[Jack Bauer]

Pirlo: "I'm fine".

http://www.milannews.it/?action=read&idnotizia=39278

[X-Offender]

Pirlo: "I'm fine".

http://www.milannews.it/?action=read&idnotizia=39278

So, Pirlo will play against Auxerre, whilst Antonini won't be even called up. Hmmm...

[amancik]

Merkel is called up against Auxerre. He's probably only filling the numbers though. I'd be wonderful to seem him at least get a few minutes, but highly unlikely.

[X-Offender]

Pirlo not called up, Allegri will play the same midfield of Fiorentina i.e. in Gattuso, out Boateng. I'm thinking of getting back the anti-Allegri signature. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

[CHU-LIP]

Pirlo not called up, Allegri will play the same midfield of Fiorentina i.e. in Gattuso, out Boateng. I'm thinking of getting back the anti-Allegri signature. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

Because he keeps playing Gattuso, though we are winning our matches? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) Djeez...

[han2503]

Because he keeps playing Gattuso, though we are winning our matches? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) Djeez...

We're winning in spite of that little fact. And thanks to Ibra (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[X-Offender]

We're winning in spite of that little fact. And thanks to Ibra (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Bravo! We'd be much better with either Pirlo or Boateng instead of Rino.

[Zed.D]

Gattuso was one of the main reasons we beat Fiorentina.

[X-Offender]

Gattuso was one of the main reasons we beat Fiorentina.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[Bluesummers]

you guys are too harsh on gattuso. Last year he was garbage but this year he's got his confidence back and he is doing well.

I think you guys have far too high of a standard set for gattuso.


Milan as a whole are performing well. We aren't entertaining but we are getting results and I guess thats what matters at the end of the day.


Though I gotta say Allegri for me has still a long way to go.

This post has been edited by Bluesummers: Nov 22 2010, 09:47 PM

[Boban10]

MILANELLO - Milan’s preparation for the match against Auxerre in Round 5 of the Champions League group stage came to end this morning as the team had its final training session, starting at 11.00 CET, before travelling to France.

The first part of the session was dedicated to the warm-up, which included some light running, sprints and stretching, as well as a series of exercises with the ball.

Coach Allegri then handed out the bibs to his players and had them work on tactics with the game against Jean Fernandez’s side in mind.
The practice ended with a match amongst the squad.

Antonini and Pirlo trained separately.
Oddo did running along the perimeter of one of the fields at Milanello.

At the end of the session, coach Allegri named his squad for the match against Auxerre, calling up the following players:

Abbiati, Amelia, Roma, Bonera, Jankulovski, Nesta, Papastathopoulos, Thiago Silva, Zambrotta, Yepes, Abate, Ambrosini, Boateng, Flamini, Gattuso, Seedorf, Strasser, Merkel (n. 52); Ibrahimovic, Robinho, Ronaldinho.

Unavailable: Antonini, Oddo, Pirlo, Inzaghi, Pato.

The team’s flight to Auxerre is scheduled to take off at 16.30 CET at the Malpensa International Airport. Arrival in the French town is expected at around 17.40 CET.
Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri is holding his pre-game press conference at 18.30 CET at the Abbé-Deschamps Stadium, the venue of the match tomorrow

http://www.acmilan.com/en/news/show/130848

Nice to see Merkel being included, but again!!! no other striker? Are all the primavera strikers injured? I would have thought at least take one along, not to expect miracles from but incase of injury to be able to keep same formation/strategy, or just to give someone a rest 3/4 way through. And then, even, who knows what can happen when you throw an unknown (to the opposition team) into the fray. Just seems overly risky to only have three forwards!

Fingers crossed.

Forza Milan!

[X-Offender]

You're right, we should have called at least one of our primavera strikers. Look at Inter and Juventus, they've called (and played, too) people like Obi and Sorensen when they were short in defense and midfield. Wouldn't hurt for us to do the same. But if Robinho or Ibrahimovic were to get injured, Allegri will play Ronaldinho, so we still have someone who can replace them, even though he's not a proper striker.

[Dracoris]

Merkel could technically play striker too, I'd think.

[milanbuf88]

What exactly is Merkel's "best" position? Is he capable of playing a trequartista in relief of Seedorf after he gets tired?

[Bluesummers]

merkel is a mini seedorf. He's a pure AM. He can play all over midfield too though.