Monthly Archive: December 2015

The supposed easy stretch of games that featured near bottom teams – namely Carpi and Verona – enters its third with complete disappointment. Having managed two of six points from the aforementioned teams now it is time to play  another relegation threatened team, Frosinone. The Serie A newcomers have two wins so far in the season but as seen this season nothing is given with the current Milan side.

Mihajlovic’s changes or tweaks in recent weeks, especially alternating forwards and midfielders have been partly dictated by injuries however moves like pushing Niang back and adding de Jong to the midfield after not using him for weeks has been odd and most of what he has done has not really paid off.

All signs point to yet more tinkering for this match, it has been reported that Niang will start on the bench and Honda will start in midfield with Adriano and Bacca up front. Bertolacci’s full return should help the midfield become more of a help to the forwards but Montolivo’s form is likely to keep disappointing and give the opposition time to organize and defend. The defense will remain the same with De Sciglio starting on the left but Antonelli is ready if needed.

Follow the match on the forum.

After the disappointing draw vs Carpi it was fully expected to get a positive result against the team that had zero wins so far. Late in the week brought news that Mihajlovic was tinkering with the lineup and reintroducing Nigel de Jong and moving Niang back to include both Bacca and Adriano in a 4-4-2 – that would change to 4-2-4.

The game was marred by the referee when Nigel de Jong was given a red in addition to a penalty when Leandro Greco was brought down. However Milan hadn’t played all that well and Bacca had provided the lead a bit earlier without any of the players being exceptional.

Being down to ten men added some urgency however once again not enough was done and two points were eventually dropped at home when it was inexcusable to do so.

Players like Montolivo and de Jong are proving that they do not belong and if the former is given a long extension – as some reports indicate – in such an environment then Galliani and management will prove themselves unfit once again.

Read more about the game on the forum.

With the biggest win of the season behind the team it is time to meet Cristian Zaccardo and Carpi. The 4-1 win against Sampdoria was as much convincing as was Sampdoria’s poor performance was surprising. Niang and Bonaventura’s form and goals created good attacking potential but there are slight concerns with Bacca’s recent (lack of) contribution.

The so called 4-4-2 is likely to remain the same against Carpi as Bertolacci is still not available. Another player was added to the injury list with Antonelli picking up a left thigh injury in training. His absence is hoped to be short term. De Sciglio is expected to get the start at left back instead. The rest of the team is settled for now. Alex, Romagnoli and Abate complete the defense as the best available with Bonaventura, Montolivo, Kucka and Cerci in the middle. Bacca’s aforementioned loss of form may provide a start for Adriano but the likelihood remains that Mihajlovic will stick with the Colombian.

Carpi sit in the relegation zone but are coming off a win at Genoa. With other week 15 results including Napoli’s loss to Bologna three points gets Milan a bit closer to the top.

Follow the match on the forum.

In the 2010 summer transfer window Kevin Prince Boateng joined Milan in one of the more complicated ways. Milan having been in the long running and supposed lack of money and austerity age could not directly afford KPB. He was transferred from England’s Portsmouth, soon to be bankrupt, to Genoa and then “loaned” to Milan. The loan soon became a co-ownership deal and the year after a permanent one. He of course went on to be part of the surprising 2011-2012 team that featured Ibrahimovic among many others.

Kevin Prince Boateng Reacting To Racism (January 2013)

January 2013 was the beginning of the end of his Milan stay, after walking out of the Pro Patria friendly due to racist chants it seemed inevitable that he would leave Serie A and Italy behind. Milan found a buyer in Schalke 04 and in the dying days of the 2013 summer window got €10 million for his services.

Fast forward to spring 2015, after two season at the Bundesliga team he was suspended, along with two other team mates, for poor behaviour. Later in the fall he joined Milan to train with the team “until the end  of 2015.”

Suspicions that he may mutually break his Schalke contract and join Milan in January 2016 were inevitable and today it seems very likely that he will re-join Milan, at least on a short term deal. He hopes to contribute as a trequartista. It remains debatable if that is possible and if he is good enough to help a team that seems to be taking shape – albeit very slowly – this fall.

He is still only 28 and age should not be a concern but do you think he can set up and contribute goals or provide anything from midfield that features Kucka, Montolivo, Bertolacci, Bonaventura and Poli along de Jong, Mauri  and Nocerino at least for now. Vote below.

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