Let's see what this one will get us

Hopefully you didn't jinx us. The captain actually got us to win with his thread opening

If we get 3 point's from this game, we'll make a big step to qualify for 1/16.

Ditto. Victory is too important.

Still a long way to go but a win is a must here to take some pressure off when we face RM.Which i don't even want to think about given the current state of the team.

Btw would anyone know if Luis Suarez is still injured?

Here's to hoping Auxerre pulls out a performance against RM.

Players called by Allegri for the game against Ajax :

Abbiati, Amelia, Rome, Antonini, Bonera, Jankulovski, Nesta, Papastathopoulos, Thiago Silva, Zambrotta, Yepes, Abate, Boateng, Flamini, Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf; Ibrahimovic Inzaghi, Robinho, Ronaldinho.

Injured: Ambrosini, Pato
Not called: Oddo, Strasser

source : milannews.it

Seven years ago this month, Dida pulled off the greatest stop of his Milan career against Ajax (moments after Gattuso was sent off for hitting Ibra, natch). Ah, memories.

Clicky Easily one of he best keepers of that time along with Gigi

He is not injured.

Yeah, I reckon Ajax will be looking for a little street fight with Dida when they come to San Siro. It certainly wasn't his best stop (his best was his save from a free kick against inter that was aiming for the top left corner), but the most vital one. Our 2003 CL dream would have been shattered if not for this save. Last minute, to his left, oh my! The Ajax team of that year was so, so strong with VDV, Ibra, Sneijder, Babel, and more. Their final big moment, in my opinion.

This was actually the first thing I talked over with my brother when it was announced Ajax was in our group.

Ibra says that he has great memories of Ajax and he turned from kid to a proffesional in Amsterdam. But also that he wont come for fun but to get the three points.

I was hoping to get a ticket but its very expencive. It was 95 euro's for an awayticket. Too bad. But i wont feel very sorry about it because in 5 weeks im in San Siro

Antonini vs Suarez makes me worry, but the thought of Dinho vs Van der Wiel and Binho vs Anita makes me happy

Im sure we can neutralize El Hamdoui (great striker) because he uses his speed and that wont be a problem for Silva. The only problem is that El Hamdoui like to fall back into midfield to get the ball. Then Suarez might move more central, so the defence need 100% focus for the whole game.

All with all, Ajax plays very strong at home and Milan aren't playing football like they should be. Right now i would be happy with a draw

That was actually in the first game of the 03/04 campaign, not in the 02/03 quarter-final.

Oh, okay, got it mixed up. As good as save as they come, nonetheless. Anyway, this match won't be easy IMO, a draw will feel like a loss for us. We should aim for the first spot in the group stage if we want to progress deep in this years CL. Another showing like second place would mean tough opponents in the last 16.

Exactly. I always said our chances at the CL depend on how we do in the group stages. And if we come in 2nd again, we can expect teams like Barca, Arsenal, Man U, etc, all teams who will undoubtedly win their groups and we have a big chance of facing.

And with our luck we'll undoubtedly get someone from the ones I mentioned. Not only have we gotten the toughest group 2 years running, but we had to face Man U last season as well.

I want us out, if I'm honest. I don't think we're capable of winning the competition, so the more games we play, the more distraction from the league and I want the league title back with us.

Milan-Ajax, Rossoneri's possible formation :


source: link

Agreed guys, but I don't think the club can afford another no-show in the CL this season. I'd either take 1st position in the group, or 3rd, heck even 4th if that means we will concentrate all our energies in the league. But the club needs revenue from Europe (the same revenue we have been missing out since 2007). An extra 8 or 10 million will help us immensely, a quarterfinal appearance even more. I want the Scudetto as much as the next person, but the cold hard truth is that we need a decent showing in the CL.

First or bust, it is then. Fingers crossed, the former.

