Leftbacks won't win us the 4th spot. Look at Lazio and Atalanta. Are Cataldi, Jordan Lukaku, Conti, Spinazzola, etc. really good options? No. But when you operate with a limited budget and have a big agenda you address the key areas: midfield and attack.

I understand your frustration with Rodriguez and share it. But I don't think it's an essential move and paying 30M for yet another shot in the dark is excessive under these circumstances.


Wasn't he also injured prior to signing for us?


To be quite honest I think Cutrone is better then Piatek. The guy hasn't scored a goal, what - 6 months now? And the limitations he has... Cutrone was also limited but he had that Inzaghiesque intelligence. This one... not so sure.

Naah man, non of our signings make any real difference nor do they get us any closer to the 4th spot. And now with Atalanta and Fiorentina emerging as threats, I can see us finish 8th-10th once more.

30M? We spent 20M for him, a very reasonable price for a fullback. Inter spent 22M for Lazaro.

And I disagree that fullbacks aren't important. Essential, perhaps not, but a competitive teams need to have competent fullbacks.


No.



Like I said, I don't rate Cutrone at all, but Piatek has been so abysmal as of late, so I get it. I think we're all hoping this is just a phase and he returns to the player we all admired when he first joined us.

Too much hoping and wishing and too little planning and preparing.

Hernandez was injured before, not for long (a month or so). And yes, fullbacks are important but right now that's not a priority. I read we're after Demiral again. Are we insane or what? We're ready to splash 35M for the guy because Rugani will stay? Hope this is some paper BS.

Also, Giampaolo switching back the system would be yet another mistake IMO. First, this would mean the whole preparation period was a sheer waste of time [yet another sign of how Milan poorly planned this season]. Secondly, this would mean that Giampaolo hasn't quite any idea left and now tries to turn back on an old insufficient system with the everlasting problem - no quality left winger. Is that Correa? Perhaps...

I share your concerns.

But I think that, with Correa seemingly a done deal at this point (new rumours coming from Spain that he's not training with the rest of the squad), on paper we have a solid line-up for 4th spot.



Now this is just my opinion. I understand if you feel skeptical.

As for Demiral, don't know what to make of it. Does this mean Caldara is still a long way before returning? Is this Duarte kid not good enough? Boh...

It's almost endearing that it's taken till now for this to become apparent to you. I wish I'd had even your level of hope up till now.

And scored.

Let's face it, we've brought in someone who was out of his depth from before he even walked in Milanello.

For the sake of it, I hope we switch to 4-3-3. I've said from day 1 that 4-3-1-2 is outdated and nobody uses it.

In this modern era of football, wings is everything. Be it 4-3-3, 4-4-2, 4-2-3-1, even 3-5-2, you just can't play without wings, unless you have a world class midfield and world class fullbacks.

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I can assure you, I had never had any thoughts, negative or positive re Strinic before we got him.

Anyway, regarding this squad in general. We are playing a system that lives or dies by 3 fundamental rules imo, which are:
- Top fullbacks that can bomb up and down the pitch and create the width that this very narrow system lacks
- A top trequartista that is basically the focal point of the entire team
- A proper SS that can get involved in the buildup and bring Piatek into the game

And in each case, not only do we lack in those areas but they are currently our weakest ones

The fullbacks are a complete mess. Rodriguez spends more time running sideways and towards our own goal than bombing forward. Calabria had a nightmare of a game, but he's generally better so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt for now.

Suso is just not an AM and never will be. He's too slow and too reliant on his singular attacking move of going wide and crossing

And as for an SS, Castillejo sure as hell is not the answer, and it was a mistake to start him over Leao or even Silva. At least a natural forward can help hold up the ball to try and play in the mids or his attacking partner, Samu just kept getting bullied around all game long. He's never going to be useful in a crowded area of the pitch

Overall, the decisions made are what truly stuck the knife into us. Giampaolo made some really terrible decisions that 100% of the fans could see backfiring from a mile away before a single ball was kicked

Borini should not be starting any game. He's a rotation player and is only to be used as such FFS. How many coaches do we have to go through that always seem to value him for some reason or another when he's one of the most limited players to have played for us, and to add insult to injury and play him in midfield...

Hakan at regista... I mean WTF was he thinking, has Hakan ever even played this position?


The mistakes were endless, and Giampaolo better learn quick or he won't last till Christmas at this rate

Ahh, what's there to say. Probably at Sampdoria Borini would be a given starter, and that's the logic the poor guy knows.

So true. One thing to bear in mind, Theo will probably replace Rodriguez. I think he will good in attack. Calabria should perform better. Don't forget we have Conti too.

Suso can work as AM in theory..but I think it is a big risk too.

And for the SS, yes for sure someone other than Cast...

Conti seems to be... not good enough.

Another one of Mirabelli's genius moves.

Out of all the players he brought in that summer, not a single one turned out to be good.

Musacchio - average
Conti - mediocre
Rodriguez - rubbish
Biglia - mediocre
Kessie - average
Calhanoglu - rubbish
Silva - rubbish
Borini - rubbish
Kalinic - rubbish

Way to waste 200M.

Indeed.

Formation according to Sky. Good, let's see what this Bennacer has to offer. I seems we're switching formation after the day 1 debacle.

Musacchio - who?
Conti - unfair, was doing ok then basically got a career-ending injury
Rod - good left foot and cross, cr*p everything else.
Biglia - less than mediocre
Kessie - had potential but just not up to it
Hakan - yup
Silva - worse than rubbish
Borini - worse than Silva
Kalinic - worse than aids.

Bonucci - MINCEMINCEMINCE