Not always easy to face Udinese. But after a series of matches without a win, we really need all 3 points here.

Even if we win it won't change anything until Pippo changes system and realizes his mistakes. But even if he does, the time when he's supposed to impact the players has passed and no improvements have been made. It's our own fault for relying on rookie coaches.

So, in your opinion, what are the mistakes Pippo made?

In short, he hasn't managed to impact the players. I remember his initial words after he became a coach, that if we lose to an opponent, it should only be because we are inferior to them, not because we are less determined than they are. Or something along those lines. Consider this team now, 5-6 months after he took over, and I don't see any of that. I don't see excitement and desire to win, but players being lazy and individualistic, not acting as a cohesive unit, unwilling to sacrifice themselves for their teammates and honor the shirt they're wearing.

On top of that, he's also completely messed up with formation and player selection, man management and his stinky attitude after every game really gets to me. I knew things would end up this way after that Juve game. It was too obvious.

Then again, to me your expectations are way up high. Rarely coaches can inspire and mentally change a loosing team without any true star, leader or captain. A rookie coach to do so? That happens maybe few times in few years, no more, no less.

I think Inzaghi is only a fraction of the whole story. Which goes up to the management, but also down to the players. In all honesty, I think we have a very limited team and even worse - a bunch of characterless players who are not up to it to take a leader position and mentally change our pattern.

It can be done if the coach is up to it, but Pippo clearly isn't. I don't want to hate the man, and I never will because he's one of my most favorite players ever, but we have to be objective here and accept that so far he has completely failed at his job. The numbers are there, the quality of our showings is clear to everyone's eyes, his mistakes too. I'm not being harsh, I'm just stating things as they are.

And yes, like I said, it is mostly the management's fault. Just because it worked with Sacchi and Capello doesn't mean it will always work. Those coaches had fantastic teams to rely on, and thus their inexperience didn't count as much. Inzaghi instead has to deal with an average side, without any true stars or leaders, so his job will be ten folds more difficult. Simply put, he's not the man for the job. We needed a more experienced coach, someone like Mancini.

A little unfair on Sacchi. He inherited a great squad and bought well (MVB & Gullit), but this was a Milan who hadn't won the Scudetto in 9 years.

You can have a world class squad but still not achieve without a good coach. As said squad did not under Liedholm then caretaker Capello the previous season.

While I can defend Pippo regarding how shite our squad actually is, he has no excuse for mismanaging what he does have and turning a potential top 5 team into a midtable shambles.

Too much emphasis is being placed on results from a rookie coach. There are a lot of moving objects in a football team, Pippo was always going to get into such a situation and only time/mistakes will allow him to learn and grow the team.

Frankly speaking I am impressed with how Pippo has done thus far, I expected Milan with more losses. That being said he is no Ancelotti. He needs time, and just like players need time on the pitch to get into the match rhythm, a coach needs games under his belt.


Think this should be a decisive game for morale.

Diego Lopez; Bonera, Rami, Mexes, De Sciglio; Essien, Muntari; Honda, Menez, El Shaarawy; Torres.

Gazzetta has Zapata instead of Bonera and van Ginkel instead of Muntari.

How Bonera can ever see the light of day in this squad after all the antics he pulled off this season is beyond me.

Sent off twice, a gazillion mistakes, what does this guy have to do to get frozen out by Pippo? Walk the ball into our net?

That made me

I backed him all the way last season, despite your criticisms of him, but this pre-season and season he's been diabolical.

Pippo doesn't agree and thinks of him as our best defender in some respects. Same idiocy sees him select Muntari every match.

I seriously just cannot get it with some players.

Just cannot understand how someone who plays like Muntari does each week and makes the mistakes he does can be considered a sure starter while Van Ginkel for example is not trusted to start or be given a fair chance

The only reason I can think of that Pippo doesn't play MvG is because he's on loan without the right of purchase, and he definitely will want to return to Chelsea by the end of the season. But even that is not a plausible excuse considering how crap we are and that we need all the help available.

De Jong, Montolivo, Abate, Alex and Muntari not available for this game. De Sciglio has problems too.

The November projections for Monto's return were clearly plain wrong. Doubt we'll see him till next year at the earliest.

As for De Jong, Abate, Alex and Muntari...

Poli Mexes Rami Bonera

-----Essien---Bona

Honda---Menez----SES

----------Torres

I'd be stunned if any of MvG, Bona or Armero start. Bona most likely but zero chance on the other two.

And given Zaps comments I'd be amazed to see him start. If he does it'll be him in Rami's place and Poli ahead of Bona.

Pippo's ego more important than the team.

