1 year ago in fact...

Cafu and Sergiho yes but who do we have now ?

Abate and Antonini And if that doesnt work out we have a great bench in the name of Zambrotta, Oddo en Jankulovki No wonder we didnt get any prizes this season.

I hope in the bench it will be Otmendi Zambrotta and (Ramos

Zambrotta =

Nah, he's not that bad... yet.

yet? he will end it before he goes bad..

compared to Kaladze and Oddo, he's fine indeed But that's not a fair comparison

Naah, Zambrotta is allways good to have around. He's just world class and allways will be, unlike the others mentioned.

He isn't world class anymore though... far from it really, but still might be a starter coming season... says enough.

Zambrotta offensively=good enough for Siena or something
Zambrotta defensively=good enough to be a backup at Milan

It's just my opinion.

I really don't think people stop being world class. Not Baresi, not Costacurta, Maldini, Nesta,...Zambrotta also.

You think he's offensively on a Serie B team level? Well, that's offensive, no doubt.

Zambrotta is definitely not on the same level as Oddo, Kaladze and Jankulovski. He's still got it in him for another year or two. And besides, he was one of the better players of this shameful Italy. But considering he's 33, he's definitely not first line-up worthy for a club like Milan. Like Zed said, he's good enough to be a back-up.

*cough* Cannavaro *cough*

We know Canna was world class back in his days, but his performances in his last season with Juve and in the World Cup were pathetic.

Not anyone can replicate Maldini or Billy.

EDIT: trust me, I don't have anything against Zambro at all, but I think he doesn't belong in the same line as Baresi, Maldini, Billy and Nesta.


I didn't mean Serie B level. I'd forgotten Siena aren't in Serie A anymore. I meant he offensively is good enough for a bottom table team. Inter have (had?) Maicon, Real have Ramos, Barca have Alves, and we have Zambrotta! not good enough IMO.

I actually think a fullback's offensive capability is heavily determined by who's playing ahead of him on the flank. And if the said player is someone you can play the overlap with.

I don't think it's a coincidence that we saw Zambrotta going forward more in the two matches for Italy. Camoranesi is a player who does play the overlap.

In Milan's case over the season, he either had Pato or KJH. Both of whom tend to rush the box rather than play on the overlap. In fact it was not just Zambrotta, even Abate was struggling to get forward. The difference was Abate was struggling to defend as well.

Not saying Pato/KJH suck. On the contrary, it's team tactics. Pato/KJH have to rush the box, because that's our style of playing. We don't get support in the box from our midfield players(unlike the Azzuri with DDR and Marchisio), and R80 and Antonini (who do play on the overlap with each other) often stay outside and plug in crosses. If Pato and KJH don't rush into the box at every opportunity, there'll be just Borriello inside.

Secondly, the cases where Pato/KJH dn't rush into the box, has two scenarios:

1. Neither forwards cross or leave through balls down the flank. We've talked about Pato being raw in making decisions, and KJH generally not coming to terms with being a wing forward.
2. To bomb up, you need to have confidence that the guy ahead of you will cover the midfield when you run into the final third, and your DM covers the space at the back. Ambro is busy holding fort on the left flank....while our second DM is trying to push forward with little effect. I don't blame Zambro.


I know the example of a team that doesn't do this is Barca. But I honestly think Barca's football can be played day-in day-out only in Spain. Some of the most hilarious defending I've seen comes there. They don't understand the concept of cutting space and putting pressure. We saw Barca getting ripped by Inter. They completely exploited Dani Alves and his propensity to run forward whilst Messi does little to offer cover.

In fact Dani Alves' performance on the night was worse than anything Zambrotta has done this season. Now imagine Zambrotta faces that kind of setup every week in Serie A. It's no wonder he's struggling.

Where do I think Zambrotta is declining:

- His pace. Even in his heyday, he wsn't a crossing fullback. He's a former winger. He dribbles, he weaves, he shoots...smetimes crosses. But that mercurial pace has dipped a bit. Tired feet=Tired dribbles and weak shots. I think he should be played a little less often. Not more than 20 matches a season. With age while you top speed doesn't drop your ability to maintain it does I think.

So, what do you think of Galliani, who will not return Astori and Paloschi to Milan? Both are for 50% owned by Milan but both will extent a year at Cagliari and Parma.

I think it's a good decision. Paloschi doesn't turn out to be the great talent that we expected him to be and on the other hand Astori didn't have a good season at Cagliari IMO.
Besides, this brings Galliani the option to push Albertazzi to the first squad.

I agree with the renewals. Paloschi was injured most of the time...and we have to see how he turns out. Astori- tbh the own goal he scored against us disappointed me a little. Let's see though. When we have more potential in our current youth setup let's play them first.

Paloschi was injured most of the season. His talent is undisputed if you ask me, and I think we should have got him back to replace Inzaghi. As for Astori, I don't think he's Milan quality, so it's good he stayed at Cagliari.

His injury is actually a result of growth spurts. I think we should hold on bringing him back, till he 'stabilises'.

This could help us bring in young German talent, namely Ozil.

http://www.milannews.it/?action=read&idnotizia=28432

Oh, now that is interesting. Bierhoff as sporting director? Didn't see it coming but it could be a good choice.

That's a very surprising news.

Isn't Bierhoff bound with the German FF? Does that mean that Löw will also leave after the WC?

