View Full Version : The problems in milan's midfield....
I have to say that aldough all of you talk about milan's defensive problems and free kicks, and there are some, I am really getting angry by the way out team is playing in CM! Just look at this.... Seedorf is now really past his best, it clear! He cant press like he used to do. Gettuso has lost his motivation or something else, confidence maybe. We play 1-2-1, so we need gread DM defensively, wich pirlo isnt, but still he is pure class. So if we cant have tough DM, we need tough CM. Gattuso plays like ****, ambro is ok. Kaka is genious. Now, when we are defending it looks like we are letting too much possesion to our opponent and they can cross or shoot too often. we are sitting back in our 30m!
We have to press in the middle, dominate in San Siro, score some goals and then hide the ball!! With player like rui costa,serginho...we can attack like no one else. But still Carlo manages to **** it up! Where is the pace?? I dont know... If seedorf is finished, sell him!! Get some real replacement or let serginho do his magic. Anyway, our midfield looks poor to me. Too many easy mistakes, too little on the defensive, we used to do it better.
Do you agree??
My dear mrki, no, I don't... I notice anger in your words... Milan is a team with problems in all areas... that's shouldn't surprise us... rebuilding after Istambul... many new faces...
Dida has had better days, and Abbiati is wearing a horrible uniform these days... we need younger blood in defense, and motivation in Seedorf and Rino... We need Gila to score one goal (even if he scores it with his rear end) so he can calm down, Vieri to blend in, and Pippo... well... I heard he scored a goal 2 years ago...
Serginho's magic? Hey, I like the guy, but he's no magician... Kaka' and Rui Costa are... Cristiano Ronaldo from ManU is... Serginho is all about taking the ball to corner of the area, and kick it over the penalty mark hoping for the best...nothing wrong with that, but not a starter...
Let's all calm down... Carlo knows what he's doing... I repeat... Carlo knows what he's doing... we are all bitter after last year, but shouldn't forget...
Forza Milan!!!
Milan3869
13-09-2005, 22:21
christiano ronaldo does magic?!?....yeah right....but i wouldn't mind serginho starting for seedorf and having ambro sit back defending!!
forza milan!! forza kaka!!
right now... serginho and ambro should start...
oh how i regret us selling dhorasso
i would keep seedorf and gattuso... but i would give up 1 of them for ballack anyday
I agree, I hope our 4 midfielders will be Janku, Kaka, Pirlo and Ambrosini this season. Gattuso is looking a shadow of himself these days, by the way that's 2 penalties conceded in 2 consecutive CL matches for him.
Although I can understand people's problems with GATTUSO dont forget that Gattuso has always been loyal to the team and I like having them in the team I dont want just expensive players and you lose those that are the MILAN character....
And I cant believe some of the fans, how they are ready to throw players that have done so well for us for a very long time... Seedorf/Gattuso
Seedorf is a very inconsistant player i agree but when he is on top of his game he is unparalleled and even when he is not playing well he has very good posession and is able to keep the ball something that many midfielders dont do... Look at the first half in the finals against Liverpool Seedorf was not glamorous but he was part of the well-oiled machine that produced maybe the best half we ever played....
The problem with Milan and Ancelloti has not been able to address this is the space between midfield and defence this is where we get screwed... We dont manage to handle that space... The dreaded final against liverpool those 6 minutes were all created by midfielders... Notice in that final BAROS and CISSE hardly touched the ball our defense was world class but when they have to defend strikers and midfielders its a f----- problem.... IF GERRARD was covered properly and if there was pressure then we would have avoided all three of the goals and not looked so vulnerable...
This is why we always get GATTUSO running back and he gave the same sort of penalty against GERRARD as he did with Anelka... We dont seem to put pressure like Saachis milan to get the ball we let the other teams play we should be in their face like we do many times against INTER... We have to put that pressure and since we won the champions league this pressure has been less and less...
And one more thing GATTUSO AND AMBROSINI should never play together in my opinion, I think it should be either or.... I would play Seedorf or Dhorasoa but **** we sold him and he was a creative player that i dont think ever had a bad game for milan... but he wanted to go but i still think he should have got more playing time... Playing GATTUSO AND AMBROSINI makes MILAN play BLAND... And we are not prolific with those duos... Name me one great game we played with those two in midfield... VERY VERY FEW INDEED.
We have to learn how to pressure the opposing player as a team and not let them get possesion at whatever costs... Ancelloti does not seem to be working on this enough...
And the person who said SERGINHO IS NOT A MAGICIAN is a BLOODY IDIOT... I am sorry but you are... Serginho has created things for milan several times and you must not watch football... EVEN IN THE FINAL GERRARD personally marked him along with RISEE, to double team a player he must be a creator...
And give me one game that RONALDO of MAN U has played like SERGINHO DID WHEN WE KILLED INTER 6 - 0.... He never did a match like that and maybe never will...