The CL is more important to the Club, like acid said we need that money. The league is something that imo we're just not set up for. We still don't have a well rounded squad. While in the CL, you only need to pull off a couple of great performances on the night and you might find yourself in the Final. 06/07 is a great example of this

+1

I think we have greater chances of winning the CL than the league. That is, unless we face monsters like Barça and Chelsea.

Well at this point I pee a little in my pants at the thought of facing Real. We can barely handlle mid table Serie A teams who have an iota of pace in them because we get killed. Let alone facing Real, who are not so hot themselves atm, but at this point I can see them slaughtering us on the counter. Can you imagine Ronaldo running ate Abate?

I wonder who are really tired at the moment. Zlatan said himself he is really tired. I would start with Pippo, and see how that goes. Suárez is the thing we need to concern about, so I want a good defending leftback. So I choose Zambrotta as LB. Seedorf is rested last match, so he can start (he and Pippo are good in CL) and Pirlo can take a rest. Maybe others need rest too (Boateng? Nesta?), don't know really, maybe sub them off during the match if so. I like Amelia to be given a chance but I don't expect it happening in a CL game - it doesn't really matter anyway who is the goalkeeper.

Ronaldinho, Inzaghi, Robinho
Seedorf, Gattuso, Boateng (I'm not sure in what order)
Zambrotta, T.Silva, Nesta, Abate
Abbiati

Oh and Gattuso deserves a starting spot (unless tired).

There goes the 3 points

Pippo at the head of a 4-3-3 never really works, he's not someone, Dinho and Robinho could play off of. Even so, I doubt Allegri will rest any of the big players for this one. We can't afford to lose points here, especially considering the fact that Real are facing Auxerre and we have to go to Spain for the next fixture. This is a must win and the best team available will make the pitch. Abate is a big no no for the right side. Imagine Suarez coming up against him on that flank, ahhh, pure nightmare. Zambro and Antonini are our best FB options so they will start imo.

I want to see Flamini playing, we need enrgy in that midfield, I though Rino was about to die yesterday halfway through the first 45 minutes, he played a great match but I don't think he can keep up or play more then that in a week. Pirlo and Seedorf I'm a bit iffy on. Don't know if Seedorf was not included yesterday for a tactical reason or to rest him. I think both.

I want to see this against Ajax



At this point everyone is just mentally and physically exhausted. They just need to push on through for these last 2 matches and some of our starters can get some much needed rest. I'm mostly worried about Zlatan and Pirlo who are big parts of their NTs and will play another 2 games in that week where the others will be resting and regrouping

I agree Zambrotta and Antonini are our best FB options, but Suárez is the right sided forward so I want Zambrotta as LB. (And I have seen Pippo playing along, of course, Zlatan is a better option, but sometimes you NEED to rest someone if you like it or not)

So switch Zambro and Antonini, no Abate in this one pls!!!

Also resting players cannot be done in this match, rest them against Parma, I don't care, we'd have an entire season to recuperate the points if we don't win that one, if we lose/draw this game against Ajax we can start kissing top spot in the group goodbye

But then it gives the management reason not to spend.

I don't see that happen anyway. Think we should start Pippo, he scored 2 goals in a few Serie A minutes, don't you think he should be awarded? And Champions League venues are usually his thing.

They didn't spend when we were in the UEFA Cup either so... I'd prefer it if we had a decent run in the CL and maybe had a shot at it, rather then going out in the groups and still not managing the Serie A, which is very likely as our squad imo, is still not a suqad good enough for the championship


Pippo can miss really good chances, and atm, we can't really afford to lose chances since we're barely creating any as it is.

Stongest line-up is the one I posted imo, this is a game we simply cannot lose

Allegri is thinking of letting Dinho start from the bench. Also Kevin Prince and Pirlo may not start the game, due the heavy schedule.

Link (dutch)

Binho also a doubt for the game

Hmm. So we're playing for a draw then?? Can we start Robinho deep? 4-4-2...with him and Abate on either wing?


