We definitely should start with the strongest 11 for this match and then give the youngsters of the primavera a chance in the unimportant midweek match in Manchester.

Atalanta could be a lot more difficult than some may expect.

 

The Man Utd game is March the 10th. We don't have any midweek games, the only reason Leo wants to bench some of our starters is because they are running the risk of being suspended against Roma.

 

I see. 3 weeks between the 2 matches.

Well in any case, we should start the strongest 11.

 

Well yeah we should go with the strongest 11 minus Thiago Silva and Gattuso. Silva especially can't miss the Roma game. It would be so typical of us to lose points against Atalanta though, but I'm optimistic.

 

Which players are close to suspension?

 

Gattuso, Seedorf and Thiago Silva.

 

Hopefully Gattuso gets a yellow this week.

 

I endorse your above statement, Doctor, despite the full respect to Rino and all his contribution over the years,


I'd much prefer Flamini to start against Roma, which would not happen unless Rino is unavailable for the match... Only way it could happen is that Rino picks up a yellow and got suspended against Roma, then Flamini would have a chance. That's why I am 100% for starting Gattuso against Atalanta, as weird as it sounds.


Considering Flamini is suspended this weekend and T.Silva one match away from suspension scared:we need him badly against Roma), and news from acmilan.com that both Mancini and Zambrotta have returned to the squad from injury, I propose the following lineup for this weekend:



Atalanta vs. Milan:


---------------------Abbiati------------------------


Abate--------Nesta---------Bonera-------Jankulovski


----------HAM-------Gattuso-------Pirlo------------


-----Pato------------Borriello-----------Ronaldinho--



Bench:

-Dida
-Favalli/Thiago
-Zambrotta/Oddo
-Ambrosini (injured last match, better rest a bit for cautious purpose)
-Mancini
-Huntelaar
-SuperPippo



I'd prefer playing and exhausting Beckham in these ''easier'' games than leaving him fresh for the game that matters (Roma, United).

Ambrosini was injured against Fiorentina, although he's fine now (news from acmilan.com), I'd rather be cautious:stress:. Captaino Ambro has been in great form this season, and we need him fresh for the important games.

Zambrotta is back, but clearly he won't be 100% fit yet. Jankulovski has slowly regained form and despite his defensive fragilities and shortcomings, at this moment he's still a better Left Back than either Bonera or Favalli. Our 2 LBs are of course Antonini and Zamba, when they are fit.

Pippo to come on as sub, please. :groan: We need to slowly get him involved to improve his form and start against United.:strong: Period. :stuckup:

 

Definately rest Silva then. Can't afford to not have him for Roma. Bonera should be able to step into his role, with Jankulovski at left back.

 

Gazzetta today:

Abbiati

Bonera-Nesta-Favalli-Jankulovski

Beckham-Pirlo-Ambrosini

Pato-Borriello-Ronaldinho​

They have so many doubts though:

Favalli 60%-40% T. Silva,
Beckham 60%-40% Gattuso,
Beckham 60%-40% Abate,
Jankulovski 60%-40% Zambrotta.

 

We will win... the scudetto

 

Can I get a "I-something" from you if we don't?

 

Atalanta caused us a lot of problems when we played them away. Since then we're a completely different team and it would be a disappointment not to pick up all three points.

A little rotation makes sense - Favalli and Jankulovski should certainly start. Marek deserves to play considering his recent contributions - you can tell that Ronaldinho is more comfortable with his overlapping runs than with the little Bonera provides. Hopefully Favalli can have a solid game that's reminiscent of what he offered us under Ancelotti. However, a backline of Abate - Nesta - Bonera - Jankulovski also makes sense.

The crucial element is the third midfielder. Pirlo and Ambrosini consistently hold up their end of the bargain but the 3rd mid doesn't. Beckham and Gattuso just are not good enough and the team are carrying them. Beckham's extra technical quality means he should get the nod.

 

The probable line-ups according to La Gazzetta dello Sport:

 

How is Doni doing this season?

 

what do the numbers mean next to the player names?

 

i guess it is the average rating

 

Yeah, I think for the Fantasy Football league.

 

Forza Milan

 

The expected line-ups according to La Gazzetta dello Sport:

 

Abate not even on the bench?

 

I hope we can score early and take comfortable lead, so we can give some rest to Pato and R80. I bet it won't happen, tough game ahead.

 

Awesome backline. :doh:

 

Tactically it makes sense. Ronaldinho will benefit much more from an attacking overlapping fullback, which Jankulovski has done very well recently, and to balance that we have Bonera on the right who provides good cover and defensive solidity. Much better to see Daniele on the right flank than the left flank. On the right side there is less importance on how attacking the right-back is as we have Pato and Beckham to provide the attacking width.

There's a question mark over Favalli and how he will fare. Hopefully he can have a solid game backed up by his experience. His main tactical instruction should be to cover Marek and keep in line with whatever Nesta and Abbiati are yelling at him. :thumbsup:

 

just get the 3 points

forza milan

 

MILAN-ATALANTA: LE FORMAZIONI UFFICIALI
28/02/2010
MILAN: Abbiati; Bonera, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Jankulovski; Beckham, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Pato, Borriello, Ronaldinho.
ATALANTA: Consigli; Garics, Bianco, Manfredini, Bellini; Ferreira Pinto, De Ascentis, Padoin, Valdes; Doni; Tiribocchi.


Good to see T.Silva in the line-up :thumbsup:

Forza Milan

 

Good to see T.Silva in the line-up :thumbsup:

No yellows then, please!

 

I guess Leo's thinking is "take each match as it comes", which is fair enough. Let's take on Atalanta first and then think about Roma.

It's a good line-up, just need Jankulovski to continue his recent promising form and for Beckham to have a decent game in midfield.

 

Bad first 10 minutes, haven't done anything really.

 

We look like we couldn't turn on another gear, guys don't waste your time!

Attack pls!