Usually we just get the one and no pre-game, post-game analysis. Though today we got 2 and a bit of pre-game stuff from people who know next to nothing about Italian football aside of the top 2...!

I guess it was because it was the Milan derby and they feel more people would watch that.

UK ESPN's coverage by the way.

The genius idea of playing Emanuelson as AM was not enough for you? Our whole game was conditioned because of it. When he made the changes, it was too late. Inter were already winning, and we had no single game-plan to get back on track. In the end, we ended up relying on those awful long balls for Ibra. I had absolutely no hope of drawing this game.

I know how much it hurts to take this loss, but everything is still in our favor; only 3 defeats in the league, 1-point off of top spot and four months worth of games to make up ground .. Allegri isn't the most experienced and I doubt he can outwit Wenger, but he has a team that is extremely strong and that should (has) serve him well.

I think it was a bad choice. Ironically, we were better in the first half when Emanuelson was at AM.

Agreed. The players' behavior on the pitch is a reflection of the coach's charisma, tactics and indications. Put Mourinho instead of Allegri and you'll see every single player giving their all to win the game.

With aqualani out i think that was the best option.

You mean, Champions?

Had we looked far better with Robinho on, then I'd agree. But the fact we got worse with Robinho at AM shows that it was probably the right decision not to start like that. Especially as it'd give us nothing off the bench.

Yeah, they were playing like cornered rats, and that was expected. It all took an Abate misjudgment for inter to sneak through, and instead of them sitting 11 points down from us, they're 5 points down now. I wouldn't say totally in the race, because the next few matches will decide that. Then again, we could be out of it, if we are not careful.

I'm not totally confident driving into the Rome, Turin and other cities, if the team is to perform like this.


Well pre-game is seldom a bad thing. Like you said, that shows that they think more people would be watching the match. Unsurprisingly, this is one of the finest local derbies in Europe, and surely one with the most history. For better or for worse, this was one of the worst matches I've seen in a few months.

I wouldn't count on it. Against Arsenal I see us doing another Tottenham-like fluke. We need Aquilani back and get to the usual midfield formula (MvB-Aqua-Noce-Boa) if we have any ambitions for those games.



Just imagine if we had someone like Rui Costa or Kaká instead of Emanuelson there. The quality ouf our game would have tripled, to say the last.

You're saying it's wise to play a LB as AM in a derby? OK.

Yep.

Can't wait for Cassano to get back (which will be, when?) to at least give us some options.

Same, not the greatest advert for Italian Football.

Just the usual comments of 'standard 1-0 Italian football' now.

CREATIVITY.

Needed, it is. Too much muscle, and you leave far too much to luck.

Amen.

LOL, get a grip...

Also, Ibra had an "excellent" game tonight? what did you smoke during the game?

We need to forget about the Tevez bullshit and buy a good creative midfielder in this window, preferably one that is eligible for CL.

So we've lost against Juventus and Inter this season. Two of our biggest rivals, allegri is a clueless guy in these encounters and todays game had alot of similarities to the spurs game. I wouldnt be suprised if we see something similar vs arsenal.

Probably the same thing that you've been smoking when you say we should keep Pato and sell Ibra.

This is on the management, not Allegri. How can we breakdown defensive teams with no real AM? Unfortunately top teams have the players to defend well and then can counter successfully. The management are far too interesting in buying another striker.

Right on the money. The only reason why I was remotely interested in Tevez, was the option of seeing him play as a makeshift AM. And that was before the whole Pato ordeal. Now? Just get me a decent guy with good vision. Or else we'll be stuck forever in these games against top sides.


Exactly the point. I'm not blaming it all on Allegri, I'm sure he's a good guy. But he's either a bit clueless against top sides (and subsequently, top coaches), or a very slow learner. Probably both.

When did I say sell Ibra?

What you say is the most ideal solution and true, however Allegri could alter the formation and instead of playing emanuelson at AM play him at LB. He's too defensive and one dimensional imo.