I think some people should have some more respect... They glorify players when they are at their peak and they stab them in the back when they play bad or under a bad spell... Some more faith...
ACMILAN1983
14-09-2005, 07:27
Although I can understand people's problems with GATTUSO dont forget that Gattuso has always been loyal to the team and I like having them in the team I dont want just expensive players and you lose those that are the MILAN character....
And I cant believe some of the fans, how they are ready to throw players that have done so well for us for a very long time... Seedorf/Gattuso
Seedorf is a very inconsistant player i agree but when he is on top of his game he is unparalleled and even when he is not playing well he has very good posession and is able to keep the ball something that many midfielders dont do... Look at the first half in the finals against Liverpool Seedorf was not glamorous but he was part of the well-oiled machine that produced maybe the best half we ever played....
The problem with Milan and Ancelloti has not been able to address this is the space between midfield and defence this is where we get screwed... We dont manage to handle that space... The dreaded final against liverpool those 6 minutes were all created by midfielders... Notice in that final BAROS and CISSE hardly touched the ball our defense was world class but when they have to defend strikers and midfielders its a f----- problem.... IF GERRARD was covered properly and if there was pressure then we would have avoided all three of the goals and not looked so vulnerable...
This is why we always get GATTUSO running back and he gave the same sort of penalty against GERRARD as he did with Anelka... We dont seem to put pressure like Saachis milan to get the ball we let the other teams play we should be in their face like we do many times against INTER... We have to put that pressure and since we won the champions league this pressure has been less and less...
And one more thing GATTUSO AND AMBROSINI should never play together in my opinion, I think it should be either or.... I would play Seedorf or Dhorasoa but **** we sold him and he was a creative player that i dont think ever had a bad game for milan... but he wanted to go but i still think he should have got more playing time... Playing GATTUSO AND AMBROSINI makes MILAN play BLAND... And we are not prolific with those duos... Name me one great game we played with those two in midfield... VERY VERY FEW INDEED.
We have to learn how to pressure the opposing player as a team and not let them get possesion at whatever costs... Ancelloti does not seem to be working on this enough...
Very good points here and generally a very good post. We're not at our best when it comes to pressure play and really it often results in the defence dropping deeper, without the midfield protecting it in front.
I think the structure of our midfield often plays a part in this area and I've said a few times before how I think the structure of the midfield should be to improved or at least changed a little. (Ancelotti announces change in midfield)
A key aspect is "hiding" or keeping the ball, which at this point we could be much better at. When we take leads, we tend to keep trying to increase it even when under pressure. When we feel at all under pressure, even when drawing, we should aim to just hold the ball for a minute or two to regain our composure and control the game. Those who watch Brazil and Chelsea will see that they do this better than us. (Why Brazil & Chelsea are so successful....)
We also need to work on set piece defending quite a bit too, but this I'm sure will improve over time. (pretty much every game/post game thread on the forum)
The arguments and points made on this thread about our weaknesses have been made elsewhere (I've put in brackets where the points in this post have been discussed elsewhere to show this). The fact is, we all know where our problems lie and Carlo has also mentioned where our problems lie. During the summer, he has been looking to work on pressure play and is currently focused on improving our set piece defending.
The season is still very young and we are obviously not at our best yet. Give the side a little time to work on our current problems, which will need a little time to improve and then see how things are looking.
As far as Rino and Seedorf go, neither are performing at their best and at this point Carlo should use those who are playing well more (Ambro, Rui, Serginho etc).
Il capitano
14-09-2005, 13:54
I think it should be forbidden too use Gattuso and Ambrosini in the starting eleven. nothing good can come from that. Carlo should test a 3 man midfield with Ambrosini,Pirlo,Rui costa and kaka supporting the atackers. Whats he afraid of he used serginho in that possition. Sometimes Carlo can be a coward.
Milanium
14-09-2005, 19:56
Although I can understand people's problems with GATTUSO dont forget that Gattuso has always been loyal to the team and I like having them in the team I dont want just expensive players and you lose those that are the MILAN character....
And I cant believe some of the fans, how they are ready to throw players that have done so well for us for a very long time... Seedorf/Gattuso
Seedorf is a very inconsistant player i agree but when he is on top of his game he is unparalleled and even when he is not playing well he has very good posession and is able to keep the ball something that many midfielders dont do... Look at the first half in the finals against Liverpool Seedorf was not glamorous but he was part of the well-oiled machine that produced maybe the best half we ever played....
The problem with Milan and Ancelloti has not been able to address this is the space between midfield and defence this is where we get screwed... We dont manage to handle that space... The dreaded final against liverpool those 6 minutes were all created by midfielders... Notice in that final BAROS and CISSE hardly touched the ball our defense was world class but when they have to defend strikers and midfielders its a f----- problem.... IF GERRARD was covered properly and if there was pressure then we would have avoided all three of the goals and not looked so vulnerable...