Anyway...yep, this could mean a great deal for us. I think in the direction of Phillip Lahm here. Milan could use his talent and ability, while he has many years of playing for Bayern behind himself and may be up to a move.

Müller and Özil? Sure, I'd like to have them, but, I think after this WC, especially if Germany surpasses Argentina too...their price will be out of Milan's paying level, much nearer to the likes of ManUtd., Liverpool, Real or Barca.

True, but Berlu could buy anyone he wanted. If one of them can impress him enough, or if Germany wins the WC, who knows. Maybe they could be considered our 'champion' we were semi-promised.

I'm too lazy to copy/paste that into google translate, is Bierhoff to Milan a sure thing?

I don't think so. You honestly think Milan could splash 50-70 million on a player. Remember, Berlu wanted Ronaldinho a few years before we actually signed him. Why didn't he join Milan? He was too expensive.

Not at all. I've googled for some german news.

DFB (German FF) had negotiations with Bierhoff that broke down in February. Now, Löw, who is know to be a Bierhoff supporter also is in question. So IMO much depends on the German result at the WC.

Özil.. well Man U Barcelona and Real Madrid wants to buy him to.
But Im not sure on Real cause they got Di Maria but Man U.
Klose would be stupied to buy cause his prime is almost by

I don't see Di Maria as a reason not to buy Özil. Di Maria is a left winger, while indeed Özil is capable of playing there he is a central attacking midfielder. So if Real buys Özil, it would make sense to me they will sell Van der Vaart.

I'd take VDV in a heart beat.



@ Fillipo

Also during that time he was scorching it up at Barca, maybe they refused to sell him at all costs like we do with Pato (or atleast I hope). Berlu is a 3Bil $ man and a politician, so he knows how to persuade people, he could get whoever he wanted, I'd think.

Fenerbahce raise their offer from 18m to 23m for Huntelaar.

Link

Lazio to sign Hernanes for 9m.

Link

Milan have found a deal with Fabiano for 3m per season. They only need to convince Sevilla to lower his price.

Link

I doubt that Real will buy Özil but in Argentina Di Maria played midfielder.

From the few games I've seen of Di Maria (Benfica + Argentina), he's been less than average. I really see no point why Real should go after someone like him. I wouldn't even want him at Milan.

Yeah but then you are talking about what Maradona would do with players...

SELL SELL SELL!!!!!!

WTF!! Lazio are going to sign Hernanes???? Galliani is an idiot if he lets him go, especially for just 9m!!

Meh... Fabiano, but if we can get him at a decent price I's be ok with it. Definately for less then we would sell Hunter so we can use the rest of the money for the midfield

Tuttomercatoweb reports that we're close to a loan deal with Barca for Caceres. link

That will be a good deal

As for Fabiano, I'm all against such a move. I don't think he would do well in Milan. IMO he's a player that can adapt to coherent teams like Sevilla, but not Milan. I fear a kind off a Gilardinesque vibe with him. But I could be wrong.

I don't think Luis Fabiano would be a Gilardino kind...

Though I'm against such move too. I think we should fish for a younger player. Obviously I'd like Dzeko or Balotelli, but I would be thrilled with Müller. I see Pato as a striker more than anything, so (if Dinho stays then)...

, , ,, , , , , , Pato , , , , , - - - - - - - - - , , , , ,, ,, Borriello , , ,
Ronaldinho, Özil, Müller - - - - - - - - - Ronaldinho, Özil, Pato

Borriello can play at CF when a strong man is required (most likely against the weaker sides), then we can bench Müller I suppose. Huntelaar for 23 mio to Fener (and we need a new AMC... Özil, Ganso or whatever, someone good please)..... and Müller at Pato's position makes it more balanced against a strong side I believe...

As much as I'd love to sign him, I doubt Bayern will let go of Müller that easily. In fact, I can see him spending his entire career at Bayern.

I believe that too.

I'm not sure. How could we know? It's a pure speculation.

Anyaway, if Bierhoff comes, everything will be possible. I really think bringing Oli would be a great move, and maybe a shift in politics from Brazil to Germany. Would make much more sense.

How much is Özil and Muller worth if we sell Huntelaar for 23 m.
If Barcelona, Man U and Real wants Özil he will be expensive and will Gallini buy him ?

I don't think Bayern have any intention whatsoever of selling Muller.

Ozil is a different matter as Bremen are (I think?) not nearly as rich a club as Bayern. Thing is, Ozil's price is going up every game he plays and everyone's noticing what a talent he is. If he does leave Germany (and I wouldn't be surprised if Bayern made a bid for him), I don't think he'd do it for much less than 20 million.

Another thing is Özil's contract expires in 2011. Meaning - if they wanna earn something, they have to do it now.

I'm 100% sure he will leave Werder this summer.

Werder Bremen asks for 20M pounds or 25M euros, or something like that... Özil contract ends in 2011, so he will be sold I'd say

I don't expect Bayern selling Müller.. why would they?

I also read Milan are interested in Mauricio Isla of Udinese.

Where, fillipo?

That's also true. Bayern has got way more money to spend, it's not even close.

Aren't we interested in Simon Kjaer before? Well now it seems like he is heading to the EPL (Tottenham)

Link

Milan are interested in Joe Cole again. Seems like they are considering on getting him on a free transfer

Link

Luis Fabiano's agent calls Milan

Link

Fabiano is a good player and I think he will even go for 8 m.
I would not say no yet . Isla plays in Chile right ?
Özil for 25 yes it would be better then Dzeko for 30 m .