Should have had a better first touch, yes. Game is won anyway.

Look at what Robs brings to the table, Urby is still a none factor but at least we have movement

Ah so unlucky Zlatan, made the defender look stupid.

He's been better than Pato

Seriously this team can do soooooooooooo much better

FT. Great win at a tough, tough place to do so.

unbeaten in the last 12 in serie A the commentator said

It isn't a question about Pato, it's the movement Robs brings in. Before Urby was absolutely invisible, thus both Ibra and Pato were a none factor for the entire game because they rely on balls coming from midfield. Robinho moves a lot and makes himself available as well as picking up the ball in midfield, which is why he should be the one playing behind the strikers.

Had Robinho started Pato and Ibra would have seen a lot more of the ball and would have had more space to work with

Juve win btw. Just scraping it against Lecce

Not bad at all! hopefully we make that 13 next game and do it in style.

No, he won't. He would be even worse at LB.


We've been through this. I would prefer an actual midfielder at AM.


Agreed.

From today's performance and watching the game against Inter, I believe that we should be able to do that. Our defence is looking great with Thiago back to 100%, and whether it's Nesta or Mexes we know that it's a top class option either way.

My only hope is that we have Abate and Aqui back. Abate will really provide the width we need while Nagatomo is pretty hopeless when he has to track back. Zambro should be fine if we have Abate and he doesn't need to push up, defensively, I will continue to insist that he is still our best FB by far. As long as he stays back and covers his areas than he's ok.

Aquilani back will give us another option from midfield, but still I feel for our attack to really work we need Robinho to be as close to midfield as possible, ie, he needs to play the AM spot. He'd bring Ibra and Pato into the game more, and if we want our attack to finally start working this season than that is what will have to happen. As could easily be seen today, Boateng can still make his late runs into the box from deeper in midfield. In fact it only makes him harder for the opposing team to track should he start his runs from deeper positions

What does that get you when the "actual" midfielder is nowhere to be found is not supporting our 2 strikers. Note that Ibra's only real look in was through a long ball while Pato won the penalty off a set-piece situation. That is just not acceptable. Especially when you have someone like Robinho one the bench who will bring those 2 in beutifully as we've seen him do a million times before.

The important thing is balance not what you would classify an AM as being a midfielder or striker, in all honesty Robinho could be considered a winger, thus a midfielder if that would help you sleep better at night!

My point is I don't care what they're listed as on the official site, or in Fifa or FM. What I care is what they offer to the team when they're on that pitch. For me it's pointless to call Robinho a striker as he's always been a wide man more than anything else, and he's not really known for his goal scoring, in fact the further away we keep him from goal the better. Pato had a single chance today, he smacked that off the post, while winning the penalty as well. He's our most clinical striker and needs to be given the supply, that will not happen if Boateng or Urby are supporting him and Ibra. Ibra's record looks impressive but half of those are penalties, his record from open play is 6 goals, that's the tally that midfielders in the league are on, not strikers.

We have a top class attack yet they're not utilised properly, in all reality we should be hitting more goals than we are.

Ibra is pure class. Without him we'd be lost.

I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say this was one of the most important wins of the season. Atalanta at home are really strong, and we were missing some important players. Now bring on the derby! Hopefully Abate and Aquilani will be fit for Sunday.

Right on!

And can you imagine if Ibra actually had proper support rather than trying to survive off long balls?

In reality, him and Pato could score 20+ goals. With Ibra's vision, power, etc and Pato's pace and finishing... When Tevez comes I really hope we get to see all three on the pitch

considering for large stretches we were very dodgy, placing Tevez in the role where E-mule was will be amazing .

Can you imagine him chasing around and exchanging positions with Ibra?? While Pato reaps the benefits of those 2 behind him?

I can't imagine what we'll do when Antonio is back though. That's Allegri's headache though, not ours. As long as he can keep them happy, I think we'll see some great stuff if Tevez comes.

But I think Allegri will more than likely be forced to play 3 attackers. With all that quality you just cannot keep 2/3 top class strikers on the bench

Just imagine the attack of Ibra and Pato with our old midfield under Carlo. It would be invincible.