This is why we always get GATTUSO running back and he gave the same sort of penalty against GERRARD as he did with Anelka... We dont seem to put pressure like Saachis milan to get the ball we let the other teams play we should be in their face like we do many times against INTER... We have to put that pressure and since we won the champions league this pressure has been less and less...
And one more thing GATTUSO AND AMBROSINI should never play together in my opinion, I think it should be either or.... I would play Seedorf or Dhorasoa but **** we sold him and he was a creative player that i dont think ever had a bad game for milan... but he wanted to go but i still think he should have got more playing time... Playing GATTUSO AND AMBROSINI makes MILAN play BLAND... And we are not prolific with those duos... Name me one great game we played with those two in midfield... VERY VERY FEW INDEED.
We have to learn how to pressure the opposing player as a team and not let them get possesion at whatever costs... Ancelloti does not seem to be working on this enough...
And the person who said SERGINHO IS NOT A MAGICIAN is a BLOODY IDIOT... I am sorry but you are... Serginho has created things for milan several times and you must not watch football... EVEN IN THE FINAL GERRARD personally marked him along with RISEE, to double team a player he must be a creator...
And give me one game that RONALDO of MAN U has played like SERGINHO DID WHEN WE KILLED INTER 6 - 0.... He never did a match like that and maybe never will...
I think some people should have some more respect... They glorify players when they are at their peak and they stab them in the back when they play bad or under a bad spell... Some more faith...
FAITH? how's my faith gonna change something in the PLAY, or better yet How much faith is enough? and, How do I measure the right amount for the right moment?... Let me tell this you measure your quality watching and studying your competition, because is your own war... So, if you saw JUVE playing today I can see A GREAT future in front of then, almost a perfect game with very little errors and such a great flow... So, my dear Milan fan the confidence they are getting is growing faster than ours... So, Should we be careful and realistic?
Gattuso's value to the team is open for debate but lets not get silly and start defending Seedorf, he played maybe 4 or 5 good games last year. If you play every game pretty much any half decent in world would do similar to that.
ACMILAN1983
15-09-2005, 07:31
FAITH? how's my faith gonna change something in the PLAY, or better yet How much faith is enough? and, How do I measure the right amount for the right moment?... Let me tell this you measure your quality watching and studying your competition, because is your own war... So, if you saw JUVE playing today I can see A GREAT future in front of then, almost a perfect game with very little errors and such a great flow... So, my dear Milan fan the confidence they are getting is growing faster than ours... So, Should we be careful and realistic?
Simple, as a fan your stuck to showing faith as you can't really influence how well Milan play.
As far as measuring your quality compared to others, I don't agree that we should be worried about Juve. We know we have the quality and the players to achieve great things and really we should focus on ourselves and achieving our best results rather than trying to make sure that we can compete with the competition. If we meet our own standards, we won't need to compare ourselves to others, they'll feel the need to compare themselves with us. Mentally, doing this will put us in a stronger position than the opposition.
However, I do think its good to keep track of how Juve are doing in terms of results in the league, simply to make sure we're keeping up to their pace, or maybe staying ahead of their pace.
Milanium
15-09-2005, 08:57
Simple, as a fan your stuck to showing faith as you can't really influence how well Milan play.
As far as measuring your quality compared to others, I don't agree that we should be worried about Juve. We know we have the quality and the players to achieve great things and really we should focus on ourselves and achieving our best results rather than trying to make sure that we can compete with the competition. If we meet our own standards, we won't need to compare ourselves to others, they'll feel the need to compare themselves with us. Mentally, doing this will put us in a stronger position than the opposition.
However, I do think its good to keep track of how Juve are doing in terms of results in the league, simply to make sure we're keeping up to their pace, or maybe staying ahead of their pace.
But tell me did you see JUVE playing yesterday (I'm not worry about juve just about Milan). And mentally you know what? Juve is getting more and more confidente by the second.
Compared them to us probably "not technically" (although I'd discuss that) but mostly Psycologically, right at this present time.
I'm not saying we should lose faith, if not what would the point of the joy when making our goals, to get more and more confident each time around (faith and hope in their team is what makes every fan cheerful and happy) isn't it?. :devf:
And can you tell me why small teams still keep their crow, because of the relentless hope of some success (although this may be on a lowered standard than ours).
"If we meet our own standards, we won't need to compare ourselves to others" quote.
But are we meeting our on standards, because the same past problems seems to still there. Sure I have plenty of Faith to Milan but my faith gets actualized by the our last performances, and the last performances of our REAL CONTENDERS this time around.
