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Posted by: Fillipo Simone Feb 28 2011, 11:12 PM

Another big match to come. A few notes:

- Milan won their last 3 matches in Serie A while Juve lost 2 out of the last 3.

- Milan is stronger while away; Juventus isn't that good on home soil.

- Zambrotta should be back so Milan will have more fullback options avaible.

Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Feb 28 2011, 11:14 PM

That was quick We come out of this with a draw or more and we're in good shape, really good shape.

Posted by: X-Offender Feb 28 2011, 11:19 PM

My god, Premium Calcio are being a bunch of wankers. They're only talking about the penalty, Napoli's fatigue, Lavezzi's absence, blah blah blah... Not a single good word about Milan. Shameful.

Posted by: X-Offender Feb 28 2011, 11:19 PM

Oh crap, I thought this was the Napoli thread.

Posted by: Danny Feb 28 2011, 11:21 PM

Well we do struggle against weaker Serie A teams so I wouldn't take anything for granted on Saturday.

A good, disciplined display is needed, no assumption about turning up and winning.

Posted by: kurtsimonw Feb 28 2011, 11:22 PM

This post is wrong. Clearly it's only English tv that never says good about Milan.

Not looking forward to this match. They've already beaten us once this season and beat Inter not too long ago, so we know they can lift their performance in the big games. 1 point wouldn't be disaster, though I'm sure some would treat it as if it is.

Posted by: Jack Bauer Mar 1 2011, 02:34 AM

I would play with Boateng behind Pato and Zlatan. Playing with proper AM gives us more balance than playing with Robinho in that role, and our good run in the league was when we played with Seedorf/Boateng there. Though that was mainly before Cassano came along and Pato was injured some of that time. So I wonder if Allegri would dare to leave both Robinho and Cassano on the bench.

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 1 2011, 03:01 AM

Agreed. I would also play Boateng as trequartista. His insertions are lethal.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 1 2011, 03:21 AM

I don't think Boateng is a proper AM but, yes, he'd be better then Robinho.

Posted by: acid911 Mar 1 2011, 03:21 AM

That sounds rather kinky!

But yeah, the guy runs in like a wildebeest, and has practically scored 3 times he has played as a CAM. Can't argue with that. Flamini, on the other hand has a good shot, but I reckon he left his radar in England. The last 50 shots I've seen from him have all been miles off target.

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 1 2011, 03:23 AM

That's true. His shots have been awful since he joined us. I remember him being quite a good shooter at Arsenal.

Posted by: acid911 Mar 1 2011, 03:32 AM

Agreed. One reason why I was happy with this signing (when he came here three years back) that at least we got someone who works hard, is young, and more importantly shoots from out of the box. I am sad to report that this guy is the worst shot in our team: great power, almost 0% accuracy.

When Flamini shoots, I literally turn my eyes away from the screen knowing it'll float over the box. And it does!

Posted by: KillerMax Mar 1 2011, 05:50 AM

True my friend ture...

Posted by: CHU-LIP Mar 1 2011, 12:40 PM

And also Gattuso's...



Our midfielders can't shoot. That's annoying.

Posted by: han2503 Mar 1 2011, 04:55 PM

Well we don't really have any technical players in the midfield...

As for Boateng, I'd start him in the midfiel instead of one of the DMs, let's not forget we still looked like we had no link between the midfield and attack with Rino and Flamini trying to play the box-to-box roles. Robinho or Cassano can tak the AM slot, which was starting to work in the 2nd half.

Boateng can be moved in the AM position should we need to ma a tactical reshuffle. Also Boa will have to play in the mid when we visit marry old London, so I'd want him as familiar with the position as much as he can

Posted by: William405 Mar 1 2011, 06:16 PM

I think we'll have a great formation up against Juventus.Specially with the return of Boateng,and possible Zambrotta.
Also,I'm really starting to like Abate defensively though in attacking terms he doesn't offer anything but his pace which proved somewhat useful sometimes.He's still got good potential to build on,and I wouldn't mind keeping.

This match Robinho definitely shouldn't play.Cassano is much more fresh,and was a lot more convincing in the AM role.

So,I would play in the attack:Pato,Cassano,Ibra trio.

In the midfeild:Boateng,Van Bommel,Flamini.

In defense:Obvious,maybe rest thiago silva though ;p.

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 1 2011, 07:30 PM

Yeah, let's rest Thiago Silva in one of our most important games.

Posted by: han2503 Mar 1 2011, 08:01 PM

Agreed with everything except resting Thiago.

The title is a lot more important then the long shot we have at the CL

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 1 2011, 08:16 PM

There's no point in resting him anyway. We're playing only one game per week recently, and it's not like he's super tired or anything.

Posted by: arivanjj Mar 2 2011, 01:04 PM

Gazzetta:

Posted by: Danny Mar 2 2011, 01:48 PM

What match is that?

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Mar 2 2011, 01:51 PM

...this one?

Posted by: TriniKing_CE Mar 2 2011, 02:45 PM

I am hoping he was being sarcastic in some way.

...

If not... indeed.

Posted by: kurtsimonw Mar 2 2011, 03:06 PM

What does 'Diffidati' mean?

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 2 2011, 03:39 PM

'Diffidati' means that if they get another yellow, they won't play the next match.

Posted by: kurtsimonw Mar 2 2011, 06:56 PM

Ah, okay. Cheers.

Posted by: TriniKing_CE Mar 3 2011, 11:41 AM

Link: http://football-italia.net/mar02w.html

Posted by: Bluesummers Mar 3 2011, 11:43 AM

Should be a good one, lets just hope Allegri has an actual plan of dealing with them this time instead of hoping ibra will win the game.

