once again a case of a terrible player we signed for free on nothing but Galliani's whim that we now can't get rid of.

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 27 2014, 02:30 PM

Milan-City tonight. Probable line-up: Abbiati; De Sciglio, Rami, Alex, Constant; Poli, Cristante, Muntari; Saponara, Pazzini, Niang

Another beating on the way.

Posted by: han2503 Jul 27 2014, 03:19 PM

Yep

Posted by: Danny Jul 27 2014, 03:19 PM

Yes, it would appear Pippo is doing a Seedorf and wasting MDS again on the right. Now time to complain at yet another manager wrecking the potential of Mattia.

As for the rest of the team, De Jong and Balo are still not really available for this, but let's face it - potentially SES and Mastour aside that is close to our strongest current team.

This team is a wreck and the only consolation is that Dzeko, Kolarov, Silva, Fernandinho, Toure and a host of other City stars probably aren't available re: world cup duty recovery.

They'll still smash the living f*ck out of us though.

Posted by: han2503 Jul 27 2014, 04:29 PM

That midfield is far from our strongest, same goes with the attack and defence imo. Pazzini, Sapo and Niang will be very far from the starting 11 imo, same goes with Cristante and Muntari. Constant and DS on the right I'm hoping is just something Pippo is using for now

And yeah, this thing with DS on the right is so annoying, especially since it means Constant starting on the left as we have zero other options there.

I do notice that Pippo is sort of taking it slow with the players who just returned from their NTs so maybe that's why we're still seeing such a mish mash of players in the starting 11s

I'm hoping Pippo will know what his first choice starting 11 is before the season starts, and it's not like with both Allegri and Seedorf where each week it's a completely new rotation of players starting so we never have any cohesiveness in the side

Posted by: TriniKing_CE Jul 27 2014, 08:35 PM

CITY XI: Caballero, Clichy, Kolarov, Boyata, Nastasic, Fernando, Navas, Zuculini, Sinclair, Jovetic, Iheanacho

MILAN XI: Agazzi; De Sciglio, Rami, Alex, Constant; Muntari, Poli, Cristante; Honda, Niang, El Shaarawy.

Posted by: TriniKing_CE Jul 27 2014, 08:40 PM

...Sulley Muntari is captain tonight!

Posted by: han2503 Jul 27 2014, 08:56 PM

Muntari, our captain.... Kill me now!

Posted by: han2503 Jul 27 2014, 08:58 PM

At least this City 11 is beatable...

Posted by: han2503 Jul 27 2014, 08:58 PM

At least this City 11 is beatable...

Posted by: han2503 Jul 27 2014, 09:11 PM

Jovetic, already a goal down to the City 3rd string

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 27 2014, 09:12 PM

Alex lost his man, Agazzi conceded on his post.

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 27 2014, 09:13 PM

2-0

Posted by: milanbuf88 Jul 27 2014, 09:14 PM

We look fucking awful defensively. 2-0 Man City. I think he was offside on that play though.

Posted by: han2503 Jul 27 2014, 09:19 PM

I still fail to see how Alex should be ahead of Mexes in the pecking order

Posted by: han2503 Jul 27 2014, 09:22 PM

We are getting absolutely killed on that left side

Posted by: han2503 Jul 27 2014, 09:23 PM

3-0...

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 27 2014, 09:23 PM

3-0

Posted by: milanbuf88 Jul 27 2014, 09:23 PM

3-0

Posted by: han2503 Jul 27 2014, 09:24 PM

Agazzi looks ridiculous on all the goals

Posted by: Jack Bauer Jul 27 2014, 09:24 PM

Comical

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 27 2014, 09:26 PM

4...

Posted by: han2503 Jul 27 2014, 09:26 PM

4-0

What are they doing?

Rami and Alex look absolutely lost out there

Posted by: han2503 Jul 27 2014, 09:26 PM

Constant

Posted by: milanbuf88 Jul 27 2014, 09:26 PM

4-0. Agazzi isn't even good enough to be 3rd keeper.

Posted by: Jack Bauer Jul 27 2014, 09:29 PM

I hope Galliani is watching. #we_are_fine_as_we_are

Posted by: han2503 Jul 27 2014, 09:32 PM

A keeper named Willy is better than Agazzi!

How can they even consider him as 2nd choice??

Posted by: Jack Bauer Jul 27 2014, 09:33 PM

AC Milan News ‏@Milanello
July 31, 2013: Milan - Manchester City 0-5 after 36 minutes.

July 27, 2014: Milan - Manchester City 0-4 after 26 minutes.
--------------

At least we are consistent.

Posted by: Jack Bauer Jul 27 2014, 09:36 PM

And we even prefered hm over Ochoa

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 27 2014, 09:38 PM

Our players can't cross, can't pass, can't shoot, the most basic concepts in football.

I wonder what Galliani is thinking while he's watching this mess.

"We're fine as we are", "No one comes until no one leaves", "Our goal is the first five places"

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 27 2014, 09:39 PM

Well now...

Posted by: Jack Bauer Jul 27 2014, 09:43 PM

Il Capitano scored

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 27 2014, 09:44 PM

Capitano?

Posted by: Jack Bauer Jul 27 2014, 09:46 PM

Posted by: han2503 Jul 27 2014, 09:52 PM

Btw, the score is 4-1 not 5-1

The milanello update had it at 5-0 after 36 minutes, which is wrong

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 27 2014, 10:15 PM

That was the one from 2013, no?

Posted by: han2503 Jul 27 2014, 10:15 PM

Anyone know if the match is cancelled?

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 27 2014, 10:15 PM

Looks like the second half does not wanna start...

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 27 2014, 10:21 PM

About to start.

Posted by: TriniKing_CE Jul 27 2014, 10:28 PM

Game was delayed due to heavy rains. Its about to resume.
Essien, Bonera & Balotelli look set to come on for the 2nd half (unsure for who at this point though)

Posted by: Jack Bauer Jul 27 2014, 10:30 PM

Abate replaces Constant, Essien Poli, Bonera Alex and Balotelli comes on instead of El Shaarawy.

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 27 2014, 10:37 PM

Abate would be an amazing RB if he knew how to cross a freaking ball.

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 27 2014, 10:39 PM

Is Pippo really gonna keep playing Honda as RFW? What's the point? Rather don't play him at all at this rate...

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 27 2014, 10:39 PM

Balo scores, offside.

