Here we go, let's see how this one turns up. I hope we make a much better start then we did against Cagliari.

Pirlo, Zambrotta and Flamini are out, not sure about Boateng and Rino, Ambrosini is suspended. So we'll be missing a lot of important players for this one, too many IMO. The line-up will most probably change till matchday, and Allegri could decide just moments before the clash.

How I think we'll line up



Not sure about many things, especially Seedorf, Merkel and Pato. We'll see, hope someone comes back.

Hopefully Rino will be available, Merkel is just not ready for this one, and that midfield isn't that secure, especially with Seedorf giving is away most of the time.

Also Hoping for Cassano instead of Robinho, first of all he's got much better vision and passing then Robinho does and has a lot more experiance playing as a trequartista, plus Robinho was just awful against Cagliari, aside from going missing for more then half the match, when he did touch the ball he looked like a sunday league player at best. I think he needs to sit a couple out, he's getting too comfortable.

Pato still looks rusty but he still did a lot better then Robinho while also getting into great scoring positions

Agree with Han on his post above. Let's try Pato, Ibra and Cassano, and see what kind of fireworks we get!

Um,I'm not sure Cassano can play a full match yet.
Ibra-Pato-Cassano trio will be amazing to see though.

About Fillipo's line-up... def. missing a DM there, Seedorf, Merkel and three forwards? No please. Gattuso should start, just like Strasser (Ambro's spot, agreed). And you know what, han, I worry more about Seedorf than Merkel. I would like to see Merkel start.

I worry about Seedorf as well but Merkel showed us how green he still is against Cagliari, he went missing for most of the match, we can't ave that happen when he's in midfield.

Dude,you're talking like Seedorf won't do that,and WORSE.

I'd rather see a raw youth product then see Seedorf playing at this point.

Still don't understand what any of you see in Merkel, he's just not that good, Seedorf would still be in over him for me, at least until the other mids return

Um,I don't rate him very high.But,Seedorf has been really horrible.He'll probably still be tired from the previous game.

Of course, because he's experienced, and not a rising youth player. You rather see old players make mistakes, than youth players who will learn and get better from it. Even if Seedorf makes more mistakes, at least he's experienced. I mean, wtf? I thought experienced meant making little flaws. That's not really accurate anymore when it comes to Seedorf. And each time we talk about Strasser, Merkel, or whoever, against Seedorf, or whoever, you always can make lists of reasons not to play the younger one, but don't mention the reasons why not play the old one. Like you fail to see how really really really bad they can be.

I'm pretty sure both will start the game though.

As said before, I would also start Rino but I'm not sure he's fit. I mean, what's the point in starting him and then make him leave the game after 30 minutes playing time?

Same for Cassano - IMO he's miles ahead of Robinho, but I'm not sure he can do all 90.

As for Merkel; he just isn't up to it. I'm somehow still positive Seedorf will manage to make a good match against Udine, but I'm worried about Merkel. We shouldn't rush him so suddenly into something.

Gee, I really hope we make another signing. Let it be Lazzari, or Kranjcar (heard the rumor from some croatian sources), but please sign an addition!

I didn't know that's a fact.

You know guys, never mind. Youth players are crap, I got it.

Lol

I was always one that was harping on about the Primavera's but it looks to me like some are so desperate to have any of the youths playing that they cannot see the flaws.

Merkel against Cagliari was pretty blah if you ask me aside from a pass and cross. He went missing all game long and didn't make himself available to his team mates. He's just not ready.

Seedorf's major problem was because he was being played very deep on the pitch and he usually struggles there, I'm not defending him but a simple positional change will improve his play a lot.

I've always said that Strasser is our most promising kid, he's proving me right. I didn't want to see him thrown into the lion's den against Roma and concidering how we played I think my point stands. I wanted him to come on against Cagliari where the setting was appropriate and he shined, not only that but scored a match winning goal.

Merkel, I've been saying this since the Emerites Cup, he's just not that good and never really saw what some see in him. He lost the ball more then he made good passes, why would you want to play him in a deeper role against Udine, who are arguably better then Cagliari and faster might I add. If you ask me Verdi is better and should be getting more chances then Merkel.

And he's certainly not good enough to take a horrible Seedorf's place at this point in time.

I want strasser to start, how is that being against youth and always wanting the oldies on? I've wanted Flamini to be playing over the old DMs for years now as well.

WOW!

