[X-Offender]

Probable line-up according to most sources (Milan Channel included)

Lopez
Abate--Alex--Bonera--De Sciglio
Poli--De Jong--Muntari
Honda--Torres--Menez

I really do not want to whine and question Pippo as of yet.

But Bonera??? Muntari????

Bonera along with an equally slow Alex in the centre of defence is just asking for it imo. I seriously wonder why most coaches are so obsessed with him, that is until he completely lets them down and has a nightmarish performance, both Allegri and Seedorf had to go through this (Allegri twice over). Now Pippo is doing the same thing. I wonder when the calamity show will ensue... Hopefully not against Juve

And Muntari! Again! We have many options in midfield now, please Pippo! Do not make us suffer in watching this lazy idiot start anymore games for us unless it's a dire injury emergency he should be kept on the bench

Mediaset has Zapata over Bonera. Remember most line-ups before the Lazio game had Bonera starting too, but then Zapata played.

[han2503]

Mediaset has Zapata over Bonera. Remember most line-ups before the Lazio game had Bonera starting too, but then Zapata played.

Bonera started against Lazio as well.

I think Bonera will start on Sunday, Pippo seems to rely on him as a leader in the team

[Danny]

I don't think Pippo ever intended on playing Muntari as AM. In Pippo's 3-man midfield, up until now, there hasn't been an AM. Just an anchor and two muscle players. Not every 3-man midfield is built in your vision, Danny. Allegri used to play Ambro, Gattuso and Flamini together!

X-Off in 'using Allegri to support his argument' shocker (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

Yeah, I just don't see it that way. For me a 3-man midfield will always encompass a DM and two CMs. One of the CMs might be a creator or offensive-minded, but not an AM. I have another definition for that role.

And as Han said, Totti was a typical trequartista back in the day. If anything, it's now that he's being played as a striker.

I disagree.

OK, I perfectly get that, but what you said earlier doesn't support that view. You said "Honda is the AM. MvG is the CM. Bona is the AM. And it's therefore not a choice between Honda and Bona, but Honda and MvG. And MvG is my choice". How can it be a choice between Honda and MvG when they have different roles in your view? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

It isn't, that's what I've been saying the past 3 or 4 posts.

I said that in rebut to your contention that Honda had to play as CM. I am NOT proposing him as CM, but YOU are, and then applying it to MY 3 man midfield he's contending with MvG, and not Bona.

Let's put this in plain English - what is your choice for 3 man mid. Mine is NDJ, MvG & Bona. DM, CM, AM. What's yours?

[X-Offender]

It isn't, that's what I've been saying the past 3 or 4 posts.

I said that in rebut to your contention that Honda had to play as CM. I am NOT proposing him as CM, but YOU are, and then applying it to MY 3 man midfield he's contending with MvG, and not Bona.

Let's put this in plain English - what is your choice for 3 man mid. Mine is NDJ, MvG & Bona. DM, CM, AM. What's yours?

De Jong, Poli/MvG and Honda.

And when I said I'd play Honda as CM, I obviously meant as AM in your view of things, cos like I said, in a 4-3-3 there's no AM/trequartista for me.

[Danny]

Fair dues, we agree on NDJ/MvG at least. I'd choose the last one as Bona while you want Honda.

This all seems to have cleared itself up nicely!

[William405]

Well, that wasn't a very fruitful discussion. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[han2503]

I'm hoping Pippo plays at least one of Van Ginkel or Jack on Sunday, really excited to see how both of them fit into the squad and what they bring to it

[Jack Sparrow]

Expect MvG to come on for one of the midfield three and Jack B to come on for one of the wingers. With El Sharaawy out, this is exactly what we got him for.

[X-Offender]

Expect MvG to come on for one of the midfield three and Jack B to come on for one of the wingers. With El Sharaawy out, this is exactly what we got him for.

+1

[Danny]

I'm clearly missing something here. Jack?

[Jack Bauer]

Giacomo "Jack" Bonaventura.

[han2503]

I'm clearly missing something here. Jack?

It's Giacomo in English. Much less of a mouthful than Bonaventura.

Although we might have some issues with all the Jacks we'll be referencing now

[Danny]

I just call him Bona (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Jack Bauer]

Pippo:

"El Shaarawy is out with an injury. He is very important for us, but we will try to replace him in the best possible way. I was hoping that El Shaarawy would recover, so that he at least could sit on the bench vs. Parma, but he won't be called up."

"Alex will play from the start against Parma tomorrow. I still haven't decided who the other central defender will be."

"Rami is a very good defender. I have no problems with him. I'm counting a lot on him."

"Torres? We will see if he plays from the start tomorrow. I will decide it after today's training session."

"Bonaventura and Torres are both in great shape. One of them will play from the start and the other will be on the bench tomorrow."

"Pazzini? I hold him in high regard. He will be important for us. I will try to use the whole squad in this season."

"Van Ginkel will be on the bench tomorrow. He still has to settle in, but he can play in all the 3 roles in midfield."

"Bonaventura in midfield? Not tomorrow. But he could play there during the season. We also have Saponara for that role."

"Honda has recovered from the long trip from Japan to Italy, so I think that he will play from the start tomorrow. Honda is an exemplary player. He always arrives on time for training, and I think that he also works out at home."

[Danny]

Going by all that tomorrow's team is:

--------------Lopez

Abate-----Alex---Zapata----Bonera

Poli------De Jong-------Muntari

Menez------Pazzo/Torres-----Honda

No Bona or MvG. Can't express how disappointing that midfield selection is. Or how bewildering Bonera at LB again is. Yes, that's my conjecture but I have a feeling.

PS @ X Off - Pippo talking about the 'three roles in midfield' is kinda what I've been getting at.

PPS: Could all be mind games and he's going to select all the new players.