Only 'nearly impossible'? it's beyond impossible!

When it's inter I'm talking about, I like to keep things optimist. Particularly when it's about them finishing 5th and missing out on the CL. Or even worse, finishing behind Reggina and going back to Serie B. A man can always, dream, right, zd?

Depends. If it's Borriello whose playing then in the words of our management he will 'sacrifice' himself for the team's cause. Make a nuisance of himself and try bringing our goalscoring treqqies into play.

If it's Pippo then I think Kaka and R80 will 'sacrifice' themselves by taking turns to track back and leave Pippo to tap in.

If we had Pirlo back, I would say we can win with confidence, but since we don't and Zee isn't fit, I'm a little worried about this match. In fact very worried, since it's a long time since we built any momentum. To be honest, I'll take 3 points even if Napoli have 90% possession and we win coz of an offside goal or a dive penalty.

Yup...I'm desperate now!!

To be honest, I'll take 3 points even if Napoli have 90% possession and we win coz of an offside goal or a dive penalty.

Yup...I'm desperate now!!

Same here. I mean... that's basically how we won our last two games with opponents not as good as Napoli /to say the least/. Doing it again won't even impress me. Infact, it would even make me happier, because wins like that get you closer to the Scudetto. 1:0 sounds great. Them hitting the post twice, Abbiati saving over 10 shots and our players celebrating after the final whistle.

And Borriello will definetely be Carlo's choice although I believe Pato will start too. He was great against Siena.

The big fan of Pato you are, zd, I'm very much inclined to give you the best defender of his idol award in the Milanfan Forum Awards. In fact, I may. Though technically you should be Pato's idol, since he's a good half-decade or so younger than you. Bet you really love seeing him play and win us games.

You go, zd, keep it up! Having said that, almost everyone's aware the kid's got talent. It's his time, now!

Best post ever!!

I don't think Carlo's undermining Pato. As the interview posted by 10ie from soccernet shows. He's being asked to play wide, in an effort to stretch the defence. Esp with Pirlo not present to switch play as much.Also he seems happy, which would not be the case if he were being purposely ignored.

Seriously, I've never seen so much enthusiasm shown by a fan since the days of dst with Maldini! (please don't kill me dst, I know you still practice Maldinism, I do too). Which can never be a bad thing, the kid is immense, and sometimes I think of it, it was a pretty good move by the club to snap him up. +1 to both Leonardo and Galliani.

Hopefully Carlo shows a bit more faith in him in the near future. And let Pato gain the needed experience!

@zd: The only striker who can be judged purely on goals in our team is Pippo,because he's so awesomely one-dimensional. Everyone else is different.

I don't think Carlo's undermining Pato. As the interview posted by 10ie from soccernet shows. He's being asked to play wide, in an effort to stretch the defence. Esp with Pirlo not present to switch play as much.Also he seems happy, which would not be the case if he were being purposely ignored.

How come we play at home again?

“I wish Van Basten a happy birthday. Those of our days against Napoli were other games. They’re still nice, but today it’s a different story, there are different teams. This Napoli side is a team which has grown rapidly, now it’s a competitive team which managed to return to the top positions.

“This year we are more competitive than last year, the squad is bigger, we have the opportunity to change players and for this reason we manage to do better also in the big games. Milan and Napoli are teams who have a different way of attacking, they are quicker and we pass the ball around. Napoli is a strong team, and can hold on until the end.

“We have not yet arrived at the top, it’s an important objective, we are following it with tenacity. We must overtake this obstacle, which is very difficult, and we want to do so as quickly as possible.

“I didn’t see Mourinho being nervous, I saw him determined and sure on his ideas. It’s normal that there is curiosity around him. We are not running after Inter, the season this year is more balanced, when teams like Napoli and Genoa have improved a lot, it’s more difficult; Milan is taking its path. I don’t believe that the fact we are above matters right now, I spoke about the top spot because for us it is motivating after a long time. If Inter would draw for the third time? It wouldn’t change anything, the games are difficult for everyone.

“I didn’t hear what the Siena president said, but I think it’s exagerated.

“It’s not true that this is not my Milan. This is my Milan, it’s everyone’s Milan, it's a team which has proven other characteristics, following the initial defeats we understood that we had other weapons. The nice game remains our scope, but in some cases there are characteristics of the players which impose to follow other paths.

“Differently from the Milan side of the last Scudetto, this Milan is not ready yet. It still does not have the continuity we had in 2004, from that point of view we must improve. There were some practical difficulties in this sense: a player like Pirlo is fundamental and from September onwards he hasn’t played. How long must we wait for him? Still 15 days.

“Yesterday three players trained: Senderos, Nesta and Kaladze, who had not trained with the team for a bit. Kaladze is the one who is most advanced. We must still evaluate Maldini, who did not train yesterday, and Borriello. I don’t know if Kaladze is able to play, we shall see, but he could. For the use of Nesta and Senderos we must wait until next week.

“The doubt of the formation for tomorrow is tied to the two attackers. The attacking department of Milan this year is well-equipped, we can adopt various solutions.

“The match against Napoli which I remember best was surely the 4-1 of January 1988. It was the game where Milan showed its cards.

“Pato? I’m sorry if a player cannot be used. For him just like for any other. Last time he played a game trying to remove those limits he had shown in the previous games. He was more determined and tried with more vigour to shoot towards goal. It’s what he must do. Having Inzaghi with him means everything and nothing. If he manages to learn his secrets he will learn a lot.

