Back to CL acton for the tie (most) of us dreaded.

Don't know how we'll cope as we'll be missing Thiago, VB, Abate and probably Robinho

Considering all the injuries, this most probably gonna be our line-up:

I really want to be like this:





But instead I'm like...

Take a good look at your sig, we dont have those key personnel to take us to CL glory

I won't say it's impossible to beat them; someone has too. But man, that would really be sweet.

Nothing is impossible but with the injuries we have we cannot even say that we're going out there in the best possible condition.

Something tells me that we'll be seeing something similar to the Roma game. Allegri won't go gung-ho in the San Siro seein as it's the first leg. We'll most likely sit deep and punt it up at Ibra hoping to catch out their height challenged players

That's the clever way to go. Press them in midfield and hit them on the counter. If we try to face them wide open, like we did in the second leg of the group stage, we'll be fish food before we know it.

Agreed.

I'd still like to see us going with a 3 man back line. Ambro is a huge headache in that center and he will cost us. Putting in another CB and an extra mid to cover the defence and centre midfield should be the way to go imo.

I just hope Seedorf and Zambro are nowhere near the pitch.

tbh, Ambro worries me more than Seedorf, at least Seedorf knows how to keep the ball, even if that means passing it to the keeper a million times over. Ambro just does stupid sh!t with it. Case in point yesterday

Yes, agreed.

Can't believe you agree with me over the idiotic things Ambro does!!

You people think I'm insane or what? Those idiotic things cost us nothing to little when facing Parma, but in such a match...no, I won't take chances.

Still, mistakes are mistakes, giving them an extension would be a licence to make more mistakes

Mistakes are always present, you just gotta pick and choose.

Considering latest injuries and performances, our formation would like this, as Urby played perfectly in traquertista role, and Allegri's recent comments on Urby, I guess Urby will start the match against barca (considering that he is good at defending) but he would look better in midfield rather than in traquertista's role when Prince is in his good game.
Bonera - Nesta - Mexes - Antonini
Prince/Urby - Ambro - Nocerino
Urby/Prince
Ibra - Binho

I want El Sha to start. after a few disappointing games, I think he did very well against Roma and looked like the player we saw before those games. besides Barca players don't know him that well, he could turn out to be our secret weapon. and especially because it's at San Siro where there'll be less pressure on him to perform.

So, please Max, don't risk Binho if he's not 100% fit.

Robinho should be available, though I agree that El Shaarawy had a really good game against Roma. Maybe it's those pink boots.

Aye, I'll play El Shaarawy too. He probably could be our quickest weapon!

Robinho is a lot better at over all build-up play plus him and Zlatan work a lot better together than Zlatan and El Shaa do

Ibra and El Shaarawy rarely play the ball to each other, there's no feeling between them.

Yes,they hate each other.

Same thing with Pato. I think it's more a lack of chemistry rather than hate

Well, El Shaarawy never passes the ball, and Ibra has been rather individualist lately. There were plenty of moments against Roma when they tried the individual solution rather than playing ball to their teammates.

Agreed, El Shaa needs to be more aware of the situation around him

My worst fear is starting to take form: Seedorf should play against Barça.

Oh my, Ambro and Seedorf in the center! WTF is Allegri thinking??!! He must have hit his head or come down with a fever FFS because this cannot be a coherent decision!!

Watch the Roma game again.

I really want to understand Allegri's logic behind this. I mean, in a game where we need to make intense pressure and counterattack, and the only thing we cannot do is ball possession, where exactly does Seedorf fit in?

Maybe you should watch it.

"Winning is not everything, but the effort to win is." -Zig Ziglar

I have the game recorded and I have seen him passing the ball even to Zlatan hence proving your "El Sha never passes the ball" statement wrong. he's not Pato, you have to realize I'm not blindly defending him.

Then why was I yelling at him to pass the ball again and again during the match? Surely I wasn't watching another game.

Bummer. I can't bring myself to see what could happen if Barcelona players target him.

Nothing is certain yet, according to milannews. Aqui, Seedorf and Urby fighting for the RCM spot. Ambro, Nocerino and Boaten are a sure starters.

And it must be so too. We should try and get as many minutes as we can from Aquilani, and if Seedorf has to play, it should be in the last 30 minutes or less. Even then, we will need fresh legs to cover and protect him. Sure it all depends on how the match is going by then, but if we need to hold the ball then the Dutchman gets a shot.

But to expect him to mount attacks, and match Barcelona from the word go, is, well, let's just leave it that.

Won't be a popular decision, but of the 3 I'd go Urby. He's the best runner of the 3 and that's what you need against Barca. Aqui and Seedorf are far better on the ball, but how often are they really going to have it?

That's why I asked you to watch it again!!

I agree with Kurt, we need our best runners with a bit of stamina out there (Urby, Noce, KPB). Seedorf in particular shouldn't be anywhere near this game. playing him in the first game against Arsenal -whose style of play is pretty similar to Barca's only at a lower level- was a mistake (though his early injury practically saved that game for us), not playing him in the second game where we had a 4 goal advantage and could afford to keep possession and slow things down was also a mistake. I hope Max doesn't repeat them this time around.

If we are going to play absorption game against Barcelona, then yes we need all runners. This would mean we'll sit in our half and invite them in, while the defense soaks the pressure. We may as well not play an attack, because they'll be isolated upfront. But if the idea is to score a goal or two, then we will need Mr. Aquilani.

Nocerino and Boateng will do enough running as it is. If the Urby I know shows up, he'll most probably be stifled out of the game in no time and we'll be chasing for 90 minutes from moment zero.

I forgot about Aquaman. he should definitely play.

I wish we'd tested Urby in LB more so we would know how good he actually is there; better or worse than Antonini.

Yes, and besides, Barcalona will have a better game plan against Urby, seeing as he's played almost nonstop this year with us. It will not be that hard for them to review video highlights and sort him out. Aquman not so much. There will be a bit of an element of surprise with him, which we can turn into a slight advantage for us.

I wouldn't mind seeing them both, or even Seedorf. But a rotation is in order for that position.

Just had an epiphany....our success in this game will depend HEAVILY on how robinho plays

Based upon what? It's not even guarenteed that he'll play. This game and the tie is going to come down to defense. We have to be airtight in the back to have any hope in this tie.

We have a very fit Aquilani, why not play him? Does Allegri seriously think that Seedorf's experience will somehow save our butts or something? What kind of manager does these amateurish mistakes? For crying out loud!!!

I am not sure it is a done deal, at least I hope so. Like I said, I still have hope for Aquilani starting.

Every article so far has been saying Seedorf.

Allegri said that we will play offensive(attack)Yes,Seedorf is a good option for holding down play etc...but like said before barca will have the ball most of the time,as well as Barca's midfield will eat him up.We always hope to expect that magical performance from a legend,but we should use him for the last 20-30min,kinda like wenger used Henry.

Exactly. Seedorf is 36. Even if he was in perfect condition, he would never sustain 90 minutes of high intensity football. Not to mention that he has not the characteristics suitable for such a game. Please god, change Allegri's mind!

I'm hoping it's a smokescreen for Aquilani. I think we will play long balls against them and Aquilani is imperative for such a tactic.