Here goes, this is the big one before the break, we win this and we're in the firm driving seat going into the new year.

Rino and Zambro are out, so we'll be missing a lot of important players for this one. How ironic is it that Rino gets injured when Flamini is out as well

How I think we'll line up



Not too keen on having Seedorf play there, but at this point we don't really have much of a choice, plus when we're defending Boateng will most likely be dropping back to form a 4 man midfield while Robinho becomes the link between the midfield and Zlatan

That's definitely gonna be the line-up, though we'll have to see how and where Allegri is willing to play Boateng.

Why not switch Boateng and Seedorf? or with Pirlo?

Allegri said a lot of positive things about Strasser, and he is more of a natural sub for Rino than Seedorf. Never know.

Hmh, I wouldn't push the boy in fire already. I'd stick with Seedorf in this one. It's not that Roma has a super-fast midfield.

No way that's going to be the midfield. It will either be:or:I am hoping for the latter. I like the Boateng-Pirlo combo supported by two more defending midfielders. Playing Seedorf as Gattuso's sub, gives a lack of defensive power I'd say. And we don't need Seedorf's creativity with Pirlo in midfield already. Strasser makes more sense as Gattuso's replacement, and I know it's Roma (and that's exactly why we need a more defensive midfielder), but whenever Strasser played, he showed good things. Don't ruin the tactics by having no faith in youth. Playing Seedorf as Gattuso's replacement, you can easily call that a gamble too, so...

Mhm...I don't think so. Why?

1) Allegri has a habit of repeating things is they work in one occasion. Boateng started against Brescia and Bologna as a AM and scored. While a coach like Carlo or Sacchi would drop this experiment because Roma is a different thing, I doubt Allegri will do it. He'll stick with Boateng as AM, knowing him.

2) "But whenever Strasser played, he showed good things" - sounds good, but you have to mention that whenever in this case means 1-2 matches per season against weak oposition and at a point where the match is already decided. I think Strasser wasn't really under pressure against Bologna. I have faith in youth, but all things must come in a certain time, and right now, I'm not so sure it's the time to bring him in as a starter.

So you're saying first Boateng as AM, and then no Strasser. Because you're not so sure it's the time to bring him in as a starter? When is the time then? We have no other options. Seedorf as RCM, with Pirlo already as LCM, should not be preferred vs Roma. Only Ambrosini is good in defending then, and Roma are a strong team!

I'd play Strasser right away if it was up to me, but knowing Allegri, he'll play Seedorf as AM with Boateng as DM/RM.

Knowing Allegri? Do you know him that well? Hopefully not. This message is likeable:

Allegri prensa to Strasser if Gattuso does not recover
14/12/2010 12:15 by Peter Mazzara article read 662 times

Rodney Strasser could be the middle third against Roma. Massimiliano Allegri has a great view of the median of Sierra Leone who, against Bologna, it was very disengaged and did not regret what he could to be a master of the role. If Ringhio could not recover for Saturday's race, the Rossoneri could launch the product from the first minute of the nursery Rossoneri confirmed Boateng behind the strikers.

milannews

That was my only doubt, but I think Allegri will stick to the system that is currently working .ie. Boateng as AM.


Strasser playing from minute 1 against Roma? highly unlikely. Why? I don't think he's ready yet, not just because of the opposition but the importance of this game. Seedorf is no defensive player but he knows how to hold on to the ball and make the smart pass instead of one that would put us under pressure, something that Strasser is still very green at. Just because Strasser has the DM title does not mean that he should automatically step in for Rino, simply because if he can't get into the game he will do more harm then good.


Strasser probably won't be playing from the start, while Allegri has shown the tendency to stick with what works until it doesn't, as a lot of people have already pointed out. Currently Boateng behind the strikers is working out great. We'll probably play a diamond, Ambro in front of the defense, Pirlo and Seedorf playing on the right and left of the midfield slightly more advanced with Boateng roaming around. When we're defending all the mids will retreat to form a 4 man midfield, just like they have been doing for a while.