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 27 2014, 10:43 PM

5-1. I'm off.

Posted by: han2503 Jul 27 2014, 10:57 PM

Niang is such a terrible finisher

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jul 27 2014, 11:00 PM

Niang is a terrible player. Agazzi and a few others also.

Guys, why do you think Pippo is basically doing the same mistakes with MDS and Honda Seedorf did before?

Posted by: Ry4n Jul 27 2014, 11:04 PM

Good thing i went out instead of watching these friendlies. shite shite shite.

Posted by: han2503 Jul 27 2014, 11:04 PM

Well he corrected the DS mistake in this half when he brought on Abate.

As for Honda, it's different in this case because it's a 4-3-3, with Seedorf he could have easily played him in the centre of the 3 in his 4-2-3-1. But with a 4-3-3 the options are very much limited, it's either the left wing or try him out in the CM position as x-off has been campaigning for

Ideally Honda would be played in the hole behind 2 strikers, but I find it hard to see a scenario where that can happen since a 2 striker system is so out of style these days

Posted by: han2503 Jul 27 2014, 11:09 PM

Mastour gets 6 minutes

Posted by: han2503 Jul 27 2014, 11:19 PM

Awful game again from us, Pippo seriously needs to work on that defence

I think from now till the start of the season he should go into each one of these friendlies as if they were competitive games, use the 11 he thinks he will start the season with, keep the line-up as consistent as possible (obviously making use of substitutions as necessary so as not to over exert the players).

Because atm it looks like a jumbled up mess out there. At least if nothing else get the strongest defence we have out there and keep it as consistent as possible throughout the rest of the games.

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 27 2014, 11:19 PM

Yes. With Honda it's either play him as CM or don't play him at all. No point in wasting the RW spot. Also, why hasn't Menez been playing?

Posted by: han2503 Jul 27 2014, 11:25 PM

Was just about to ask the same question

I'm still not sure about Honda as a CM (mostly because I've never seen him play there) but yeah, on the wing he basically just gets lost in the shuffle out wide. At least he put in some great defensive work (probably because he was so frustrated being so isolated out there)

I personally don't get why 4-3-3 should be our formation tbh, I think we'd do better with a diamond and 2 strikers

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Jul 27 2014, 11:53 PM

Ok Inzaghi has screws loose, Muntari with the captain's armband

Posted by: Danny Jul 28 2014, 12:45 AM

Where do I begin with that debacle?

First off the selected team was an absolute mess. As per, the Abate DS mistake continues under Pippo, and the midfield and attack was...just pathetic, tbh.

Honda literally didn't touch the ball in the first half, and the midfield was completely non-existent. The defence was...absolutely invisible. If that 45 minutes is anything to go by Alex is every inch as bad as Onyewu was for us, he was a travesty. And Rami was a complete mess as well.

A B string City team showed up and absolutely destroyed us out there.

Second half was marginally less awful, with Abate and MDS finally in their right places and yes, we did look a little more stable there. We actually had width and Abate provided a decent cross or two. Alex had also been removed and Bonera took his place.

Seriously though, I love Pippo, but if these pre-season matches are an indicator of the upcoming season, and 5-3 v the same side last summer sure was, this is truly relegation form. That was worse than anything from Allegri or Seedorf or Leo combined.

We're just getting worse, and worse, and worse.

Yes, it's true we didn't have our full first team out there, but in reality only Balo, De Jong and Monto were actually missing today. And Balo got the second half.

We're just utterly utterly terrible and unless Silvio sells up and gives us to someone who will start to spend, this Milan will just keep sinking further and further.

Posted by: Bluesummers Jul 28 2014, 12:58 AM

This season will be ugly boys, prepare yourselves. This will be the last season for me personally where I support the club from a financial point of view. If things don't change i'm boycotting this management. I'm going to cancel my serie A suscription and won't buy stuff from the Milan store anymore.

I'll still have respect and love for the colours, but i won't support disgraceful c*nts like galliani. His management and decision making have ended Milan. You can't even blame berlusconi's lack investment at this point because we have done unforgivable things like spend 12m on alessandro matri.

Posted by: TriniKing_CE Jul 28 2014, 04:07 AM

Amen!

Posted by: dst Jul 28 2014, 10:08 AM

I wish they'd scored more. I wouldn't mind 10!

Posted by: han2503 Jul 28 2014, 11:19 AM

Meh, I think this is far from just 3 players missing, the defence, Rami aside imo is not what our starting back 4 should be. Abate and Mexes should be starting and DS just doesn't cut it on the right

Rami and Alex looked clueless out there probably because this is their first game back/for Milan in Alex's case and their first game together as a pairing.

Same goes with the midfield, I think Poli is the only one with a shot at being a regular starter for us there. Muntari is a nightmare (Essien did much better than him when he came on, glad to see we renewed Muntari's contract ). Cristante I think has talent, he made some great long balls imo, but he's such a lightweight, I really do think we should loan him to a Serie A side this season, give him some good experience.

As for the attack, Niang; what can I say about him? He's improved a bit in his dribbling and decision making but his finishing and passing/crossing... just awful. It feels like he always hits the ball with twice the power necessary, he smacks the ball at players rather than passes it, and his finishing is even worse than that, probably had 3 clear cut chances one on one with Willy the keeper and hit all of them straight at him.

SES still looks very rusty although at times he did show some sparks of what he can really do. And Honda on the left wing just doesn't work. He can't play in a flat 3 right next to the touchline, at least have him deeper and slightly more central or he'll vanish.

As for the validity of pre-season games, I personally don't want to panic just yet, but if we go further into pre-season with the new season fast approaching and there's still seemingly so much confusion among the players, then yeah, we can certainly hit those panic buttons

Posted by: Danny Jul 28 2014, 11:22 AM

In short, Honda isn't a winger, but that's the only position he's played since he joined us.

He's a trequartista, funnily enough the only one we now have with Kaka and Taarabt gone. And he STILL doesn't get played there!

Posted by: han2503 Jul 28 2014, 11:24 AM

Yeah, but as I said to Fillipo, with the 4-3-3 there is no position that he naturally fits into. With Seedorf's 4-2-3-1 though he was played on the wing when there was a position that he would have been a shoe-in for.

I think x-off's suggestion of playing him as CM could be the best option for him.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jul 28 2014, 11:30 AM

I'm not sure he has it in him to be CM. But then again, our roster is so poor, there's hardly anyone good (enough).