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Mar 3 2011, 12:00 PM

He will. With Pato's and Prince's return, I think we'll be a lot more stronger. Ibra has not been as important the past 2 or 3 games as you might think.

Posted by: 11 ~ тäнvä Mar 3 2011, 02:18 PM

Ibrahimovic has already recovered is injury, he is a bit tired because of the big number of matches he played since september, and here in Italy some sport newspaper say that it is probably that he will start from the bench. It would be an important move, if we consider that wednesday we have another big match against Tottenham.
I would play with Boateng, Cassano (he can't play in Champions League for this year) and Pato, and give some rest to Robinho and Ibrahimovic for the Champions. If the game against Juventus will look like it's not turning good, they can enter from the bench and make the difference!

Posted by: Jack Bauer Mar 4 2011, 08:00 PM

Merkel has some knee problem. Not in the squad for this game.

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 4 2011, 08:03 PM

Play Merkel.

Posted by: drucurl Mar 4 2011, 08:41 PM

don't have a good feeling about this one. $#!tlegri specializes in losing these types of games. Not only this but he has the perfect excuse -injury crisis! Will be happy to be proven wrong. Will take the egg off my face and bake a cake for the optimists that believed in him.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 4 2011, 08:43 PM

I wouldn't say a mild Ibra injury and Merkel out would exactly mean a injury crisis.

Posted by: han2503 Mar 4 2011, 08:46 PM

There is no more excuses with injuries, aside from Pirlo and Zambro we pretty much have a full squad. Yes both are very important to the team but we still have depth to cover for them pretty well, and looking at Juve's midfield, even without Pirlo ours is still a lot better imo. The only players that would get into our 11 from that team are the 3 obvious ones, Gigi, Chiellini and Marchisio, all the others would barely get the bench.

If Allegri fails there are no excuses, we'll be letting the Scudetto slip leaving it to be decided in the derby or the final day, we practically have to have a perfect record from now until the derby at least, Inter have by far the easier schedule, and I cannot see them losing any points in their upcoming games

Posted by: han2503 Mar 4 2011, 08:47 PM

Is Ibra injured? I heard he would still be playing...

Posted by: KillerMax Mar 4 2011, 08:54 PM

Mentally.

Posted by: Jack Bauer Mar 4 2011, 09:12 PM

Nothing serious, he'll play.

BTW, Juve are not exactly completely fit either. No side can use injuries as an excuse this time.

Posted by: han2503 Mar 4 2011, 09:21 PM

Aside from that

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Mar 5 2011, 12:26 AM

This should be an easy 3 points .. Juve isn't exactly a perfectly drilled team, as once upon a time ... Far from it, they have defensive and midfield problems. They suffer when under pressure, they dont keep possession for long and they certainly don't have an edge against us.

We should be able to assert our dominance, if not, we go back to square one; the derby decides it all.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 5 2011, 01:01 AM

Derby matches never end up being easy

Posted by: han2503 Mar 5 2011, 09:13 AM

We've seen Juve being horribly bad against the likes of lecce and then go and beat Inter, or even us already. So I wouldn't be too confident...

Yes we have the better team but we can't afford to go out thinking it's in the bag, we've seen that happen already this season and it never ended op well for us

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 5 2011, 02:10 PM

Pato has the fever, so his presence is in doubt.

Posted by: kurtsimonw Mar 5 2011, 02:12 PM

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 5 2011, 02:17 PM

SkySport says he'll play, whilst Mediaset says he won't. I guess we'll just have to wait and see for ourselves.

Posted by: han2503 Mar 5 2011, 02:22 PM

Not good, but we still have Cassano on the bench, not the same but still we won't really suffer a drop in quality imo.

If he's not healthy enough to play then I'd rather not risk him when we have someone like Cassano on the bench

Btw, x-off what is that link to the probably line-ups on mediaset sport?

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 5 2011, 02:26 PM

http://www.sportmediaset.mediaset.it/calcio/calcioserieA/articoli/15197/serie-a-la-28a-giornata-live.shtml

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 5 2011, 02:42 PM

I can't agree that Cassano would provide even scarcely the same as Pato would. With a exhausted Ibra and a 'never know' Robinho, Pato provided the only garantee for a energetic forward. Without him we won't have the same finish option and the speed.

Posted by: han2503 Mar 5 2011, 02:54 PM

Thanks. But why are we still playing with the 3 DMs and Boateng behind the strikers?? If Pato is fit he simply cannot be left out!


Obviously they bring very different qualities to the table, what Pato brings in terms of finishing and speed Cassano offers in vision and dribbling.

But in terms of quality it's not going to drop, plus I still believe tat Cassano and Ibra work far better then Pato and Ibra. I'm not saying that Pato should not start, but if there is a chance that he'll miss the game then we still have a top class forward line with Cassano instead.

EDIT: I've now refreshed the link you posted x-off and they have Pato starting and Flamini on the bench

Anyways looking at our bench, if things are not going well we really have some great aces to throw in

Amelia, Oddo, Yepes, Emanuelson, Seedorf, Flamini, Cassano

Posted by: CHU-LIP Mar 5 2011, 03:23 PM

I like the line-up from X-Offender's link. But maybe start with Cassano instead of Pato since he has a fever? There's always a second half where he can be brought in. Cassano, Robinho and Ibrahimovic have showed to be a very good attack. Though, if the risk in starting Pato is very little, then it's okay and I'm fully happy with the line-up.

I count one: Cassano... who more are great aces? Okay, I'm very happy with Yepes' preformances but not sure to call him a great ace also.

Posted by: acid911 Mar 5 2011, 03:52 PM

True. What's gotten into you, Han?!

