[Jack Sparrow]

Welcome our new mid-fielder Riccardo Montolivo. Once upon a time, considered the next great Italian mid-fielder, but he's never reached the heights he promised.

(IMG:http://cdn9.wn.com/ph/img/f7/4f/da1f1b60ca936d5e524ef0b46cb8-grande.jpg)

Montolivo: Stat Assessment

NEWS SNIPPETS

Riccardo Montolivo has written an open letter to fans after he left Fiorentina for Milan earlier this month.

The midfielder signed a contract until 2016 with the Rossoneri last week after refusing to accept a new deal in Florence.

“Before beginning my Euro 2012 adventure with the national team, with the hope of being there as a protagonist, I would like to thank the Della Valle family, Fiorentina and Florence for all these wonderful and unforgettable seven years spent together,” he said on the club’s website.

“The memory of this experience will always remain in the heart. They were seven very intense years, full of joy and pain, satisfaction and tears, which saw us as protagonists in Italy and on the prestigious stage of the Europa League and Champions League.

“I will never forget the scream of joy when Gila [Alberto Gilardino] scored at Anfield [versus Liverpool], as I will never erase from my memory the twin battles, epic and unfortunate, against Bayern Munich.

“I was the captain of this team and I felt on my skin how important the armband was. I wore it with pride and passion, proud to be the reference point for my teammates and for the Viola.

“In life and in professions, relationships can break down and not always in an understandable and painless way for everyone. Behind every reaction, comment or opinion, I have always felt, however, that I have had the passion for this purple shirt that represents the true heritage of Fiorentina.

“There will be times, places and ways to remember my seasons in Florence and the choices made. Although some see me as an enemy, I can only wish joy and satisfaction to Fiorentina, Florence, to my former comrades and all the people who work every day in the club with passion and dedication.

“Finally, I’d like to send a greeting and a warm embrace to those who stood by me during these years.”

Montolivo, signed from Atalanta in 2005, has joined the Rossoneri on a free transfer.

[dst]

You can't argue with pass completion rate.

I also can't argue with what I saw on the pitch for him for us in his last few years here.

I can because it's nothing but an indication in my opinion. You can't judge a player on stats, they don't even get close to telling you how good a player is. You certainly can't tell if he is a genius or not. And then how do you compare them? Is Pirlo 8% better than Montolivo cause his completion rate is 8% higher? Stats help and that's it for me, nothing more.

No he was not very good, I agree with that.

[Fillipo Simone]

Well, you can argue with what you see. And when I look at Pirlo I see the maestro, I see the brilliance. I don't need anyone to tell me that, no stats, no reporters, no commentators, no fans.

[TriniKing_CE]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/devilsmiley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/king.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/devilsmiley.gif)

Montolivo owns Osvaldo at target practice on Game Show:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_ept-X-lyE

[kurtsimonw]

Lack of ability/poor performance I can tolerate, players don't choose to be bad. But this guys attitude is terrible. Captain of Milan. What a joke.

[Ry4n]

His form has dipped alot his passing is atrocious. Also why is he Milan captain i would much rather see Kaka' or Abbiati.

[Rossoneri7]

His form has dipped alot his passing is atrocious. Also why is he Milan captain i would much rather see Kaka' or Abbiati.

Excellent, both Kaka and Abbiati should be prime candidates for the arm band.

[Fillipo Simone]

Yes, it should be Abbiati, Bonera and Kaka. Montolivo should really offer the armband to them.

[han2503]

Yes, it should be Abbiati, Bonera and Kaka. Montolivo should really offer the armband to them.

Bonera??

I'd prefer Abate and DS to be on that list rather than Bonera

[Fillipo Simone]

No. I prefer rules to be implemented again. Bonera is a Milan veteran, he should be vice-captain.

[Ry4n]

Bonera for me over Kaka' and Abbiati , from the last match towards the end you could see he was urging the team on. Balotelli was way up the field half injured and not even walking back to the last defensive play of the match someone in defence cleared the ball and all you could see is Bonera screaming at Balo to get back and help out , reminded me of Nesta a little (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) the expression he had that is..

This post has been edited by Ry4n: Dec 19 2013, 11:57 AM

[han2503]

Bumped...

[Fishdoll]

Dusting off this thread with the perhaps unsurprising news that Montolivo is injured again. minor injury, he's expected to miss the next couple of games.

[X-Offender]

Dusting off this thread with the perhaps unsurprising news that Montolivo is injured again. minor injury, he's expected to miss the next couple of games.

Won't be missed.