Han, you are aware that "Willy" stands for Wilfredo Caballero, who played for Boca and Malaga? He's not a brilliant keeper, but not bad either.

Posted by: Danny Jul 28 2014, 11:31 AM

No, he's better off on the bench than plain wasted. The guy is an AM, not a CM. Both wing and CM waste him.

Posted by: Danny Jul 28 2014, 11:32 AM

Full strength we have De Jong, Monto and Poli. It's OK for Serie A. But that's all.

Posted by: han2503 Jul 28 2014, 11:37 AM

Willy is just a funny name that's all


We can't really come to that conclusion unless we see him played there. I think he has the skillset to be a good CM, his passing and vision is probably the best on this team, we just haven't been able to see it with him stuck out wide ever since he joined the club, it would be a waste to bench him because there's no real position for him in this formation.

I was a bit sceptical about it but I think it's worth a try, especially when we have such a lack of quality in the squad, to waste Honda on the bench or wing just does not sit well


Well Serie A is the only competition we have and that should be fine for it.

I'm just worried about that defence and how the midfield and defence will work together to form a solid unit

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 28 2014, 01:58 PM

I don't understand why people are so skeptical about Honda deployed as CM. Sure, it's not his natural position, but he possess a set of skills which can allow him to play there no problem. He's tactically disciplined, has a great work-rate and that much-needed quality players like Muntari and Essien can't give us. In fact, he's played there before for CSKA. Where he absolutely can't play is on the wing, as that requires speed and physical strength, both of which he lacks in.

I really wish Pippo wouldn't go for the muscle midfield like Allegri used to do. Nowadays there's a very thin line between workers (like Gattuso) and playmakers (like Pirlo) as in the past. Every player can do a bit of everything. You have guys like Khedira, Ramsey, Javi Martinez, Vidal, Pogba, Matiudi etc. who are supposed to be the muscle in midfield, but can offer so much more than that. Then you have guys like Modric, Kroos, Schweinsteiger, Verratti, Xabi Alonso, Wilshere etc. who are so, so good at their defensive duties. And that's one of the basis of modern football. Quality is imperative.

If we continue playing the various De Jong, Poli, Muntari, Essien etc. all together without adapting someone like Honda in midfield then we'll never make that first step towards the next stage.

Posted by: Danny Jul 28 2014, 02:37 PM

De Jong is the most creative and best passer we have in midfield. Far better than Monto or Poli. It's a side of his game which barely gets any credit, but he's also extremely skillful on the ball.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jul 28 2014, 03:18 PM

Mentioning all these players makes me even more convinced that Honda isn't the right guy. I don't see anything modern in his style or ability, to me he's the exact opposite. I don't see how he could even remotely suit the defensive capacity of Kroos, Modrić or even Verratti.

It's maybe worth a shot per se, but I simply don't see why Honda would do it good.


My problem with de Jong is that he's very limited and old fashioned. He may be the best in what he does good, but that's simply too little for a club like Milan. He'd be great in a team that has Robben, Persie and a bunch of other players who create and score (like Holland), but at Milan this simply isn't the case. We have the solid but rarely consistent likes of Poli and Monto, not to speak of the various Essiens and Muntaris.

Posted by: han2503 Jul 28 2014, 03:22 PM

I agree, Honda isn't versatile in that way (good on both sides of the ball), he'd be an old fashion type CM where he mostly has creative duties to take care of, and that's where having an old style DM like De Jong would come in handy, sort of like what Rino and Pirlo were back in the day, one handles all the defensive work, the other did the creative work

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 28 2014, 04:00 PM

It's worth a try guys, unless you prefer being stuck with Muntari and his friends.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Jul 28 2014, 04:23 PM

Think these friendlies have shown we are missing quality in midfield. Let that be the way the team is set-up, the cohesion or the lack of quality midfielders.

I think it is still early to judge Inzaghi and it is also early to judge the team. We have a month + to go till the curtain raises on the season, by that time I hope there is at the very least cohesion and an understanding of what Inzaghi wants from the lads.

Posted by: han2503 Jul 28 2014, 04:44 PM

I think it's to early to say anything at this point, even about the midfield, we're playing with Cristante, Muntari/Sapo and Poli so far in these friendlies, and that's far from what the starting midfield should be

I'm more worried about the complete confusion the players seem to have out there in terms of defending and even the attack seems pretty clueless and disjointed. I get that it's very early, but if this continues into pre-season it has to become a huge issue. Right now shouldn't really be about individuals. I get that guys like Constant, Zaccardo, etc are bound to make idiotic howlers, but it's more about fitness and seeing how the players are all adapting to the coach's tactics and ideas, which is what's very worrying atm as they're seemingly not grasping it from what we've seen so far

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Jul 28 2014, 08:22 PM

The midfield is very important, it must be the core of the team. As of now Im hearing Poli, Saponara, Montolivo, Muntari, and/or De Jong as first team material? That is the main issue, will Poli and Saponara step up?

Posted by: han2503 Jul 28 2014, 08:40 PM

I think Poli is good enough to be starting, Sapo and Muntari will be 2/3rd choices. Monto and De Jong are more than good enough for Serie A. The only problem is that Monto will probably be out for more than 3/4 of the season.

That's why it's probably a good idea to try to move Honda there and give him time to make it work, because creativity/passing/vision-wise, he's the best we have on this team and we shouldn't waste it when the quality in our midfield is so low and we all know we're not going to be buying anyone good for the position

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 28 2014, 09:22 PM

Ideally we should sign one quality CM and one quality RWF. That would solve a lot of issues. Say, Clasie and Shaqiri, just to name a couple. Young, promising, not extremely expensive. That's what a sane management would do. But the reality is harsh, as we don't want to spend a dime. So, Honda and possibly Cerci have to be our solutions. Sadly.

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 30 2014, 12:07 PM

So...

Roma 1-0 Liverpool
Inter 1-1 Real Madrid
ManU 3-2 Roma
Inter 1-1 ManU
Roma 1-0 Real Madrid

...

Milan 0-3 Olympiakos
Milan 1-5 ManCity

Posted by: Danny Jul 30 2014, 01:12 PM

Our fall from grace is borderline unprecedented in the modern game.

Right now we're relegation material.

Posted by: kurtsimonw Jul 30 2014, 01:14 PM

It's amazing what mismanagement can do to a club.