A 500-year-old turtles, Oddo who deals in 2s (two assists, two brain dead moments a match, crosses that swing two ways before/if reaching the players, etc), a 35-year old defender, a midfielder with the mental strength of a 5-year old, a number-2 keeper who should have been number-3, and someone that has 30 characters for his full name (Urby Vitorrio Diego Emanuelson) are hardly awe inspiring I would say. Only Cassano is our wild/trump card, the rest are just filling in. Still, we've had it a lot worse a few years back.

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 5 2011, 03:59 PM

Don't you dare say anything bad about Matteo!

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 5 2011, 04:04 PM

I cannot belive what I'm reading! Are we now bashing every player Milan has? I mean sure, yes, they are all humans, so yes, probably they have soft spots or bad sides. But honestly, is this neccesary? I mean, that way you could argue that whole teams in the Serie A and beyond are crap.

What han meant to say, I belive, is we have a lot of utility players there. We have Seedorf who still can do something and help out if neccesary, Oddo can lock-up the right side if needed, we have Flamini who can enter and provide some freshness, stability and strenght for the final 20-15 minutes if we take the lead, we have Emanuelson who can pracitally do the same but also provied more offensive passes and speed and we have Cassano. So I really wouldn't laugh at them.

Posted by: CHU-LIP Mar 5 2011, 04:05 PM

+1

Not so long ago I was getting more faithful about him, but he keeps showing that mentally he is very meh.

Posted by: han2503 Mar 5 2011, 04:21 PM

Cassano, Seedorf and Flamini can all come in and change the match. Seedorf is not good enough to start but coming off the bench he's still very useful. I really cannot stand hearing you complain about Seedorf since just a few months ago you were so hell bent on him starting as long as Ronaldinho didn't get to see the pitch. And he wasn't doing anything special then either so it's not really a good agument to say that he cr@p now while just a few months ago he wasn't

You probably view Merkel as someone who can change the match around for us if we need it... Just because he's in the age group that you deem acceptable

While Yepes, Amelia, Oddo and Urby can also be very useful if we need to change setup or there is an injury without suffering a severe drop in quality


Thanks, nice to see someone sensible on here


You talk about mentality? You defend Rino or someone like Abate who have both left this team high and dry this season because they're too obsessed with fighting it out then playing, yet Flamini is mentally meh? What has he done to suggest this? Having a bad game against Spurs? Sorry but everyone fell in that group, he was one of our best players against Napoli, he always gives his all, don't see how that makes him weak

Posted by: CHU-LIP Mar 5 2011, 04:38 PM

To han:

I agreed about Cassano. Seedorf is capable of doing good things like giving a good pass (a potential assist), or scoring a very rare goal. But besides that, even in a game where he gives an assist, he still played awful (most of) that game. He keeps losing possession which is a very bad thing for a midfielder. This season Seedorf is getting more awful with the day. Earlier this season he was not as bad as nowadays. I believe Seedorf has become finished this season. When we still had Ronaldinho I preferred Seedorf over him, because Ronaldinho was a bad player then for us also. While Seedorf back then was still capable of playing good games. But after Ronaldinho's departure Seedorf plays every game bad, even the ones he gave assists. (Dinho's preformances made Seedorf look good.)

And it's not about age. Yepes I rate as a good central defender, for example. I'm very delighted with him. So I don't prefer Merkel over Seedorf because of age, but Merkel plays better than Seedorf this season, and Merkel is the one who gets better with the day (and needs to play to become a very good midfielder - the potential is there) while Seedorf only will get worse. I have more faith in Merkel, and see several reasons why he should play over Seedorf. In my opinion you should not play old players over prospects when they are not obvious better, and when it comes to Seedorf and Merkel, Seedorf is actually worse than Merkel. Think long-term, but in case playing Merkel is even short-term smarter than playing Seedorf.

Flamini is an useful midfielder, I agree there. Just don't think he's a great ace. About the mental aspect. I think you are being very unfair and wrong when it comes to Abate and Gattuso, or you just misunderstood. Okay, all three are really giving their best on the field, so when it comes to that all are great mentally. But what I meant with Flamini is that he makes a lot of unnecessary flaws what has to do with concentration (a mentally aspect). That with Gattuso, that was one game, an accident. That's an exception, normally he isn't like that. So therefore you are being very unfair with him. Though not long ago I thought Flamini did well this season, he is doing not so well anymore. My opinion is not based on the Spurs game. I didn't think he played bad that game actually.

Posted by: han2503 Mar 5 2011, 05:15 PM

Seedorf was like so horrible against Spurs that it pained me, but to say that he's terrible now as opposed to just a few short months ago is not a valid argument, he had terrible games just a few short months ago as well, he had terrible games when he was still in his 20s that is Seedorf, always has been. what you're saying about Ronaldinho making Seedorf look good is a very weak argument as to why you wanted Seedorf playing at all costs when Ronaldinho could still potentially play, you just didn't want Dinho anywhere near the pitch so you argued avidly giving multiple reasons might I add, as to why Seedorf should be starting ahead of him, even though in reality the difference between the 2 has always been marginal at best and not the vast ocean you speak of.


I've seen Merkel lose the ball practically in our own box, as well as the other multiple times he loses it in a given game, sure he's a prospect while Seedorf is at his twilight, but you have to assess a game when choosing, and Merkel is still not good enough for the big games, sure Seedorf let us down against Spurs but he could have just as eaily turned it on and had a blinder, the usual Seedorf. I think you're beeing just as unfair to Seedorf as you say I'm being to Abate and Rino. You've always wanted the young player on ahead of he experienced one, personally I don't care either way, because I know for a fact that Merkel won't be a Milan player in the future, just like all the others before him, he's nothing special, and risking games for the sake of helping a player develop which will not even benefit Milan in the long term is useless to me.

