Dai, Carlitos, dai!


Ho6HKjL8TuI

 

Vidal possibly back for this one.

 

Pirlo looks less likely to make it though, which means another start for Marchisio in his place.

It would be interesting to see what Allegri does for this match. Continue with 352 which brought the team 3 wins and 3 clean sheets into the season or make changes?

Milan will most probably continue with the 433, in which Menez was played as a false number nine to great effect, with Honda and Bonaventura playing on each side of him. However with Bonaventura's injury, Menez might take his position on the field whereas Torres/El Shaarawy take the striker's role.

Playing with 352 might actually come to our advantage as playing with wingbacks will pin back their fullbacks (Abate and De Sciglio) who were dangerous at times against Parma when De Jong dropped into sort of a back 3 and allowed them to attack. Also playing with 3 defenders will allow us to nullify their attacking trident in their 433, allowing them less space to operate inside dangerous areas.

 

I wouldn't rush Vidal back.

Milan is dangerous down the wings - that's a very good reason why 433 should be played in this match. Milan's focus and ability down the flanks highlights the need for a 433 shape, not a 352 shape. Now with Barzagli back, 433 is a possibility.

 

Definitely can't wait for this game should be very entertaining. Is it an afternoon game?

 

Bonaventura is injured? Not that I recall... unless I miss a bit of news.

The news is El Shaarawy is back and could perhaps start.

Torres isn't likely to start. Alex is a question mark, so Zapata and Rami will probably start off the bat.

Other injuries we have are to Lopez who is out until October. Abbiati will start instead.

4-3-3 is more than effective at hindering a 3-5-2 formation by the way, if the players do well individually and as a team.

 

although I tend to agree that we could be exposed in a well utilised 4-3-3, im inclined to think we shouldn't be tinkering with what we currently do based on recent results. This new Milan is truly unknown and have looked good the past couple of weeks.

As Pav mentions, Barzagli is back...Allegri did say he would only play a back 4 if Barzagli was available.

im in two minds at the moment.

 

Experiment with 4-3-3 later with full squad IMO, not the first "big" game this season, not that this can be called big anymore as it used to be.

 

I don't agree and I think you're being to cautious. All the players we have are more then familiar with the 4-3-3 and almost all of them (Evra and possibly Coman or Morata if they start excepted) have even played this formation at Juve. Having 4 days to go through some tactical adjustments should be enough as I assume 3-5-2 aren't the only formation tested during the preseason.

The sooner we switch formations the better.

 

yeah but it is still a good test against a team that has changed a lot since last season. We know they can concede goals, but they can score them just as much. And based on the CL last season we know any team with pacey wide players can expose our 3-5-2.

Big question is if we are not playing well in the first half, will Allegri change formations in the second half. This was my big beef with Conte over the past two seasons, although in his first season he would change to adapt.

 

I agree with Osman, especially in Serie A where this system has found immense success I don't see the need to do any changes. 'If it aint broken, why fix it?'

Apparently, Marota scored a hatrick in a training game and is pushing for a start, but I have a feeling he will get it against Cesena instead of Milan, with possibly Coman partnering him in attack.

 

If our wingers play well, 3-5-2 can be brutally exposed for all its deficencies. But we'll have to see if Menez does well again.

 

But we'll have to see if Menez does well again.

Btw Menez was one of the best transfers over the summer, and I'm not saying this on the back of just one performance, thanks to Galliani's close friendship with his agent the deal was struck within minutes.

 

As per GdS, Vidal is ready for Milan....

 

We should be switching formation in Serie A before doing so in the CL, so that the change is not as sudden and stark for crucial group stage games like it was against Real last season.

Let the 3-5-2 die already, we're not going anywhere with it.

 

Does anyone really think Allegri will shy away from the 3-5-2 formation? Besides the comment of not playing a back 4 until Barzagli returns isn't enough to suggest he will make the change straight away.

Even if he did, the question of who that 4-3-something remains. Tevez and Llorente have their spots cemented....so is it Coman, Morata...Pereyra even?? Even Giovinco can play in this role.

 

Going by preseason, 43X/4321 is our primary formation, and 352 is secondary. Pereyra will complete the front three with Marchisio keeping him on his toes or competing with him for the spot when Pirlo returns.

352 is what the media are predicting for the Milan game.

If it were up to me, I'd have fielded this:

Buffon
Licht Bon/Barz Chiellini Evra
Romulo March Pogba
Pereyra Tevez
Morata​

 

I really like this formation. I would start Llorente up front because I think he has started the season well. Coman could also be an alternative for Pereyra who would take Romulo's place in midfield.

One thing I've been bothered with is Allegri making changes very late in the games. Morata should get more minutes early in the game.

 

I only saw a couple of game of pre season so didn't realise Allegri was opting for 4 at the back? A bit risky if he only wants to play that if Barzagli is available.

 

Llorente plays the ball pretty well for a guy of his size and stature, it's an underrated part of his game.

But of course he's not going to beat anyone for pace.

Llorente has done well so far this season, it would be unjust to bench him for a big game like this.

