Well, in Carletto's defense, I wouldn't want Shevchenko starting either. He just hasn't been in form and (for example) guys like Pippo and Borriello and Pato have been.

I don't think that what Ancelotti said was really so damning of Pato, guys. What I see him saying is that Pato is working hard on the pitch to improve those areas of his game that could stand to be improved. Pato IS just 19; he's not a complete package yet.

As for the guaranteed starters for Milan argument, yeah, there are some. But the only one I think is arguable at this point is whether or not Flamini should start ahead of Ambrosini. Rino has earned his spot by recent performances, Kaka is a no-brainer, and (if they're healthy) I really doubt many would argue with the wisdom of starting Maldini and Nesta in defense.

EDIT: That said, I would LOVE to see the Uruguayans and Darmian in something other than Coppa games. Haven't seen the Uruguayans in a Milan jersey yet (though I must have seen them play for their old teams since I get Uruguayan league games and occasionally watch those) and I was seriously impressed with Darmian in the U19 games.

Atleast some good news, if it's going to be the xmas tree, then Boriello has to be the one that starts, he works for the team unlike for example Pippo, and the system we play when we use the xmas tree suits him best unlike for example Sheva or Pato.


Totally 100% agree with you zd, we've both said this a billion times on here, and this is one of the main reasons why Carlo just p!sses me off to no end, his stubbernes when it comes to chosing players, always going for the same formaion and players that he is comfortable with not the ones that are actually on form, his reluctance to give younger players chances, he already ruined Yoann for us and right now I'm praying that the same fate isn't suffered by Pato, the fact that he is willin to start a poor Favalli ahead of Darmian who I'm sure couldn't do any worse then Favalli can is testement enough to this.

As for Sheva, I don't believe that Carlo has the best of realtionships with him, I think it was already slightly strained before he left but Carlo still had to play him because he was our best player but now, he has the upper hand on the situation, he has an excuse for not playing him. @ Tennie, personally I would prefer Sheva playing to Pippo, he's just a far better overall player to have on the pitch then it is to have Pippo. Against Siena some of our best chances were created because Sheva made them himself for his teammates, sure Pippo will score the odd goal here and there after being caught off side about a million times but interms of how the team benefits on the overall play of the match during the entire 90 minutes I think it's a no brainer to choose Sheva, just my oppinion

udinese drew there game so the winner of this game goes to top

We'll see tonight if we're top-of-the-table worthy...

If we win, we go top. I think that's enough to motivate our players.

Forza ragazzi!!!

Keeping our CL spot wasn't enough to motivate them last season so I wouldn't be surprised to see us throwing this one away like we usually do.

I don't know why but I'm feeling pessimistic about this one, probably because this Carlo's Milan has a history of throwing things away. Personally I think that all comes from the coaches' mentality, something that Carlo has been questioned about since his early days at Juve

No, I'm quite confident looking back to the last matches
We will be on top @22:15h!

Best, Mac

That's the spirit. Forza Milan!

han only does this as a defense mechanism. Take it easy on him. When he is pessimistic, Milan losing won't affect him as much and if they win, well, then he will be pleasantly surprised!! I know han. That' his strategy.

Now someone might call that cowardly, but who am I to judge...

It has been soo long...

In my opinion Napoli's weak link is their defense! I know guys like Santacroce and Cannavaro are there, but they play with 3 defenders and judging on what I've seen from them so far, they are rather shaky when you attack and put them under pressure. (Lazio nearly scored on a few occasions when they went all attack and Napoli were lucky to finish the game with a clean sheet).

I still think the Christmas tree will be a mistake but let's wait and see...

I think you're right about the defense being the weakest part of Napoli's game. It's a bit of a risk playing 3 at the back -- that may go some way to explaining the number of cards both Paolo Cannavaro and Santacroce pick up (last year, they both had LOTS). I do rate Santacroce and Paolo Cannavaro...well, in my opinion he is to big brother Fabio what Simone Inzaghi is to big brother Pippo.

You hurt my feelings there Max



But hey, we won the CL by half of this board playing the pessimmistic card, so you're right you shouldn't judge us for choosing this route


The christmas tree is ALWAYS a mistake, it's pointless talking about it since we all know that it's whatr Carlo will choose no matter what. Hopefully R10 and Kaka go out wider and it becomes sort of a 4-3-3 type of set up so we can hit Napoli were it hurts, they play with 3 at the back so their flanks will become exposed if they try to attack.

Hey, I did it too... But then we won and I was like I better cut it out...

Why cut it out when it worked like a charm that season in CL? It could work on the league this year.

That's why we play the pessimist card. "Oh Inter have such a strong team, Inter have Mourinho, Inter invest in the team, bla bla bla"

It's all a ploy

LE FORMAZIONI UFFICIALI:

MILAN: Abbiati; Zambrotta, Bonera, Favalli , Jankulovski; Gattuso, Seedorf, Ambrosini; Kakà, Ronaldinho; Borriello.
NAPOLI: Iezzo; Santacroce, Cannavaro, Contini; Maggio, Blasi, Gargano, Hamsik, Mannini; Denis, lavezzi

Favalli

Borriello

Favalli vs. Lavezzi... This will be like a lion vs. a tiger...

Lord help us.

And Ambro instead of Flamini in the midfield

What will happen if they cross breed and create a 'Liger'??? ....



...Run!!!!

snail vs a chettah if we are comparing the pace

didnt carlo said yesterday that kaladze will play if maldini is not fit

OK, congrats to Napoli for reaching the top spot! you don't believe me? wait and see!

Believe in Favalinho.

Haven't they already, um, done that? Thanks God they don't cross bread humans!

napoli has not won at the san siro since late 80s and lost all since 1998 i think

Oh, missed the link. Read more on Ligers here: Liger


Oh my, zd! Had I not known when the time match was scheduled to start I'd half believed you that Napoli had won and moved to the top place. Frankly, I want them to score first, this way we'll play the whole 90 minutes, and even win. And certainly we shouldn't score in the first half, or everyone will get relax and we'll concede again.


I believe in Harvey Dent. Or Maldini. Or myself. Favali is a decent backup player, that's all he's ever been.

Good. Let's keep it that way! Forza Milan!

Just recently there was an incident in part of the US, where a Liger mauled a zoo keeper to death.
Whats more interesting is that the zoo keepers were not supposed to go into the Liger's den!
...Why was he in there??!

liger-attack-kills-animal-handler

more milan less liger

Yess I agree!!

Anyone managed to get one of the 3 HD streams working..

teams on pitch FORZA MILAN !!!!

As Joker would say: 'It's all part of the plan!'

mardonna in stands

Shevchenko not even suited up - shot of him in the VIP section.

i cant stop shaking

gud run by borriello

Hasn't he got anything better to do? Fingers crossed he goes home after a defeat!

Bad shot though. Paolo Cannavaro (Fabio's brother who plays in Napoli) seems to have had his batteries charged.

he needs to see some players for the team he coaches

this is the sort of game where the christmas tree will do just fine. napoli will make us suffer a lil bit. gattuso and ambro need to win us the midfield battle. and seedorf will have to do his best pirlo. so far so good. borriello will be big today too.

my thoughts thus far..

ambro yellow why is he comminting so stupid fouls

gud play by milan janku-seedorf combination

FK

ambro will get a red soon if he contnues like this

gud fast game this is

We're the better team so far, let's hope we keep it up and score a couple before halftime

Really looking determined.

btw, Ambro should get a talking to he's about to get sent off

Great shot from Levezzi

was that a foul in the box on r80 a while ago ?