Zambro----Nesta/Silva/Sok-----Nesta/Silva----Antonini
------------------------Rino/Flam--------------------------
Abate----------------Seedorf------------------Robinho------
---------------Ibra--------------------------------------------
-----------------------------Pippo------------------------------

Sort of a 4-4-2 diamond. But Abate and Robinho would be starting wide deep. Abate we know goes to the byline..and Robinho cuts in. Ibra's got the free role.

Not sure how much of passing this formation lends itself too.

I don't understand why he would rest them against Ajax. He should rest them on the weekend against Parma. Especially Pirlo and Ibra.

We really can't afford to not win this game against Ajax. I don't even want to think about the Real games we have coming up

It's Ajax away right? A draw wouldn't be the end of the world.

Secondly..we can't say..maybe for once the coach is actually listening to Milan lab. He knows his players are getting close to being overworked..and this early in the season can't be good.

What is this draw talking? We are going to beat Ajax...


I am more worried about our Parma game than Ajax to be honest. I have more faith in Pippo against Ajax than against Parma as Zlatan's alternative. But if we wanna start Zlatan we cannot let him play the whole match. I'm not sure it's smart to let him start the game.

I think this a very interesting approach and if it can be done right then it could really work, especially giving ibra a free role. If pippo starts guaranteed he will get at least 1.

Imo we need to win these games against Ajax and Auxerre if we want top spot. The games against Real aren't going to be like last season.


Yep neither Zlatan or Pirlo should be playing full games, against Ajax and Parma, but the way I'm making my calculations, about our CL group we really can't afford to drop these points against Ajax tomorrow, and anything but a full strength 11 won't do. I think some are under estimating Ajax. Pippo should come on for Zlatan at some point in the game, but not start ahead of him

1) It's Ajax we face, not Real Madrid. We should be able to win the game without those players

2) Maybe Allegri's priority is the Scudetto. Maybe he thinks Milan cannot win the CL with such a squad, so what's the difference in being first or second - eliminated in last 16 round or quater final? Okay, we loose money, but also strenght for league games.

Pato will probably be back for the Real Madrid game and Chievo in October and Amborsini is back for Parma I think.

I disagree about the bolded part. We can beat Ajax without Zlatan and Pirlo in our first team. Seedorf and Pippo are good alternatives for them, well at least Seedorf is, but in CL both seem to be rocking. And Seedorf is very good in founding(assisting) Pippo. Two assists Seedorf, two goals Pippo last season against Marseille or so. And in Barça Seedorf to Pippo again. They are a couple, our CL couple.

I just really got the feeling Zlatan NEEDS rest. Zlatan and Pirlo on the bench, just in case...

After saying this, I'm sure Allegri would do something else than I pointed out.

Ajax are crap. If we can't beat them, then it's useless to even try winning the Champions League.



Actually, Pato might be ready for Parma. Galliani said it today in Malpensa.

Anyway, from what I've gathered these last couple of days, this should be our starting line-up:



Dinho on the bench, finally.

Still some are taking it too lightly

It's harder to win the Scudetto with the squad we have then the CL. Imo we need to advance ayleast to the quarters, not just for out money, but the co-efficiants as well. Antoher bad year and Italy are done for


Seedorf and Pippo are rocking in the CL? The only game wee played in the CL is against Auxerre where Seedorf was probably our worst player and Pippo didn't play...


The thought of Seedorf playing behind the strikers makes me cringe to no end! We tried it last year, FAIL. We tried it under Carlo, FAIL. Seedorf is not an attacking midfielder. I'd rather we push Pirlo up there instead of him if Ronnie is really going to be dropped, which I still can't see happening at this point, not with the alternatives available to Allegri. Then again, dropping him might be good, last season Leo dropped him for a month or so and he came back playing a lot better

That's one game. If you have followed AC Milan these years (and I'm sure you have) you know Seedorf and Inzaghi have been key players for us in CL over and over again. Against Ajax it should work IMO.

