OK, I don't have anything particular on my mind right now, I'll just copy-paste some stuff from acmilan.com and... here we go!





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Forza Milan I'm going to forget all the disappointments of this season and cheer the team from now on. hopefully the problems will be solved. it's better to think this way...

Fishdoll thanks zeddie for opening the thread!

We'll get a chance to see Kjaer up close and personal at this one.

Yup this is a big test for Kjaer... which I hope he fails cause I've missed seeing Pato score!

The problems are well documented, and if all the paper rumours are right, Carlo's had enough and told the board to either cut bait or go fish. I hope to God that Galliani's 'affection' for Carlo shows in the transfer window.

Supposedly Carlo's asked for 2 purchases in defence and one forward.

Palermo's a good team. I hope we play well. But we have been blindingly inconsistent this season, so I really can't say that a smash and grab win would disappoint me. To lose this match would put a lot of pressure on us.

Quote of the day

Here's Mediaset's early guess at a starting lineup:

Milan (4-3-1-2): Dida; Zambrotta, Senderos, Maldini, Jankulovski; Beckham, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Kakà; Inzaghi, Pato

Flamini should start after his performance last week, that being said... I could see Carlo benching him

I think at this point, with Janku's current form I'd prefer Zambro on the left, Flamini on the right and Ambro in midfield.

Janku was our weak link in defence in that friendly, and when you have Senderos, a Brazilian RB, and a Brazilian CB that has played only a handful of times in a long time span, that's saying something.

Regarding the midfield and attack. I'm personally not convinced that will be it.

Pippo is in great form, any sane person would leave him in that starting line-up. Although having said that, we all know that Pippo in this type of form can come on at any point in a match and score. To him it's not about adapting to the rythem of a match since he's all about instinct. The only reason I'm making this point is because Dinho and Kaka are looking better with every match they play. Sheva also looked good in the friendly. And then there is the Beckham Seedorf issue, one is Carlo'l favourite and should he play better because of the sudden competition for his place he is not someone that can be overlooked. But with Becks playing so well... him and Pippo are a dinamic duo when it comes to assists and finishing off those assists. So if you have Pippo on that pitch Beckham has to start.

For me the ideal formation throughout the match would preferably be




At some point early in the second half 2 subs to come on being

I'd stick with the 2 strikers tactic for this match.

Well, one person we're not likely to face is Palermo CB Moris Carozzieri:



Carrozzieri tested positive for cocaine.

:shakeshead:

Heh...and we were 'supposed' to be interested in him.

It's sad to think that despite all the advances in modern-day drug testing, there are still idiots out there who think they'll never get caught.

Carrozzieri is just another dope - pun intended - who fell into that category.

He just wanted to have some fun. I feel for him.

Ugh. We've got Rizzoli as referee for this match.

(zeddie, Rosetti will referee Napoli-cugini).

cocaine's a hell of a drug

Hm. Pato pulled up in training yesterday (muscle pull). He may not play.

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OH MY GOD!! IT'S THE END!!!

Shevchenko or Ronaldinho to start this one ?

Wouldn't hold my breath for it...

Ronaldinho I hope. He's less an ex-player compared to Shevchenko.

By current form Sheva. And because I want to see two strikers. And I miss Sheva-Pippo. And they'll be expecting Ronaldinho. And because Ronaldinho and Kaka still tend to cancel each other out. And because Sheva can use his head (literally) better than R80. And because Becks will play, heading becomes rather important.

Seedorf will get the start in the xmas tree next to Kaka

I'll bet money on it

So, today's training has taken place.

Beckham, Ronaldinho and Il Capitano got there early to do some running.

Emerson was present to say goodbye; everyone wished him well.

Then the real practice started. After warmups there was a 10 v 10 practice game followed by an 11 v 11 game in which Pippo scored twice.

Pato worked both in the morning and afternoon on specific exercises, as did Antonini.

Borriello ran laps around one of the pitches.

Nesta did some running outside on one of the pitches.

... ... how much I'd love to see him play again...

Me too.

hi hope ronaldinho starts and we play two strickers : kaka and pippo ...

So what of Pato?

There must be some mistake. Surely...

he's injured i think

There's this club near Milanello so he went straight to training after clubbing.

If Seedorf plays it will be his 500th game of his career.

Let's hope come monday he's still on 499...

Carletto gave his prematch press conference.

Pato's got a 30% chance of playing -- a lot depends on how today's training goes. Flamini is confirmed to play somewhere on the pitch. Favalli is fit for the game.

Other than that, there's a lot of talk about transfer rumors - Ancelotti stated that he's still got a year on his contract and intends to see it out, etc etc.

poor pato...thats really unlucky to pick up an injury in training i thaught it was from the knock he picked up against torino that was keeping him out. hes really deserved a few goals on his performances lately. i really wanted him to reach 20 goals this season to boost his confidence. i wouldnt be supirsed to see sheva pippo upfront tho, with shevas 2 goals in the friendly during the week, and both him and pippo to exploit becks crosses and his abilty to set up aswell, id bet r80 comes in as a sub....depending how the game goes of course, but carleto seems to be convinced with 2 strikers, 15 goals and 2 conceded in the last 6 games...its hard to argue no?

Call ups:
Dida, Kalac, Perucchini
Darmian, Favalli, Jankulovski, Maldini, Mattioni, Senderos, Zambrotta
Ambrosini, Beckham, Cardacio, Flamini, Pirlo
Seedorf, Inzaghi, Kakà, Shevchenko, Ronaldinho.

No Pato.

HAH!

so bad for pato, but i hope to see R80 and Kaka working with pipo , i think these will work very well, and i don't forget becks who will have a lot of space i think for his crosses because the palermo defense will be most focused on R80 and Kaka so i think pipo will score again for sure, and i am also glad to see flamini playing like these, he will be one of the bigest Milan forces for the next season!

(Fishdoll knows this isn't particularly the right moment, zeddie, but your smiley there made him giggle).

I'm not that sad. it's probably a one-game absence. doesn't seem like a serious injury (am I right?). Pato was used (/did play) way too much this season. probably more than any other player. so the injury can be seen as a blessing in disguise; he can rest a bit.

The impression I got was that it's a mucle pull only; so yeah, it's more of a precaution thing that he's not playing. Whoever plays in his place better step it up though; Palermo aren't a walkover.

True, I'm hoping it's either Ronnie or Sheva who take his place, PLEASE Carlo no Seedorf in the xmas tree next to Kaka!!!!

Gazzetta's probable lineup:

Dida
Flamini Maldini Favalli Zambrotta
Beckham Pirlo Ambrosini
Kaka Seedorf
Inzaghi

As I expected...

Inzaghi to score and Kaka' to assist

2- 0 win

No Seedorf please.......... . Even though he's making terribly bad performances , I think he will still get the nod as Carlo is in love with him . And I hope Pato is alright and starts this match but we should not risk him if he's not 100 % . I predict a hard fought 3 - 1 win for Milan , Inzaghi to score twice & Kaka to score once .

Seedorf to start? Good old carlo

Seeing as the game starts in 3 1/2 hours and I'm still awake, chances are I'll be oversleeping this one. Hopefully Dida can keep another clean sheet and the Torino goal won't have damaged his confidence.

I think someone other than Pippo will do the scoring tomorrow. 2-0.

'Night.