Like I said, playing Strasser just because he has the DM title could do more harm then good. If he makes a couple of mistakes then it will cost us, and him in his development. Against Bologna the game was done, he didn't have any pressure on him. The Roma game is different, and imo Seedorf will handle it better.


1) Agreed

2) Agreed


I still wouldn't play Strasser from the start either way. Seedorf is far more experianced for it. Also I think we'll be seeing Boateng in the AM position, simply because it's a system that is working so Allegri will most likely stick to it

Fillipo saying he has got faith in youth, and han agreeing with that, but I believe you don't have that faith really. Han saying about how Strasser can make mistakes against Roma, because the pressure is higher. Seedorf can also make mistakes. Him being far more experienced is an advantage, but you guys want to play him in a position that does not suit him. Especially not because also Pirlo is playing behind the AM. In the line-up you guys are preferring Seedorf must do a lot of defending duties. Since when we like to see that? Is Seedorf actually capable of that? I don't know, but Strasser is better suited for that. Of course playing against Bologna is not the same against Roma, but Strasser plays good in our midfield, so he could do the same against Roma. I disagree with the pressure thing finding a reason not to start Strasser. Lots of young players had their debuts in a more pressure game and did well. Strasser is playing good and is the only logical alternative for Gattuso against Roma. A midfield of Boateng, Pirlo, Ambrosini and Seedorf is defensively very vulnerable. Strasser can handle Gattuso's position better than Seedorf. Seedorf is not made for that position, while Strasser is. Midfield needs defending support, not Seedorf. Playing both Pirlo and Seedorf is one thing, but both behind the AM? That's sick.

All your concerns about playing Strasser, but you guys think Seedorf can't screw things up as sort of defending midfielder??? All things said about Strasser, expect the inexperience, can be said about Seedorf too.

Boateng behind the strikers is a good idea by allegri,but the thing that made it work is the exchange in positions that we saw between Boateng and Pirlo.Some times,Pirlo was playing deep and others he was in the center of the field.Given the resources allegri has,I think that's the best possible solution.

Seedorf and Pirlo have played behind an AM (that was a lot more attack minded might I add) for the majority of their careers, it's not that much outside the realm of possibilities. Also, Strasser has been playing good? When? In the 35 odd minutes he put in against Bologna when the game was already done?

Yes Seedorf might make mistakes but that is less likely to happen then Strasser.

And yes, I am someone who wants to see the kids playing, but not in such a high stakes match. Coppa games? Sure, Meaningless CL game? Sure. Allegri had that opportunity against Ajax and didn't play him then and that game didn't mean anything, what makes you think he'll risk playing him against Roma?

They aren't the same as they used to be. Especially not Seedorf, and you know that!
You can't know that. You can be very easily wrong at this.
You like to see kids play, but you don't have fully faith in them. Else you would trust Strasser also with these kind of matches when no better solution is available. Starting against Roma, then Strasser really will develop.

Yeah,I agree with Chu-Lip.For Strasser,if Strasser plays well in this match then that will be a huge step in his career.If he fails,then he'll learn from it and work harder.But,I don't think he will fail.Imo,his failure won't affect us big time anyway,he'll be playing in the center of the field,and his defensive capabilities and energy will be needed in this match,after all Roma has a strong midfeild,and I don't think Ambro-Pirlo-Seedorf would be able to keep up with likes of Menez and De Rossi.

It's not like it's been a decade since we last saw them playing together with an AM. Last season we saw that a lot and we won more then one game playing that system.

Sure Seedorf is not the same, but if we play a smart passing game then he doesn't have to run non stop for the entire game. Having possesson means that we're not the ones chasing the ball, thus players aren't getting tired a lot faster. You put a lot of importance on the DMs, when we were playing with 3 which was overkill you said that it was a great system, even though we were barely winning the games. Now Pirlo has been placed for one of those DMs and we're really starting to play some football. Do you see any other top team in Europe play with more then one conventional DM? Simple answer is no.


Sure, but I'm pretty certain that the odds are more in my favour then yours. Simply because Strasser's chances of making a huge mistake are higher then Seedorf.


