[Fillipo Simone]

I'm going to go ahead and disagree, it would be much safer to have Pippo playing but Allegri has always plugged youth where he could and i'm not sure we're worst off because of it. With the exception of our midfield, he's usually quite good about playing youth

Really? I think it's partly a myth. He used Strasser and Merkel only in a dire situation, where he could chose either to put Thiago as DM, which he did and failed, or play one or both of them. The moment Seedorf, Rino and the rest returned, they almost disappeared. Paloschi has been shipped off, Vila and a few others as well. I wouldn't call it giving youth a chance...

Safer to play Pippo? No, I don't live in a dream world - Pippo isn't build to play as a starter or regular sub any more. When we are fully recovered, it is questionable if Pippo should be even on the bench. Yet, I am sure that a fair modus vivendi can be found. Why does playing Pippo necessarily mean excluding youth? Why not put in a match which is clearly won a motivated Pippo along with Valoti and El Shaarawy for example, and not Emanuelso who is always give the chance, but never does anything remotely useful?

I'm not talking about Pippo being regularly played. I'm talking about games he could have been played, but due to Allegri's treatment, he was played 8 or 10 minutes mostly, while being warmed up for 20 minutes. He's unnecessarily torturing him. Forget history and past moments when it comes to starters or team systems - sure - no one should be privileged; yet, the treatment Pippo get's IMO is beyond giving youth a chance rather then the oldies or forgetting history.

[CrazyMilanFan]

That would be a great match!

somebody stop this bot he is everywhere (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

[drucurl]

It's really painful to see how Allegri has been treating Pippo. I'm not sure Allegri realizes how much Inzaghi means to us Milanistas. Not only that but there are INDEED SITUATIONS WHERE HE CAN be helpful. I sometimes get annoyed by the FM generation who watch the number of the age only- the snow on the roof and ignore the fire in the basement.

But all of the players that Allegri has sidelined have something in common: Physique and fittness. He is hellbent on turning us into a premership side where the physical takes precedence over everything:

Pirlo (too show, too weak, poor tackler in the cdm position)
Ronaldinho (not fit, poor movement overall)
Pippo (can't out mucsle or out pace the defenders so he MUST be useless right??)

Allegri is becoming my #1 hate figure.

[il_diavolo_mtl]

Really? I think it's partly a myth. He used Strasser and Merkel only in a dire situation, where he could chose either to put Thiago as DM, which he did and failed, or play one or both of them. The moment Seedorf, Rino and the rest returned, they almost disappeared. Paloschi has been shipped off, Vila and a few others as well. I wouldn't call it giving youth a chance...

In regard to the myth, you are partially correct in that, comparatively to coaches like Guidolin, Rossi, Miha(...) he is far more conservative, but i do feel a part of that is the influence from upstairs. Berlu, as i would be lead to believe, enjoys watching his old-school gladiators fight and show off their class for all to see and enjoy. His motives at this point are more for self-glorification then actual progressing the club IMO. That's not to say out with berlu, or OCCUPY SAN SIRO, because there is value in loyalty. What coach before Allegri dared play a 17yo? While i would agree that Strasser was a last resort due to the over saturation of DMs in the squad, he rewarded Allegri's faith by playing, after some initial confusion, above the level of Rino & Ambro. Also i would disagree that Thiago was a bad DM, he is amazing and granted it is much more convenient to have a world class CB then a DM with a good passing range and good 1v1 defending, but injuries forced allegri's hand. Not to mention that often times, when merkel was introduced, we had Janku and Oddo on the bench. I have always found Janku to be a valuable asset on the bench as a LM only and Oddo's inclusion usually pushed abate to RM. between these two bench players, he had 2 offensive substitutions that would please Baldy&Horny, but instead he opted for Merkel, as he did with Ragatzu in Cagliari. He does have an eye for talent and when in control, rewards it. As for our younglings being shipped off, I can't help at being more optimistic. There is a high grade valuation on our primavera products. We sent Verdi and Odu to Torino, which is the 21rst Serie A team, where Verdi especially is playing an important role (not sure about Odu...). We have Albertazzi facing some of the best forwards in the world, same for Didac. As for Paloschi, i'm sure he only wanted to stay if Cassano left. Besides he gets to develop alongside Pellissier, a pretty good poacher in his own right.

Safer to play Pippo? No, I don't live in a dream world - Pippo isn't build to play as a starter or regular sub any more. When we are fully recovered, it is questionable if Pippo should be even on the bench. Yet, I am sure that a fair modus vivendi can be found. Why does playing Pippo necessarily mean excluding youth? Why not put in a match which is clearly won a motivated Pippo along with Valoti and El Shaarawy for example, and not Emanuelso who is always give the chance, but never does anything remotely useful?

