Just imagine how hard it would be on Gourcuff if he only got to come on at the last 10 minutes for us tomorrow.... That would be a huge slap in the face for him...

A real shame , i love to see him play when we're playing our strongest lineup 

Here's Gazzetta's probable lineup. (I really hope they're wrong.)

Dida
Bonera Nesta Kaladze Jankulovski
Gattuso Emerson Brocchi
Seedorf
Pippo Gila

(I really hope they're wrong.)

I suspect Yoann will start. The club website wouldn't put up a quote like that (AND translate it) and then not play the guy.

Yoann will definitely play. it's right that Carlo is stupid, but not that stupid to bench Gourcuff in a game in which we don't have any creative player at all (except for Seedorf).

Here's Gazzetta's probable lineup. (I really hope they're wrong.)
Dida
Bonera Nesta Kaladze Jankulovski
Gattuso Emerson Brocchi
Seedorf
Pippo Gila

How come nobody is mentioning Ambro to play! Does everybody think we're saving him for Benfica or something?

How come nobody is mentioning Ambro to play! Does everybody think we're saving him for Benfica or something?

How do you mean Carlo is stupid?

ُStupid for not giving Yoann the playing time he deserves 

Despite liking this man, I think his thoughts are a little bit old-fashioned nowadays, but yet successful.

ُStupid for not giving Yoann the playing time he deserves 

Despite liking this man, I think his thoughts are a little bit old-fashioned nowadays, but yet successful.

nonsense, he is a two time CL winner and one of the most successful coachs in Milan history!! IMO he ranks up there with Saachi. So in that sense, I don't think anyone can call him stupid but cunning

nonsense, he is a two time CL winner and one of the most successful coachs in Milan history!! IMO he ranks up there with Saachi. So in that sense, I don't think anyone can call him stupid but  cunning

I said old-fashioned but successful, I know... he's one of the two or three most successful coaches in Milan history. but personally speaking, I like Spalletti's football much more than Carletto's. that's what I call beautiful modern football!

I really want that man as Carletto's successor.

Remember Manchester?

Spalletti is good, but no match to Carletto.

I said old-fashioned but successful, I know... he's one of the two or three most successful coaches in Milan history. but personally speaking, I like Spalletti's football much more than Carletto's. that's what I call beautiful modern football!

I really want that man as Carletto's successor.

Well I don't, I would rather have a coach that can win me the CL than have a coach that plays beutiful football and gets humiliated 7-0.

And if u think Spaletti can do anything about that, don't get ur hopes up .. Cuz United have a VERY experienced coach in SAF. And I wouldn't be surprised if they beat them home and away in the groups (though I will be supporting Roma).

By the way SAF's experience was worth nothing in Milan-Man U game, right?!  even SAF can get humiliated sometimes! 

Serie A Preview: Siena - Milan

What: Italian Serie A
Who: Siena (0 pts., 19th) vs. AC Milan (4 pts., 4th)
When: Saturday September 15, 18:00 (CET)
Where: Stadio Comunale Artemio Franchi, Siena


Opposite Ends of the Spectrum

Neither of these two clubs have had the starts to the season they envisioned, but nevertheless are already approaching different objectives. 

Siena are sitting in nineteenth place, not having taken anything from either of their opening two matches.  Their goal-scoring record so far this term is one for, and five against.  They opened the season with a loss at home, at the hands of Sampdoria, 2-1.

‘Samp’ took the lead in the first half, but Siena battled back and leveled the score with twenty minutes to go. Either side could have won this match, but in a theme which has already become repetitious for Siena this season, their defense could not hold the opposition, as newly-acquired Vincenzo Montella scored with less than five minutes remaining to give Sampdoria the victory. 

The next match was an even more daunting task for Siena, as they traveled to Rome’s Stadio Olimpico to take on AS Roma.  The outcome was quite predictable, as Roma stomped the visitors on their way to a 3-0 win, thanks to the second long-range blast by the home side’s Alberto Aquilani in as many weeks, and two further goals in the final ten minutes. 