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 30 2014, 02:39 PM

We need signings, now! What the flying f*ck is that dimwit of Galliani doing??? This is tragic. At this rate 8th-9th place will become our status quo, for real!

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jul 30 2014, 02:51 PM

Problem is, we need quality signings, not quantity. And that's a bit harder to find.

Posted by: han2503 Jul 30 2014, 03:37 PM

There are plenty of quality players out there, you just have to pay actual money for them

Roma bought Strootman for what? 14m? Pjanic? 10m.

Lazio bought Hernanes for less than 10m and we were "interested" in him for months but once again Galliani's "strategy" for signing players (basically trying to reduce the fee to zero and making a mockery out of this club) failed and we were told that we couldn't pay with a crate of bananas.

Inter got Kovacic for 9m, Juve bought Vidal for 11m

The list can keep on going. The fact is these are all class players who weren't at the time, they were just potentially good adds to the teams, but all those teams were ready to invest that cash to begin with, we're not even willing to spend 5m on a player nowadays. Let alone 11m for someone who just has "potential" but we are apparently ok with spending 12m on Matri and giving him 2.7m per year in wages, that's seemingly not a problem for Galliani

The problem is we have a management with absolutely no vision

Posted by: TriniKing_CE Jul 31 2014, 01:29 PM

Well when you put it like that...




Thanks for reminding us!

Posted by: Danny Aug 1 2014, 10:34 PM

Quick reminder we've Liverpool tomorrow. We won't get slaughtered, honest.

Posted by: han2503 Aug 1 2014, 11:14 PM

HA!!!

Yeah right!

Posted by: Jack Bauer Aug 2 2014, 11:00 PM

AC Milan (4-3-3) – Filippo Inzaghi
Christian Abbiati; Ignazio Abate, Daniele Bonera, Adil Rami, Mattia De Sciglio; Sulley Muntari, Michael Essien, Riccardo Saponara; M’Baye Niang, Giampaolo Pazzini, Stephan El Shaarawy.

Liverpool F.C. (4-3-3) – Brandon Rodgers
Simon Mignolet; Martin Kelly, Kolo Touré, Sebastián Coates, Jack Robinson; Lucas Leiva, Jordan Henderson, Joe Allen; Jordon Ibe, Rickie Lambert, Raheem Sterling.

Essien and Muntari together? Dreams do come true!

Posted by: han2503 Aug 2 2014, 11:21 PM

At least Pippo got it right with Abate and DS, Don't get why Bonera is starting though, just play Mexes there and let him and Rami get into the swing of things again so they'll be good to go for the new season.

I don't get the Saponara in midfield thing either, try Honda there, Sapo seems like such a lightweight to be playing in midfield.

Can't wait to see Niang and Muntari aiming their thunderbolts at that idiot sitting in row Z

Posted by: Jack Bauer Aug 2 2014, 11:59 PM

Essien is not even 1/10 of a player he once was

Posted by: han2503 Aug 3 2014, 12:00 AM

Why do we even bother going on American tours? We only end up embarrassing ourselves

Posted by: Jack Bauer Aug 3 2014, 12:01 AM

The Sunday League tour was already booked.

Posted by: han2503 Aug 3 2014, 12:08 AM

Nice save from Abbiati off the penalty

Posted by: han2503 Aug 3 2014, 12:14 AM

How can we ever do well in games when we have no midfield?

Muntari and Essien look like the footballing version of Beeves and Butthead and Saponara is totally invisible.

Posted by: Jack Bauer Aug 3 2014, 12:19 AM

Yep. Even with De Jong's return, we still must buy another mid (on top of another winger) if we really want to compete.

Posted by: han2503 Aug 3 2014, 12:22 AM

Niang could be so good if he applied himself properly.

We seriously need to look into loaning him to a Serie A side so he can get decent playing time. That's the only way he'll improve

Posted by: han2503 Aug 3 2014, 12:24 AM

The midfield has been a major issue for us since Pirlo's last season, we haven't had a well rounded midfield trio since then.

Posted by: han2503 Aug 3 2014, 12:24 AM

SES finally getting a decent pass and gets to stretch his legs out

DS is soooo much better on the left, in every aspect. Which is strange since h's naturally right sided

Posted by: han2503 Aug 3 2014, 12:26 AM

Muntari has fouled a player nearly every time he got near the ball.

Posted by: han2503 Aug 3 2014, 12:54 AM

This is the first decent stretch of time where we've kept good possession in this entire pre-season so far

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Aug 3 2014, 01:42 AM

And we still lost. Embarrassing tour all in all.

But I've gotta say, I'm really disappointed in the kids. Don't get me wrong, I know these friendlies mean little.

But the body language, the overall will of the younger players is bugging me. I don't see any spirit and very small amounts of talent and quality. Take Gabriel. I'd say he really isn't up to it, he looks frightened and nervous, and his only achievement ended up injuring MDS. I really can't see he becoming good ever; no special reflex, lack of confidence and average at best.

Same or worse with the others. Niang is just Serie B level. He's not cut to play a winger or a striker; lacks precision, finishing, pass, intelligence, you name it. SES showed very little, Cristante as well. Saponara was his usual pale version.

All this makes me very sceptically. I'm not expecting miracles or surges of quality, just some spirit and attitude.

Posted by: Danny Aug 3 2014, 02:21 AM

And he was rubbish. As he was this whole pre-season. As he has been since November 2012.



First time since late last year our fullbacks looked good. And curiously enough it's the first full 90 minutes where we fans got our wish of Abate on the right and DS on the left.

I don't know what Seedorf's f*cking problem was.

Posted by: Danny Aug 3 2014, 02:24 AM

Other than Abate/MDS he was our best player tonight Pippo. He tracked back, he attacked, he made himself available. His attitude was infinitely better than anything he's shown up till now, and he appears to be growing up a tad.

He has MUCH to do but there were signs of improvement.

And I have been incredibly critical of him since the Roma defeat away I think it was.

His decision making was better as well, he just lacks the polish.

Posted by: han2503 Aug 3 2014, 11:48 AM

I agree that some of the younger players are not showing enough to even give Pippo any sort of headache when it comes to playing them once the season starts. Sapo, Cristante, Albertazzi have all been very bland

As for SES and Niang plus Pazzo, it's hard for any attacker to really make his mark when you don't have a midfield, which was the case throughout this tour. Muntari and Essien made fools out of themselves out there on a consistent basis today, Saponara had a couple of decent spurts but more often then not he tends to go missing, and that might get overlooked when he's playing in the attack, but when you're playing as a CM that's simply not acceptable.

