[X-Offender]

I wouldn't be surprised if we saw Robinho instead of Boateng. Damn it though, can't Allegri just play Boateng instead of Gattuso and Robinho as the trequartista?

Boateng - Van Bommel - Seedorf
Robinho

That midfield can actually put up a fight against a top club. But if we continue playing Gattuseless, then we're f*cked!

[il_diavolo_mtl]

Amelia

Abate - Thiago Silva - Nesta - Zambrotta

Van bommel
Boatang...........................Emmaueleson


Ibra(roaming)

Robi.......Pato

[han2503]

Amelia

Abate - Thiago Silva - Nesta - Zambrotta

Van bommel
Boatang...........................Emmaueleson


Ibra(roaming)

Robi.......Pato

Id's rather see Seedorf then Urby, we need someone who can keep the ball moving there, and Urby is not that type of player.

Completely agree with you X-off, Rino cannot make it into that midfield or this will be one loooong game

Boateng, VB, Seedorf for the midfield 3 please

[CHU-LIP]

Boateng, VB, Seedorf for the midfield 3 please

That midfield + 3 forwards vs a strong side like Inter, aren't we lacking defensive skill? Really a shame Flamini's out. I know Gattuso has been poor, but so has Boateng. Against Inter, when already 3 forwards and Seedorf on the pitch, I like Gattuso to start rather than Boateng. Even with Gattuso I wonder we're balanced enough since we play with 3 forwards.

[X-Offender]

I don't get it, why do you think having only one DM is not enough? That's how all top European clubs play nowadays, and that's how we played under Ancelotti in the early years. Van Bommel, Boateng and Seedorf can provide the necessary cover. Not to mention Robinho tracks back a lot.

[Fillipo Simone]

Well, Seedorf can't do it like he did it only 2 or 3 years ago, but yes, I think that should and could work.

[X-Offender]

He can do it. I saw the game against Inter (3-0) last night, Seedorf had a fantastic match. He covered his space just fine. Of course, he can't do it for a whole season.

[CHU-LIP]

I don't get it, why do you think having only one DM is not enough? That's how all top European clubs play nowadays, and that's how we played under Ancelotti in the early years. Van Bommel, Boateng and Seedorf can provide the necessary cover. Not to mention Robinho tracks back a lot.

For some reason we can't. You posted a typical Leonardo line-up (bar the formation) that's good to lose with 4-0 to Inter, so has showed the past. Your last sentence in that post has got a lot of irony. Because if there is one player that can put on a fight vs a top side it's Gattuso. And I don't mean that literally. I yet have to see Boateng being defensively strong. His tackling has been poor, so has his temper. Gattuso is a much safer bet.

[X-Offender]

For some reason we can't. You posted a typical Leonardo line-up (bar the formation) that's good to lose with 4-0 to Inter, so has showed the past.

I don't think so. Leonardo lost 3-0 to us with the same line-up Mourinho won the Champions League, and he also lost 5-2 to Schalke with the safe 4-3-1-2 formation. It's not much about the line-up, but about the mentality and the mechanisms that clicked within our game last season. It's time we displayed a more offensive attitude, otherwise we'll never exploit our progress.

Your last sentence in that post has got a lot of irony. Because if there is one player that can put on a fight vs a top side it's Gattuso.

Please tell me you're joking.

I yet have to see Boateng being defensively strong. His tackling has been poor, so has his temper.

No, no, no. As a trequartista he tracks back a lot and recovers many balls. He can do that job even better if he played in a more retreated position. His tackling might need some perfection, but compared to Gattuso's tackling nowadays, it's much better.

This post has been edited by X-Offender: Aug 1 2011, 11:13 PM

[han2503]

That midfield + 3 forwards vs a strong side like Inter, aren't we lacking defensive skill? Really a shame Flamini's out. I know Gattuso has been poor, but so has Boateng. Against Inter, when already 3 forwards and Seedorf on the pitch, I like Gattuso to start rather than Boateng. Even with Gattuso I wonder we're balanced enough since we play with 3 forwards.

I don't get it, why do you think having only one DM is not enough? That's how all top European clubs play nowadays, and that's how we played under Ancelotti in the early years. Van Bommel, Boateng and Seedorf can provide the necessary cover. Not to mention Robinho tracks back a lot.

What he said

For some reason we can't. You posted a typical Leonardo line-up (bar the formation) that's good to lose with 4-0 to Inter, so has showed the past. Your last sentence in that post has got a lot of irony. Because if there is one player that can put on a fight vs a top side it's Gattuso. And I don't mean that literally. I yet have to see Boateng being defensively strong. His tackling has been poor, so has his temper. Gattuso is a much safer bet.

Come on!! The problem under Leo wasn't the one DM (we played with Ambro and Flamini most of the time anyway), it was the entire crappy system that left us wide open to counter attacks. VB sitting in front of the defense is fine. Gattuso running around with no purpose won't help our cause. Boateng can cover his area and track back better then Rino cause he actually has the energy to do it, while as x-off said, Seedorf can do that as well as long as he's not over worked.