It's what Filippo says, there is a reason as to why these kids are not played on a regular basis, I never agreed with him when he applied that theory to Flamini because we all saw what he could do with another top team, but all of our Primavera kids have yet to prove themselves, sure Stasser did well against Bologna, but come on! It's certainly not enough of a basis for having him play against Roma.

All this talk of having the kids play shows how Milan fans are desperate to have a break out from the Primavera, but pushing him in this one is not the answer.

Also, go back to the topic started in the poll section, and you can see that I was one of the few who voted for Strasser instead of Merkel. I have faith in him the most, and logically speaking he's the only one who looks even remotely ready to take the next step, but the Roma game shouldn't be the time for that step.

But the formation was completely different. It was a 4-3-1-2 becoming a 4-4-1-1 when defending and a 4-2-2-2 when attacking.

Pirlo's position was as Allegri said a mezz'ala. No longer in the middle 3. In a double pivot alongside Ambro, I really want to try Strasser out. We can always sub him out if things look bad. Benefit of being 3 points ahead.

Rino’s injury changes Massimiliano Allegri’s tactics as since he doesn’t have Mathieu Flamini at his disposal, he will have to use Kevin-Prince Boateng as a central midfielder, leaving Clarence Seedorf or Ronaldinho behind the strikers.

Or he can grow some bo llocks and play strasser

I agree with that assesment, but the likelyhood of us seeing Strasser from the start is very slim, and I tend to agree with that.

When we're defending we'll sill see a 4-4-1-1, Boateng, Pirlo and Seedorf will have to pull their weight as well, something that they had to do a lot last season under Leo, it's not something foreign to them that they cannot do.

This match will truly prove if we are Ibra dependant or not. Ranieri will most likely man mark him and then add extra pressure meaning there will always be 2 guys on him.

Why was Ronaldinho mentioned?

Yeah, I remember that midfield of last season. We beat weak opponents with it, but got humilated by strong opponents. Roma are not weak.
What do you care about other teams? It matters what works for Milan. This season we played our best with 2 defensive midfielders. Strasser can do more than just defending by the way. He's a decent passer. First you need to conquer the ball to retain possession. You need players like Gattuso, Ambrosini, Flamini and Strasser for that.
Yeah, because Seedorf is such an awesome defender.Yes, they need to prove themselves, but you won't let Strasser do that. You rather play someone out of position, ruining the current well working tactics, so that some experienced dude can play, even though Strasser is giving away good signs. What a beautiful trust! What basis? We need to field the best team, not the best players.Pushing? What? First we complain we want to see them play. Then Strasser finally plays, didn't fcuk up, Gattuso and Flamini are injured, so he is the next in order to play, and you won't let him? Playing him is not pushing him, but not playing him is holding him back, and put a rope on him.Do you think never a youth player has preformed well in such game? Because they have. Millions of youth players with even lesser experience than Strasser, and in tougher + more pressured matches, have started a game, and played well. It isn't about when it's time for his steps, it matters who we can use the most from our available players in the next game. And that sir, is Rodney Strasser.

Your entire argument is based on less then 40 minutes from Strasser in a game which we had already won.

Also, it's not my decision to make but I'm pretty sure Allegri won't start Strasser, all I said is that I agree with him on that

It's not all based on just 40 minutes. It wasn't his first time playing first team. Like you agreed with, Strasser is the youth player who looks most ready for first team. So what is holding you back? He is our best/last fit when Gattuso can't start, Seedorf is not. We need Seedorf when Pirlo or Boateng can't play, not when Gattuso can't play.

Didn't Allegri said Strasser might start if Gattuso can't? Haven't I posted something like that? Still you're pretty sure he won't? And you already agree with him on something you can't know? How many things there are you already know you don't/can't know?

haha, I don't really know but if he would be playing it would be behind the strikers so it doesn't matter if I mention him at all

Nice to see some things haven't changed here.

Fishdoll! Welcome back

Why thank you!

+1 to you for the welcome.

