I put Muntari there very reluctantly. I actually went to the official website and looked at our midfield just to see if we had better options.. ha. But I decided to go with Muntari since Flamini is too vivacious for that role for a lack of a better word and I have personal dislike for Nocerino now despite him being one of my favorites just recently after his agent started whoring him out to Napoli left and right. I get it, he is upset. I would be too. But it's only his second year here and he could've seen this period through. Also his performance against Catania was plain bad. But honestly, Muntari is a liability and I was hard pushed to include him in that line up. Maybe Ambro then?

Isn't Ambro injured? I've said before that we really need someone who can deputize for Monto and now that he is injured our terrible midfield is on display for all to see. I would almost rather Boateng play in the middle over Muntari since I don't trust Muntari at all. I would even try out a Nocerino-Boateng-Flamini trio. All three are overly aggressive offensively but I actually trust all three to listen and play to a game plan more than Muntari. Muntari seems to play the same slow, lazy, overly complicated game no matter what the situation. What is most frustrating is that he has the skill set to be much better but he just doesn't do it.

I don't begrudge him looking at alternative options. This is his future we're talking about and with constant news about Allegri staying being shoved down our throats at the time I seriously do not blame him. Yes, he had an off colour start to the season, no one has disputed that, but the way he's been basically shunned by Allegri is just despicable and I don't blame his agent for looking out for his client's best interests.

Aside from all that though, you seriously cannot base such decisions on these petty little things. You ask yourself, who is the better player and who will bring the most into that very weak midfield, and the answer is very easily Nocerino when the other option is Muntari. And against Catania he was good in the first half but his legs went out in the second, consequence of the fact that he's been sitting on the bench for months now. He can only regain fitness by playing more frequently. Which is why I said that when his batteries run out in the second you introduce a fresh Muntari where his laziness isn't as apparent when coming into a game where the other players have tired out


Agreed. As for his skillset, yes, he could be a half decent player. He's got a nice touch, can make a good through pass when he actually uses his brain and has a very good shot. But his idiocy levels basically negate all those qualities. And add to that his perpetual laziness and it's a horrific combination

Galliani described Allegri today as "il mio allenatore del cuore", which would roughly translate into "my most beloved coach".

What's the foundation of Galliani's adoration though? I really don't get it.

Could be that he is an idiot or that he wants to keep the wind blowing through Milan's sails for the last four games of the season?

To each his own

+1
Yeah, surprised people don't link Galliani's immediate incentives with whatever he says....

He's been in love with Allegri since day one. Don't you guys remember when he said that it's a pity Allegri is a guy, cos "he'd be my perfect woman". Get a fucking room!

He said that? eww!

Well, Berrlu is the boss. if he decides Allegri should leave there's not much Galliani can do.

Montolivo trained with the rest of the team today. There are good chances he might start against Siena.

4-6 months? what the hell!

what happened to him anyway? I think I missed something.

@Zed.D : He's been playing through pain for us since winter. Also one of the reasons he can't start two games in a stretch. So this is one of the final fix operations.

I know we've complained a lot about this team, but I think one of the positives this season has been how well our medical situation has picked up compared to last season. This is especially if you consider how run down some of our players were. SeS was our most used player for example.

Because there's no Pato.

Yeah, he's constantly getting injured at Corinthians.

This must by why Allegri didn't start Pazzini against Siena, he knew Pazzini was hurt and didn't want him to play unless it was necessary. That doesn't explain SES not starting though.

After initial investigations carried out and after consultation with professor Herbert Schonhuber, we opted for conservative treatment with a prognosis of a return (for Bonera) between 70 and 90 days, barring complications.

Robinho suffers from an adductor muscle problem in his left thigh. In two weeks he will undergo further medical examinations to determine the extent of the injury.

Meh, Robinho is such a waste overall. He earns too much, plays like crap and suffers too many injuries.

Apparently Vergara and Zaccardo are the only fit CBs available atm.

Mexes and DS are injured, so is Zapata...

Abate is still recovering from dislocating his shoulder, so atm our defence has been reduced to Vergara, Zaccardo, Antonini and Constant.

I mean WTF??! Are we going to see another injury cursed season?

Yeah, this is really bad. But Zapata is available and will take part of the next friendly games. Would like to see a Zapata-Vergara duo. De Sciglio's injury seems serious, though, and with Abate out, we could be out of RBs for the CL play-offs. :s

EDIT: Zapata will join the group after the Audi Cup. So, against City and Bayern/Sao Paolo our only available CBs are Vergara and Zaccardo. Oh my...

Well, at least we'll get to see Vergara

Mattia De Sciglio and Philippe Mexes are out of Milan’s squad for the Audi Cup and the Guinness International Champions Cup.

The defensive duo have been omitted from Massimiliano Allegri’s party because of injuries.

The Italian has twisted his left knee which will require more tests within the next two weeks. Mexes, meanwhile, has suffered a muscle strain.

Milan are struggling for centre-backs at the moment given that Daniele Bonera has been ruled out of action for the next three months.

Mario Balotelli, Riccardo Montolivo and Cristian Zapata will meet up with the rest of the squad in Frankfurt on August 2, ahead of their trip to the United States.

They are friendlies and these are the games to try them in .. Better see what these kids can do now, especially at such pressing circumstances than throwing them in the fray in the heat of Serie A.

Robinho, Mexes, DS, and Abate ... Those are ideally first team players for Milan. Wish them all a speedy recovery.

Vergara has a shoulder injury and won't part for the USA tournament.

Hopefully Silvestre is ready.

I think he is, wasn't he training with Inter these last few weeks?

And Zapata will also be back so not as bleak as we thought

Milan lose Vergara for a month

So few weeks into preseason and we are already with about 7-8 injuries

Doesn't necessarily mean we'll have 11/12 allover again. Maybe we'll avoid them during the season.

Allegri: "Mexes and Abate are fit and ready. De Sciglio and Robinho should be ready for the Champions League play-offs."

Mexes and Abate fully recovered, De Sciglio almost.

you are too slow yet again

Damn you!

Bye bye CL qualification?

Not necessarily.

I was only joking. We could be out of the CL even with Balotelli in. The risk is there, no matter how minimal.

Does anyone know when we will get to see Saponara?

With the signings of Honda and Ljalic seeming evermore uncertain, this would, in theory be the perfect time for him to show his worth...

Absolutely no idea. Hopefully he's fit for the play-off.

I've seen no mention of him anywhere so far as i can read

It's a real bummer. Having signed no one yet, he would have had all the necessary exposure to integrate into the team.

Yeah, these friendlies could have been such a great opportunity for him.

But anyway, if he's as good as he looks from those YT vids he'll make his mark anyways. Just bummed about the missed opportunity

How can he not have a recovery date?

According to this, he is suffering from some inflammation and the recovery depends on how he responds to the physical treatment at Milanello.

Ohh f<vk... We're doomed!

Prince and De Jong will most likely miss the Verona game due to a bruised thigh and toe respectively

As long as they are back in time for Wed, we should be fine.

Agreed, Robinho and DS will most likely be available on Wednesday as well which is great to have a fully fit team finally (aside from Pazzo but that will be the case until October according to Max)

Saponara is one huge mystery at this point

It's not a mystery, it's a co-ownership...

His injury is the mystery

El Shaa was a co-own, Constant was a co-own, there weren't any issues.