+10000

Florenzi is an anonymous body in this team. I won't exaggerate when I say that Castillejo was a much more useful player than him.



Yeah, he was fine. Almost scored also via a nice combination with Rebic.

Yeah, I think we don't give Saelmakers enough credit for how much he developed. He was called up for Belgium this year, and did really well during the internationals (got one or two goals). He was simple great yesterday, just inspired. Now, I get it he will never be Ronaldinho or someone like Ziyech. He said it himself, he's more a defensive-minded player. In Pioli's system, it seems to balance out. Yesterday, his dribbling was really good and the passing was also spot on. What I think he should improve on is his general passing though. Sometimes, he is sloppy in this aspect...He certainly still has a long way to go, but he's improving a lot!

Theo did okay you know, but I really think he has yet to kick to second gear.

Tonali-Bennacer was really nice, some of the forward passes from these two certainly unlocked the game. Kessie did also good when he came on, he provides great physicality in that midfield. I'm wondering if we should play a 3 man midfield in some of these big matches. As I think all of Tonali/Bennacer/Kessie can provide a lot with forward runs etc...

I still think though that an AM is the way to go to play attractive football.

Speaking of AM, Brahim was frustrating a bit yesterday. I mean he's really great, and you can see flashes of his talent...but if he is ever to become a top player he needs to be so much more implicated during the game. It's a good thing Tonali/Bennacer kind of compensated by having some good forward attacks.

Leao's dribbling was simply on another level, he was just having fun with Venezia. Yeah, I admit the final touch is still a bit lacking, but I think also the other players didn't provide him with any "easy" passing outlet. Leao this year when he got the opportunity put the ball in the back of the net, or gave a good pass. The problem is from his usual movement on the left wing, he passes 1-2 players but then it never delivers much more. The team should work on taking advantage of that. He's certainly developing though some very interesting characteristics. What I'm sure of is that he will never be
the CF a la Ibra that we dreamed of...he simply doesn't know how to handle playing in the center. Rebic whom it's not his natural position, knows how to handle it much much better.

Yeah, these games tend to be harder. But, Venezia...we should be able to win that 10/10. Now, I think Spezia will be an entirely different manner, and we should field a full first team for that game.

We were having a good game intensity-wise, it was nice to see. But, Brahim was often found missing, and we couldn't get a decent shot on goal for some reason. Florenzi was useless, so that's that also...half of our attacking line was not doing great.

The young players did well, honestly. B. Tour? was good, Kalulu did well also. (I'm frustrated he still hasn't snatched his goal). Gabbia held his own as well. They are all players who could develop with time to get into the starting the lineup in long-term. But, we'll see. They're definitely again smart signings, who will definitely be sold for profit if needed, but also provide nice depth, and in general it's just really nice to see them develop.

And, one last post, about Pellegri, this time. We didn't really get to see a lot of him, but he seems very physically imposing. Now, whether he can transform that to being a good CF, is another thing altogether. He still seems to be adapting to the movements of the team and often felt quite lost.

Spezia are a much weaker side to the one we faced and lost to last season. Most importantly they lost their coach and some players as well.

I still think we should rotate again before the Atletico match

Gabbia and Romagnoli can hold the CB spots. I'd play Florenzi at RB so Kalulu can be ready to start in the CL on Tuesday if Calabria is not back. I'd also give Ballo Toure another chance and leave Theo as a super sub.

Do we know when Krunic gets back? I'd play him instead of Diaz for this one if he's available. We've been playing Diaz a bit too much and could explain why he's fading out. He put a lot of physical effort in each game he plays, we need to rotate him. With Rebic and Leao, I'd be tempted to rest Rebic and play Pellegri but Pioli probably won't go for that

Regarding Florenzi. I honestly don't know why we're playing him as a RW. He should be playing at RB. It's where he's played for these last few years now for both club and country

I agree with you, yet somehow a lot of people are praising Brahim's performance. I really don't get it. Had he not scored I'm sure he would be given the short stick. Sometimes journalists tend to be myopic like that. They see a goal and automatically convert an average performance into a great one.

That is why I think Theo is overrated. Because he scores these great goals against low-table teams but whenever he faces real threats he becomes a Serie B player.



Spezia nearly defeated Juve. Granted, it's a weak Juve side, but still we shoudn't be making the same mistake as last year by underestimating them. The only player I would rest is Brahim cos he's played every single game thus far, but then again who we play instead of him? Messias is not ready yet. That's why we needed an up-and-ready AM alternative, and not some guy who was playing video games the entire summer.

No sense to rest guys like Tomori, Kalulu, Theo etc. when they had their rest last night (playing only 30 minutes is not comparable to playing a full match).

Hopefully Giroud will be back.

Well, it's hard to say. There are games where he plays really well, like last night for instance. And there are games such as against Liverpool or Juve where he looks absolutely mediocre.

The kid has talent and commitment, no doubt, but good or great players show their worth against tough opponents. Everyone can be Messi or Ronaldo against Venezia or Cagliari.

True, I concede that he has yet to show his true worth against big opponents.

Exactly, what I was going to say, Spezia caused some real issues for Juve. I don't think we should risk the three points. We already did a heavy rotation against Venezia.

