Maybe Nesta is rested for the CL ...

 

Game is on Saturday, and it's the big one we've been waiting for!

Sadly, Gazzetta are saying Nesta won't play together with Flamini and Seedorf.

Here is the line-up they predicted:

Abbiati

Bonera-Thiago Silva-Sokratis-Antonini

Boateng-Pirlo-Ambrosini

Pato-Ibrahimovic-Ronaldinho​

On paper, an easy game. But don't forget they gave Roma a hard time at the Olimpico. Lets just hope it was Roma who were crap

Hope for a performance similar to vs Lecce or even better.. FORZA MILAN!

did nesta have a fight with seedorf and flamini?

 

By the sounds of things it was a case of Roma not playing well as much as anything. However I bet Cesena made it difficult too so they should be respected. We cannot go into the game expecting a Lecce part II.

Line-up looks good! Having Sokratis as Nesta's back-up is so much better than what we had to look to last season (Favalli and Kaladze). Midfield is balanced and Boateng offers something different to the others. With Pato, I can see that right-side being very dangerous. Not much to add about Zlatan, he cannot be any worse than Borriello was last matchday .

 

Good line up beside Bonera... I wonder why we gave up on Antonelli so easily

 

He'll come home if he keeps on impressing. I won't complain on Bonera as long as he keeps on playing like last game.

 

Yes, Bonera was solid the 1st game around. Plus think about it - if (and we will) we play all 4 + Pirlo; or even just the 3 plus Pirlo, the role of the FBs in attack becomes less important as compared their role in D. In some ways Antonini WILL continue move forward, help Dinho etc, so when that happens we are in somewhat (with lots of IFs) 3-5-2 or 3-2-3-1-1 or whatever lode, i.e. with 3 CDs. Not really but somehow. Then a CD like Bonera could be better off as a RB rather than an offensive RB/

 

How confident are you guys feeling? what can you tell me about Cesena?

 

Cesena was expected before the season to end up last. but after they battled a draw away in Rome I am sure people rate them a little bit higher. They have some good offensive players, but horrible strikers that never score. Likely they will aim to keep the clean sheet and fail. We just have to much offensive power for them IMO.

 

boo Pato on the right :groan:

 

why would we boo pato?
or
where else will you play him with Dinho and Ibra in the team?

 

It only looks like that on paper Willy. During the game Ronaldinho would also shift to the middle making it a 4-3-1-2.

 

Call me uber-biased (and I know I am ) - but if your starter is doing well, why would you replace him?

4-3-1-2 makes more sense.

 

Can't wait for this game!

I am a little worried that Allegri would not know how to handle the 4 strickers.

 

Where's Robinho? Boateng before Robinho?

 

No, three midfielders over four strikers.

 

It would be ridiculous to not win after all this hype.

 

To play with all four strikers, the most realistic formation and team would be:

Papa-Nesta-Silva-Bonera
-----Flamini-Ambro
Robinho-------------Ronaldinho
-------Pato-Ibra

BUT except for Pippo we don't have any back ups for the forwards/strikers, so the 4-3-3 is the best formation for us.

 

This would be a ridiculous formation although you are probably right if they ever go with four forwards. Somebody has to create some chances for them and I cannot see any of those four tracking back to support the midfield and defense.



As for Pirlo, Ambro, Gattuso. :howler: I wonder when we will see the christmas tree.

 

The expected formations according to La Gazzetta dello Sport:

FORZA MILAN!

 

you need Boateng or Flamini in that midfield, Pirlo - Ambro - Rino is opposite of Allegri football.

 

so after all the transfers, all the hype all the ... we have Ambro-Pirlo-Rino midfield BWAHAHAHAHA classic

 

:howler:

Simply ridiculous.

 

Cessena (one or two "s"es?) werent no pushovers at Olympico btw, this will not per definition be a walk in the park.

 

prediction: 2-1 (Pirlo; Zlatan)

 

Maybe on the history of how certain players have played in this type of match, esp when missing a player like Nesta, but now we have very good back-ups and options in mid with more energy, and a clinical strike force. I think we can win 3-0.

 

I will predict a 1-0 win, but it will be no walkover.

 

Allegri:

"Ibrahimovic, Robinho, Ronaldinho and Pato could all feature at some point during the match," he told the press.

"They can all play together, but we need time to work on our modules. Ibrahimovic and Robinho complete a group that was already strong."

"Cesena play good football, they have great enthusiasm and are playing at home for the first time," he added.

"Therefore it will be a very difficult game. They are a team that runs alot and they can be very dangerous on the break.

"After many years of Serie B and Serie C they will try 100 per cent to beat us. It will be tough as they will want to show they can beat us. We have to be strong.

"Will Ibrahimovic play straight away? He is well and I think he will play from the start."

 

It sucks that I cant see this game btw Hopefully there will be a long summary to view somewhere.

 

I agree with Johan here, they did not trouble Milan at all in the first 20 minutes. Off course it is nervy until you score, but we never looked like conceeding.