And our line-up/midfield was picked very wrong by Allegri that match, so I'm not surprised he failed that match.

3-1 milan.

With Seedorf as AM we won a Champions League. Still, that doesn't justify the fact he should be a starter. But the alternative named Ronaldinho is even worse, from my point of view, so we can't really do anything about it. At least the team will be more balanced.

The way I see it, during this signing campaign we strengthened our center defense and attack, which had major flaws. Next summer we should strengthen our side defense by signing a fullback or two, and midfield by signing a great AM and possibly another central midfielder if Ambro and/or Gattuso are leaving. Only then our team will be complete.

When Ronaldinho keeps playing he does then that's definitely true. Also, our attacks will be faster. We will be a better team.

Through the last few years is very vague imo. Pippo has showed up in a handful of games, CL or not, same goes for Seedorf. Imo this is the mentality that has gotten us into this mess, justifying Seedorf and Pippo playing an important CL match from the start by looking at their past performances, and not the ones from a couple of weeks ago or even a couple of months, but years ago.


We all know that Seedorf playing there wasn't really that much of an important point for us, Kaka was the man that dragged us through the competition, Seedorf only had 2 decent games that year in the CL, Bayern Away and Man U Home, those are the games that he really stomped his authority on, the others were mostly Kaka driving that luckluster team on. Plus Seedorf wasn't playing the AM position like you're asking him to in that formation, he was playing alongside Kaka behing a single striker, imo that makes a lot of difference

Agree with the last part

Seedorf and Inzaghi have good CL mentality, they will be more motivated and preform usual better than in Serie A. So that's why I am more concerned about resting Zlatan vs Parma than vs Ajax. Because it's not like Ajax is THAT much better than Parma.

That's a bit of an exagerated stretch, don't you think?

I think giving Zlatan 60 against Ajax and 60 against Parma will be enough. That is as long as we're winning, same goes for Pirlo.

Pippo has missed sitters in the CL just as much as he's missed in Serie A, and with that record pressing on his mind I'd bet he'll miss even more chances then usual. That's why I vote we put him on at the 60th, their defenders will start to get tired, and Pippo constantly running that line against them will just wear them out even more, they'll make a mistake and that's when he can pounce.

Same thing with Seedorf I want him to come on is the second half, preferably for Pirlo

Personally I want to see us starting and finishing with something like this



Subs:
Seedorf <-> Pirlo @ 45th min
Pippo <-> Ibra @ 60th min
Rino <-> Dinho @ 60th min



Every single one of our players is tired, not just Ibra and Pirlo. But they have it the hardest given their NT duties coming up, while the others have more then a week's rest coming up after the 2 games. That's why they need to be taken out early, that is as long as we're winning....

Can't agree. I'm not a big fan of Seedorf, but I think he was very important for us that season, in the CL. Saying he had only two decent games is rather harsh. I'd rather say his best performances were against Bayern and Man U instead. And true, our line-up that season was 4-3-2-1, but in reality Kaka' was acting more like a second striker than AM. We've got Robinho now, so he can provide the same performance of Kaka' in terms of tactical position on the field. We haven't much to lose really. Playing Ronaldinho instead would just be a big, fat mistake.

Kaka was playing more advanced then Seedorf but it was more like this

---------Pippo/Gila
Kaka
-------Seedorf

That'ss a big difference between playing 2 out and out strikers and what we played with Seedorf and Kaka. Also you really can;t compare Robinho to Kaka, Kaka is more tactically disciplined, Robinho is more of a free roaming player, ristricting him would be limiting him.

I say playing Seedorf would be the bigger mistake. Anyway, if we do play Seedorf there, I'm pretty sure it will fail big time. And it won't last for more then maybe 2 or 3 tries.

Until we get in a top quality AM, my vote will always be for Dinho, simply because he is the best we have atm, no matter how many ways you try to twist this debate.