Ibra is a world class player but he'll always be too dirty for my taste. The small but painful kicks he gave to Schelotto, Manfredini, etc...

We miss Pirlo and the old Seedorf no doubt about that. But what we really lack imo is a proper attacking midfielder. And Robinho is closer to that than either Boateng or Urby. Mentioning Urby in this regard is just funny to me as there is no way in hell he'd be in contention to be playing that position under any other coach. Allegri has some weird ideas imo, and I still don't understand what he's trying to accomplish by playing Urby there. At least with Boateng there is the high energy and running late into the box aspect which he brings in, Urby just stands there and does nothing

I think Ibra was getting frustrated because there were a couple of calls which frustrated him, no doubt this should not be an excuse for kicking out at players, but that's just the way it is.

Until June, yes. But then I want us to sign a proper AM, and sell one between Pato and Robinho.

That would have to be Robinho. Pato is 22 and has his entire future ahead of him with Milan, while Robinho will be turning 28. As I said a couple weeks ago, Ibra, Cassano, even Tevez, they're all great options for the here and now, but the future of the club will also have to be considered and that future is with Pato, not Ibra, not Cassano and certainly not Tevez who will most likely jump ship sooner rather than later.

Omg and you're a Carlo fan too? :')
Shut up!!!!

You had me at Just imagine.....you had me at Jut imagine :')
(no homo)

Well, if we sell Robinho, we should get some good money (at least €15 million) from his sale, so we can splash them into a quality AM. Cause I can't see B&G spending that money from their own pockets.

If we sell Pato we could possibly get 40m+ so we could buy Tevez and a quality AM

Haha, sure I am,simply adore the man


Pato is our future. Robinho, Ibra, Cassano and Tevez are all past their prime age/or in a later stage of their career. But with Pato we have the stepping stone for a bright future Milan. Just think of the fact that Pato has played with Kaka, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Ibra, Pippo, etc. I have no doubt that the kid, should he overcome his injuries and shake them permanently off, become a superstar with Milan. I'd rather sell any other player (with the exception of Thiago) then Pato. At least that's how I see it.

I'm usually 100% with you on all issues, both not with this. Pato is our only really young star and could become worth much more than that in 3 years time. Selling him when the other strikers are all nearing or have passed the 30 year mark would be a very stupid decision imo.

Tevez, Ibra, Cassano, Robinho, they're all important to any of our current successes or the ones in the very near future, but in the distant future, when Ibra will most likely have left, same for Tevez and Cassano is at the final stage of his carreer, than Pato will be the one we'll count on and the one who we'll build our attack around.

Tevez will still come, and Robinho will be here until the end of the season, no doubt about that. It's up to the management and what their plans are, will they go for an AM or will we play with a 3 man attack? I can see them choosing option b as it would be quite cheaper and allow them to focus on other problematic areas such as LB and DM


Completely agree with you

Truer words have rarely been spoken! Totally with you, man! The way other see it is that Pato and Thiago are our golden ducks, one who can fetch us a lot of coins. Well there is a reason for that, and it being as simple as the fact that both are immensely talented with a future ahead.

Let's hope that future materializes here, then anywhere else, because if it does, we'll prosper.

I agree. With Thiago Silva we have a real gem, no doubt, the guy exudes quality. I can't say the same about Pato, sure I'd still like him in our side but realistically if someone came up with a big offer I wouldn't be too sad if we accepted it and strengthened in a number of other areas. He's still to make that significant jump for me, I thought it was coming a few years back and he almost seems to have regressed a little or at the least plateaued in my opinion.

Also the issue of just when he looks like making this step up, injuries occur, constantly, I still don't buy the idea he's growing. He's 22 and should be able to handle the stresses and strains of football at this early time in his career.

Though you do have to remember, he's being played at less than an ideal position lately. Same was the case even last season. Add to this our lackluster and practically non-existent (creatively speaking) midfield, and well, the big picture becomes clear. If he had quality service behind him, every Sunday, Pato would be smoking hot.

