[han2503]

Catania could play a 10-0-1 formation .. So, it could be really difficult. But I believe, though the team is tiered, they can win this (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/devil.gif)

That's my biggest concern. And I was watching Chelsea in the weekend and they had practically the same problem with Everton. In the second half, they kept going at them but Everton where closing down so well and then hitting them on the counter. And in the end look what won them the game. 2 moments of Brilliance and an own goal.

Now look at us, our attack has been static and that's why it becomes more difficuilt for us rather then it would be to chelsea.

I think a pacy striker or a very creative one is a must in January and an all out attacking fullback, We might conceed more goals but I think these 2 elements will fix most of our problems

[LaPalma]

That is the only thing I would change. Pirlo is just playing AWFULLY. Seedorf might sometimes slow up the play but I think he is playing better then Pirlo (that should say a lot about Pirlo  (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)   )

Yesterday was a prime example of how bad he's being. From being probably one of the best set-piece takers in the world to a pure zero. If I where a player making up the wall and Pirlo was going to take a free kick against me I would be more worried about the wall hittting me rather then conceeding a goal.

And corners should be left fo Gourcuff he is the most effective on them.

Yap, Pirlo was awfull recently, seedorf wasn't muchg better but still....
Oh and Simic and Kaladze are the best CB ever....man even with Billy I would be much more relaxed and that guy is 40....

[han2503]

Yap, Pirlo was awfull recently, seedorf wasn't muchg better but still....
Oh and Simic and Kaladze are the best CB ever....man even with Billy I would be much more relaxed and that guy is 40....

Yeah, but problem is, he is out injured aswell so... those 2 are the only option for us at the moment.

Our problem in defence is the fact that we haven't established a partnership that has gone on longer for more then 2 games. Last season Nesta and Kala after they adapted to playing with eachother where rock solid. But now we seem to have gone back to the beginning all over again with all the injuries.

Kaladze's mistakes mostly come from the fact that he has been out for quite a while.

[X-Offender]

Simic had a great game against Fiorentina IMO, he closed Toni down in most occasions. Kaladze is the one who worries me at the moment.

[han2503]

Simic had a great game against Fiorentina IMO, he closed Toni down in most occasions. Kaladze is the one who worries me at the moment.

He just needs to regain form and fitness. He's been out for quite a while now so I think some mistakes are to be expected.

The RB area is the place that's really worrying. I think we just saw a new all time low for Cafu in that match. The worst I've probably ever seen him (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[LaPalma]

Yeah, but problem is, he is out injured aswell so... those 2 are the only option for us at the moment.

I know...but isn't it scary if the 40 year old Billy is more solid than the 12 years younger Kaladze?
Btw, what about Cafu? Does anyone know when he'll be back?

[Rossoneri7]

I know...but isn't it scary if the 40 year old Billy is more solid than the 12 years younger Kaladze?
Btw, what about Cafu? Does anyone know when he'll be back?

Cafu is back, he just played against Fiorentina .. Or do u mean something happened after that game (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

[X-Offender]

Cafu is back since the match against Torino.

[LaPalma]

Hmm, seems I wasn't paying enough attention to our long injury list... With Cafu I would let him play on the right side, let Bonera play as CB. Even he is more solid than Kaladze...

[Rossoneri7]

Hmm, seems I wasn't paying enough attention to our long injury list... With Cafu I would let him play on the right side, let Bonera play as CB. Even he is more solid than Kaladze...

Yea Kala has been a bit rusty lately

[han2503]

Yea Kala has been a bit rusty lately

I think we should just let him play and get his form back. Better let him make his mistakes now rather then him not being in form for when we really need the defence to be at it's best.

And Cafu is just playing terribly. Bonera might not give much to the attack but he is solid and I think I would trust him more then Cafu at the moment.
If anyone remembers Bonera showed how good he could be playing in the RB position during the U-21s for Italy. It might just be a matter of form and the fact that he was used to always playing in the center for Parma

[arivanjj]

Catania's Secret To Stop Milan: Press Kaka
Catania will be facing Milan this week, strong on the fact that the Sicilian club has 9 points more than the Rossoneri and a game in hand. For Coach Pasquale Marino, the only way to stop Milan will be to limit their ace, Kaka.