Until we get a new mid in, Seedorf has to be starting, while Boateng should be playing in his natural position. We need players in there who will know how to keep the ball moving without losing it every couple of seconds, which is what kept happening in the recent friendlies when we plaed with that all utility midfield. Playing a midfield of Rino, VB and Ambro with Boateng behind the strikers is ridiculous on so many levels I wouldn't even know where to start, but I still wouldn't be surprised if Allegri went out with it

[CHU-LIP]

I'm aware of Gattuso's weaknesses, but this is just too ridiculous. You guys act like Boateng is the better defender of the two. And Boateng has been very poor in both pre-season and the end of last season. I know same can be told about Gattuso, but for some reason you guys only notice it when it comes to him and not Prince.

So Van Bommel should cover for a poor preforming Boateng who's tackling and temper is questionable + three forwards? And we never know what to expect from Seedorf, because if not fully motivateed, he's defensively the worst (when motivated, he does well in that actually). I know Gattuso's been poor too, but at least he's a proper tackler. And of course Seedorf needs to start, and it's not about over playing how he will preform. No, it's about whether he would be motivated (determined/focussed) or not.

Remember, we're playing a strong side with lots of dangerous attacking players. You should adapt to that, but for some reason most people like to go full attack even against the best sides in the world. Wow, that's a beautiful line-up (ignoring the defensive liability), it is each time.

This post has been edited by CHU-LIP: Aug 1 2011, 11:47 PM

[X-Offender]

I'm aware of Gattuso's weaknesses, but this is just too ridiculous. You guys act like Boateng is the better defender of the two. And Boateng has been very poor in both pre-season and the end of last season. I know same can be told about Gattuso, but for some reason you guys only notice it when it comes to him and not Prince.

So Van Bommel should cover for a poor preforming Boateng who's tackling and temper is questionable + three forwards? And we never know what to expect from Seedorf, because if not fully motivateed, he's defensively the worst (when motivated, he does well in that actually). I know Gattuso's been poor too, but at least he's a proper tackler. And of course Seedorf needs to start, and it's not about over playing how he will preform. No, it's about whether he would be motivated (determined/focussed) or not.

For the nth time, that midfield is just fine. Stop fantasizing about nonexistent stuff. Boateng is better than Gattuso in every goddamn single aspect. Yes, I do believe that. Gattuso is an eyesore, he adds nothing to our game. His defensive capabilities have drastically declined. He's simply not a player to count on anymore.

Remember, we're playing a strong side with lots of dangerous attacking players. You should adapt to that, but for some reason most people like to go full attack even against the best sides in the world. Wow, that's a beautiful line-up (ignoring the defensive liability), it is each time.

The fact we're playing a strong side is the reason why we should opt for an offensive line-up. We must impose our superiority to our opponent. Clearly you can't achieve that by playing with a midfield full of hard-workers. That's the reason we flopped against Tottenham in the first leg, because Allegri played a foolish Silva-Gattuso-Flamini midfield. However, in the second leg, we dominated Tottenham by imposing our game through a balanced yet offensive midfield consisting of Flamini, Seedorf and Boateng. That should be a lesson to Allegri if he wants to succeed in Europe.

[CHU-LIP]

For the nth time, that midfield is just fine. Stop fantasizing about nonexistent stuff. Boateng is better than Gattuso in every goddamn single aspect. Yes, I do believe that. Gattuso is an eyesore, he adds nothing to our game. His defensive capabilities have drastically declined. He's simply not a player to count on anymore.

We couldn't disagree more.

The fact we're playing a strong side is the reason why we should opt for an offensive line-up.

Which is suicide when too offensive.

(edit: I believe the opposite is true. Offensive vs weak sides, defensive vs strong sides)

Clearly you can't achieve that by playing with a midfield full of hard-workers. That's the reason we flopped against Tottenham in the first leg, because Allegri played a foolish Silva-Gattuso-Flamini midfield. However, in the second leg, we dominated Tottenham by imposing our game through a balanced yet offensive midfield consisting of Flamini, Seedorf and Boateng. That should be a lesson to Allegri if he wants to succeed in Europe.

The other extreme is not working either obviously. We agree there. Obviously we need a creative midfielder to start.

This post has been edited by CHU-LIP: Aug 2 2011, 05:11 AM

[Rossoneri7]

I believe it is not only a sentimental 'Milan Captain' thing, it also is a technical decision. Ambro and Gattuso can provide substantial mental strength to the team. Yes they are not at the level that once saw them crowned World Champions, but they are nevertheless still equally qualified to hold a midfield role at Milan.

Many here called for Maldini to hang up his boots .. Why am I not surprised they still talk the same?

Experience is priceless in my books.

[X-Offender]

Van Bommel and Seedorf have plenty of experience to offer.