If you keep handing those cookies away there'll be none left for me

No, no cookies for you!

Some frango piripiri, perhaps....

Han I definitely understand why you are skeptical of Strasser's quality to start but at a certain point you have to give the kid a shot. If he got to play in a Coppa game and did well then you would just say "oh its only a Coppa game hes not ready." This is a perfect opportunity to see how good he really is at this point. Obviously I'd rather have Flamini playing but I have more confidence in Strasser to play that position than Seedorf. Strasser at least has the right skill set and can handle the running the game will require to combat Romas mids. Seedorf hardly ever runs. Either he is no longer capable or no longer cares. Id like to think its the first but he tries to compensate by good positioning. Thats not the kind of player I want in the mid for that game. He will leave way to much space for Roma.

Ahem...

There's a difference in young players and players with more experience. But...what we all saw was a very good Flamini in the French league and the EPL. He did need much time do adapt, and played rather humble when put in. He has a problem, that certain problem every French player has at Milan, well, except of Desailly.


You totally overreact! I mean, Seedorf won't ruin the tactics totally, it's not like we play Amelia as a RM. And also, Seedorf is one of the most adaptable midfielders I've ever seen, so I don't think it would be that kind of a problem.

All I say is we should not push Strasser in fire because the risk is to big. We're not Ajax or a club that has dozens of teenagers and pushes them in one after another, and when one fails big time, there's no big deal.

I mean "give youth a chance" is just a thing you say, but one should really think and then act.
And yes, since you mentioned me explicitly, I don't have faith in the youth we have right now. I did not have faith in Willy A., Marzorati, Darmain, Merkel and all the others...
Strasser is maybe the only player, beside Paloschi I really belive can make something. But not now and not against a team like Roma.

Oh, and welcome back, it's very good to see you here again

From the CRA to Locke.

EDIT: Good to see you too, Fillipo.

+5 to Nikolina.

Everyone is giving Seedorf wayyyy too much credit... this guy WAS a great player in the past. Right now he is a player playing way past his retirement.

To the bolded part in the quote.. Seedorf loses the ball more than anyone in the team and puts our defense under pressure all the time. So yes he used to have good ball retention, he does not any more because he is too slow.
The only other player that gives the ball away more than him is Gatusso and him losing the ball also puts our defense under pressure.

So my question is... What can Strasser possibly do that will put our defense under pressure more than the two players mentioned above.
My vote is for him to start, because the further away from the pitch Seedorf is, the better it is for the team IMO.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but are both Lobont and Sergio out for our game? Is Doni avaible to the club, I mean, this whole situation is ridiculous with him...

Yup, Doni's in Gazzetta's projected starting XI for Roma.

Vucinic is also out for Roma.

Seems like Rino recovered and a had a full training so problem solved.

http://www.milannews.it/?action=read&idnotizia=41047

I have no problem with Gattuso playing this one,he played very well against Bologna.

phew, saved me all the typing I would have had to do...

Lovely, so Vucinic can come in at 75th minute and save the day for Roma
Let's celebrate Milans 111th birthday by winning, on Saturday

Ibra said we will win,then we shall win!

Not so much.

Vucinic hasn't been called up.

----
EDIT:

Milan call ups (from acmilan.com, hate the new website):
Abbiati, Amelia, Abate, Antonini, Bonera, Montelongo, Nesta, Oddo, Yepes, Ambrosini, Boateng, Gattuso, Merkel, Pirlo, Seedorf, Strasser, Ibrahimovic, Robinho, Ronaldinho.

Giocatori indisponibili: Papastathopoulos, Thiago Silva, Onyewu, Zambrotta, Flamini, Inzaghi, Pato

What's up with Sokratis?

He has a bad case of Allegritis.

i won't lie, i am really scared of seing Menez running at ambro/rino/bonera or running around nesta/pirlo/seedorf.

he is a monster!!

If we show the same intensity and determination we did against Inter, we will win. but this is Roma... the game isn't as important as winning the derby was for us this season, so... it's 50-50.