I think this should have its own thread...

http://www.milannews.it/primo-piano...due-cambi-in-difesa-attacco-confermato-la-probabile-formazione-del-milan-150356

MONZA (4-4-2): Viotti; Franchino, Briganti, Massoni, Anghileri; Vita, Burrai, Perini, Foglio; Anastasi,Grandi

MILAN (4-3-3): Abbiati; Zaccardo, Rami, Bonera, Constant; Poli, Modic, Saponara; Niang, Pazzini, El Shaarawy.

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We're playing against Monza tomorrow and this is our reported squad. The defense is garbage. We really need to figure that out and get rid of Constant. Still happy to see Modic and Saponar getting more playing time.

We are still missing Abate, desciglio, zapata at the back from the WC, also alex will be a starter so the defenders we have arent bad. This is the last friendly before we travel to the states to play and those will be against good teams, so lets hope we have things semi-sorted out.

Also is Menez injured? noticed he didnt play last friendly

 

They said he had a muscular injury. He'll probably feature in the US games. I really hope Modic does turn into a sensation... because we desperately need more good midfielders. And I hope Inzaghi is serious about including youth.

 

The impression I got from the Renate game (and mind you that was Pippos first game in charge, so we need to wait and see), was that the team focused way too much on playing the ball out on the wing when in an attacking situation. That generally slowed the pace of the attack down. What we need is a proper box to box or attacking midfielder (or attacking central midfielder) to provide the central attacking option from the midfield. If we can't afford one, maybe Honda is the answer...:undecide:

 

I believe that there is a lot of potential in the squad. First Pippo needs to make the players fight for the wins and believe again. There are several players that still haven't played to their full potential and if Pippo manages to make a functional team without fractions and too much behind the scenes bullshit then Honda, Saponara, Poli and Cristante could be enough.

 

Yeah, that's why I think Clement Grenier would probably be a good option. Anyways, lets see what they do tomorrow. But on another note, it's been a while since this team has played together so they were a bit rusty.

 

GC, could you edit your post and put in the pre-season schedule?

20th July: Monza-Milan
24th July: Olympiacos-Milan
27th July: Milan-Manchester City
2nd August: Milan-Liverpool
6th August: Milan-Chivas
17th August: Valencia-Milan
23th August: Milan-Sassuolo-Juventus

31st August: SERIE A!

 

Man City and Liverpool both play their first league fixture on 17th August - two weeks before Serie A commences. Just saying, so everyone can measure their expectations accordingly .

 

I've edited it.

There is potential in this squad, but there is a lot that is lacking. And if Inzaghi doesn't get further adequate reinforcements, he will not do well and possibly not make it as a coach.

 

I'm worried about our fullbacks... De Sciglio is not consistent and is injured a lot, Constant well is Constant, and Abate is probably going to leave. And the one we are linked with Criscito... is a question mark. I still think we should get Armero.

As it stands our midfield and defense are still inadequate.

 

Not a fan of Armero, but I agree. We should not sell Abate under such conditions.

 

What I would be in favor of is keeping Abate, and getting Armero or Criscito. We need a real left back...

 

...and Armero is not one, in my humble opinion. His World Cup performance was way way better than his last few seasons in Serie A.

 

Armero is very good for Milan and a huge improvement. A definite player we should move for, even on loan with option to buy.

 

You seem to (as usual) be ignoring the point I am making. In what way has Armero shown in the last two years of Serie A that he is a player for a top 10 (let alone top 3) club? :undecide:

 

Well I'll admit that he wasn't great with Napoli, but while he was with Udinese he was better. I just think he needs to move to the right team and he'll play well.

 

Maybe, a straight trade for Constant I would accept and might be good for both players. Armero was awful for Napoli so it is not an impossible trade.

 

As I see it, with Montolivo out until November, Honda - De Jong - Poli is the best balanced midfield 3 for the start of the season. We need Honda to link the midfield and the attack and to provide a central attacking option.

I am OK with El Shaarawy - Balotelli - Menez up front

PS. It is after midnight on Saturday, if I am incoherent it is because of the booze...

 

seeing menez as a starter is very disturbing.

 

Nope, making perfect sense .

 

Honda-De Jong-Poli... oh my goodness... that has fail written all over it... we really do need new midfielders. Badly.

 

As noted, not my first option. We need another midfielder. And one that can attack. A dream would be Mr. X aka Hamsik. A lesser request Pereyra (who Juve seem to be signing). Not sure what we could go for that we can realistically afford and would be an improvement on the above. :undecide:

 

With age I have ditched mixers. Straight up or with ice. Coke/Tonic/Fruit juices are for pvssies. ld:

 

The fizzy sugary mixers are the worst. Soda water or tonic water (gin and tonic for example) are better. But yes, straight is where it's at. :drunk:

 

My biggest problem is whether Honda can play in midfield and Poli can put in consistent performances... I doubt it.

 

You bake cakes with the ingredients you have. I agree on both concerns, but won't rule out that it could work. De Jong is a given. Then we need a Mezzala and either a box to box or an attacking central midfielder. Reasonably we can't expect management to buy both. I am guessing noone will be bought for the Mezzala position as Montolivo is coming back. Hence Poli (or Saponara). On the other midfield position, Muntari might get a shot at it, given his contact extension, but I prefer a more technical option, hence my Honda vote. But if we could get someone better an more suited, wohoo...

 

Cristante is the perfect fit. Would give us more technique than moontari, waste of space, and more effort than Honda, prob not suited to 433.

 

We should consider Mastour on the bench p

 

Striker problem solved:thumbsup:
[tub]jniFzCFiuOI[/tub]

 

That first goal. It's Pippo's trademark

 

Monza-Milan Official Formations (starts in 30 min about)... Cristante gets a run out. And Saponara continues in midfield.

http://www.milannews.it/il-match/monza-milan-le-formazioni-ufficiali-150411

MILAN: Abbiati; Zaccardo, Bonera, Alex, Constant; Poli, Cristante, Saponara; Niang, Pazzini, El Shaarawy.

A disp. Agazzi, Gabriel, Robinho, Rami, Albertazzi, Mastalli, Pinato, Benedicic, Di Molfetta, Modic, Simic, Mastour.

MONZA: Viotti; Franchino, Zullo, Dal Poggetto, Massoni, Anghileri, Vita, Perini, Anastasi, Radrezza, Candido.

A disp: Perniola, Anderson, Beduschi, Briganti, Foglio, D'Alessandro, Burrai, Grandi, Pessina, Terrani, Alessandroni.

 

Live Streaming Monza vs Milan : http://calcion.me/live10.htm