Just my hunch. I think Allegri has no faith in Sokratis, at all. Shame, cause I think he's a got a lot of potential.

He's played on that left side before and was just as great as he was against Samp imo, his problem today was the pressure the Catania players kept putting him under everytime he went near the ball and trying to drag fouls out of him everytime. Imo part of his bad performance today came down to the dirty tactics deployed by Catania, and I'm sure had he stayed on they would have tried their best to send him off as well.

Imo the problem was the nature of the game, not the position, and imo he's just not ready for matches like this one. For example against Cesena he played as a side mid, and he was pretty great, against Samp he played in the AM position and he was just as good. The difference between those times and today was thatin those games we bossed the play around and had control of the games pretty much at all times (except for the last 20 against Samp) while today Catania put us under immense pressure from the start and Merkel just couldn't handle it

I know to compare Thiago Silva with Maldini now is too early. But there is one similarity between them, they're both brilliant readers of the game. They aren't the strongest defenders physically, but they are something else at understanding and anticipating opponents moves.

Hopefully your hunch is wrong Bonera will make howler after another if he's put under pressure and he won't have someone like Nesta or Thiago constantly backing him up

Agree with han in that I think Papa is a much better option than Bonera. You might argue and say Bonera had a good game today. To that I will say, he had a good nervous game. The kid is nervous as hell and not every opponent is as technically daft as to not pose a real challange but only play on tactics and most of the time dirty tactics at that. A more technical side like Lazio can exploit the crap out of Bonera's tenuous feet.

Papa on the other hand looks to have great potential to become a very solid player and at the young age of 22, he looks the better option at the moment. He looks much more determined and dependable IMO.



Just have to say that Robinho has truly been a revaltion this season. Props to him for working hard and ignoring the critics. He didn't have a good first half, but boy was he a big influence in our win today.

Thiago Silva is a new favorite of mine. Future captain anyone?

I don't like Van Bommel and never will. But as long as he is here, I will support him to do well.

Here are my player ratings:

Abbiati (6)
Bonera (6.5)
Thiago Silva (8)
Yepes (6.5): Too many misplaced passes, otherwise, great game.
Antonini (6)
Ambrosini (6): Except for that one great tackle, he didn't impress today. He is getting slow.
Merkel (4.5): Horrible day for him. Looked to make a mess of everything that came his way. He is not a good defender we can all agree.
Van Bommel (5): He is too slow and truthfully didn't offer much. He is a solid old player with a twist: He is nasty.
Robinho (7.5): He just worked hard today. And got the results, both personally and for the team. Involved in both goals.
Cassano (6): Disappointing he was today.
Ibrahimovic (7.5): Worked hard and was involved in both goals. His solid stature is a real advantage up there. Especially against the dirty teams.

Allegri (9) What a day for him.

Good to see that someone else appreciates what Robinho gives to us. I find it rather ironic that the majority of people who don't seem to like Robinho loved Ronaldinho! If R80 worked as hard as Robinho then he might have still been with us.

Robinho did more then good tonight.

As for Merkel, he's a kid for god's sake! I can understand when someone says "Ronaldinho can't play a side midfielder", but Merkel isn't a finished product at all! Wherever Allegri puts him, he has to learn and try adapting quickly. Abate isn't a RB as well, but as things look right now, he's stuck with that position for more then just the near future.

We shouldn't be harsh on the kid, he's still breathing his first air, gaining experience. I really don't expect much of him this season; but we shouldn't be fooled by those Coppa matches. They are only a positive sign, nothing more. Serie A is something totally different.

I don't understand why Pato never played.. After Coppa Italia and all. Did Allegri just wait for Ibrahimovic to score?
Hope Pato will get more play time against Lazio on Tuesday

Pato didn't play because Van Bommel was sent off, I'm sure that had Van Bomme had stayed on the pith then we would have seen Pato. Anyway Pato will be even fresher for Lazio which is a massive bonus for us.

Allegri said the exact same words on Mediaset Premium.

+ 1 (especially the bolded piece)

my sentiments exactly...




(again) my sentiments exactly...

Flamini and Didac Vila trained with the squad today. Rino migh be ready for Lazio too.

Somebody please open a Milan - Lazio thread.

Trini should open the thread, he's on a good run

As Trini himself would say: +1. Man, am I evil, or am I evil?

You're an angel, to be honest.

Cheers! I try to be more often than not, LOL.

+1

See the following link...

http://www.milanfan.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=7583

You go, Trini. Thanks! You're on a roll! Besides, I've got a feeling it's the "See Sig... < Forza Milan!!! >" routine that seems to be doing the trick, but it is too soon to tell.