“Lavezzi is not dangerous for the characteristics of our defenders. He’s a danger, period. He created a lot of problems to everyone. Actually, the attention that the Milan defenders have in this type of games can create problems to Lavezzi. Hamsik is a young player who can play in any team.

“The 5-2 of last January brings nice sensations, it was the team that had started well following the break and the thought goes to Ronaldo who had done nice things and then got injured. For the 3-1 of the second leg, there will be no revenge. We know that this is another game and we want to play at our best.

“I’m sorry for Roma, they are going through a difficult moment. I think that they have the ability to come out of it.

“Many would like to coach Milan, Beckham or no Beckham. He already has a position, I said it before, in the middle or on the centre-might. Or on the bench or in the stands, there isn't much choice (he laughs). For me it's exciting to coach Milan, if he's here or not it doesn’t matter, coaching a team I feel inside me.

“Even if we beat Napoli, doubts on our supremacy are still there, we must improve, the games like the one of tomorrow can give us confidence and we need that. It’s true that we have always won in the last games, but we want to give a further proof of strength and Napoli is the right team to do so.

“Not the defence improved, but the squad defensive concept, otherwise it would have been unthinkable to suffer so many few goals with the four central defenders out; there was the sacrifice of everyone, like Favalli, who had to take care of a new role for him.

“Flamini played a good game, maybe not exceptional, but he is one of the midfielders who is playing for a place with the others. Gourcuff was not a starter, whereas he is so.

“Yesterday Ronaldinho trained regularly. Everything alright.”

Thanks.

I think Bonera and Favalli will start in the center despite Kaladze and Senderos being called up.

I think it will be like this:



I think it's highly unlikely that Carlo will go with a more attacking line up.

I'm not the coach, but if it was up to me,

I would go with:


With Borriello or Ronaldinho subbing Inzaghi sometime in the 2nd half. And Darmian is not even called up, so Favalli must start in the center as Kaladze and Senderos are not 100%.

the attention that the Milan defenders have in this type of games can create problems to Lavezzi.

( @ dst

I'll reply to your PM tomorrow I'm not in the mood of that right now. )

&$^@&%&@*%#*&@^ it!!!!

Inter scores their 3rd goal in extra time ... Reggina played like bullsh!t, like they sold the game already ...

Hey do you want people to know I'm trying to seduce you!?? Oops!

Hey do you want people to know I'm trying to seduce you!?? Oops!

So you and R7 have definitely broken up then, dst?

Hey look man...when you hired me to play Alex Hitchins to your bumbling lovesick Albert Brennaman, this was rule number 1- ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY!!

Do not put this one on me...

Have fun! That ***** was boring anyway... the only way to make her hot was to dress up like Galliani... and when I did she was so obedient to whatever I said it was castrating...

So girl on girl... ha... Interesting...

Ahahahaha LOL

Hey do you want people to know I'm trying to seduce you!?? Oops!

With daylight savings time coming into effect, the game should be at 2:30 eastern. Fox Soccer Channel is showing it live.

This afternoon Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti, whose team are experiencing a strong period of form held a long press conference ahead of Sunday's against Serie A leaders Napoli.

He discussed about Milan's recent performances, saying that his charges need to make more effort in improving their consistency.

"In this period, even though we have made improvements, we have not been consistent," he said.

"Compared to when we won the Scudetto in 2004, we can't seem to play well consistently. I think this is because of the absence of Pirlo.

"In this last period we have had to use other weapons to win, like sacrifice and team work. Let's hope we have him back in about 20 days. That said, it is also positive that our team spirit is so strong."

The coach also talked about the injured players and the Alexandre Pato's start to the season: "I think that both Nesta and Senderos could come back next week against Braga. Pato still has some limits, which he is trying to eliminate in this period. He especially needs to learn to be more ruthless and confident inside the area."

He then went on to comment on Mourinho's decision to leave out players who do not follow his precise instructions and the Scudetto race with Inter.

"I don't think Mourinho is nervous, he is just determined, but I don't see why I always have to comment on his words," Ancelotti continued. "Inter? Everyone can see it's a balanced season. We only have to think about our own season and be in first place at the end.

"Last Thursday I had 12 players come in late [because of a road accident]. If I used Mourinho's methods I would have had to use the youth team," he chuckled.

Milan leapfrogged Inter in the standings for the first time in almost three years with the midweek victory against Siena (2-1). They are now just one point below joint leaders Udinese and Napoli.

Pato still has some limits, which he is trying to eliminate in this period. He especially needs to learn to be more ruthless and confident inside the area.

So in other words he won't get a start after dominating against Siena. He probably does need to be abit more selfish in front of goal but geez some harsh and unwarranted criticism from Carlo. And what exactly does he mean by "some limits"..

Pato still has some limits, which he is trying to eliminate in this period. He especially needs to learn to be more ruthless and confident inside the area.

So in other words he won't get a start after dominating against Siena. He probably does need to be abit more selfish in front of goal but geez some harsh and unwarranted criticism from Carlo. And what exactly does he mean by "some limits"..

Pato? I’m sorry if a player cannot be used. For him just like for any other. Last time he played a game trying to remove those limits he had shown in the previous games. He was more determined and tried with more vigour to shoot towards goal. It’s what he must do. Having Inzaghi with him means everything and nothing. If he manages to learn his secrets he will learn a lot.