As for Niang, I thought he was good in everything he did until it came time to release the ball. His end product and decision making is just horrible.

As I said in an earlier post, I really do think he'd be a pretty great player if he learned how to apply himself properly. And this coming from probably his harshest critic on this forum. I really do think we should look into loaning him to a mid-table Serie A side where he can be given a lot of playing time.


He's had sparks here and there, but as I said to Fillipo, it's pretty hard when you're an attacker and the team basically has no midfield. SES imo needs to be a bit closer to goal, he's not a real winger, yes he has speed but he's not really a great dribbler. That's why I can't get on board with this 4-3-3 thing, because Menez aside, we don't have any proper wingers in this squad which makes the 4-3-3 unnatural for us.


Agreed, we looked infinitely better on the wide areas today than we did against City where 4 of the goals started from wide areas. I don't get why anyone would want DS on the right side, he looks confused and awkward there, while Abate might struggle with his crossing at times (although I do think he's improved that aspect of his game in recent years), he's great defensively and opens up our play better than anyone with his runs.


I agree about Niang, the attack was isolated but he worked his @ss off to track back and make things happen on his own, I just really think he's just awful when it comes to end product. And that can only come if he's playing regularly, which he won't be doing with us. His speed and skill on the ball were one of the few bright sparks last night, I really liked the way he was picking up the ball and creating havoc by running at players AND beating them as well, which is great to see.


As for the game in general, I thought we improved a lot over the mess we saw against City and Olympiacos. Definitely better defensively as a collective, the first goals came from a ridiculous slip by Essien and the second was a long shot, which could have been closed down better but it was mostly a good take. We kept possession better in the second half and created some good chances. Honda's lob to Niang was inch perfect, we really need to find a way to integrate him into the team (NOT as a winger) no one else on this squad has that kind of vision and passing ability, to waste it when it's at such a premium on this squad would be ridiculous

Posted by: Danny Aug 3 2014, 01:09 PM

From your previous opinions about Niang where you borderline had him nailed up on a cross I'd suggest you've made major progress there! I think his execution/final pass is indeed his problem - previously I was critical of that while praising his skill and pace, but became angry with his attitude.

That latter attribute has improved a lot - like I say, passing, tracking back, suddenly learning that football is not all about Niang. Much more of a team player and was trying to execute the final pass, the killer ball/shot but it wasn't quite coming off.

That's where his decision making is still not quite there, but he is certainly on the road to improvement.

And don't forget the kid is 19 - he's a child, and if these rough parts of his game can be ironed out, I honestly feel he could be a very good player for us. I've been saying that a long time, but temporarily gave up on him with that stinking attitude in aforementioned Roma game.

But hopefully his growing up is seeing maturation.

Posted by: Danny Aug 3 2014, 01:12 PM

That was Balo, not Honda. If we're thinking about the same incident.

As for Essien, hold my hands up there, I've never been more wrong about a signing. The Chelsea Essien was a monster and in his day the best DM around. But now he's truly absymal and I'd suggest the worst signing this club has made in light of what we'd have expected of him for about a decade.

Utter failure and should never put on our jersey again. Keeps making c*ock ups in midfield which cost goals. He's a total and utter liability.

Posted by: han2503 Aug 3 2014, 02:32 PM

I don't think he's 19... Wasn't he 19 when we signed him?

And yeah, as I mentioned above I was a HUGE critic before, still am, he's just so brutal and uncultured on the ball that it's cringe worthy at times. I'm not talking about his pace or dribbling because he's clearly improved in that aspect, he was breezing past players basically every time he was given the ball yesterday. But his passing/shooting/crossing is just awful. The best way for me to explain it is that it's like playing FIFA and powering up the button until it's red every time no matter the situation.



Nope definitely talking about Honda

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=jmyfIasEU94#t=186

Agreed on Essien, and I was with you when we signed him, I thought he'd be good because I was a huge fan of his in his Chelsea days, but yeah, he's been woeful, but if we isolate the mistake, I thought Muntari was equally, if not worse than Essien yesterday. Both of them are just a disaster waiting to happen and we should sell both if the opportunity arose

Posted by: Danny Aug 3 2014, 02:44 PM

Nope, he was 17.



If he can be coached to improve in those areas I agree require work, he could develop well.





Ah, different incident.



Muntari CAN have his uses as an explosive player from the bench. But a midfield of he and Essien is simply unnacceptable. Muntari lacks composure but he has power, he defends well and he's strong. A very useful sub but no longer good enough to start. But Essien can leave. He gives us negative, not even nothing.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Aug 3 2014, 04:35 PM

Nah, I simply don't see it in Niang. He's nothing to do with a top team, and he'll never be a top player.

Posted by: il_diavolo_mtl Aug 3 2014, 08:31 PM

Picking on the player who gave the most.... I guess that sums up our offseason or the expectations you have of 19yo prospects....

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Aug 3 2014, 10:13 PM

Gave the most in a 2-0 defeat? Really? He gave the most out of a very disjointed and heartless bunch of individuals who weren't function as a team. But this is not Parma. Giving the most shouldn't suffice. I think his touch, his finishing and his overall attitude don't give a nice perspective. My expectations with this player are around zero, he has potential and work effort, but I think it's ultimately too much work for more then a questionable end result.

Posted by: Danny Aug 3 2014, 11:05 PM

So basically you attack the one player who actually looked like he cared and tried to make things happen?

That's truly unfair IMO.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Aug 3 2014, 11:52 PM

Well, what would be fair? I'm not attacking anyone, I just make an assessment: by raising his work-ethic and running he's trying to make up for lack of the things a striker/winger should have. I just think it's not gonna end well.

Posted by: Danny Aug 4 2014, 12:16 AM

I think it's ludicrous to diminish his contribution based on the result. We know he's got faults but it seems to me like you're picking on him more than any of the rest of the team, when he was the best player out there for us.

Posted by: X-Offender Aug 4 2014, 12:29 AM

Say what? We've conceded 10 goals in 3 games and scored 0. How can that mean little? In general, yes, they're mostly preparatory games, but in our context they're a clear sign of the team's quality. It's bloody obvious that like this we're not going anywhere. 8th place? Nah, more like 13th place.