Milan, however, looked to be the team to beat after their first match, but regressed in the next fixture.  An opening day road win over Genoa, with the 3-0 score line being finalized in the first half, sent out a warning to all opponents.

Massimo Ambrosini beat his marker to the ball from an Andrea Pirlo free-kick and headed in at the near post.  Kakà then cemented the victory, by scoring from close-range in the 43rd minute, then converting a penalty kick in stoppage time, after Alberto Gilardino was brought down by the goalkeeper. 

The next match for Milan, however, was a real struggle, and they repeatedly failed to complete attacking moves or, as was the case most of the time, even get them started.  Fiorentina, fresh from a big win in their first match, came to the San Siro with intentions of getting the full three points, and almost did so.  Kakà converted a penalty kick midway through the first half, but Adrian Mutu brought the sides back on even terms ten minutes after the restart. 

Fiorentina had the better of the chances for the remainder of the match, even hitting the frame of the goal.  A scuffle broke out, with unlikely protagonists being involved.  A Fiorentina player went down in the attacking third, but Milan continued play.  Gennaro Gattuso, of course, was involved, but the usually-calm Kakà became involved, and showed a rare display of anger.  Following this odd encounter, both teams had some decent chances, but nothing came from them, and Milan slumped to a home draw. 

FORM GUIDE

Siena

8/26    Siena 1-2 Sampdoria    Serie A

9/2      Roma 3-0 Siena          Serie A



Milan

8/26    Genoa 0-3 Milan          Serie A

9/3      Milan 1-1 Fiorentina    Serie A

TEAM NEWS

Siena have several injured players, those being Valerio Bertotto, Daniele Ficagna and Wanderson Scardovelli, while the players returning from international duty may not be able to play the full ninety minutes. 

Milan will be missing about half of what would have been their preferred first-choice lineup.  Paolo Maldini and Ronaldo have yet to make an appearance this season due to injuries, while Kakà, Andrea Pirlo and Massimo Oddo will be rested due to their time with the Brazilian and Italian national teams this past week.  The move to rest this trio is evidently a decision manager Carlo Ancelotti made with the thought of the Champions League opener (in the midweek against Benfica of Portugal).

Readdressing the Ronaldo injury, this saga continues to run on.  After first saying he would be fit for the start of the season, he has not yet touched the field of play, with his thigh injury causing a lot of distress and confusion for the Milan medical staff.  He even went back to his native Brazil to see the national team physician about the injury, with doubt in his mind over the abilities of the Milan physicians.  They now claim to have a handle on the injury and what the course of treatment should be, but a doping claim has now been made, and this could drag on for a long time. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Leandro Grimi (Siena) – The young Argentine fullback is on loan from Milan this season, and will be eager to show his employers why they should have held on to him tightly.

Clarence Seedorf (Milan) – With Kakà and Pirlo being rested, the onus for attacking creativity will be squarely on the shoulders of this Dutchman.  His resurgence in play since joining Milan has placed him back in the Netherlands national team, and he should be up to the task against Siena. 

POSSIBLE STARTING XI’s

Siena (4-3-3): Manninger; Alberto, Portanova, Loria, Grimi; Vergassola, Codrea, Galloppa; Frick, Maccarone, De Ceglie

Milan (4-3-1-2): Dida; Bonera, Nesta, Kaladze, Jankulovski; Gattuso, Emerson, Ambrosini; Seedorf; Gilardino, Inzaghi 

PREDICTION

Though Milan will be without many of their star names, they still have a fair amount of firepower to field against Siena.  The key to this match may be how Siena counteracts the Milan movements, and this should be a tight affair. 

Siena 1-2 Milan 

Ancelotti's Ronaldo apology
Saturday 15 September, 2007

Carlo Ancelotti has apologised to Ronaldo and insists Milan are looking to win at Siena this afternoon despite leaving behind several top stars.

The Ronaldo saga has undoubtedly dominated the last week at Milanello, as he is now back in Italy after a trip to Brazil for a second opinion on his injury from Selecao medic Jose Luiz Runco.

