[William405]

Yeah, agreed with Danny. Though, I would have liked to see some legit build up play. It was a mess in midfield as usual. We have too many attack minded/individual players...well let's see what happens anyway.

[han2503]

Too late, never saw this till now!

Ultimately the midfield didn't function and there was simply no defence.

But given we only started literally about three or four players we'd consider first team material (Berto, Lopez, De Jong maybe MDS) that's not that shocking.

That out there was the squad being used.

It's also a friendly.

It is just a friendly.

But I would like to hope that we've learned from past mistakes and we'll use these summer warm-up games more wisely. Instead of just throwing in a random 11 half made up of players who won't be starting or will most likely be sold, I would like to see Miha actually trying to use the team (or at least the closest he can come to it) he envisions starting in the league.

So when we do play that first league game it's not once again a total mess of un-coordinated guys out there who look like they've never passed a ball to each other in their entire lives.

[Danny]

It is just a friendly.

But I would like to hope that we've learned from past mistakes and we'll use these summer warm-up games more wisely. Instead of just throwing in a random 11 half made up of players who won't be starting or will most likely be sold, I would like to see Miha actually trying to use the team (or at least the closest he can come to it) he envisions starting in the league.

So when we do play that first league game it's not once again a total mess of un-coordinated guys out there who look like they've never passed a ball to each other in their entire lives.

Don't know if you heard, but he sees Bacca, Adriano, Menez and, notably, Zapata, as important players to the team.

I am wondering if he rates Zaps higher than many around here do, and sees a defence of him as the foil to a Mexes/Alex/AN Other alpha partner.

As for this match, we simply don't know what our defence is right now, given we haven't made any signings, and Abate (and Zapata) wasn't available last night so the defence was a hodpotch. Midfield, well, we started two of the three we envisage as first-picks but it was their first match together.

And we can discount the entire attack.

What I'd say is cut a little slack for now. If it's still this messy in October then we can be a little concerned.

[acid911]

If it's still this messy in October then we can be a little concerned.

Very concerned, actually. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mellow.gif)

[han2503]

Don't know if you heard, but he sees Bacca, Adriano, Menez and, notably, Zapata, as important players to the team.

I am wondering if he rates Zaps higher than many around here do, and sees a defence of him as the foil to a Mexes/Alex/AN Other alpha partner.

As for this match, we simply don't know what our defence is right now, given we haven't made any signings, and Abate (and Zapata) wasn't available last night so the defence was a hodpotch. Midfield, well, we started two of the three we envisage as first-picks but it was their first match together.

And we can discount the entire attack.

What I'd say is cut a little slack for now. If it's still this messy in October then we can be a little concerned.

I wouldn't believe anything atm about what he feels about player A or player B

Zapata hasn't even gotten back from his vacation, I doubt Mihajlovic has any concrete opinions about him when he hasn't even seen him training once

There have been a lot of these reports about Miha wanting this or that player to stay or wanting so and so to leave.

But in truth this is all just speculation from papers as they don't have much to go on atm, especially with Galliani issuing a code of silence after the Kondogbia and Martinez embarrassments.

Just a few days ago I read that he had declared Cerci and someone else as un-transferrable. Simply had to laugh at that one. Cerci has been garbage for an entire year now, he was barely even noticeable against the barely pro sides we just played in the first 2 friendlies.

The only reason Cerci will most likely stay is because we can't resolve the loan issue there is since it's already pretty complicated with Torres and A. Madrid involved. Doubt that we can just as easily loan him somewhere else, like they probably want to do

[Danny]

I wouldn't believe anything atm about what he feels about player A or player B

Zapata hasn't even gotten back from his vacation, I doubt Mihajlovic has any concrete opinions about him when he hasn't even seen him training once

“Milan will be ready physically, technically and tactically for the start of the season. The players who have yet to arrive, like Carlos Bacca, Luiz Adriano, Jeremy Menez and Cristian Zapata, can make the difference.”

There have been a lot of these reports about Miha wanting this or that player to stay or wanting so and so to leave.

But in truth this is all just speculation from papers as they don't have much to go on atm, especially with Galliani issuing a code of silence after the Kondogbia and Martinez embarrassments.

See above.

Just a few days ago I read that he had declared Cerci and someone else as un-transferrable. Simply had to laugh at that one. Cerci has been garbage for an entire year now, he was barely even noticeable against the barely pro sides we just played in the first 2 friendlies.