And I wouldn't go as far as saying Merkel is better then Seedorf, Merkel is greener then green at this point in time, he's so hesitant with everything he does, he turns into a liability when opposing teams get physical, at leat with Seedorf you know no one will be trying to push him around the way Merkel regularly does.


Well you said mentally, Flamini's playing flaws really don't have anything to do with that, that is why I was so quick to point out Rino and Abate's mental flaws as well as a counter point. Sure Flamini usually lunges in without thinking, but again, the same could be said for Rino, Ambro MvB, Boateng, etc. We've all seens them commit terrible fouls over the years, Flamini still has that EPL mentality of running at full speed all the time so his tackled tend to look worse then they are. Still, aside from the tackling all the other qualities he offers on the pitch cannot be overlooked, he gives us speed, and helps the midfield push up, something we lack a lot. He has flaws, but every player does, but I still wouldn't go as far as saying that he's disappointing or making me lose faith in him because of such an issue.

Compared to last season and the number of cards he's been shown, I would say that he's made a vast improvement this season.

Posted by: acid911 Mar 5 2011, 05:46 PM

I was his big fan, but seriously the guy needs to tone down his aggression a bit, before it costs the team at the wrong time. Show of passion and doing a little dirty work is needed, but I'd actually put Van Bommel ahead of Matteo at this moment (just by a nudge), because of his wily nature and no-fuss and usually no-card tackling.

Still I am a fan of the guy, and frankly he has had it tough with injuries and not having a definite starting place even after all his time here, so I hope he can get is act together (hard tackles and radar-less shooting). Only this way can he cement his place and play the next few seasons.

You never know when a bad tackle from a DM can result in a red, with the team being down to 10 men in say, a derby match? 0-4 scores become an easier reality then. Besides, no tackle is worth career-threatening injuries top opposing players, remember what happened to Ribery in the CL match and how FIFA knocked him over?


Keep your shirt on, Fillipo, I was only kidding. And besides, we are a club, not the Spanish or English NT that has Febregases, Torreses and Lampards warming the benches ready to come on. Practically all players have good/bad points when it comes to performances, but bench and reserve strength is absolutely necessary for a club that is challenging for the title, CL and even the Coppa.

In no way would it be right to underestimate these players, who step up when the need arises. Look at Janku, did not play for months and came on quite well in the last match.


True, but my point was that they are utility players (beside Cassano) and not really aces who can change the outcome of a match, even a Serie A match, from the bench. City has a bench that can do that, United, even inter. Not us, at least not now. Maybe when Inzaghi, Ambrosini, and Zambrotta are back, but until then we are thin back there. Hopefully next year, we get a player or two back from loans and co-ownerships, and sign up one or two decent players who can take it up from a bench at Milan.


I still have faith, the guy turns in good performances whenever called upon. A touch-player like him needs to play regularly to build up his confidence. I just think he needs a little coaching talk and, and who knows maybe spending some time with Bommel will result him in learning the tricks in the book.


Not really. Seedorf was good in the first few matches of the season, but has gone further downhill since. That was when he got the starting spot ahead of R80, and was playing at his 2008-10 level. Now, I would not say he is very useful coming off the bench, in fact far from it. I think the player and management know that this is the end of the road, so maybe the drive is not there anymore, who knows. The guy has done and won everything there is, and then some. Fact is that he is a good player to have in case of an injury to our main midfielders. That is the reason he is not coming off the bench too these past few matches. Allegri preferred him, and I almost thought that we would renew with him again, but now I am not too sure. Maybe we will, but it's 60-40 against the Dutchman.

Besides, it's not about being crap, and vice versa. It's not always black and white, particularly in something like football. As of right now, based on what I have seen, Seedorf is a good player to have in the squad, and step in when any player gets injured, plus a few bench appearances here and there. Few attacking players play on at or after the age of 35. Few. All the talent and experience in the world is there, but I have very limited reasons to believe Seedorf will come off the bench and make a killer assist to win us the match.


Not really again. Merkel, Strasser, anyone else who can step in and take the reins in a season or two. There should always be transitional player/youth coming up the ranks. Not just 18 years old ones, who I agree are still too soft for big matches, but ideally young legs with some experience.


That's the keyword, without major drop in quality. But are they aces, can we count on them to change the match on its heads when things are totally down? Can any of them pull of stuff at the level of Inzaghi when he showed the mirror to Madrid (before getting injured, unfortunately). Cassano only, the rest are containing players, and important yes, but I stand by the notion that our first XI is second to none, but bench is not as strong as it was a few years back. And hopefully this is something that will change next, in the coming couple of seasons.


I thought his showing against Spurs was no way near bad, it was a decent performance (bar the bad two-footed tackle). And frankly, I'd start him and KPB for all the remaining matches of the season with either of Ambro and Gattuso, Pirlo up ahead and then the attackers. And a 3-man defense that stays back - Nesta, Silva and Abate, etc.

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 5 2011, 05:51 PM

tl:dr

Pato and Oddo have the fever and are returning to Milan. No Juventus for them.

Posted by: acid911 Mar 5 2011, 05:53 PM

Skittles. Fingers crossed they recover before London, I am sure they will. Good move by the coach to not risk them. The rest of the guys should be able to step up.

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 5 2011, 05:56 PM

Oh well, we still have plenty of valid alternatives.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 5 2011, 06:03 PM

That makes us with zero fullback options and zero CF's on the bench left, right? Aces or not, our bench is shrinking. Ducrul spoke something of an injury-crisis exuse. Well, here we have it.

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 5 2011, 06:05 PM

Actually, Sokratis, Didac Vila and Emanuelson will be on the bench as fullback alternatives, but yeah, we don't really have a CF apart from Ibra.