By safer i mean hat there is no situation that is above him. He won't overdo it and will remain composed till the final whistle. That is why he is a "safer" selection then say Valoti, Comi or Ganz. I think he excludes youth indirectly. I think it has been made obvious that Allegri just wants the best squad possible regardless of esteem, legendary status, or big name recognition. This is why he has struggled IMO at the beginning of both seasons when Headshine&Viagra are giving him advice (ronaldinho being "misplaced" in midfield, playing ibra and the Brazilians at the same time...). Allegri also sees the players differently then Carlo's latter years and Leo. He sees the potential as well as the current form, which is why Emanuelson gets the time he does. In Ajax, he was very offensively involved in most of the game. So to him, if he is going to make a time-killing sub or a "why the F not" sub he'd rather throw in a kid to get said kid's confidence up instead of the guy closer to 45 then he is 30...

I'm not talking about Pippo being regularly played. I'm talking about games he could have been played, but due to Allegri's treatment, he was played 8 or 10 minutes mostly, while being warmed up for 20 minutes. He's unnecessarily torturing him. Forget history and past moments when it comes to starters or team systems - sure - no one should be privileged; yet, the treatment Pippo get's IMO is beyond giving youth a chance rather then the oldies or forgetting history.

Allegri has his own legacy to make. Why would he show the old trophy winners if they cannot physically offer what a new player can. Again, this goes against his personal interest and it would cloud his opinion on the kids if he never got to see them. We should be thankful he has not been complacent with this team and is always looking ahead. I'm not saying we are blessed to have him but he does have his qualities. But i do believe management has a hand in his tactical inflexibility as in cagliari, he would often change tactics 2-3 times a game(!!!) i've seen 4-5-1, i've seen 4-3-3, i've seen 4-3-2-1, i've seen 4-3-1-2.

Don't worry though, the Coppa is coming, i doubt Pippo won't be thrown a bone (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[il_diavolo_mtl]

Allegri is becoming my #1 hate figure.

Unless you made peace with him in the off-season, I remember you as being his harshest critic last year...

[drucurl]

Unless you made peace with him in the off-season, I remember you as being his harshest critic last year...

I let him off a bit after securing the scudetto even in the face of a lot of difficulties and the effective loss of iBra.

However my complaints against him still remain and the HORRIFIC disrespect to Inzaghi is becoming unbearable. I have so many fond memories of him and though I'm coming off as a sentimental fool here there is one indisputable truth- few players have saved us as much as Pippo has in recent times...actually only $heva and Kaka come to mind.

Pippo is old, slow and weak but heyyy he's been that for sometime and it never really hampered his nose for goal. I personally have identified numerous opportunities gone by where he would have been a potential asset to our team.

[Jack Bauer]

Max has nothing against Pippo, he played him fine last season before the injury and given him some time for the standing ovation in the end of the season. I don't think it's personal at all.

I love Pippo but people gotta understand that he's nearing the end of his carrer. 38 y.o, after a hard injury, had troubles getting into decent shape because different small injuries, had a rocky preseason. So with all the sentimental values, I understand why Allegri prefers other choices and we do have 5 forwards ahead of him. How many 38 y.o strikers do you know that still play regularly at a top club? But I'm sure that if Pippo will be in a good shape, he might still be used this season. After all, our team is injury prone.

[Fillipo Simone]

What I don't understand is that we constantly mention that we do have 5 forwards and he is the 5th choice. Maybe now - but my/our criticism goes to the period when we had Cassano and El Shaarawy available. As I said, at full capacity, with Pato on the bench for example, there is little need for Pippo. But when you play Cesena and only have Cassano and El Shaarawy available and both playing first team, and Pippo is recovered - why not use him?

I think it wasn't personal, but now it became personal. I think both made mistakes, but Allegri did the ones that bothered me as a fan. Even if he's 38 and his physical condition is failing - he still is Pippo. Unlike Gattuso, whom I see play in constant decline and expect 0 out of him, I still feel Pippo. He may play, pass and run as a finished ex-player, he may play without a leg, but he'll be Pippo and do everything to score. Again, I'm not telling he must or even has to be played every match (he couldn't do it), but hell, with a better Allegri-Pippo relationship both sides would profit.

[Jack Bauer]

He did used him for 10 min against Cesena and few minutes against Udinese. Maybe not enough, but we don't know the level of his fitness at that time, after just coming back. Max shouuld have used him vs Juve though, but that whole game was one big mistake. I don't think there's enough to determine its' personal, Allegri wants to win not less than us and if Pippo was showing enough in training to deserve play time, I don't believe he would prevent him from playing just on some grudge.

