[han2503]

Yes losing Pirlo does open the way for the 4-2-3-1 formation, but will Carlo use it? I don't really see it happening. Carlo will continue to insist on the 4-3-2-1 of 4-3-1-2 formations, he doesn't like change, he's not an adventurous person, it will take years before he switches systems because that's the kind of guy he is.

Only problem is with those 2 systems is that they only work if Pirlo is playing. Those 2 systems are built around Pirlo, playing in the middle and pulling the strings. What Carlo will do is play another defensive mdfielder in Pirlo's place. And either push Seedorf back or just play with 3 defensive mids in the midfield, his personal wet dream (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

The only way we'll actually start to win this season is if Carlo gets some balls and re invents a new system that is not so heavily reliant on Pirlo, that would be a 4-2-3-1 formation, but will he do it? Personally I don't see it happening unless it's a last ditch effort to save his job, and even then it would be a half @ssed try because it hasn't been practiced enough.

[dst]

If Carlo opts for the same line-up as against Zurich (with Borriello in Sheva's place) we will be fine, that's the best formation anyway...

[Tennie]

Pirlo gave a brief interview today before training. (my translation done rather quickly; sorry for any errors)

Andrea, do you think you'll play Sunday agains Chievo?
- It's perhaps a little early. This week I've been training with the team, we'll see how it goes on a day by day basis. Sunday will be two months since my injury, some time has passed and I hope to return as soon as possible because I really want to play. Watching the games at the stadium and following my teammates in training, from afar, is hard. I hope to speed up my return.

What do you think of the results of the team so far?
- They're doing really well, I'm happy that the team has gotten these results. We're getting to the bey period of the championship and I hope to be able to contribute. We want to win the championship, it's the principal objective of the season and there's a lot of motivation, you can see it in the team when they go onto the pitch to get results. We're even getting results away from home, the game play is improving and there's a good chance of continuing like this in the league.

Without you the midfield has found various solutions
- Those who have played have done well. If there are alternatives in a role, it's good for the players to play their best (fishdoll note: not sure of the translation of this sentence). When I return I hope to give my contribution as I've always done and hope to do well as the others have.

[Jack Sparrow]

My eyes are tearing...I think I'm going to cry now... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cry.gif) He's back!! My hero...my samurai...my epitome of bushido...my Andy P.... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cry.gif)

[acid911]

My eyes are tearing...I think I'm going to cry now... He's back!! My hero...my samurai...my epitome of bushido...my Andy P....

Welcome back, Captain. Nice to see you, um, still alive. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) Is it safe to assume that you will be posting more often now that your hero is back in the midfield?

[Zed.D]

Does that mean Captain likes Milan only because of Andy P? he wasn't around much when Andy P wasn't playing (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[Jack Sparrow]

What're you talking about? I've made it obvious that I like Milan coz of Favalli....and erm MizNelson... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif)

[Zed.D]

Oh I forgot about Favalli... my mistake (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[amancik]

Pirlo blames lazy Milan Sunday 7 December, 2008

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Andrea Pirlo added to the tension at Milan by accusing his teammates of not providing enough movement off the ball.

The Rossoneri have been struggling badly of late with draws at Lecce, Torino and Portsmouth before two straight defeats against Palermo and Lazio.

Ironically, the team had been performing better when star midfielder Pirlo was out injured, but the World Cup winner insists his return after a two-month lay-off is not to blame for the downturn.

“I don't think I am the problem in this team. I know that some people say that is the case, but I don't believe them and continue on my path,” he told Milan Channel.

“Unfortunately I am not 100 per cent fit yet, but when I am on form I will give my all, as always.”

Pirlo identifies the issues affecting the Rossoneri in the attitude and work rate of his teammates.

“It is easier for me to play when the two fullbacks push forward a great deal. If they wait for the ball, then it becomes difficult for me.

“For example, when we played away to Palermo, I was able to give [Alexandre] Pato the chance to open the scoring because he moved off the ball.”

Pirlo won't be able to prove that theory this afternoon, as he is one of many Milan players injured for the match with Catania.

Ronaldinho, Clarence Seedorf, Pippo Inzaghi, Massimo Ambrosini, Marco Borriello, Daniele Bonera and Alessandro Nesta are also out of action.

Pato will need a late fitness test to see if he can play after bruising his ribs in that game in Sicily.

channel4.com

[amancik]

To me Pirlo just summed up our problems, we're just too lazy to move off the ball. why? cuz our players are old.
They lack the sense of urgency as young players. I mean Milan is the kind of team where they'll let you play your football. This is due to zonal marking or zonal defence. We rarely use pressuring or (occasionally) "containing" as defence tactic. Hence, a lot of space is given to our opponents.

Furthermore, our counter-attack is rather slow, I mean yes we've got world-class players, but if we aren't quick enough to punish the opponents on counter-attack, there's no real point of having them there if they can't run fast. Over the years, it's always been Kaka' who does the "counter-attack". I mean him alone.

[dst]

I think it's Carlo''s fault. It's either that he does not want the players to move too much off the ball for whatever reason or that he cannot make them do it... either way it's not working.