Posted by: Jack Bauer Mar 5 2011, 06:05 PM

The timing is awful, Pato was in such great shape.

Well, I hope we gonna play Boateng behind Zlatan and one of Cassano or Robinho.

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 5 2011, 06:13 PM

Yup. Boateng will play behind Ibra and Cassano. Robinho in the bench.

http://www.sportmediaset.mediaset.it/calcio/calcioserieA/articoli/54597/milan-senza-pato-ha-la-febbre.shtml

Posted by: acid911 Mar 5 2011, 06:16 PM

I did so to, as a matter of pure fact. In fact, I had been against sending Paloschi away for two, three years now. Just because of a situation like this. Irrespective of whether we suffer today or not (I don't think we will), the kid should have stayed here, practiced and learned from Inzagh, forged a partnership with Pato. Frankly he would have been the ideal in scenarios like these.

I know what they say about going to a smaller club and gaining good experience there, but still he was the most promising youngster we had at that time coming through the youth, and he should have been groomed here. If Merkel and Strasser are getting their chances every now and then, and training with the main team, Paloschi could have too. And now we find ourselves in co-ownership.

Posted by: kurtsimonw Mar 5 2011, 06:19 PM

It'd also help if Pato was fit for more than 3 games a season.

Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Mar 5 2011, 06:21 PM

I'd be very happy with a draw, I think tonight is going to be one tough game.

Posted by: CHU-LIP Mar 5 2011, 06:22 PM

I prefer Robinho over Cassano...... (imo only reason for the decision is Cassano being CL cup tied)

Posted by: acid911 Mar 5 2011, 06:30 PM

True, Paloscahi also had his fair share of injury troubles (I have been following his progress and goals ever since he left), but at the very least they would have developed an understanding in training and practice matches. Paloschi would have had very little first team action, but sometime learning off the pitch is vital to become a good player. Not to mention he would have stayed and learned the art of poaching form his idol: Inzaghi.

But what's done is done. I loved his recent brace, and it should the kid has a good head on his shoulders.


Yeah, same here. I am sort of expecting a loss. Not because of our complacency, but because of the little fact that Juventus are gonna come hard at us (big game, two stupid losses, home ground, fan support, history) and it could be a repeat of game earlier this season.

Hopefully not, but a loss would not be surprising, IMO, and an honorable loss (1-1) not a bad result.

Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Mar 5 2011, 06:31 PM

To me the Napoli game was always going to be far easier than this. Think some may need to re-set their expectations for this game.

Posted by: acid911 Mar 5 2011, 06:38 PM

Yup. Napoli are after all, pretenders. They have been so ever since they last got promoted, always in and around the top of the table threatening, but never really living up to their hyped potential (that is because of experience, they do not have players who have played big clashes and lived to tell the tale).

We'll find out soon enough, I guess. Never a dull moment playing either Juve/inter, so really pumped up for this game. Besides, next season we'll be playing at their new stadium, so for the sake of history let's win this one today. But like I said, I expect a 1-1 draw, unless someone from our team steps up a notch, or they play down two notches themselves.

Posted by: MizNelson Mar 5 2011, 06:47 PM

Bieber fever?

Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Mar 5 2011, 07:29 PM

Yeah I think I agree with the 1-1 prediction. The main thing is we're away, if we were playing them at the San Siro as oppose to Turin I'd be a lot more confident. I just think going to places like Juve are incredibly hard to go to and get all 3 points, even this season.

We get all 3 points tonight and I really think it's our season.

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 5 2011, 07:32 PM

I predict a 2-0 win for us.

Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Mar 5 2011, 07:34 PM

Is Juve's stadium still going to be ready for next year?

Posted by: han2503 Mar 5 2011, 07:36 PM

Well we've been a better away team this season, while Juve have a so so home record. We'll see... I don't want to see us playing like the first game, where we had a great first half hour then went missing, or go out there thinking the 3 points are already ours, I want to see them going out like they did against Napoli. You could see that they actually wanted to win at all costs.

Posted by: acid911 Mar 5 2011, 07:36 PM

From what I've heard, yes. It looks rather nice, and this is one wise decision their management has made in the last few years I must add. Here is a render from their official site:

Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Mar 5 2011, 07:37 PM

I know, I guess I'm being historical in thinking that Juve is still a real tough place to go and win at. Though, I do think they have potential to surprise us tonight, I just hope we come away with at least 1 point if that's the case. Obviously I'd love all 3, as I said a minute ago if we win tonight I will really believe that the Scudetto is ours.

Posted by: han2503 Mar 5 2011, 07:45 PM

It looks like a generic Fifa stadium to me. I don't like it, i want to see Inter taking this route so maybe we could buy the San Siro off the city


Agreed

Posted by: Jack Bauer Mar 5 2011, 08:00 PM

MILAN: Abbiati, Abate, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Jankulovski, Gattuso,Van Bommel, Flamini, Boateng, Cassano, Ibrahimovic.
JUVE: Buffon, Sorensen, Chiellini, Traoré, Barzagli, Marchisio, Martinez, Felipe Melo, Krasic, Toni, Matri.

Posted by: Zed.D Mar 5 2011, 08:15 PM

feck!

feck feck feck feck!

Posted by: Zed.D Mar 5 2011, 08:16 PM

From the inside it's not bad. looks like a smaller version of Old Trafford.

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Mar 5 2011, 08:16 PM

3 DM worked well against napoli lets see what happens today but IMO this is like a forced linup with unexpected injuries.

Posted by: acid911 Mar 5 2011, 08:17 PM

Yeah, I guess you can say that, but now-a-days €150 million buys you only this, buster. Want something better? I'll put you in at double this or even €500 million. We take cash and credit cards only. Seriously though, this is a good step from them, and if they can get in some good consistent attendances, they are gonna fill their coffers with steady income.