But those 2 points to me prove he isn't a top player.

He is a forward and should be able to play as a forward. He might be asked to do some things different, but a player will still always play towards his own style of play. If he isn't able to make such a minor change then he's not a top forward.

Top goalscorers dont need top service, that just helps. Even average strikers can score for fun if they have a great midfield behind them.

Call it hating, whatever.

So Pato is an average forward. thanks for reminding us.

I think a little thinking before posting wouldn't hurt, Kurt. Pato has scored many of goals on his own, almost out of nothing. just because he isn't going through a good period right now doesn't mean he's not a top player anymore. he's proven his class to me already. SURE, there are weaknesses and deficits in his game (his passing and his first touch being the biggest and most obvious) but that doesn't mean he isn't a top forward.

Call it fanboyism, whatever.

And yet you never proved why me arguement was wrong, both my points are both valid and currently correct. But I'm not going to get into it with someone who can't put together an arguement so they make things up or put words in your mouth as the below comment shows about you.


Unless of course you can quote me on saying this?

Well, both arguments have their merits, but we do have to remember he's 22. That's at least 4 more years for him to hit his prime, brush off injuries, and develop his game further. Different setups and coaches don't help one bit, quote me on this. Huntelaar who is a better player (less talented, yes) than Pato was a glaring example.

I guess it all comes down to the fact whether you are willing to wait for the treats or cash in your $50m coupon.

With obviously the chance that it could be faulty and never deliver what was advertised on the box

and you are the guy who rates strikers according to their goalscoring ratio.

Agreed, but that's football. Good goes with bad, risk with luck and fortune with failure.

Totally agreed. I'm tired of these arguments that because he's being a played in a position not suitable to his characteristics and/or he doesn't get much supply, the guy doesn't shine. A top player will always manage to thrive, regardless of the circumstances. If Pato doesn't manage to overcome his limitations, then he'll never become a world class striker. That's the brutal truth, dear Zed, han and co.

Can the Pato BS be put to rest for now? He's obviosly going nowhere, so what's the point of arguing about it when we all know it is a soar subject for most of the posters. At the end of the day we're not the ones who will be making the decision as to whether or not he should be given more time to prove himself

Don't get excited yet! here's your second point:



Refer to these goals:

vs. Fiorentina (2008-09)
vs. Bremen (2008-09)
vs. Roma (2008-09)
vs. Siena (2008-09)
vs. Cagliari (2009-10)
vs. Bari (2010-11)
vs. Chievo (2010-11)
vs. Barcelona

All scored without any top service (and fantastically at that), therefore your point's not valid.

You'll have to explain your first point more, what do you mean by "such a minor change" that he can't make? to thrive with virtually zero support from the midfield?

Also you said:



I don't think you can make an assessment of a player based on how they're currently doing. you have to look at their whole career and take into consideration both the ups and downs of it. just because you think your arguments are "currently correct" doesn't mean you can make generalizations out of them as well.


If it offended you, then I apologize. but when you say what you don't think Pato is, but you don't say what you think he is, it can be interpreted any way. you can correct my assumption if it's wrong, but you can't question it.

Can you source this with a quote please?



Top forwards don't need good service to score regularly. Pato is now in a midfield without top service and the goals have dried up. You gave what, 8 goals in 4 seasons where it wasn't the result of a great pass? I imagine even players like Berbatov (who isn't all that, in my opinion) have scored 8 in a season without great service.

Minor change as in he plays best in a front 2 and is currently paying in a front 2. Yet he's being excused because he's been asked to slightly change his game. Top players can adapt to make changes in my opinion. For example Seedorf played the Pirlo role at White Hart Lane and was great. Rooney played as a CM in a 4-4-2 this season and was great. Eto'o moved into a position as more of a winger for Inter and was great. Pato is playing where he wants to play and isn't getting it done. Not just the lack of goals, but he's had about 2 good games.

I don't think Pato is at the highest level. You may think he's one of the top 10 strikers about. I do not.