Brahim tends to fade in and out of games. Yet he keeps popping up with moments of quality. The issue with him is, if he's not dribbling or running at players he's so far not a huge factor to our play. Hakan played in the AM position but he imposed himself more in the centre of midfield with passes and covering. I think this is because Brahim is more of an SS/winger type rather than a true number 10 as Hakan was. So it is something we'll have to get used to as a change from how we played before. The good things is that Tonali and Bennacer can make up for that in their own way

Re Theo, I don't think it's because he doesn't show up in big matches, it is because he's a wing back more than he is a full back. So when we're facing big sides he tends to get overly occupied with his defensive game (which still needs to improve by a good margin imo). When we play smaller teams he's free to make those runs without being too worried about getting caught out


Juve have been awful, Empoli and Udine also game them a terrible time, that doesn't mean they're good teams. The only reason we didn't ragdoll them is because we had more than half of our first 11 out and were coming off that draining Liverpool game.

I'm not saying we should underestimate Spezia. Rotating the squad does not mean you're underestimating them. Last season we went there with our best 11 playing (barring injuries that it) and lost because we did not take them seriously.

Re Diaz's rotation, if Krunic is fit I'd play him in that position, if he's not, we can always shift Leao there. He played there last season when we had the emergency injury situation and was fine.

I think Giroud will be available so we can go Giroud upfront, Rebic on the left, Leao in the centre, Alexis or Samu on the right

I really want to the team to be as fresh as possible against Atleti on Tuesday, that's why I think we should still rotate where we can. And Gabbia-Romagnoli should be more than enough against them

Napoli are going to be a certainty for top 4 if they keep performing like this

Their biggest problem is their thin squad. But Spaletti is the perfect coach for them

They haven't faced big teams yet...

Well, they beat Juve... And Samp haven't been a walkover against either us or Inter.

I just hink Spaletti is the perfect guy to coach them. Obviously if they even lose 1 or 2 of their first 11 they are not going to cope. But they've been pretty good

Serie A stadium capacity is to increase to 75% from 50% for the upcoming games, and a new proposal to further increase to 100% towards the end of october.

Great news for both clubs and stadium goers.

Let's see. It's all about consistency. These early bloomers usually get a reality check a few games into the season. Obviously, they have a decent team and a good coach. But, I don't feel they will keep it up, I might be mistaken.

Pioli said Giroud and Calabria are both at disposal for tomorrow. He said Giroud might even play from the start, but he will decide tomorrow.

Great news.

I'd still keep Kalulu for this one and not risk Calabria. Same goes with Giroud. Give him and Rebic a half each but not more. I want to see both against Atletico

Probable line-up: Maignan; Kalulu, Tomori, Romagnoli, Hernandez; Tonali, Kessie; Saelemaekers, Maldini, Leao; Giroud.

Weird to see Maldini start. Also, Tonali should have rested.

It was in the clauses when Maldini signed to be a director of Milan

Rebic to start on the left, which means Leao will start against Atletico. I would have rather preferred the opposite.

It would have made much more sense playing Tonali more advanced. Maldini is too green and he's not even that talented in my personal opinion. The only reason he's still here is only due to his name.

I don't understand

Maldini showing some skillz though.

I think we just need to blot out who his father is and just look at him as a young kid with potential

Is he, really? All I've seen so far has been lost balls.

Kessie has been a complete ghost so far. It's very obvious he's barely trying.

Because of which there is no fluency as well

Quite poor display so far

Spezia have the second worst defence in Serie A thus far, yet we can't create a single opportunity.

Theo is worse than Neymar. I'm serious.

I hate that.

What a poor half

Terrible, terrible first half. So messy and so sloppy.

Playing with Kessie right now is like playing with one man down. Rebic absolutely bad in everything. Tonali looks tired. Saelemaekers very quiet. Giroud completely out of the game. Maldini out of his depth.

Bring on Leao, Bennacer and Brahim in the second half.

Rebic not at all in form, kessie is walking or max jogging. Giroud had not service. Maldini i dont know.

terrible first half. Changes need to b made at half time

Giroud doesn't look up for it. Completely anonymous. Rebic is terrible today, Maldini is lost out there, Kessie and Tonali are moving the ball too slowly and Kalulu is not incisive.

Another bad game, another match that we started losing as soon as we entered the field. Pioli needs to wake up. Our mentality is unacceptable.

Just too nonchalant. It comes from the players as well not just Pioli. He started a stronger team today than he did on Wednesday

Yeah, but it was the same against Venezia as well. Bad first half, barely created anything, zero shots on target.

I think I only saw their GK in the frame a total of 2 times. We've been so sterile

I watched the replay of that and I disagree that is was this bad. We were controlling the game better and moving the ba;; better in that one. Today is much worse. We're not even making their defenders work

MALDINI!!!

DANIRELLLLLLL

So happy for the kid!!!

Should relax him a bit that

Wonderful to watch

Kalulu with a great cross as well. Gives me hope that he's not a total loss is attack

Omg leaoo

WTF are we doing in defence FFS?????

It's like Kessie wants us to lose.

Calabria needs to come on for Kalulu

It feels like everyone wants to walk this...

It's a clusterfuck of a match.

Can't believe Leao didn't score earlier.

We need to get that 2nd goal. Because it unlikely to be a clean sheet