Exactly, I was about to post this exact same thing, when I saw your post. But hey, at least they are getting their own stadium. On a related note, San Siro's pitch has surely gone down the wrong track, everyone is slipping there it seems.

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 5 2011, 08:27 PM

http://www.juventus.com/site/eng/JPL_newstadium.asp

It looks nice.

Posted by: acid911 Mar 5 2011, 08:36 PM

Yup, like I said not bad, not bad at all. These are just the artist's renditions and 3D renders. Once it's all in place, I am sure it will look even better. It's a 41,000 capacity stadium, with no fences and running tracks, etc. Here is how it should end up in the next few months:

Posted by: Habitant Mar 5 2011, 08:37 PM

any streams??!?!?

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Mar 5 2011, 08:40 PM

http://extremegoalhd.blogspot.com/

Posted by: Habitant Mar 5 2011, 08:41 PM

thx a million bud

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Mar 5 2011, 08:42 PM

no worries

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 5 2011, 08:44 PM

FORZA MILAN!!!

Posted by: Habitant Mar 5 2011, 08:45 PM

FCKKK YAAA

ive always enjoyed wins of juve more than over inter

Posted by: Habitant Mar 5 2011, 08:49 PM

ffs..

Posted by: Habitant Mar 5 2011, 08:50 PM

what a miss by ibra

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Mar 5 2011, 08:50 PM

ibra should have scored

Posted by: acid911 Mar 5 2011, 08:51 PM

Nice pace to the game, two clear chances on goal already in under 3 minutes. One to Ibra, and before that punk Melo. Me likey, great atmosphere in the stadium, crowd seems lively!

Posted by: han2503 Mar 5 2011, 09:08 PM

OH!!!

So close from Cassano

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 5 2011, 09:08 PM

My god, how did Cassano miss that???

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Mar 5 2011, 09:09 PM

need to take these chances cassano should have finished that after doing so good

Posted by: han2503 Mar 5 2011, 09:10 PM

The ref is giving Juve every litttle small nudge a free-kick and we're getting nothing

Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Mar 5 2011, 09:13 PM

Think for the Ibra chance the defender actually smacks it onto Zlatan's shin rather than him missing the chance. Didn't start too badly, just don't want them to come back into it like they are.

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Mar 5 2011, 09:15 PM

OMMG boateng seems hurt

we need KPB in UCL

Posted by: dst Mar 5 2011, 09:23 PM

???? Why isn't Pato playing? Did we play a midweek game I did not watch and he sucked after his previous great performances?

Allegri is a stupid, dumb idiot!

Posted by: dst Mar 5 2011, 09:24 PM

he was not even called up? is he injured?

Posted by: dst Mar 5 2011, 09:25 PM

OK so he has the flu...

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Mar 5 2011, 09:27 PM

long balls seems the plan

Posted by: han2503 Mar 5 2011, 09:28 PM

Robinho needs to come on for one of the DMs in the 2nd half, we really need some pace in there

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 5 2011, 09:29 PM

Has anyone noticed Abbiati usually takes too long to make the goal kick? And not just in this match. Just play it goddamnit!

Posted by: han2503 Mar 5 2011, 09:33 PM

They're running like they're playing on a field of sand. We really need to pick it up. Bring in Robinho for Gattuso who has been invisible

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Mar 5 2011, 09:34 PM

HT 0-0 we had 2 very good chances but nothing else really. Not really sure what kind of changes will we make i think we need

Posted by: Ry4n Mar 5 2011, 09:36 PM

I think Boateng might come off he's still injured , so Robinho on for him... but i would like him to stay on preferably.

Posted by: d'Arc.LP Mar 5 2011, 09:37 PM

That's what I've been thinking all the time.

Posted by: han2503 Mar 5 2011, 09:37 PM

Juve are terrible, but most of the players are playing without any drive. Ibra looks like half a man at this point, he's barely running, Cassano looks great but we need some speed in there.

Boateng was limping, so I wouldn't be surprised to see him come off for Robinho, even though we need both of them on and one of those DMs off

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Mar 5 2011, 09:37 PM

it depends we really need him in UCL IMO

Posted by: Ry4n Mar 5 2011, 09:39 PM

true , hopefully we make the changes around the 60th minute mark.

Posted by: han2503 Mar 5 2011, 09:43 PM

I think I see both Seedorf and Robinho warming up. Good, but Boateng will come off, he's not doing so great with that ankle, hopefully he doesn't miss Spurs because that would be the inal nail in our CL coffin

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Mar 5 2011, 09:44 PM

Posted by: han2503 Mar 5 2011, 09:47 PM

^^ Yep he was warming up

Robinho for Boateng

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Mar 5 2011, 09:48 PM

really positive sub by max. he wants 3 points

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Mar 5 2011, 09:50 PM

so both rino and Van bommel booked

Posted by: han2503 Mar 5 2011, 09:55 PM

Oh close from Ibra's free kick!!!

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Mar 5 2011, 09:56 PM

nice save by buffon

Posted by: han2503 Mar 5 2011, 10:00 PM

Why does Abbiati do that??!

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Mar 5 2011, 10:01 PM

i have no idea so stupid

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 5 2011, 10:03 PM

Ibra playing again like crap.

Posted by: han2503 Mar 5 2011, 10:05 PM

They're not moving!!

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 5 2011, 10:06 PM

Exactly. It's like we don't care about winning.

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Mar 5 2011, 10:08 PM

and most of the passes are then towards abbaiti

Posted by: han2503 Mar 5 2011, 10:10 PM

GATTUSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 5 2011, 10:10 PM

GOL!!!!!!

Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Mar 5 2011, 10:10 PM

YESSSSSSS

SCUDETTO!!!!!!!

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Mar 5 2011, 10:11 PM

Rinoo scores

Posted by: milanbuf88 Mar 5 2011, 10:11 PM

OOOOOMG!!! GATTUSO!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: servbot Mar 5 2011, 10:12 PM

If that isn't a sign that the Scudetto is ours, I don't know what is.

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Mar 5 2011, 10:12 PM

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Mar 5 2011, 10:12 PM

now we need to counter Juve will be desperate

Posted by: han2503 Mar 5 2011, 10:13 PM

Seedorf about to come on

For Cassano....

Why????

Take off Ibra he's the one struggling FFS!!

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Mar 5 2011, 10:14 PM

oh not impressed by the change at all. Cassano should have played 90 mins. i hope seedorf plays well

Posted by: han2503 Mar 5 2011, 10:15 PM

Seedorf looking good so far

Posted by: han2503 Mar 5 2011, 10:16 PM

Seedorf was not offside there FFS!!!

Reffing has been terrible

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Mar 5 2011, 10:19 PM

ibra was

Posted by: han2503 Mar 5 2011, 10:21 PM

Ibra was not part of that play, not anywhere near it actually

Posted by: han2503 Mar 5 2011, 10:22 PM

DP coming on!!

Shouldn't let him punish us again

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Mar 5 2011, 10:23 PM

oh i think we are discussing seprate incident

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 5 2011, 10:24 PM

We look dead.

Posted by: han2503 Mar 5 2011, 10:25 PM

Oh great chance!!

Too much elaborating!!!!

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Mar 5 2011, 10:26 PM

oh man robinho and flamin confuse each other

Posted by: han2503 Mar 5 2011, 10:34 PM

Nice dive Chiellini

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Mar 5 2011, 10:35 PM

it was out side the box anyway

Posted by: servbot Mar 5 2011, 10:37 PM

3 points!

Posted by: han2503 Mar 5 2011, 10:37 PM

FT

3 pts!

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Mar 5 2011, 10:38 PM

YESSSSS !!!! 1-0 FT

Posted by: Milan Are Brilliant Mar 5 2011, 10:39 PM

Well that's it, after getting 6 points from this week (Napoli & Juve) I really think this is our title again.

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 5 2011, 10:41 PM

Awful game, crucial win!

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan Mar 5 2011, 10:43 PM

yea we really didnt even try. 1 goal was enough specially when there stikers were our DMs specially Toni

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 5 2011, 10:46 PM

Maybe they were saving the energies for Tottenham. But the important thing is we won. Next game is against Bari at San Siro, we should rest some players like Nesta and Ibra.

Posted by: Nova Mar 5 2011, 10:46 PM

I dont agree. Milan dominated the whole game , i dont think juve had any real chances.

Let's all hope for a merda slip-up tomorrow !!

Posted by: William405 Mar 5 2011, 10:47 PM

This match showed the importance of Boateng to our game.You can see the change between the first and second half.

Abate:I'm beginning to really trust him defensively.

Jank:Good match,one howler though.

Thiago Silva-Nesta:Beasts.

Ibra:Looked soooo tired...I was surprised that Allegri didn't sub him out instead of subbing Cassano.

Overall boring game,but 3 points is all that matters.



Edit:Nova:He said awful game,not awful performance by milan.

Posted by: Jack Bauer Mar 5 2011, 10:50 PM

Especially Ibra, who look like he needs a week in a spa or something.

Great win, super important 3 points. I can't even remember when was the last time Rino scored in the league.

Posted by: Nova Mar 5 2011, 10:53 PM

Against Atalanta in 2008

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 5 2011, 10:55 PM

Atalanta 2-1 Milan, 24.01.2008

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUGO8Xc2Fbw

Posted by: han2503 Mar 5 2011, 10:56 PM

I don't really agree there, I don't want to see them get complacent and then losing points against Bari of all teams!! That would be a huge blow. The only player I want to see rested in that one is Ibra, he looks like a dead man walking!

Still don't think we have it in the bag, and still believe that this thing will be decided in the derby. Palermo is the real banana skin for us, even if they have been awful lately, while Bari could cause the players to get over confident of the win.


Probably 05/06, that belter against Fiorentina at the San Siro

Posted by: han2503 Mar 5 2011, 10:57 PM

Oops, just posted that it was in 06

Edit: just watched those highlights, and WOW we were terrible that year!!

Posted by: Jack Bauer Mar 5 2011, 10:58 PM

Half goal. Deflected by Atlanta player .

Posted by: Jack Bauer Mar 5 2011, 11:02 PM

Big praise to our defense - second game in a row our opponents didn't have even one shot on traget. And that's against Napoli and Juve, not some scrubs.

Posted by: han2503 Mar 5 2011, 11:13 PM

That's why you don't move Thiago to play him in midfield Allegri!

Now with Boateng being possibly injured we might be forced to endure that again against Spurs...

Posted by: drucurl Mar 5 2011, 11:45 PM

So will that be chocolate cake, black forest or lime key pie?

Jokes aside I must say though this Juve is even worse than the Inter we faced last year....has to be said

Anyway FORZA MILAN!!! FORZA RINOOOOOO. And once again thank you Allegri. Never enjoy being proven wrong (still think he's a small team coach) as much as this

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 6 2011, 12:06 AM

Oh come on, it's f*cking Bari. We can win that one even with 2-3 starters on the bench.

I agree with you about the rest though. I don't know about everyone, but I still think we have a long way to go in order to win this title. Let's not forget we have the derby at home, and Palermo, Fiorentina, Roma and Udinese away. Even though this win was very important, nothing's decided yet.