But you know, it's our damn fault as well. It's like us fans seem to have accepted the status quo and don't seem too contrived about the management. I'm mostly talking about the curva et al. When Juve finished 7th there were huge protests in Turin all over the place, and I'll be damned if they didn't push the club to force their hand into signings. Us, instead, we criticize Galliani and yet we let him play us like fools over and over again.

Enough is enough! If we don't spend and sign adequate players by 31 August, then sh*t has to hit the fan. This management has to understand that they're running this club to the ground and we're not gonna take it anymore. Otherwise, we just shut the hell up and accept the fact that we've legitimately become a mid-table side.

Posted by: acid911 Aug 4 2014, 01:30 AM

Scored 1, or so I've heard. Against Manchester City, 5-1.

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Aug 4 2014, 04:49 AM

Relax. What do you want? Should we shut down Milanfan in protest?

The curva protested at the Casa Milan opening. Season ticket sales are at an alltime low. What more should fans do? You want them to lynch Galliani?

We can sit and spout venom online all we want. Honest truth is that in Italy fans often have the least control especially on very tightly held private clubs.

Think of Lazio. The curva and Lotito fight almost every second day. How much has it influenced Lotito's decisionmaking? Zero!

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Aug 4 2014, 09:49 AM

Ludicrous? So I'm not allowed to cast my doubt over a player since he played "less bad" or was "the best out of a disjointed bunch"? My comment on Niang was a general one. Yes, he worked hard in this friendly, but do you think he's suitable for us as a winger or striker? I just don't see it in him, and a hunderd more games like the Liverpool one won't change this IMO.


Agreed.


Well, I think we should do something you know. That last move with Tavecchio was a dealbreaker for me.

Not shut down Milanfan, but a letter of protest is what I have in mind.

Maybe it does not influence the decision-makers, but it sure as hell puts extra pressure on them and gives a possible opposition more strength.

Posted by: X-Offender Aug 4 2014, 11:49 AM

I mean a massive, organized protest from fans all over Italy, not just sporadic squabbles from a bunch of individuals. There's nothing to stay relaxed about. A month ago when Han was being overly critical about the management I said to wait and be optimistic cos I felt things would be different this summer, but we're now in August and we haven't signed sh*t except for three lousy free agents. All we keep haring is "this one has to leave before we sign anyone", "that one has to leave blah blah blah". There's zero planning, zero ambitions, and I'm personally way past the point of endurance.

Posted by: Danny Aug 4 2014, 02:19 PM

Problem is I think half our fans have deserted to Real Madrid now.

Posted by: drucurl Aug 4 2014, 10:47 PM

Can't say I blame them either. It WOULD be by the strictest definition -GLORYHUNTING - but at some point we were all gloryhunting in some way before we joined Milan. I became a fan in 2002 because of Shevchenko...I supported many other teams before then!

What do we have left?
Family Values? - That's laughable given the way things went down with L30, Maldini and the latest Seedorf fiasco....not to mention we can't even support Albertini's candidacy

Football strength? - we can't even get a win in the f**kin Guinness Cup

Iconic players? - the last one left....his name was Kaka. Abbiati is theoretically a senatore but I feel 0 affection for his fascist @$$

Charismatic leadership? - I'll leave you to formulate your own expletive laden response. It's an indictment that our most interested leader is someone who knows 0 about football (Barbara). Inzaghi has, to our disappointment, been spouting off the same nonsense that "we have the most international titles: etc etc

Entertaining football? - Nope


Honestly it's PURE sentiment that's holding me over...the moments we had with Kaka, Maldini, Nesta, Sheva, R99 and of course the greatest player of all time Ibrahim Ba

Posted by: il_diavolo_mtl Aug 5 2014, 11:47 AM

He was the most lively player
despite :
-the loss
-us not being parma
-you not feeling it's enough
-his finishing inching encouragingly closer to being just short of bad (it was atrocious last year)
-Your expectations of him
-your belief that he displayed a poor personality during the game


I have opinions on players as well, but I would be careful fogging the borders between them and actual match results....Which player do you think played better and showed more heart, personality and drive?

He's no world beater, to be sure, but this is a judgement call on your part having little to do with his performance ....

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Aug 5 2014, 03:05 PM

I watched him the whole USA tournament. I think he improved, he may have been the best out of an embarrassing tour that will surely leave some consequences. It's a judgment call, so what? Point is, the most important aspects for a striker/winger haven't improved with Niang. Unlike han, I don't believe a loan deal would do any good. I think we should sell him. What's the problem with my assessment? You guys have been shouting years ago "sell this one, sell that one", "release player XY". Now I say I don't see it in Niang (and that's even despite he was the "best" during our defeat(s)) all of a sudden it's something bad? I guess, just because he's young...

Posted by: X-Offender Aug 5 2014, 04:09 PM

I agree. Niang should be sold. He's just not good enough.

Posted by: William405 Aug 5 2014, 04:20 PM

Well, from his statements Inzaghi seems to see something in him, and has mentioned that we should give him the time to grow. I agree with your assessment Pippo, I haven't seen anything in him that indicates he can be a great footballer..he has a good work ethic though.

Posted by: han2503 Aug 5 2014, 06:03 PM

The problem with Niang is that he's a winger stuck in the body of a striker. I think he'd be better as an out and out striker, the only problem with that is the fact that he has no sense of aim. He has the physicality, skill, ability t play with his back to goal and turn.

I do think we should loan him to a Serie A side that will play him regularly. At this point we have nothing to lose, it's not like we're paying him millions

Posted by: X-Offender Aug 5 2014, 06:06 PM

And that's a big problem for a striker, even for a winger.

Posted by: han2503 Aug 5 2014, 06:17 PM

Yeah, I was going to add that as well, but I thought it sort of came directly with the punch line

Posted by: Danny Aug 7 2014, 03:09 AM

Must be the only one watching this!

Diabolical pitch and our defence is predictably terrible but the attack isn't actually too bad and Niang scored one while Balo scored with a 25 yard screamer.

We look...a tiny bit better...and our opponents Chivas just want to assault us all the time.

Half time 2-0.

Posted by: TriniKing_CE Aug 7 2014, 06:39 AM

Started watching the game earlier as well, but I fell asleep (after not getting more than 3 hours the night prior)

Anyway... I woke up just in time to realize that I missed the entire game!

