[Jack Sparrow]

not at all tahts why yaya toure is sitting there for cover. without a defensive mid it would be as you say 'flawed'

Ok tactical exercise...Barca vs Milan....

I imagine Barca's formation to be like this..

Alves---XXX---XXX---Abidal
--------Yaya----------------
-------Xavi-----Iniesta------
---Messi---------Henry-----
-----------Eto'o------------

Milan play...

Oddo---Nesta---God/Calamity---Zambo
----Rino/Ambro/Flamini---Pirlo---Zee-----
-------R80----------------Kaka---------
---------------Pato/Sheva--------------


Barca launch an attack down our left(messi and alves), on an overlap, they are running smack into Zambrotta and our DM yes? If that attack breaks, one switch of play cross field, brings Seedorf and Kaka and possibly Pirlo into play onto Barca's left in a counter, forcing Yaya into action.

At this point, I would expect Ronnie, on our left flank (Barca's empty right) to be virtually unmarked and waltz into the left centre.

I think it's child's play for one of the three players who launch the counter (Zee/Kaka/Andy) to switch that play through to the left/left-centre to a waiting Ronnie. While, the other two push forward in attack, forcing Yaya and Xavi into a dilemma. Do I cut down these two advancing down the (Barca) right, or push back to take on Ronnie who has the ball.

Don't forget that Ronnie has either of Sheva/Pato in front of him to combine with as they take on the defence. This along with the onrushing attackers (Kaka/Zee)


*Of course, it might not work. The defenders might get the tackle off. Our passing might be awry. But it's fully within the realm of possibility for this counter to work. Leaving R80 or Kaka unmarked with space to run into is just not a good idea.


Of course, Barca could play that double pivot with Keita and Yaya. But then one of Iniesta/Xavi/Henry would have to sacrificed. Still they lose offensively, inspite of Alves in the line up.


But against a team lesser than Milan, say a Mallorca or even a Valencia. You're right..it is a superior formation Barca have.

This post has been edited by Jack Sparrow: Aug 26 2008, 08:46 AM

[Giancarlo]

That's exactly the problem I still have with Barcelona... even a team like Real Betis demolished them on the counter-attack in the La Liga last season. They are not capable defending. And they play almost arrogantly... thinking the lesser team would not be capable of counter-attacking. That's why they dropped so many points towards the end.

And spending 30 million on Alves does not help the serious defense issues they have.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pY48G7txHI

They also got messed up by Mallorca later on. So Mallorca is not to be underestimated. Look at the 2nd goal in particular. Look at how they were caught badly on counter-attack. Look at how poorly their defenders cleared it...

This post has been edited by Giancarlo: Aug 26 2008, 07:22 AM

[Fillipo Simone]

I don't know guys but Alves is still young to be considered the best RB in the world. He still has to play 2-3 seasons of CL football on a high level and have at least one great tournament with Brazil. He could be the best, cause I remember him, how he owned Ronaldinho in several occasions when Sevilla met Barca. But right now? Zambrotta is much more experienced and if he manages to come back to his prior form (which btw. was very consistent over many years with Juventus) there's no doubt who's the best RB in the world.

[vnata001]

I don't know guys but Alves is still young to be considered the best RB in the world. He still has to play 2-3 seasons of CL football on a high level and have at least one great tournament with Brazil. He could be the best, cause I remember him, how he owned Ronaldinho in several occasions when Sevilla met Barca. But right now? Zambrotta is much more experienced and if he manages to come back to his prior form (which btw. was very consistent over many years with Juventus) there's no doubt who's the best RB in the world.

um actually...although i cannot give a quote verbatim, there were many times when i was watching Daniel Alves or Maicon during the champions league, Serie A, La Liga seasons and clearly remember the words Daniel Alves and Maicon are "widely considered" to be the two best right backs in the world. I did not hear this once from just one commentator, but many times from quite a few different commentators..and to that you really can't argue. Keep in mind Maicon essentially cemented his spot in Inter's starting XI as their right back WHILE Javier Zanetti was still in the squad.

I'm not saying that what the commentators said was fact, because it probably was opinion..but so is EVERY evaluation of players. People who work in the industry with all the football information they please at their finger tips "widely consider" Alves and Maicon to be the best.

Now..with that said..i assert that NEITHER of them are and that honor belongs to Spain and Real Madrid's right back Sergio Ramos...IMO.

...and about that comment that Sheva has lost his pace? Sheva wasn't incredibly pacy in the first place. Sure when he was really young he was..but it was never his PACE that made him prolific. It was his amazing heading ability..and the ridiculously accurate and powerful shot he possessed on both feet. MOST, not all, but most of his goals were one-touch and shot..or a ridiculously instinctive box finish with the head or cleverly slotting past the keeper. With the technical prowess that Kaka, Seedorf, and Dinho posses..Sheva will get MANY opportunities to take one touch and shoot..something he RARELY ever got at chelsea..any chance Sheva got at Chelsea was either a half chance or something he had to create on his own. But it was his movement up front that allowed Drogba and Lampard space..Sheva's movement is still brilliant..

and with this signing he immediately steps into the team as the best finisher we got. Pato's got real potential, but in terms of sheer volume i would rather Sheva take most of our shots on goal up front rather than any of the other strikers we got...he is REALLY intelligent, like Pippo, in the positions he takes up, and he's a more versatile goal getter than pippo..He has the technical ability to play up front on his own if necessary, and is a perfect complementary striker for Borriello/Pippo to play along side..we all know how good Gila was next to Sheva.