 

BTW why is everyone talking about Morata or Llorente. People forgetting Coman already? Personally i would consider Coman tbh. Also cause his fresh, didnt play midweek. I know Morata only played 5 minutes, but just saying, also Morata is clearly just coming back and Allegri doesnt want to rush him after the srs injury he had. But he did more than Llorente in 85 mins against Malmö. Im starting to lose my patience with Llorente. With young guns like Coman and Morata on the bench he has to show more if he is supposed to be a starter.

 

Let's not dump on Llorente, he was actually our most consistent goalscorer last season across the CL and Serie A, and he scored against Real both home and away.

 

Since you were not specific (aka striker/forward), you are wrong. I can understand giving credit to Llorente for scoring against Real but Vidal scored more than him in general in CL, and Vidal isnt even a striker. Quags got 2 CL goals also just like Llorente and he was a bench player not starter like Llorente.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013–14_Juventus_F.C._season#Goalscorers

 

The majority of Vidal's goals in the CL were penalties.

Quag has always been a streaky player, yes he scored 2 goals in the CL but he didn't score as many as Llorente did in Serie A, did he?

Another statistic you're not mentioning is Llorente had the same amount of assists as Vidal last season. Does that make Vidal useless by your logic? It's silly.

Morata looks a good player don't get me wrong, and as i said previously, he provides similar strength and height to Llorente as a target man with more mobility and pace.

But let's not discount Llorente as surplus to requirements after a very short cameo from Morata at the end of a game.

Llorente remains a consistent goalscorer and he scores in tight games as well. Morata will need to better him on both those key counts before he can be considered better IMO.

 

Quag has always been a streaky player, yes he scored 2 goals in the CL but he didn't score as many as Llorente did in Serie A, did he?

You talk about silly arguments and then say this? One is a untouchable starter, other got 10-15mins to play at best weekly. I dont think Quags should have started over Llorente but i seem to remember you of all people actually saying something like if we can, we should also find upgrades over the likes of Llorente in 2014 summer mercato.

Just did some searching, you in spring 2014 (aka half a year after the Real games):

I know what you mean, i thought the same previously. But Llorente just doesn't seem like the quality of striker you can anchor a whole season with IMO, i think Mandzukic is as he's shown at Bayern.

Llorente is a very good player to have in the squad though, i'd just prefer a better starter.

But even if we don't get Mandzukic, which looks unlikely as i think Bayern will not let him go, we will need to bring in another striker if we have a clear out this season. Ideally, i'd prerfer that player to be better than Llorente if we have real aspirations in the CL.

http://www.xtratime.org/forum/showthread.php?p=14485977&highlight=llorente#post14485977

And another one from previous page:

I like Llorente, but i'm not convinced he is the kind of striker you can challenge in the CL with as a starter. He lacks pace which limits the way you can play with him, he's not mobile, and he doesn't seem to have that killer instinct in general. And when he's facing goal and has time on the ball, more often than not he will not get the shot off or he'll choose the wrong shot.

Basically he does not have that quickness of thought and movement which i think is important to grab goals in closely fought CL.

http://www.xtratime.org/forum/showthread.php?t=162131&page=993&highlight=llorente

And now you are arguing over someone else having those doubts.

You seem to change your opinion based on the arguments it seems. I agree with your spring opinion. His not a WC type. But some people dont care cause we got him for free. Thats why i say, when you have young guns like Coman and Morata, there is every reason to consider switching something. That is the difference now, last year we had "washed up backups" (harsh but can be said, Vucinic was out of picture since january anyway, and Quags just didnt get a game in late stage and then cue the annual Conte january loan striker, Osvaldo this time). Llorente should not be feeling comfortable or untouchable at all. Coman has shown lot of promise and Morata making impact in a important CL night. I think there is reason to be critical, i can remember at least 2 chances (its CL, you got to take every opportunity). One was from Licht, ball in the box and Llorente is not where he is supposed to be (Licht waving his hands in frustration if u remember over that), other was a tap-in. Didnt reach either.

Anyway, cant wait for your reply over those thoughts, especially the ones you yourself stated in spring over Llorente.

 

I'm very aware of those opinions, stephan lol. it always amuses me when you quote myself to me, nothing i've said recently contradicts what i said previously.

The key point i'm making is not to throw the baby out with the bath water, if we get a better player than Llorente that's all well and good to replace him, but it remains to be seen whether Morata is better and he has to prove that on the pitch.

It can't be on a whim we bench Llorente, he has been a consistent performer for us despite his limitations.

 

we have officially played 3 games this season, plenty of time for Morata to get his chances after his injury. As for Llorente, I still think he should be first choice as well. But im just hoping that Morata and Coman are used a lot this season. Conte was stubborn with rotation, I hope Allegri realises it is a long season and we need players staying fresh from start to finish.

 

Can't wait. But ATM, I'm thinking 40% chance of a draw, 30% chance of a win, and 20% likelihood of us losing.

 

Where did the last 10% go

 

Can't wait for this game :wee:

 

Matchday is here!

I think both sets of fans are really excited since this will be the first 'big' test of the season after the big changes on both teams since last season.

I think our defenders will also be really tested for the first time against this Milan side that scored 8 goals already inside 2 matches.

Usually Milan-Juve matches end with a winner as we have drawn only one time in the last 11 Serie A encounters.. hopefully it will be Juve!