He was actually one of our decent players yesterday. Did well up front, and set up Poli.

The only reason Cerci will most likely stay is because we can't resolve the loan issue there is since it's already pretty complicated with Torres and A. Madrid involved. Doubt that we can just as easily loan him somewhere else, like they probably want to do

He's also not our player?

[han2503]

See above.

That's not exactly saying that he sees him as an important cog either

I think if an offer comes in for him, he'll be out as fast as Rami was

He was actually one of our decent players yesterday. Did well up front, and set up Poli.

Just because he set up a goal doesn't mean his overall game was good imo.

He was mostly fumbling about out there, bad passes, bad decision making, bad end product, just overall pretty mediocre.

He's also not our player?

Nope, we swapped him and Torres on a 2 year loan deal.

So we can't just terminate the loan and send him back because it would most likely impact the Torres end of the agreement and we can't loan him to another club because he's ultimately not ours to do with as we please.

[Danny]

That's not exactly saying that he sees him as an important cog either

Um, yes it is. That's what he just called him.

I think if an offer comes in for him, he'll be out as fast as Rami was

Rami stunk. Zapata is a better stopper. Needs a good partner, but if he sells Zapata he has Mexes, Alex and THAT'S IT!

Just because he set up a goal doesn't mean his overall game was good imo.

He was mostly fumbling about out there, bad passes, bad decision making, bad end product, just overall pretty mediocre.

I disagree. Thought he was ok. Not wonderful, but ok.

Nope, we swapped him and Torres on a 2 year loan deal.

So we can't just terminate the loan and send him back because it would most likely impact the Torres end of the agreement and we can't loan him to another club because he's ultimately not ours to do with as we please.

Sarcasm doesn't travel in text at times. I know he's a loan player, my statement was trying to point out that you were implying he WAS our player.

PS it wouldn't impact Torres - Torres is our actual property. We can terminate the loan for Cerci and just leave Torres in Madrid.

[han2503]

Um, yes it is. That's what he just called him.

"The players who have yet to arrive, like Carlos Bacca, Luiz Adriano, Jeremy Menez and Cristian Zapata, can make the difference.”
That's hardly saying that he'll be a crucial element in the side imo. But we all interpret things how we want to, so you could be right or wrong on this. I personally don't think Zapata will be a sure starter. And if he is at the start of te season, he himself will make sure to play himself out of the starting 11 right quick

Rami stunk. Zapata is a better stopper. Needs a good partner, but if he sells Zapata he has Mexes, Alex and THAT'S IT!

If Rami stunk, so did Zapata. They both had approximately the same amount of games where they truly played well. And they both showed that they could produce down right terrible performances in their own ways.

And I'm 100% sure we will at least buy 1 CB if nothing else. We also have Ely and something tells me that he won't be made into the peripheral figure we're all hoping he'll be

I disagree. Thought he was ok. Not wonderful, but ok.

Meh, for me he wasn't. There's just something very simple/average about him.

Sarcasm doesn't travel in text at times. I know he's a loan player, my statement was trying to point out that you were implying he WAS our player.

PS it wouldn't impact Torres - Torres is our actual property. We can terminate the loan for Cerci and just leave Torres in Madrid.

Sarcasm isn't the only thing that sometimes gets lost in translation when you're just writing things out. Didn't mean to imply that about him

And I think it would effect the deal. Atletico don't want Cerci back. So I don't think they'll accept the termination that lightly, or else I feel like we'd have already done that by now considering our squad size and how desperate we are to reduce it

[Danny]

"The players who have yet to arrive, like Carlos Bacca, Luiz Adriano, Jeremy Menez and Cristian Zapata, can make the difference.”
That's hardly saying that he'll be a crucial element in the side imo. But we all interpret things how we want to, so you could be right or wrong on this. I personally don't think Zapata will be a sure starter. And if he is at the start of te season, he himself will make sure to play himself out of the starting 11 right quick

Like he did a few seasons ago alongside Mexes, you mean?

If Rami stunk, so did Zapata. They both had approximately the same amount of games where they truly played well. And they both showed that they could produce down right terrible performances in their own ways.

Zapata's only failings are some questionable positional sense and misplaced passes. He could at least put in tackles, get back in time, and 'defend'. Rami just couldn't, for us. He was better on the ball, much better, but as a defender, he stunk. End of discussion for me.