I mean, what's your problem? First of all, I mind manipulating with words, and even more with mine.
I never said it is a fact, but I've seen him play against Ajax, then at the frendlies, then against Cagliari - and every occasion showed me the guy has something in him, his set-pieces are sharp, but he's not ready yet. Most of the playing time he ends up hiding and making himself unavaible for the team (maybe because of a low self confidence issue) and he's green. If you think my opinion translates into facts, well thank you, I never got such a great compliment.

And secondly, pars pro toto is a thing kids learn. If I say Merkel is not up to it, I do not say Strasser or some other youngster also isn't. Again, unneccesary manipulation.

(to han)

1. Flamini is not exactly a youth player. He's been that how many years ago?
2. Of course you want Strasser to play, NOW you do, since he's been playing very well and scored the winner.
3. Shame you prefer a horrible Seedorf over a hot prospect. Won't help both Merkel and Milan in the long run. Nice to see a lack of faith in youth and holding them back so a 34 year old horrible Seedorf can play. Nice you come up with excuses that Seedorfs played deeper. Sad thing is, one of Merkel or Seedorf needs to play deeper with that lack of midfielders.

He's just 18!

-

Anyway, if Seedorf plays, then he should start behind the attackers and nowhere else. He's just horrible when he tries to imitate Pirlo in a deeper role. But he plays descent enough behind the strikers.

So with our injuries in midfield in mind, I rather see even the inexperienced Merkel in Pirlo's place rather than Seedorf. At least he's young and have a excuse if he misplace half of his passes!

-

Seedorf is a legend. He is still a good player but he just can't play in a deeper role anymore for any reason that is.

I'd give Merkel another chance, just not a start. Maybe introduce him if we're up 2-0 at the 60th.

Of course, when it can't hurt us.

Remember, we are VERY thin in midfielders at the moment...

Yes, I'd do it also. The thing is, IMO we're more like to be 0-2 down rather then 2-0 up. I'm not optimistic about that one. Cagliari was a disaster with a movie ending. If we manage to reprise it, we're in the Juve-zone.

Excuses? I don't think han is making them up, he's been objective on Seedorf as much as he could.
Hot prospect? What makes him a hot prospect, really? For the arguments sake, tell me? Is it his catchy name, or?

In a short-term perspective prefering Seedorf over that kid make a whole lot of more sense then just pushing Merkel into the fire and watching how he burns. Try not making it always a youth vs. oldies debate, and maybe you'll see what hans been talkin'.

Quote:Fillipo Simno(cool name ;p)

Yes, I'd do it also. The thing is, IMO we're more like to be 0-2 down rather then 2-0 up. I'm not optimistic about that one. Cagliari was a disaster with a movie ending. If we manage to reprise it, we're in the Juve-zone.




Did you expect anything more Fillipo.

I mean,we had crucial players injured.You can't expect us to play good football without them.But,that doesn't mean we can't win,getting these 1-0 wins are very important,and I don't mind them happening rarely or in special cases.

Against Cagliari,we had a midfeild way past.Where Flamini,Boateng,and Pirlo can fit instead of them.Ambrosini,Seedorf,Gattuso have been come replacements,in my view.So,we practically had all of our key midfield players injured.Other than that,Ibra was out,and look we managed to win without him,that's a good step.

Our fullbacks are crappy that's a known fact...Also,our attack was composed of Pato whose returning from injury,I thought he did great though,and will keep on improving,he'll become sharper as he plays more.Also,I don't want to speak about Robinho,he pisses me off to much...and X-off would start defending him.

1. Flamini came here when compared to our old squad was still a baby. Yet he never got in because of the seniority BS system at Milan where the old gaurd always has the upper hand
2. LOL, he's been playing great, he played less then a half FFS!! You make it sound like he's been tearing up the league Look at the polls that were made at the beginning of the season, I always voted for Strasser. Just because I didn't want him to start against Roma, which was more then justified might I add, does not mean anything. You're trying to make Strasser into an argument when in reality there is none. I've always said that I don't see anything special in Merkel and he's proved that. His inneffectiveness over the match against Cagliari went unnoticed because he played in a position where he could blend in rather then stand out like a sore tumb. Play him in a deep position and we'll have trouble, I'm sure of that.
3. Funny how you make everything seem like the end of the world, I remember quite recently you were defending Seedorf with all you had just as long as Ronaldinho didn't get anywhere near the pitch, now you want a Primavera ahead of him at all costs simply because he's young while Seedorf is old The reason why I prefer a horrible Seedorf over Merkel is because a horrible Seedorf is still better then Merkel, simple. He knows how to get into position, knows how to make himself available to the team, etc, Merkel dosn't. Also defending Seedorf? I've been nothing short of critical of him lately, but at this point in time he's our best option, not Merkel.