Mediaset has Armero and MvG starting. They probably will.

Diego Lopez; Bonera, Rami, Mexes, Armero; Van Ginkel, Essien, Bonaventura; Honda, Menez, El Shaarawy.

This Menez in the false 9 position is getting more and more irritating by the second

Because Torres has been doing so well?

Ok more and more claims of MvG, Armero and Bona all starting. Could be the best midfield we've had all season.

Not with Essien instead of De Jong.

But usually there's De Jong, Muntari and, depending on formation, Bona or Essien.

In this formation take away both De Jong and Muntari and add Essien, Bona, and MvG.

But then, guess it depends on 4:3:3 or 4:2:3:1

It's not like Menez goes into free-scoring mode when he plays in that position. And I don't like that he's given so much freedom to roam about and do what he pleases when he's playing in this position, either play him as a winger or none at all


I think it will be 4-3-3, Essien will just replace De Jong, with MvG and Bona on either side of him

Problem is, Menez has never been played as winger so far, which is his natural position. Pippo either plays him as "false 9" or SS, and in both cases he's allowed to roam freely and do whatever it pleases him. No wonder he's become such an egotistical pr*ck when the coach gives you so much freedom.

Diego Lopez; Rami, Mexes, Bonera, Armero; Van Ginkel, Essien, Bonaventura; Honda, Menez, El Shaarawy.

F'cking Zapata on the bench and Bonera starting in the centre!

Enough said about Pippo and meritocracy/fair chances to everyone FFS

Yes, it's beyond logic at this point how he keeps playing Bonera. Old buddy, I guess.

I think he's trying to make Bonera as kind of a leader. He has something of the old Italian defender way in him, I have to admit, but well...he's simply not good enough, never was. So it's more then a long shot, what's Pippo trying here.

Bonera at RB

Bonera is playing as RB.

Also, what's with the third outfit? So ugly.

Sorry, but no.

That simply cannot fly anymore.

He's proven to be one of our most undisciplined players so any "leader" excuse simply cannot fly

Old Italian defender? That's a slap in the face to the traditional Italian defenders

Did I say it's good or should be supported? I only offered an explanation.

Armero looks awful up until now. No sense for position at all, attacking too deep.

Close, nice play there, I think it was Bona that played SES through

Listen, if this was someone other than Pippo you wouldn't be trying to excuse it AT ALL. For me trying to give a feeble explanation for this is trying to defend him, and at this point he's become indefensible in his selections

As for Armero, I've always told Danny (when he wanted DS dropped for him) that I prefer DS because Amero is simply not a defender, but to shift an entire defence around just so he wouldn't play him for me is ridiculous, if DS is out Armero can do the job, simple as that

Wow, you're so quick to judge.

Btw, Van Ginkel looks great and our midfield looks much more fluid, but let's play Muntari again when he's fit

I think that crossed the line...

Did they count the goal?? My stream shut down!!

That was clearly a goal.

Should be a goal up!

FFS what is that idiot ref doing there next to the goal if he can't even see that FFS?

Nope.

Playing well so far

We're not playing bad, but we seem so mellow. More grit and determination is necessary.

So close again!

So clooooseee, Menez!

I don't think we're mellow at all

We're pressing them and winning the ball back quickly, that shows grit

Udinese are just sitting deep and we're trying to break them down, I don't think it's necessary to start rushing as of yet because that usually leads to mistakes

In all honesty we should be at least 2 or 3 up by now, wasted chances

Plus the very obvious goal we were not given

HT

Even without scoring, I'm feeling much more confident after watching that than I have all season long, even when we were already 1 or 2 up by now

We're handling them calmly in defence, we're retaining possession much better and we're creating chances

Much better than what we've seen all season long with erratic spells in possession, even more erratic defending and scoring from opportunistic moments that weren't really created through good plays

Just so I'm clear, MvG and Bona finally play in midfield and that part of the pitch actually looks good?

Well blow me with a trumpet and call me Frank - I'm taking over as Milan manager.

Didn't see most of the first half, sounds like we've played really rather well but just lacked a bit of luck.

How's Armero doing?

(still in disbelief both he and MvG started)

Excuse? Listen, you guys discussed option. X-O said he and Bona are buddies that go way back and that's why he's playing him. I simply offered an alternative option, not meant to be as an excuse at all.

But in all honesty, Bonera has been doing great today. Nevermind the big f***up we're waiting to happen. So far, some very very good crossing from him. Created at least 3 great chances. Torres might actually be needy for this one.



It sure wasn't a judgment. Just an early observation.

But I do know Armero very well. He's acting like he's a winger and not a fullback. Leaving the flank all open for Udine counters.