And this other comment that Sheva isn't what we need? He actually is. He is old enough to contribute nicely and effectively for 2 more years..and who better than Sheva to show Pato the ropes..and tell him that he should never leave us..AND teach him a thing or two so when Sheva's done Mr. Alexandre Pato will be 22 and the new world phenom..

again, (i gotta clarify this..) IMO Sheva is the perfect fit! Hey, we got Sheva back..and if he hadn't left we prlly would have never gotten Pato! so no more complaining!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

This post has been edited by vnata001: Aug 26 2008, 09:15 AM

[Jack Sparrow]

Wow...I can't believe this. Everyone on this forum is happy with the team. Cr@p...now I have no windmills left to charge.

[dst]

Wow...I can't believe this. Everyone on this forum is happy with the team. Cr@p...now I have no windmills left to charge.

Relax, I'm not happy, I don't want Sheva! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[CrazyMilanFan]

more sheva less barca here (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[CrazyMilanFan]

sheva came on loan that mean we got him for cheap

[Tennie]

Well, one mystery has been solved.

Shevchenko's contract has been deposited with Lega Calcio. He's at Milan on loan.

link to Lega Calcio site. Click on the team name and the list of new players in will pop up.

'Definitivo' = Full transfer
'Temporaneo' = Loan
'Partecipazione' =Co-ownership

[Zed.D]

Well, one mystery has been solved.

Shevchenko's contract has been deposited with Lega Calcio. He's at Milan on loan.

link to Lega Calcio site. Click on the team name and the list of new players in will pop up.

'Definitivo' = Full transfer
'Temporaneo' = Loan
'Partecipazione' =Co-ownership

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) Then why I just kept thinking it's a full transfer? probably a loan transfer with option to buy, right? I can't see Sheva leaving Milan again...

[drucurl]

Whether or not Alves is the best RB in the world is debateable...however:
1)He is waaaay faster than Zambrotta (and everybody else too (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) )
2)He is a FAR better offensive playmaker
3)He takes a nd scores free kicks (you know like Oddo used to)
4)He is much younger and has FAR more potential
5)He is sound defensively ...maybe not as sound as Zambrotta but certainly solid

^If those FACTS can't comvince you that Alves>Zambrotta then you're not into the truth.
Similarly there are players who like Alves would have fit in perfectly to the DEMANDS or NEEDS of
Ancelotti's system. He's not stupid. That's why he wanted Ribery sometime ago....because Milan needs width in our wings because we have the best central play in the world.

That brings me to $heva....he once refered to himself as a WINGER.....is it at all possible that Carlo might deploy him there (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) ?? I think $heva would be most effecitve up front (and that isn't saying much) because I doubt he has his old searing pace to take on defenses on the wing (like he did for a short time when playing behind Inzaghi as a 2nd striker)

[acid911]

I can't see Sheva leaving Milan again...

That would be oh, so bad! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) Unless it' back to Dynamo Kiev. Leaving Milan for 'any' other club (unless his performance is horrible) would be just about the worst thing Sheva can do. To himself. And to his career.

Kiev I can understand, maybe 3-4 years later.

[acid911]

^If those FACTS can't comvince you that Alves>Zambrotta then you're not into the truth.

Yes, he is. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif) The Alves of today is better than Zamborghini of today. The Alves six years down the road and the Zambrotta of six years back is an entirely different matter altogether. The Brazilian is young, and about the best alternative of Cafu one can find anywhere.

It would have been way, way cool if say we bought him instead of Barca. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Would have fixed all our problems at the right for the next decade.

[Jack Sparrow]

Relax, I'm not happy, I don't want Sheva! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Without you, my life would be purposeless. Thank you, my friend!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cry.gif)

[Giancarlo]

Whether or not Alves is the best RB in the world is debateable...however:
1)He is waaaay faster than Zambrotta (and everybody else too (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) )
2)He is a FAR better offensive playmaker
3)He takes a nd scores free kicks (you know like Oddo used to)
4)He is much younger and has FAR more potential
5)He is sound defensively ...maybe not as sound as Zambrotta but certainly solid

He is not better than Zambrotta in any sense. Zambrotta is a better world class player, and he's better defensively than Alves. Alves is inadequate defensively. Barcelona still have the same problems as before. I think Zambrotta all around is the better player.

And for someone to say he's like Cafu... wow... not a chance. Alves is overrated, overpriced and certainly not the player we need!

^If those FACTS can't comvince you that Alves>Zambrotta then you're not into the truth.
Similarly there are players who like Alves would have fit in perfectly to the DEMANDS or NEEDS of
Ancelotti's system. He's not stupid. That's why he wanted Ribery sometime ago....because Milan needs width in our wings because we have the best central play in the world.

Alves would never fit in Ancelotti's system. We have the players to fit in our system. We have all the appropriate players. You are never happy with the transfer season because there is always something to complain about for you.

This post has been edited by Giancarlo: Aug 26 2008, 05:37 PM