Agreed


Thankyou

So now Abbiati is also injured and will miss this game.

What kind of injury is it?

Mild strain of his right calf. No info yet about how much time he will miss.

Zambro is out for 3-4 weeks. Nesta might return for Udinese.

I believe it is important to let Primavera players play in these matches if we want them to develop. We must give them chances, not play some match here or there. Then they will never get chance to get built into the team in the future. I think players like Merkel and Strasser has potential, but we must give chance more than stray matches.

Amelia on goal? Well, finally we'll see how good he is. Now is his chance, if he shines, he could keep his spot.

Thanks



Nothing, really. It was quite normal.


Agreed, but I still belive Milan have to (if avaible) start one of the two: Gattuso or Ambrosini. My pick would be Massimo. He was bad against Cagliari and this isn't his season, but that's Allegri's doing. He's trying to make something out of him which he cannot do.

abbaiti, nesta, pirlo, kpb and flamini are out.. ambro is suspended... so seedorf, rino and strasser will be our midfield with no realistic optiobn on bench... Another poor game is expected from seedorf imo lets hope for some magic upfront as all four are available.

Imo what we need ambro to do is play as a DM and very rarely going forward ( defintly on set pices). flamini/KPB should be doing the box to box thing

I think Rino´, Slowdrof and Strasser is probably going to play and Merkel was good. He deserves a new chance and the slow midfielder sould not be blamed on him.

Allegri: "Both youngsters and veterans are important. Remember Oddo who came off the bench and provided two assists." - milannews.it

MILAN - The following 20 players have been called up for the match against Udinese:

Amelia, Roma, Di Fabio (50), Abate, Antonini, Bonera, Montelongo, Oddo, Papastathopoulos, Thiago Silva, Yepes, Gattuso, Merkel, Seedorf, Strasser, Cassano, Ibrahimovic, Oduamadi, Pato, Robinho
Unavailable: Abbiati, Jankulovski, Nesta, Zambrotta, Boateng, Flamini, Pirlo, Inzaghi
Suspended: Ambrosini

Um,who is Di Fabio?Midfeilder?

He's a primavera keeper.

I don't get why our management does not fix this rediculous situation we have. IMO we need a fullback now, and a midfielder. But we must settle with a mediocre solution if neccesary, just bring someone fresh in who can fill up the gap.

Um,we better buy a player.We're getting some money from Dinho...Galliani should return to Milan with Ganso,before Leonardo buys him in the summer.(Inter said Ranochia will be their last signing)

Oddly enough, I was just going to ask if Amelia was still with us, 'cause I haven't heard his name in ages.

Why is Abi unavailable?

some injury according to football-italia Abbiati pulled up during training with a minor calf strain and hands over the gloves to Marco Amelia.

Let's see if we can win two games in a row with half a team. But unlike Cagliari, this time around we have Ibra.

Amelia;
Abate, Bonera, Thiago Silva, Antonini;
Gattuso, Seedorf, Strasser;
Robinho; Pato, Ibrahimovic.

i hope one of the 3 attackers plays behind to other two but most likly it is gonna be the 4-3-3

its time for pato step up. last game he was just running into defenders looking like gattuso. hopefully this game is different.

Err,we should use either Yepes or Sokratis instead of Bonera.They're better than him,specially Yepes...

That midfeild is horrible,let's hope Seedorf plays well.

Well,arivan I thought Pato looked good in the last match.Ofcourse,he's returning from injury...so he's going to get better after every game.And,Don't compare him to gattuso,that's just stupid.

seedorf is again playing so deep mostlikly (hope not) his most passes will be twards the defence or gk

Much is depending on him. Because Robinho as AM is a big nonono

Well at least the midfield will have more legs then last time out, and Robinho will be better then merkel, plus we have Ibra so it's an improvement. Hopefully the Udine defense make a couple of howlers, because I can see us conceeding in this one

Udinese's capten, Di Natale's birthday today 34 years.
Im a little bit scared about the midfielder.. Hope that Seedrof is not as slow as last time.

Who is it next to Cassano, Montelongo? Has he even been called up or is it a primavera player

we are struggling

maybe the youth team keeper

silva struggling