“Ronnie is recovering and he looks relaxed, but I will not make predictions over the date of his return. There has already been far too much confusion,” warned the Coach.

“Perhaps our evaluation of his injury was mistaken and we are sorry. He wants to play and will play. It was a slower recovery process than expected, but there is nothing more to it.”

“There will be a few players missing, but this is tied to their international commitments and the long journeys they had to make,” assured Ancelotti after excluding Kaka, Massimo Oddo, Andrea Pirlo and Ronaldo from this trip.

“On Tuesday we will have another important game against Benfica, so in these cases it is best not to run the risk. Oddo has a calf problem and that is why he was not called up.”

Just three weeks into the campaign, Ancelotti already has to face the tricky balancing act of Scudetto challengers and Champions League holders.

“This is a big game for us, as after a long time we have the opportunity to return to the top of the Serie A table, even if for only a few hours, and that is a great motivational tool.

“Andrea Mandorlini’s Siena are vivacious and they played well against Roma. They have a good tempo and are particularly pacy, although they do lack something in terms of maturity.”

Pippo Inzaghi and Alberto Gilardino are the only real choices left upfront, but Ancelotti is not concerned.

“We are not scared by problems in attack, as we do not think that we have any. Gila and Inzaghi are reliable and we have other options, as we can move the Trequartisti in a more advanced role. Kaka won’t be there, but that is not a problem. This is our chance to show we have other strengths.”

Midfield maestro Pirlo is also absent, so former Juventus, Roma and Real Madrid man Emerson has his first start for the Rossoneri.

“With Andrea we have greater ease in the cross-field pass and spreading the play. With Emerson we can have more protection in front of the defence. The Brazilian will play from the first minute and has already settled in well to the squad.”


::channel4::

Grimi hopes Milan regret him
Saturday 15 September, 2007

Today Leandro Grimi will get the chance to impress Milan – the club that owns his contract – when they come to Siena.

“It is a little strange for me to face Milan, but I am with Siena now and want to win this match,” said the 22-year-old on-loan defender.

“They are a strong side, but we will have to play everyone over the course of the season, so it is better to take on the top sides at the start rather than near the end. The big clubs’ fitness preparation is more of a long-term plan, so they take time to get into gear.”

The Rossoneri are without Ronaldo, Kaka, Andrea Pirlo and Massimo Oddo, so does Grimi think this will make his life easier?

“Milan have many top players upfront, like Alberto Gilardino and Pippo Inzaghi,” assured the Argentine.

He only made three Serie A appearances throughout last season with the club, but has already had two starts for Siena.

“The Coach has put faith in me and that is very important. I had not played two games on the trot in a long time and hope we can win this match.”

Siena are struggling badly, though, with two consecutive defeats in which they scored one goal and conceded five.

“We deserved more from the Roma match, as when we were 1-0 down we could have equalised with quite a few chances. We lost, but the fact we played good football gives everyone extra confidence,” he told the official club website.

“We knew it was going to be tough and started the season with an uphill struggle, but there is time to turn it around and improve many little things.”


::channel4::

^^ I think Bonera will start. The guy has to play too sometimes.

Favalli--Nesta--Kala--Cafu
-Rino--Emerson--Brocchi-
------Seedorf--Yoann------
-------------Gila-------------

If he starts I would play him instead of Nesta not as a RB.

I'd rather field Digao at CB than Cafu at RB! He's just some old guy right now... I can play much better than he does!

You'll see, there's still something in him,...

I'd rather field Digao at CB than Cafu at RB! He's just some old guy right now... I can play much better than he does!

I would play him alongside Nesta. Kaladze played all the games until now + 2 games for his NT. Bonera, our first CB sub choice (when Maldini injured), haven't played at all.

I personally would rather have a fit Nesta against Benfica rather then a fit Kala, so I would much rather rest Nesta, even if he hasn't played as much then risking him getting injured. Kala can always rest next week