[il_diavolo_mtl]

What I don't understand is that we constantly mention that we do have 5 forwards and he is the 5th choice. Maybe now - but my/our criticism goes to the period when we had Cassano and El Shaarawy available. As I said, at full capacity, with Pato on the bench for example, there is little need for Pippo. But when you play Cesena and only have Cassano and El Shaarawy available and both playing first team, and Pippo is recovered - why not use him?

I think it wasn't personal, but now it became personal. I think both made mistakes, but Allegri did the ones that bothered me as a fan. Even if he's 38 and his physical condition is failing - he still is Pippo. Unlike Gattuso, whom I see play in constant decline and expect 0 out of him, I still feel Pippo. He may play, pass and run as a finished ex-player, he may play without a leg, but he'll be Pippo and do everything to score. Again, I'm not telling he must or even has to be played every match (he couldn't do it), but hell, with a better Allegri-Pippo relationship both sides would profit.

Except for the Cessena game, this argument is mainly sentimental. Who knows maybe Valoti was unplayable in practice (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[Fillipo Simone]

Sentimental? Hmh, I guess it's rather unpopular to be emotional in stuff related to the club you love (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[il_diavolo_mtl]

Sentimental? Hmh, I guess it's rather unpopular to be emotional in stuff related to the club you love (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

I believe this to be a false equivalency. We all love what ambro/rino/seedorf/pippo/nesta have accomplished for this club and will forever remember their glorious performances committing to our success. One can be nostalgic and also apply linear pragmatism. I like pippo but as i said, i'm a progressive that doesn't think playing a forward who is closer to 45 then he is to 30, benefits us as much as you do. It's this mentality that gave us a finished Sheva on loan and almost got us Kaka back completely broken. Look at Barca, Man Utd, Bayern... Do you think they struggle as much as we do to let our past gladiators go? Allegri is having a hard time at the moment, why would we try to add additional conditions to our troubles by asking of a coach to bench Ibra/Pato/Pippo/Robi for a talisman of yesteryear. There is a time and a place to celebrate one's career and past importance during a game and both are certainly not during a difficult spell at the beginning of the season IMO.
Personally, i'm alot more worried about what's keeping Taiwo on the bench.

[Fillipo Simone]

Hmh,...I disagree with almost every sentence (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

One can be nostalgic and also apply linear pragmatism.

I like pippo but as i said, i'm a progressive that doesn't think playing a forward who is closer to 45 then he is to 30, benefits us as much as you do.

Pragmatism and progressiveness almost instantly exclude one another. But, this isn't theory or philosophy. But honestly, I don't think it's progressive to threat all named players as a bunch of old players who once done something good. Every player should get a separate treatment. Player X may be in demise with 30 and become "useless" while player Y may still be brilliant with 35. I don't care if Pippo is rejuvenated or 99 years old, but if he still is capable to score and be an asset to our team I want him in the team! It's as simple as that. I think playing Pippo against Cesena, against Juventus or Palermo brings joy to the fans, brings joy to Pippo and the team - which after all is beneficial enough to me.

It's this mentality that gave us a finished Sheva on loan and almost got us Kaka back completely broken. Look at Barca, Man Utd, Bayern... Do you think they struggle as much as we do to let our past gladiators go?

What I cannot understand all these years is what's the issue with it? Milan done it before I was even born, Milan did it when I grew up and the hopefully still will do it. That's how things work - Milan gave a hand to Leonardo, Ba, Shevchenko, Simone,..etc. etc. What's the problem? That's how Milan works and operates! I don't think those players were indispensable or of great help even, but I don't see how they did something wrong.

It's yet another myth saying that they stopped our "great" youth. Odu, Marzorati, Aubameyang, Grimi and all those fabulous players who were put out of favor because of faded oldies like Favalli or Pippo. I don't buy into that story one bit.

Allegri is having a hard time at the moment, why would we try to add additional conditions to our troubles by asking of a coach to bench Ibra/Pato/Pippo/Robi for a talisman of yesteryear.

What are you talking about?? Seriously?? Did you read any of my posts? In almost every one of them I stressed that neither Pippo nor me or any of his supporters expects him to start matches or bench Ibra?

Personally, i'm alot more worried about what's keeping Taiwo on the bench.

Well, he's doing a Sokratis, it's very simple.

[il_diavolo_mtl]

I think playing Pippo against Cesena, against Juventus or Palermo brings joy to the fans, brings joy to Pippo and the team - which after all is beneficial enough to me.

as i have said if it's just to put smiles on peoples faces then it's a "why not.." sub. I think the fans are just as interested, if not more, when they see a kid put in a great performance then when they see Pippo doing it...

Furthermore, you can reply, but i'm willing to bet we have opposing views on this topic (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[Fillipo Simone]

Yes we have. Keep in mind the banners and transparents at San Siro pointed at Pippo. Think about the applause he get's there. Then say again that it's rather irrelevant if Pippo or some kid comes in.