Defensive? Did you see todays game? We had all the posession and the entire game was in their half. How he can be blamed for this loss is baffling. A defender that everyone wanted to play, made a stupid mistake.

by defensive i meant in general terms not just tonight, - although he typically took his time with his substitutions, just on paper before the game Inter seemed well prepared with a 4-4-2. Like the spurs game, we had alot of possesion and little end product.

But that's more on the management for not bringing him a real AM. It's easy to blame it on the coach, but pre-Allegri our coaches has Rui Costa and Kaka' for a long time. We were spoilt. We have yet to replace Kaka'.

Spot on.

Allegri is an absolutely worthless coach.

Let me first say that he is not directly to blame for this loss but it comes in no small part due to his ineptitude. Once again Milan is utterly unable to score after going behind. Once again Milan is only as effective as Ibrahimovic.

Putting on Urby was an incredible decision. Didn't want to comment too much on it nor do I feel like knocking it now armed with the power of hindsight. However it was a poor decision and was always going to be a poor decision. Urby did creditably in the role it must be said....but this was more off the back of his effort as opposed to actual PRODUCTION as a CAM.

I can't remember not one single through ball the entire game for our forwards....not one!!! Milan played all of Allegri's dim myopic vision - ie. press press press try try try try run run run run....no creativity, no SYSTEM nothing. YES I concede that Aqua was out...but Clarence was still there and he was the ONLY one that could have dished them. There was also a lot of space on the right but none of our forwards ever exploited it....hmmmm I wonder who's job it was to direct our attack

Allegri wasn't saved tonight by his champion (iBra) or one of the numerous fortuitous penalties that has inflated everybody's opinion of him. And as usual our defense was one error away from calamity.

So really in a tight game like this most of you would throw 100% of the blame on Abate and there would be much credibility for such an approach. However my take on it is that if we are incapable of overcoming falling a single goal behind at any time then we aren't a big team at all....what happens when a freak goal gets scored on us in the CL?

Rainieri did his homework for this midtable charlatan and to get bossed about by Ranieri who is a good but not GREAT coach shows just how average and incredibly overrated Allegri is. Not to mention that Al also had the better squad...AND INTER SCORED BEFORE SNEIJDER CAME ON

Galliani needs to lay the ground for Eriksen. Maybe involve Raiola too, cause the guy knows Ajax well. Start talking with the player, get Ibra to phone him etc. You know, the usual cheap and dirty Galliani tactics. Same thing about De Rossi. I read in an article today that some Milan players have been sending him SMSs in order to convince him to choose us. Negotiate with Lyon for Cissokho. Offer them about €10 million + Taiwo. Whilst at it, bring Tevez in and try to find a purchaser for Robinho. With these movements, we can become big again. Obviously, I'm talking about next season.

I'd go with that, well, except for the obvious, see: sig.

+1 Only that I think the Cissokho ship has sailed and even if he were to come our n00b coach will bench him and not talk to him the slightest mistake he makes

I really think we need to give El Shaarawy a closer look. In his first three touches of the game he made more happen than Urby had all game. The kid has the magic vision the team lacks right now. Why not give him some real chances in the trequarista role? I'd also like to see Urby start playing left back. Zambro was absolutely terrible. He's too slow to make up for mistakes. Urby is a bit small but he is a better option than Zambro and Antonini if we aren't going to use Taiwo.

Aye, El Shaarawy looked pretty sharp in those few minutes he played. He should be given a shot against Novara on Wednesday. As for Zambro, the fact that Allegri subbed him says everything. Mediaset gave him 4.5, worst of the match. When I say that he's no better than Antonini, I'm telling the truth. Retire! I have no doubt that Mesbah will be better than both of them, cause it's impossible to be any worse.

By the way, chapeau to Zanetti! It's unbelievable when you think the guy is 38.

Let's see...