[Astafjevs]

Or perhaps we're just too old? Or everyone is getting in each others way (particularly Kaká and Ronaldinho)?

[acid911]

Perhaps it's everything combined into one big mess?! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[Tennie]

Specially for our resident pirate.....

(from fifa.com)

Pirlo: I have all I need here

Despite not yet having turned 30, Andrea Pirlo is very much a Serie A stalwart. Il Architetto - the architect, as he is known - has made 303 appearances in Italy's top flight, including no fewer than 213 for AC Milan, as well as playing in 77 UEFA Champions League matches.

He made his debut at the tender age of 16 for Brescia on 21 May 1995, and moved on to Inter Milan and Reggina before settling with AC Milan, for whom he has been plying his trade since 2001.

Over the past seven seasons, Pirlo has built up the kind of trophy cabinet that most players can only dream of. On the domestic front, he has won the FIFA Club World Cup (in 2007), two UEFA Champions Leagues (2003 and 2007), two European Supercups (2003 and 2007), a Scudetto (2004), an Italian Supercup (2004) and to round it off, the Italian Cup in 2003. On the international front. Pirlo first represented his country at U-15 level and since then has gone on to win the FIFA World Cup™ in 2006, the European U-21 championship in 2000 and a bronze medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. FIFA.com caught up with the Italian legend at the famous Milanello training centre.

You played your first ever Serie A match when you were 16 years and two days old. What do you remember about your debut?
It was a very emotional moment. I didn't feel under any particular pressure because I knew that there would be other matches. Making a name for yourself in clubs who give youth a chance or who are in mid-table is important for a young player. It means that you can play regularly and get some absolutely invaluable experience at that age.

You were an attacking midfielder when you started out, but then Carlo Mazzone and Carlo Ancelotti began to play you further back. How did this change of position affect your career?
I loved playing there. I already used to track back to go and get the ball, so it was easy to adapt. It means that I am right at the heart of what's going on. When I look back now, I realise that I owe everything to Carlo Mazzone and Carlo Ancelotti, the two most important coaches that I've ever had. Under Ancelotti I got right into the role straight away because he trusted me even though he had more experienced players available to him.

You have won a Scudetto, two UEFA Champions Leagues, two UEFA Supercups, a FIFA Club World Cup... After so much club success, what more can you possibly get out of football?
I want to win other trophies. Football is a sport where you always need to have fun, improve and win things. There are titles up for grabs every year, and it's up to us to go out and win them. At Milan I really feel at home at what is the most important club in the world, so I have no desire to go and try out different experiences as I've got all that I need here.

What are the fundamental differences between AC and Inter Milan?
When I was at Inter (1998-1999 and then 2000 - January 2001), it was a club that was searching for its identity. There were a lot of comings and goings and in particular a number of coaches who were relieved of their duties. AC Milan on the other hand has always been a model club in terms of success and also the way it is organised. When I was at Inter, they weren't ready to be on the same level as AC Milan.

Moving on to Italy now. How do you think that the Squadra Azzurra has performed so far in the qualifiers for the 2010 FIFA World Cup?
We've got off to a very good start with some important wins. We're currently top of the group and we're looking to stay there to make sure that we qualify directly for South Africa.

What are the differences between the team under Marcello Lippi in 2006 and since he came back in 2008?
The squad in 2006 was a great team made up of players who had proven themselves at the highest level. The team hoping to qualify for 2010 has more players who are journeying into the unknown. You can't really judge the current team yet as it's just building up and starting to show its potential, due in no small part to the enthusiasm that the return of Lippi has created. We need to have the same desire we had in 2006 and above all the same aims, particularly as we all want to put the failure of the last EURO behind us.

What is your secret to all the goals you score from free-kicks?
I've always watched video cassettes of the all-time greats, and then I was lucky enough to play alongside one - Roberto Baggio - who gave me some excellent advice. Finally, there is some natural talent in there and a lot of work obviously goes into it during training sessions.

What is your opinion of football today?
It has changed a lot. All the teams are well organised and competitive these days. There aren't any weaker teams any more and you don't get five or six-goal wins every week as was the case a few years ago. We need to be focussed and give 100 per cent all the time, otherwise we could be in for a surprise.

You come across as someone who is very serious. What is the real Andrea Pirlo like?
I like to have a laugh, enjoy myself and tease other people. Those who don't know me very well don't realise this - either they haven't got to know me well enough or I haven't yet got round to trusting them. With time, they get to find out what I'm really like (to which an AC Milan executive adds with a smile "crazy"). Here at AC Milan though, Gennaro Gattuso is obviously the real joker in the pack.

What hobbies do you have?
I like spending time with my family, with my wife and kids. When I go away for training camps though, I play football video games with Alessandro Nesta. I always play as AC Milan and Nesta picks another team. But the real Pirlo can't be imitated, even on a game console (laughs).

Is there anything else you particularly want to talk about?
I'm sorry, I'm not much of a talker...I already feel like I've been talking too much (laughs).

[Jack Sparrow]

Tennie..I love you... Mmmmuuaahh! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif)

Andy P kicks Kung Fu Panda's @ss at awesomeness. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/devil.gif)