After checking to see the score at FT: 3-0 Milan

Here are some decent Highlights I came across showing each of the goals & a bit more...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmMkb3K_jnE

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Aug 7 2014, 09:11 AM

Please tell me this Alex, Mexes thing looks like it can last a season. Our CB pairing really worries me, and I'm not certain if Pippo is a coach who can fix it.

Predictably the attack seems to be gelling a lot faster than the defence.

Posted by: han2503 Aug 7 2014, 09:23 AM

I think Rami and Mexes are still our best pairing. Alex is a good back up but I don't think he should be a regular starter.

At least we managed to keep a clean sheet against a decent team.

I only watched the highlights but the build-up on the 2 goals from open play looked good

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Aug 7 2014, 09:29 AM

My assumption was that we have two centre backs who are athletic but prone to brain farts. So why not have complementary centre backs. It's standard practise everywhere.

Posted by: Ry4n Aug 7 2014, 10:13 AM

Yeah this was a hard watch , have not seen a worse pitch in a while...

Our attack was very fast which was a nice change.

Posted by: Danny Aug 7 2014, 11:10 AM

We don't have a best pairing.

Posted by: Danny Aug 7 2014, 11:11 AM

If we start with Abate & MDS it makes our defence so much better, but we just don't seem to have a partnership in the middle we can trust.

Posted by: han2503 Aug 7 2014, 11:29 AM

No because the last 2 coaches we had thought it was fun to continuously rotate the back 4 as if it was a sport in and of itself.

But it's a fact backed by stats that our best runs in the last 2 seasons in terms of clean sheets/least amount of goals conceded came when we played the Mexes/Zapata pairing for an extended run under Allegri (best defence in the league in the second half of the season under Allegri) and when we played Mexes/Rami for an extended period under Seedorf last season.

I know you don't like him much, but the common denominator is Mexes in our best defensive runs since we lost Silva and Nesta.

I do think Mexes, Alex AND Rami are all very similar which is a bit of a problem, but they can adapt to playing each other just like Mexes and Rami were doing last season. Because quite frankly I don't trust Zapata all that much and Bonera should be kept very far away from the centre of defence.

Posted by: Danny Aug 7 2014, 01:19 PM

Current one is doing the same so far.

Posted by: X-Offender Aug 7 2014, 01:28 PM

I agree that all our CBs are average to decent at best. We don't have someone who stands out, someone who can lead the defense. But I also agree with Han that Rami and Mexes is the best pairing we can field.

Posted by: han2503 Aug 7 2014, 03:41 PM

As of now we can't really come to that conclusion as Pippo is mostly testing things out and we're still in pre-season, but I'm hoping that this merry-go-round in defence stops once the season starts

Posted by: X-Offender Aug 7 2014, 05:01 PM

My worry is in midfield. Are we really gonna play Muntari as starter on the left? Obviously De Jong and Poli are more than fine, but we need someone who's good on the ball in that midfield trio, someone who can circulate possession and make that final pass happen. In other words, someone with quality. With Monto injured (not that Monto excels in any of those aspects anyway), we either play Honda or sign someone else instead. Playing with either Muntari or Essien, or even Cristante is out of the question. Hopefully Pippo understands this.

Posted by: TriniKing_CE Aug 7 2014, 06:22 PM

Agreed.

Posted by: han2503 Aug 7 2014, 07:23 PM

My worries about our midfield have been on-going for ages now. Ever since we sold Kaka and Seedorf, Rino and Pirlo started to deteriorate (lose interest in Pirlo's case), I've been worried about our midfield. But the management seem to think that this is the least area of concern every summer, but insist on buying attackers

Posted by: X-Offender Aug 7 2014, 07:58 PM

Anyone seen this Rabiot guy play? We seem interested.

Posted by: han2503 Aug 7 2014, 09:29 PM

I saw some youtube clips, wasn't that impressed and youtube makes anyone look good so...

Posted by: kurtsimonw Aug 7 2014, 09:33 PM

I'd agree with this.

Posted by: Danny Aug 7 2014, 10:47 PM

I personally think on his day Zapata is the best defender we have. He's the quickest and best at last-ditch tackles.

I think he should be partnered by a foil.

Posted by: il_diavolo_mtl Aug 7 2014, 11:19 PM

agreed, people forget how good he is because of that last spurt during the end of Seedorf's time with Rami and Mexes. I don't think it's worrying at all that Pippo has been switching it up at CB. I mean, he's the coach and he gets to see them. surely his pairing agaisnt Lazio will be determined by how well each CB plays here. I read that Essein was playing at RB? personally, i think he did well there at Real too, not a bad idea. At this point, if he's to be the emergency RB, then we can finally get rid of Bonnera and pick up like 3M for him.

Posted by: il_diavolo_mtl Aug 7 2014, 11:22 PM

Pippo understands this better then we do, he's the coach for god's sake and can't be pleased with his options on the bench...i would think but he has yet to be given a left footed winger and it appears Cristante is the replacement to monto. So until then, I think it's a little base to accuse him of not playing players we don't have yet...

Posted by: X-Offender Aug 8 2014, 12:00 AM

I doubt Bonera will ever leave, and I seriously doubt there's someone out there willing to pay €3 million for him.



Honda. Like I said, if we don't sign a quality CM, then we'll have to make due with what we have, which is the Japanese. Cristante can't be considered Monto's replacement. Heck, he can't even be considered a starter for that matter.

Posted by: KillerMax Aug 8 2014, 07:36 AM

Thanks!

Posted by: Danny Aug 8 2014, 08:43 AM

http://www.fantagazzetta.com/calciomercato/difesa-juve-bonera-zapata-savic-e-nastasic-nella-lista-di-allegri-190306

Posted by: han2503 Aug 8 2014, 12:28 PM

He was terrible last season when Allegri was here. He's too error prone, especially when it comes to positioning and passing the ball out of defence

Posted by: Danny Aug 8 2014, 12:31 PM

Oh yeah and Mexes was great last season when Allegri was here

Posted by: han2503 Aug 8 2014, 12:33 PM

Certainly better than Zapata.

Posted by: Danny Aug 8 2014, 01:51 PM

Yet the Zapata Mexes partnership the season before was easily our best.

Posted by: han2503 Aug 8 2014, 02:09 PM

True, but both players' form dropped, Zapata more so and the team as whole was one huge mess whereas the prior season things got sorted out more in the second half and we were more solid, thus making it easier for the defenders as well.