I've listened to the Croatian pre-match commentators: Boban, Simic and Savicevic. All of them agreed Milan is the better team and should win, yet Boban said something which is important to me: Allegri's tactic isn't on pair with Milan's expectations and reputation. He's forcing the long passes to Ibra, which in the end results us gathering in the center and leaving our vulnerable flanks even more open to the oppositions attacks.

I think he has it right.

Furthermore, it isn't only up to our management to buy in an AM. It's also up to Allegri - because up till now he had gigantic headaches with creative players. The only player he can handle is Seedorf, and that's only because Seedorf can pretty much still cover every damn position. But think about it - Ronaldinho, Pirlo, even Aquilani...and now Emanuelson - forced to do things he obviously can't while at the same time bringing in qualities that are more or less pointless for a AM. It's easy to shout "Eriksen! Eriksen!" at our management, yet I'm more puzzled about what would happen after we sign the guy. Can Allegri find a way? Can he change his system?

Because in the end I don't think his system is working. Last season we had very little opposition. But this season, with the first signs of trouble and stronger opposition (which still isn't "that" strong) we bend, in every single crucial game: the fluke draw with Barcelona, the loss at home, the Juventus match and now Inter. Something has to be done...but unfortunately I guess things won't change: we'll again make a nice little streak of wins and draws against the Novaras and Parmas of Serie A/Coppa Italia, people will forget this defeat...well...up until Arsenal comes along.

I've seen worse. You're a true fan, I understand you're upset and overreacting. Zambrotta was bad, but again, nothing near to what Antonini would have done.

We need a CM more than an AM. Boateng is much better as AM, but we had to play both Emanuelson and Boateng, two who are better as AM's than CM's, and we struggled...

We really need to sign a creative ball playing central midfielder this month, or else bad things will happen.

Bad things like Today...

Naah, let's be honest: what means much better? Maybe in Marseille or Valencia terms, but this is Milan; please - we need both a quality CM and a quality AM. IMO Boateng cannot be Milan's top/best/first choice attacking midfielder.

+1000000000



Nah, Zambrotta just can't cut it anymore. There's no point in saying "Antonini wold have been much worse" every time Zambrotta makes a fool of himself. I'd rather play Emanuelson there. In fact, that's where Emanuelson SHOULD play, instead of forcefully trying to cover a position that ain't got nothing to do with him.


Still insisting on your Boateng as AM argument, eh? Are you Allegri in disguise? Cause you're saying we should play a runner in a position that requires brains and creativity.

Let's all cross our fingers in the hope that we incur no injuries during our Champions League games, cause we all saw today how the absence of someone like Aquilani, who's just above average, completely destroyed our game. The truth of the matter is that, leftback aside, our classic starting line up for this season (Abbiati, Abate, Nesta, Silva, MvB, Aquilani, Nocerino, Boateng, Pato, Ibra) is good enough to pull it off against an opponent like Arsenal. However, drop one of those players, and you've created a huge void. We simply have no alternatives. Only Mexes and Robinho can offer what Nesta and Pato might offer. The rest just can't pull if off. Bonera, Yepes, Zambrotta, Antonini, Ambrosini, Gattuso, Emanuelson, Seedorf, Inzaghi... These guys are washed out and not Milan quality. Also, let's hope that this Mesbah guy turns out good, cause we badly need a reliable LB.

Eh? First of all Allegri played Boateng as RCM today.. which I wouldn't have done..

Second of all.... didn't you notice how we were weaker because of it? Our attack was lesser because Boateng couldn't help them, Zlatan (and so), as much as when being played as AM. And Boateng was a bad help for Van Bommel defending wise, Aquilani is better both defending wise and ball playing/creative wise. So it's obvious we need a CM, because we only have Aquilani now, oh, and Seedorf...

We were missing creativity yes, because we replaced Aquilani with Emanuelson (who swapped position with Boateng).

+1.