Posted by: Dracoris Mar 6 2011, 12:23 AM

Markie V had another great game today.... looking like our best winter purchase.

Posted by: kurtsimonw Mar 6 2011, 03:07 AM

Didn't see any of it. Awesome to check on the scores and see the win though. Huge win for our season, especially given this is meant to be our very tough run.

Posted by: RinoIlCapitano Mar 6 2011, 12:29 PM

Oh yeah, what a win and my dear rino to score, priceless! It was a big win but i don't like us playing with 3 DM's and Boa, this is to much defensively, i hope that was tactical but i doubt it!

Forza milan!

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 6 2011, 12:33 PM

Big win and important 3 points. I agree, nothing is decided, and if we win the derby, it will be definatively a huge step in the right way. We do forget that Inter also has still to deal with Chievo, Fiorentina, Lazio and Napoli which are considerable opposition.

The problem is, Milan is not playing good football all in all. We often rely on long balls, our destructive midfield lacks any creativity and often resorts to harsh tackling, Ibrahimovic looks exhausted and his movement is very irritating in some occasions, while our fullbacks try to make up for the lack of creativity, but mostly fail exactly on the same thing. Other then that, again, when Milan scored we lost any interest in playing the game and made those corner-kick trick with protecting the ball deep in the oppositions territory while having no intention of creating at least a chance.

The sentence 'attack is the best defense' really should be considered sometimes by Allegri and he keeps on building the same mentality match after match, which makes me awfully angry. If we look at all the matches we've done the same, in almost every there was a big chance in front of our goal in the last minutes - Real scored, while Inter or Juve missed. That Jankulovski mistake was more then just clumsy behaviour, it is a pattern linked with the mentality of our team in important matches.

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 6 2011, 12:56 PM

I believe the lack of intensity after the goal was due to the team saving up energies for Tottenham. And yes, we didn't play a pretty game last night, but at this rate, what's important are the 3 points. Let's all cheer for Genoa today!

Posted by: han2503 Mar 6 2011, 01:01 PM

It's always just Bari, and then we lose points because we take that kind of attitude to the pitch. Losing points against either Napoli or Juve would have been acceptable to a degree, but losing points to Bari because we take it for granted that we'll win would be unacceptable and could cost us dearly.

As for Allegri, we played terrible throughout imo, the fact that he left Robinho on the bench to play Boateng in front of the 3 DMs is the negative approach we've come to expect from Allegri. He had Boateng back, he should have played him in that terrible, aweful, static and non creative midfield so we at least would have been able to play a decent game. we're starting to revert back to that long ball to Ibra in order to bypass the horrible midfield, like when we were playing the 3 DMs behind Seedorf at the start of the season.

Also looks like we'll have no Boateng for Spurs, that means Thiago out of the defence, thus losing the game

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 6 2011, 01:05 PM

I wouldn't say it's that obvious. But the problem with Allegri is he simply makes too many mistakes, pushes too many players to play what the cannot - and in the end, he ends up correcting his missjudgments after 45 minutes. How many times did we se him correct his own line-up at half time? It tells me that his assesment of the team in whole isn't particulary sharp.

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 6 2011, 01:06 PM

If we don't win to Bari, I'll come to Malta and buy you dinner.



Aye. If we want Boateng as trequartista to work, then he should be supported by Pirlo. Now that Andy's injured, there's no point in playing him there. The defense would be covered enough by two DMs (Gattuso/Flamini and Van Bommel). Why make it more painful by adding a third one, thus reducing the overall quality of the team? Silly Allegri.

Posted by: drucurl Mar 7 2011, 12:46 AM

EXACTLY!!! And this again goes back into my claim that the talents of the squad are being mismanaged. Certain selections are very inappropriate while some important insertions into the squad are not made or made to late. Ronaldinho is back to playing the football that he loves and how we would have liked to take him to England now !! Not saying that he's some kind of god not even a fan but having his creativity is a WEAPON at our disposal that was wasted and discarded...

Gattuso's a hard worker and is obviously given more credit under Allegri than Leonardo. But somewhere inbetween the philosophies of both men lies the solution. Sometimes genius players can produce and get away while exerting minimal effort. Sometimes hard workers try and try and push and plod and come up empty handed. Yeah it mightn't be fair or give you the best feeling about their dedication but if someone who doesn't give a **** helps the team more than someone else who does shouldn't we still value the former?

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 7 2011, 12:48 AM

Sacking Ronaldinho was the best thing Galliani has done in the last 10 years.

Posted by: han2503 Mar 7 2011, 03:07 PM

Ronaldinho aside.

You have to agree wth dru here that Allegri has misused and pushed aside players while others he's given his undevided faith to. Not looking at Ronldinho, you have to consider cases like Sokratis or even Pato to an extent, Pato I respect because he's shoved it back in Allegri's face and has practically given him no other choice but to play him, even if he kept benching him for no good reason

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 7 2011, 05:44 PM

..but (and that's just 'l'art pour l'art') you have to say that pretty much every coach is doing the same; the only difference is that some are more successfull, some less. I've seen Carletto, Capello and Sacchi pushing aside prospects and promising players just like Allegri has been doing.

Posted by: drucurl Mar 7 2011, 10:21 PM

on the ronaldinho issue.... again it's not that I'm some kinda groupie but his mere presence will address our creativity problems in one way or the other. Regardless of the hate and the haters nobody does it like him and if he could provide that one assist to get up through then he's worth keeping

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 7 2011, 10:52 PM

Thank god he's gone.

Posted by: CHU-LIP Mar 7 2011, 11:16 PM

Finally!

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 8 2011, 12:23 AM

He's bragging about it ever since..

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 8 2011, 12:46 AM

I still think I'm in a dream.