I remember you justifying Bent's transfer price by saying that he scores X amounts of goals.I'm pretty sure of it,so don't worry

And did I say he's better than Rooney, van Persie or Ibrahimovic (who I believe he has a better scoring ratio than)? No. Justifying a price tag, for a striker, based on goals is a pretty sensible thing in my opinion.

But the rumors are still there. I'm pretty sure that if Pato doesn't excel in the remaining five months (and we sign Tevez), management will seriously consider selling him. Especially if the offer is around the €50 million tag.

I don't believe that any offer would even come anywhere near that. If Tevez is estimated at 35m by the big spenders than Pato would be a lot less given his problems, and to sell him around the 20 to 30m mark would be a huge waste.

50m is an unrealistic sum, those are usually the top stars in their prime who go for that amount.

Obviously if the offer was in fact that much than the management would have to consider it, same would go if we were offered that much for Thiago. It's a ridiculous sum and no one in their right minds wouldn't seriously consider it.

But in the end I think it will fall on what this club wants to achieve in the future. Tevez, Ibra, Cassano, Robinho, they're all very great for the here and now, but where will all of those be in 3 years time?? Probably none of them would still be Milan players.

While Pato, bad season or not, is one of the few jewels we have on the team. Imo, Pato, Thiago, Abate, Nocerino, Aquilani. They're the only players who have a long term future with Milan, thus the need to consider this carefully.

Also, rumours will always be there when top players are involved, no matter which way you look at it and the amount of money some clubs have to throw away. But sometimes you just have to ignore them as 75% of the time they're not true or greatly exxagerated. What I know for certain is that Milan never sold any of their top players in their prime, while they have given injury prone players like Ambro chance after chance to regain fitness, I'm sure this will be the case for Pato as well.

I don't know about that. Sheva was 29, which I suppose you could argue is towards the end of his prime. But Kaka' was 27. In hindsight they don't seem as bad considering what happened to both after they left. But for all we know if they stayed, they'd have continued at their Milan level.

Maybe, maybe not, but they certainly were not 22, while Kaka's knee problems were due to wear and tear due to the rough treatment he got on a weekly basis in Serie A.

I think the club knew what both players' medcal situations were when they were sold. At least with Kaka I am pretty sure of this, while Sheva mostly forced his way out, which is a bg difference from the club being the ones to sell him

If Pastore, Aguero, Carroll and Falcao were sold for €40 million each, then Pato can sure as hell be sold for the same amount if not more. Besides, this is PSG we're talking about. They're the next City, money is not an issue to them. And with Leonardo and Ancelotti there, they'd strongly want him.



You also have to consider Pato's injury crises. What makes you sure that following his next 5-6 weeks-long injury, B&G's patience won't reach its limit? Simply being engaged to Barbera won't save his butt in the end. Let's not forget that Allegri prefers Robinho over him, and that with Tevez coming, things would get even more difficult and complicated. You're being too certain in your statements about Pato, but history has told us that there's nothing certain in football, and that in 6-7 months time, Pato might not be a Milan player anymore.

You didn't,but you implied that a striker's main and most important function is scoring goals,no?And,it is a Pato has a very good goalscoring ratio.If you've also noticed he's been connecting with Ibrahimovic several times,it just needs some time...patnerships are not created after two,three games...etc...
Now,the thing is that you would want to sell Pato for 50million if the offer comes up,which I don't disagree with,it's a hige amount of money.But,your evaluation of Pato is simply too bias to be considered true.It's annoying how you pick a player,and constantly pick imo.I believe there is a minimum standard of objectivity when rating individuals.

Oh, yes this BS again, that's so much better than debating a potential Pato move, right.

I guess it's only BS if you don't agree with it.

I wasn't really the one who brought Sheva up to begin with And those are the facts of his departure, if it were up to Silvio Sheva wouldn't have been sold as he was one of his favourites and he treated him like a son while he was a Milan player.

@ x-off, as much as I can't be sure of Pato's future, neither can you. Just because YOU and another few here are tired of waiting for Pato to get over his injuries does not mean that the management are giving up on him.

This is the reason I didn't want to see this debate being started up again as it causes these sorts of arguments