"Milan are not in crisis, in Florence they did not do badly. At San Siro they will want to do well and in these cases, the motivations count a lot. Kaka has more talent than the rest. We shall have to press him with intensity."

Marino will also be able to recover some important players for this match.

"The right attitude is what will matter, apart from the fact that I will recover some important players, like Vargas and Corona."


goal.com

[arivanjj]

grrreat... it now seems like every team is thinking 'it's Milan' while we are at why not just win.

This post has been edited by arivanjj: Dec 19 2006, 08:21 AM

[arivanjj]

Milan - Catania - Football Italia

With Milan still stuttering along the comeback trail and Catania occupying the heady heights of the top four, neither team can afford to drop any points when they come face to face at the San Siro. The hosts are desperate to get back on the Serie A pace and while their Sicilian opponents are unlikely to have planned for their current lofty position, they are even less likely to give it up without a fight.

The Rossoneri are slowly creeping up the table now they are finally clear of the relegation zone, but one win in eight matches is hardly the form of champions. They have now gone five games unbeaten, which is a huge improvement on their dreadful form beforehand, but they know they will have to continue along that road a lot further if they are to satisfy the fans – not to mention President Silvio Berlusconi.

Of course a number of injury problems have hampered their progress this season, and that problem is far from over. Nelson Dida, Serginho, Giuseppe Favalli, Alessandro Costacurta, Alessandro Nesta and Paolo Maldini are all still out for treatment, guaranteeing Coach Carlo Ancelotti’s headache remains. Alberto Gilardino is also expected to continue as a lone striker ahead of Kaka after the 4-4-1-1 system’s success in the 2-2 draw with Fiorentina.

Despite those absences, Carletto still has a formidable squad available to him. Yet however it may appear on paper, Catania will not go into the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza like sacrificial lambs to the slaughter. Currently occupying a Champions League spot, the Serie A table tells it’s own story and the Rossazzurri will fancy their chances of adding another big-name scalp to their growing collection.

The Sicilians have already defeated more illustrious opponents such as Lazio, Parma and Udinese this term, but all three of those victories came on home soil. Away from their island fortress Catania have been far less impressive, as shown by their 7-0 thrashing at the hands of Roma and inability to overcome a desperate Ascoli in their last two away ties.

Man on fire: Alberto Gilardino (Milan) – The under-fire striker scored twice last week to make it three goals in three matches. After so much criticism his celebrations in that match showed how fired up he is at the moment.

Last season: Not played

Form guide: Milan (D W D D D) Catania (W L W D W)


Channel4

Milan (probable): Kalac; Cafu, Simic, Kaladze, Jankulovski; Brocchi, Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf; Kaka; Gilardino

Catania (probable): Pantanelli; Silvestri, Sottil, Stovini, Lucenti; Baiocco, Edusei, Caserta; Colucci, Spinesi, Mascara

[han2503]

I think just playing Kaka behind Gila will not work. Considering that Catania's only apparent plan is to block out Kaka then he won't be much of any help in supporting Gila since he will most likely be trying to fight off 2 markers for most of the match.

Maybe a 3-4-1-2 formation could work something like this

-----Bonera--Kaladze--Simic-----
Cafu'--Seedorf--Gourcuff--Janku
-----------------Kaka---------------
--------Gilardino--Oliveira---------

This way we will have a more solid back 3 in the center. Cafu just can't handle going up and down those flanks anymore so playing him as a winger would help him out more and Janku is more effective in the midfield, and when we have to defend Cafu and Janku could always play deper to make it a 5 man defence.

Seeodrf and Gourcuff in the middle with Kaka just infront of them. And as I said before since Kaka will most likely be fighting off markers for 3/4 of the match then we need that other creative attacking input so we need Oli to play along side Gila.

I think this one could work