Starting this early because I want to preempt van. He got one coach fired so we don't want that to happen again [emoji19]
For a new coach taking over a team in crisis, there's no better opposition to start with than Lecce. There has been so much speculation about Pioli's preferred system and likely line up. All of the talk centered around two formations, the 4-3-3 and the 4-2-3-1. The most probable, according to the media, is the 4-3-3. The idea is Pioli would rather go cautious and conservative at least for now, going with Kessie, Biglia and Paqueta in the midfield and Leao, Piatek and Suso in attack.
Well, we wait and see. Good news for Lecce - Suso is playing. They already know what to do on that wing. Good news for us, Hakan would most likely be benched. "Bad news" is Musacchio is back and is in contention for the CB pairing with Romagnoli.
All in all, time to suspend the debates and get behind the coach and the team. I hope Pioli turns this around and the react to him positively.
If we're lucky we'll enjoy the typical "fresh-air" syndrome from gaining a new manager and have a decent run of results. We need the points more than anything.
If we're unlucky, we'll continue to suck and get another coach
The problem is that the fixtures after Lecce are tough, except for SPAL at San Siro. So we need a very good run, including getting points against direct rivals for that 4th spot which right now sounds so far way.
We have Roma (a), Spal (h), Lazio (h), Juve (a), Napoli (h)
I'm thinking of firing Pioli too. The thing is, Milan played against Lecee the equivalent of the 7 games played under MG, so I'll give him 48 other games before starting the thread. Unless, he turns MG on himself before that.
Can’t wait for the one trick donkey to score or assist! MOTM moment.
It’s been 7 matches now, he will lift this team single handedly with just 3 mins of play.
Just wait and see. Or he will do on the next match or after....
Lots of rumors about the formation these days, but Pioli did say to the press that he sees Leao as a CF more than a winger. That may be true for the long term, but we have been desperate for a LW like him for years, and the kid can clearly excel in the role for now... But the manager prefers to play Hakan, Jack, Borini or Samu there? Please tell me it's not true.
Piatek has been in horrible form, but Lecce at home would be perfect to play him and get some confidence back, and on paper we should be able to put some crosses in in a game like this. And benching Leao right now would be criminal.
The other guy we should expect to see a lot of is Biglia. He was a Pioli man and leader in Lazio, so he will probably be his go to man in midfield at least early on.
Thing with Pioli is that it's said he's similar to Gattuso. All about grinta and practicality. Nothing fancy or adventurous. I think that's what the team needs now so I won't be surprised if we actually have a good run under him, even if for the short term.
I still don't know how Hakan is starting. 4 managers and nobody realizes he sucks. Those damn defensive duties, as an offensive player he does them good.
In my humble opinion Bennacer is highly overrated. I think his fellow dm in the Algerian NT, Guediora, is better than him. Crazy how one plays in gulf and another in Serie A..
Obviously Bennacer can't be compared to world class players like Mane/Salah.
Pioli surely rates Suso, he was great against him in Milan derbies.
I will watch tonight to check out Falco, skillful player.
As said before, it was obvious Pioli would play Biglia at the beginning because he is the player he knows better in the whole squad and he was key for him in Lazio and is a leader type. Impossible to expect otherwise. Bennacer looks promising and all, but he did commit two penalties in his big break game, which is unheard of honestly.
Theo Hernandez improvement over Rodriquez as a attacking fullback is indescribable..Potentially our best attacking left back since Serginho
Leao talentwise is up there with the likes of Pato, but his finishing skills is to be questioned