And I'm 100% sure we will at least buy 1 CB if nothing else. We also have Ely and something tells me that he won't be made into the peripheral figure we're all hoping he'll be


Meh, for me he wasn't. There's just something very simple/average about him.

He's a counter-winger. Exploits space and counters to expose defences. Worked wonderfully at Torino, not so at Atleti or us. He's a mid-table player, not because of his ability, but because of his style.

Sarcasm isn't the only thing that sometimes gets lost in translation when you're just writing things out. Didn't mean to imply that about him

And I think it would effect the deal. Atletico don't want Cerci back. So I don't think they'll accept the termination that lightly, or else I feel like we'd have already done that by now considering our squad size and how desperate we are to reduce it

We've shed like 400 players. The urgency to streamline is nowhere near what it was.

[X-Offender]

Suso, Niang and Cerci won't leave, according to MilanNews.

[han2503]

Like he did a few seasons ago alongside Mexes, you mean?

Yes, that's why we signed Zapata on a permanent deal after all. But he is a player that absolutely requires a "hand holder" playing next to him or else he'll just fall apart.

And that's why I just don't think he's a viable option for a definite starter moving forward.

Maybe for just next season he'll be okay since it is a transition one, just like it was a good idea to keep Mexes. But should we get back into the CL the following season, we absolutely do need to eliminate defenders like Zapata who always have a mistake in them

Zapata's only failings are some questionable positional sense and misplaced passes. He could at least put in tackles, get back in time, and 'defend'. Rami just couldn't, for us. He was better on the ball, much better, but as a defender, he stunk. End of discussion for me.

If you think those failings are just minor, which is the sense that I'm getting from this post, then fine. But imo, they're big issues and shortcomings for him as a player. His mistakes have directly lead to us conceding goals. And I'm not even going into the Rami vs Zapata debate here, that's pointless now that he's not even our player anymore. I'm just talking about Zapata as the defender

He's a counter-winger. Exploits space and counters to expose defences. Worked wonderfully at Torino, not so at Atleti or us. He's a mid-table player, not because of his ability, but because of his style.

Agreed, this is the very same reason why I didn't want him to join us to begin with and why I don't think he'll ever be useful in our team and why we should be looking to offload him is it is at all possible.

We've shed like 400 players. The urgency to streamline is nowhere near what it was.

No actually we haven't

We've only sold 2 players actually. The other 5 or so players had their contracts run out

We still have a bunch of players that we absolutely need to offload considering we also had a bunch that came back after loan spells and we need to get the squad size down to 25 by requirement.

Atm, we need to offload at least 10 players, also considering that we will most likely make 2 or 3 more signings

Suso, Niang and Cerci won't leave, according to MilanNews.

Too bad. Our attack is already overloaded.

I already foresaw the Cerci thing but I really do think that Niang should definitely be sent back to Genoa for another year. I till do him well plus it will be another name removed from the squad list

I think Suso would also benefit more from a loan than staying on

[X-Offender]

I would keep Suso.

Supposing we sign Romagnoli and Ibra but no mid, how far do you guys think we can compete?

[Danny]

I would keep Suso.

Supposing we sign Romagnoli and Ibra but no mid, how far do you guys think we can compete?

Theoretical team then:

Lopez, Abate, Alex/Mexes, Romagnoli, Antonelli/MDS; De Jong, Bertolacci, Monto.; Ibra; Bacca, Adriano

That for me is a top five team. It's a vast improvement on last season, but I think UCL is just a little bit off. I stand by that.

After all, a very strong Sevilla featuring Bacca's 20+ goals also could only manage fifth, and they were managed by Emery.

Maybe not the most 'like for like' there is but gives a vague indication.

(really disappointing that the Witsel story appears to be fading so dramatically. I'd have him in instead of Monto.

[Danny]

Suso, Niang and Cerci won't leave, according to MilanNews.

Confirmed. Mihajlovic took them off the market, whatever that means. Cerci wasn't technically on it given he isn't our bloody player!

Niang has potential and improved at Genoa, to add to his improvement at Milan earlier, but he may suffer from 'small club syndrome' where he just can't do it at a massive club like Milan, but can at a mid table one. And yes, I know I know, we are technically midtable ourselves but you know what I mean.