Posted by: Jack Bauer Aug 14 2014, 06:51 PM

http://www.acmilan.com/en/news/show/153500

Posted by: X-Offender Aug 14 2014, 06:53 PM

Still playing Muntari as LCM. WTF?!

By the way, we're playing Valencia on Sunday.

Posted by: X-Offender Aug 16 2014, 11:49 PM

Called-up players for tomorrow:

Posted by: Jack Bauer Aug 17 2014, 04:24 AM

Posted by: han2503 Aug 17 2014, 08:41 AM

Sapo also has muscular issues and Rami won't play because of the Valencia fans who have been making death threats over twitter so they won't be playing him to avoid any issues

Posted by: X-Offender Aug 17 2014, 01:26 PM

WHAT?! Death threats? Bwahaha, what a bunch of losers.

Posted by: X-Offender Aug 17 2014, 01:31 PM

By the way, no mention of De Sciglio.

Posted by: han2503 Aug 17 2014, 01:48 PM

I think he still has the wind knocked out of him after that blow Gabriel gave him

I was hoping to see something close to what we might start the season with but with all these injuries/illnesses it will be difficult to assemble even a half decent team

Posted by: William405 Aug 17 2014, 07:34 PM

Lineups: http://a.disquscdn.com/uploads/mediaembed/images/1232/5026/original.jpg?w=800&h

Posted by: KillerMax Aug 17 2014, 07:42 PM

I can't decide which team is shittier...

Posted by: KillerMax Aug 17 2014, 07:43 PM

Gonna try and stream this if I can. han, you got sopcast links maybe?

Posted by: William405 Aug 17 2014, 07:51 PM

Hahaha yeah.

I'm on this link at the moment..hopefully it will work. http://www.atdhe.cc/soccer/stream-363699-valencia-vs-milan

Posted by: KillerMax Aug 17 2014, 07:52 PM

All kinds of links here including sopcast ones: http://livetv.sx/en/eventinfo/248783_valencia_milan/

Posted by: han2503 Aug 17 2014, 07:57 PM

Here as well if you want to check it max

http://www.wiziwig.tv/broadcast.php?matchid=273262&part=sports

Posted by: KillerMax Aug 17 2014, 08:01 PM

Awesome!

Posted by: X-Offender Aug 17 2014, 08:09 PM

Why did we sign Menez? He never plays. Honda as forward is epic fail.

Also, I'm getting really annoyed by Pippo constantly playing Muntari. That midfield is horrible. No wonder we get our @ss kicked by everyone.

Posted by: KillerMax Aug 17 2014, 08:13 PM

I'm keeping an eye on Albertazzi and Cristante today...

Posted by: X-Offender Aug 17 2014, 08:22 PM

F*ck you, Zapata.

Posted by: milanbuf88 Aug 17 2014, 08:22 PM

Muntari is awful. Zapata with another idiotic pass.

Posted by: William405 Aug 17 2014, 08:22 PM

Zapata...

Posted by: han2503 Aug 17 2014, 08:23 PM

Zapata and his passing is one huge epic fail

Posted by: X-Offender Aug 17 2014, 08:24 PM

Pazzini is so, so poor.

Posted by: X-Offender Aug 17 2014, 08:28 PM

Whenever Muntari has the ball the game seems like it's in slow motion.

Posted by: milanbuf88 Aug 17 2014, 08:29 PM

The white jersey would be pretty nice if it weren't for that terrible badge.

Posted by: milanbuf88 Aug 17 2014, 08:30 PM

We really need someone capable of connecting with the attack. Muntari is slow, lazy, and predictable.

Posted by: han2503 Aug 17 2014, 08:31 PM

Honda!!! Great goal!!

Posted by: milanbuf88 Aug 17 2014, 08:31 PM

Honda!!

Posted by: William405 Aug 17 2014, 08:31 PM

Hondaaaaa!!

Posted by: X-Offender Aug 17 2014, 08:31 PM

Honda! Golaso!

Posted by: han2503 Aug 17 2014, 08:33 PM

Pippo needs to just get Muntari the f@ck out of there, move Honda back as he's absolutely being wasted out wide and bring Menez on that right side. You don't need to be left footed to play on the right wing FFS

Posted by: Jack Bauer Aug 17 2014, 08:34 PM

Good free kick. With Balo in there, he won't get many chances to take them.

Posted by: han2503 Aug 17 2014, 08:42 PM

Albertazzi...

So many players that should never be on the pitch for us, even in pre-season

Posted by: X-Offender Aug 17 2014, 08:42 PM

Terrible defending.

Posted by: milanbuf88 Aug 17 2014, 08:42 PM

Albertazzi should have cleared that and Lopez shouldn't get beat at his near post.

Posted by: X-Offender Aug 17 2014, 08:44 PM

If Pippo keeps these shenanigans he's gonna be eventually Allegri 2.0. Very disappointed from his so far.

Posted by: X-Offender Aug 17 2014, 08:44 PM

Lopez has been piss poor so far.

Posted by: han2503 Aug 17 2014, 08:45 PM

Muntari... What a total idiot

Posted by: han2503 Aug 17 2014, 08:46 PM

Agreed, shaky debut. Hopefully he settles into it

Posted by: Jack Bauer Aug 17 2014, 08:52 PM

El Sha should score in such situations.

Posted by: han2503 Aug 17 2014, 08:56 PM

To be fair to him, the entire goal was blocked by bodies, he had to get it under the defender's legs and then beat the keeper.

I think he's been one of the very few bright sparks so far.

Pazzo is invisible, Honda is equally so stuck out wide, Muntari is a nightmare, Poli and Constant are mostly going through the motions, Poli isn't the type of midfielder to really control tempo or get his foot on the ball to calm things down, Crstante could be that in the future but atm he's no where near ready. Albertazzi is just average at best. Abate has been good, Zapata and Bonera have been catastrophic

Posted by: han2503 Aug 17 2014, 09:13 PM

My God! Bonera and Zapata need to stop fooling around on the ball. What's up with the continuous passing back and fourth between the defenders FFS??

Posted by: milanbuf88 Aug 17 2014, 09:20 PM

Menez in for Pazzini. Alex in for Zapata.

Posted by: milanbuf88 Aug 17 2014, 09:21 PM

Same old story from Zapata: decent game with some good tackles and one abysmal pass to give up a goal. Pazzini was invisible.

Posted by: X-Offender Aug 17 2014, 09:28 PM

My god, don't tell me Pippo won't play Menez on the right because he's not left-footed!