Week 14: Cremonese - Milan November 8 2022 20:45

[Bennacer]

We can se Piolis limitations tactically, and especially offensively yesterday. Its all up to the individuals to do the damage. We dont have any offensive concept. Without Theo and Leao who is the only players with a real x factor, we were 100% sterile. This is worrying. We have a lot of players who fights well, but we need more flair overall.

[ACM2023]

The day-after reflection.

There are some posts talking about worrying about 4th spot than scudetto. Maybe I was among them--too lazy to check -- but yes, it wasn't impossible because I felt like wanting to vomit after yesterday's game Today, however, is another day. I don't think that that pessimism is necessary. The season is long, and Napoli for sure will not keep winning. They probably will plummet like they did in the last season--one can always hope. Nothing is lost. World Cup break is going to be a huge X-factor. I don't want to jinx it, but do you guys remember the Covid break?

But, we need to do better. If and when the inevitable does happen, I hope that we will be the one to take advantage, instead of Juventus or Inter. After all, they are already dangerously close to us. Too close. We need to figure out a better way to attack and get points. Dropping points against Cremonese is inexcusable in any way. I remember 95-96 we beat the crap out of them (7:1). We aren't that good in term of quality, and that means that if we want to succeed, we need to play with humility. I suspect that Pioli took this game for granted, and that affected the players. He will learn from it and we will get better. All this is what it takes to become a champion.

Back to the mercato, no, I don't want us to sell Leao. Nobody can guarantee that we can invest the money wisely. I always believe that scouting is a tricky business. You get lucky with some, unlucky with some others. Every new player--no matter how good or how promising they are--will need time to adapt. Why not cherish the ones that we actually have, instead of praying for the new ones that may or may not work out? I read from Reddit that some source claims that Kalulu is ready to sign the extension. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

We are spoiled. I am spoiled. I watched Rijkaard play, and later thought that Albertini, Desailly and Boban were all terrible. I didn't think that Weah was that good even though he won the Ballon d'Or (he wasn't the most consistent and prolific attackers), because I followed Marco van Basten's career. Just because Kaka fit right in, that makes me impatient seeing Charles struggling right now. Let's all be patient and have more faith in our management and coaches, and players too (after all, what else can you do, right? ).

One game at a time. Let's beat Fiorentina first.

[nefremo]

I just wrote this in the Winter Mercato thread, but I'll ad a piece in here too. The game was disappointing. Should have won, but it happens. We haven't hit top gear yet, but we've advanced into the CL knockouts and are in 2nd place in Serie A. Without looking at points, that would be considered a good start to the season. What's exaggerating the problem is Napoli's performance. They are having the season of a lifetime so far. Normally a team would have lost a game by now. Very normal for that to happen. And they would have "only" been 5 points ahead. But the fact they are 8 in front is making the situation look dire. But it's NOT. I don't wanna say there isn't a problem. We need to make some adjustments in the way we attack AND the way we defend. But I trust we can and will do that. Hopefully, we can add a player of quality in the attacking third in January as well. With that being said, will Napoli slow down? You'd think so. But who knows. At this point, we need to do out best to win games. Than we'll see. Finishing this year in 2nd place and in CL knockouts is positive for me.

The market though? Definitely not positive so far. Hard to call it anything more than a failure SO FAR. We'll see what happens in 2023.

[ACM2023]

I just wrote this in the Winter Mercato thread, but I'll ad a piece in here too. The game was disappointing. Should have won, but it happens. We haven't hit top gear yet, but we've advanced into the CL knockouts and are in 2nd place in Serie A. Without looking at points, that would be considered a good start to the season. What's exaggerating the problem is Napoli's performance. They are having the season of a lifetime so far. Normally a team would have lost a game by now. Very normal for that to happen. And they would have "only" been 5 points ahead. But the fact they are 8 in front is making the situation look dire. But it's NOT. I don't wanna say there isn't a problem. We need to make some adjustments in the way we attack AND the way we defend. But I trust we can and will do that. Hopefully, we can add a player of quality in the attacking third in January as well. With that being said, will Napoli slow down? You'd think so. But who knows. At this point, we need to do out best to win games. Than we'll see. Finishing this year in 2nd place and in CL knockouts is positive for me.

The market though? Definitely not positive so far. Hard to call it anything more than a failure SO FAR. We'll see what happens in 2023.

On the first part, I agree. It is unusual that Napoli is this good. When they aren't good, they are lucky too. They were lucky against us. They were lucky yesterday. I saw the highlights (only) and their PK was so weak, if correct at all. There is no point of concerning ourselves with something that is beyond our own control. We just need to focus on our own games, one at a time, and good things will eventually happen--if they don't, oh well, that's life sometimes.

On the second part, I don't disagree either, but I hold a slightly more positive attitude than you. I think all will work out. I just don't understand what happened to Adli and Origi, especially the French kid. I wouldn't call the mercato a "failure". Let's call it "not yet a success."

[Bennacer]

Btw, some good results for us today. Atalanta lost to Lecce, Roma Draw, and if Inter also lose points against Bologna now, that will be perfect.

PS: Fiorentina in great form. Having the lead against Salernitana now, and if they win, it will 4 in a row. Sundays match will not be easy, but with a full San Siro, Giroud and Theo back, and probably a fully motivated team we should win.

[Zio Fester]

Inter 6 1 Bologna. That's how you swat aside poor teams.

Only 3 points behind now. Juve win and they will be just 2 points away.

Staying in the top 4 is going to be a challenge.

[Demonbanana]

Dropped points against Torino, Cremonese and seconds away from Spezia. No excuses but Milan have to hit the winter window hard.

And stuff these EPL exhibition matches, you can just see our guy's getting injured!

[Aficio]

Inter 6 1 Bologna. That's how you swat aside poor teams.

Only 3 points behind now. Juve win and they will be just 2 points away.

Staying in the top 4 is going to be a challenge.

Inter are in the vengeful mode       they lost against all big teams of Europe except Barca who are questionable 

Agreed that top 4 is not easy, but for us to concentrate, not to worry.

[honsano]

Few points:

1) we are playing terribly, Napoli are playing super well but people seem to think this is as good as we will get and they can get no worse. The fact we are second with the way we have played in recent months with the injuries is encouraging,

2) if we didn’t over achieve last season, would anyone really be surprised by a young team playing the big games and missing out on the less important games? That consistency comes with age and success.

3) in a season where we are effectively playing two times a week, is anyone surprised that our new additions haven’t assimilated. These guys are either recovering or traveling for a game. They will get better incorporated this break and more so over next summer

4) wait til Napoli get punched in the face like we did against Chelsea. All teams suffer. Let’s see how they respond to that.

Only 14 games in guys. Not saying we will get the Scudetto, but definitely think it is reasonable.

[Sleeping Giant]

We still doesn't have good bench to really compete against big teams, strengthening our bench should be our priority besides getting a RW and a CF