You know man, sometimes you're so stubborn in your arguments that you fail to see the simple truth. Boateng is no AM. He's a runner, just like Nocerino. He doesn't have the vision nor skills to play as trequartista. He didn't help Zlatan as much as when he's played as AM? Well, stop the f*cking press! Of course he won't help him as much, because he has more defensive duties. Aiding the strikers was the job of Emanuelson, a job he miserably but logically failed to do. Can't you see that if we played someone like Sneijder or Eriksen behind the strikers, not only Pato and Ibra, but also Nocerino and Boateng would benefit from it? Our whole game would benefit from it. Someone needs to yell this at Allegri and Galliani, cause their heads are obviously so tight up their asses, they can't seem to comprehend the distinction between quality and quantity anymore.

DP...

Abate... *sigh*

That sh!t reminded me of that horrible header he did in the Derby sometime back which also caused us the game.

Can't really blame it on Abate. Sure, he made a mistake, but if we were good enough, we would have turned things around. If anything, Abate was one of those who tried hardest, and had a decent game overall, mistake aside.

lol, the (simple) truth? Get out..


Yeah, exactly, it failed.. therefore Boateng should have played AM because he would help Zlatan/attack much more than Emanuelson does


Sneijder? Sure, he would make us stronger, and everyone would benefit from it. But both Nocerino and Boateng as side central mids? Meh.. they don't help Van Bommel/our anchor and thus defense well enough, unfortunality. It showed today.. once again. Our midfield's so weak, it's shameful.

You're so obsessed with an AM being creative that you can't see there's an alternative, a different way to find balance in a team, and also it makes you think that Boateng should play in deeper midfield even though his weaknesses show up there, and we won't take us as much of his benefits as we could, resulting our attacking being weaker, our midfield being weaker, our team being weaker, and of course Boateng himself preforming worse. His defending is so poor, and nor is he a ball playing midfielder. What is he gonna do at RCM? And it's pretty similar to Nocerino, so having both play?? Yeah, that's gonna work: poor defending midfielders, barely a ball playing midfielder in midfield.. hmmm, no wonder it didn't went well against Inter

If we sign a good AM, who is creative like you want, which I would want too, then Boateng, or Nocerino, should be benched. A point I'm trying to make: a new AM wont fix our midfield as much as a new CM would do.

Agreed that we shouldn't blame the entire result of the game on Abate, but the fact is despite his otherwise good performance he coated us with a 'crucial' lapse in concentration.

That's the new Milan fan standard: even if you fail, you remain good if most of the game you did well..

Well, that aint going to work in top games, including CL..
Our record against good teams have been losses and draws so far.

Abate is not even that good, only looks good in a squad with the worst fullbacks ever we had. Several teams have 4 fullbacks who all would start at Milan.

There's no point in arguing if you think Boateng plays poorly as CM and his defensive abilities are weak. Is Aquilani any better in that department? Is Seedorf any better? No. Boateng has the characteristics of a box-to-box mid. His strong physique and skills allow him to adapt in a number of positions and situations. His defending is no worse than Aquilani's or Seedorf's or Emanuelson's or Nocerino's or whoever plays in the center midfield. In fact, he's been alright in the last two games helping the defense and being involved in the attacks, although the team overall has performed quite poorly. The problem lies elsewhere, i.e. DM and AM. Those are the positions that need work.

This was Abate's 2nd mistake in an important/big game this season, the first one being against Barca. and as it was pointed out, he's made quite a few of them in the past seasons as well. I'm afraid making costly mistakes (ending in a goal) is becoming a trend with him.

He did have a solid game beside the mistake and even rescued us once IINM (though that's what defenders are for), but in the end there should be no room for errors in big games regardless of how our attackers are doing.

I think we need a reliable RB. Abate can still be a great bonus to have in that position in less important matches where we can recover from potential mistakes, but he can't be trusted in delicate moments anymore.