Again I'm not Juve fan neither I'm scared but they suuuuurely are meeting their standards...while we keep stock in FAITH :5milan: DUDE I HATE TO SAY, comprehend me please. :dontkn:
Hey Maz,
make up your mind, brother... you can't use these two sentences together:
"And the person who said SERGINHO IS NOT A MAGICIAN is a BLOODY IDIOT... I am sorry but you are"
"I think some people should have some more respect"
Are you familiar with the concept "contradiction"?
You don't need to be a "magician" for that... just have decent level of education...
you can't call people BLOODY IDIOTS just because they don't share your point of view... at least not in this forum... if I am wrong, please correct me...
BTW, I haven't changed my position... I still like Serginho, and I still think he's all about
taking the ball to the corner of the area on the left flank, and kicking it over the penalty mark... at least C. Ronaldo can do that from both sides... this doesn't mean I even like ManUtd. But we can't say all our players are the best in the world just because we love the team so much.
ACMILAN1983
15-09-2005, 15:23
Milanium, I didn't see how Juve played last night nor do I really care how confident they seem, I stand by my argument that I think Milan should focus only on Milan and we can compete against anyone. Though yes, at this point, psychologically, they may be in a slightly better frame of mind than us.
However, as we continue getting results, we will gain more confidence in ourselves, kind of like you said about goals.
I'm sorry, I have no idea what you mean about small sides, I see "crow" and it seems like your talking about birds :confused: . Anyway, could you explain what you mean there?
We aren't meeting our own "perfect" standards atm, but are very close. The proof is that we are able to compete against top sides and have done so for 3 years now. Yes, there are problems, but every team has weaknesses (even our "real" contenders) and we like others need to work on ours, which Ancelotti seems to be attempting to do.
well, I meant the fans need to have faith, the club need to act on problems. I'll be clear, I don't feel we are at all inferior to anyone in the world atm. Juve are looking strong, but Capello's sides always start strong every season, this is a feature of his preparation. Milan haven't started strongly for two years now, but always improve over the season, which is a characteristic of our side.
We are 3 games into the season, its too early to judge who will be strongest over the next year atm.
Sant is right, Maz shouldn't call people idiots for differing opinions, hence I omitted that part of the post when complementing it.
My dear mrki, no, I don't... I notice anger in your words... Milan is a team with problems in all areas... that's shouldn't surprise us... rebuilding after Istambul... many new faces...
Dida has had better days, and Abbiati is wearing a horrible uniform these days... we need younger blood in defense, and motivation in Seedorf and Rino... We need Gila to score one goal (even if he scores it with his rear end) so he can calm down, Vieri to blend in, and Pippo... well... I heard he scored a goal 2 years ago...
Serginho's magic? Hey, I like the guy, but he's no magician... Kaka' and Rui Costa are... Cristiano Ronaldo from ManU is... Serginho is all about taking the ball to corner of the area, and kick it over the penalty mark hoping for the best...nothing wrong with that, but not a starter...
Let's all calm down... Carlo knows what he's doing... I repeat... Carlo knows what he's doing... we are all bitter after last year, but shouldn't forget...
Forza Milan!!!
C.ronaldo....did you ever watch him play? he play like an idiot everytime, trying to do his stepovers and still didn't manage to get past anyone, his shooting is a joke, i haven't seen any of his shots going toward the goal. i would take serginho over C.ronaldo as of now.
our MF was one of the best in the past but recently it seem to be in a state of confusion. i am sure ancelotti would get things work out. gatusso seem be off recently but ambro have suddenly play well so its not a problem. seedorf....what happened to him? i hope he start showing the form he is capable of.
Warro Bantan
15-09-2005, 16:40
The problem with Milan´s midfield is, as has been said, the amount of space they give to attacking teams F and MFs, on the counter, or when they (the opposing team) are dominating posession.
The soloution to this, is finding the correct balance between ball winning, ball retention, and initiating attacks...and, as has been pointed out endlessly, is more easier said than done.
With some of our midfielders underperforming, and Carlo´s selections at times baffling even Einstein, we tend, as a result, to play below our potential.
To be fair however, Carlo has been encumbered by Berlu´s insistence on playing two out and out strikers.
On the other hand, IMO, he has enough talent, to work an effective compromise...plus...in all honesty, he should tell Berlu where to get off, as long as he wins, say with the Christmas tree formation for example.
Only when we lose can Berlu have anything to say, and indeed, he really could only support his coach, after his (Berlu´s) insistence on playing with two forwards, even when trying to defend a lead (still not my preferred tactic, but at 3-0 up at half time, even I would have taken off a striker for a defensive mid, or even an attacking mid) in Istanbul.
Balance, ie achieving it, what with rotation, and 2 game a week at times, (or even three counting the Italian Cup) is therefore the soloution to this problem, though, not the easiest of equations to solve.
So there you have it, my two cents, and not a Jamaican cent (practically worthless at US$1=J$62)more. :D
Milan3869
16-09-2005, 00:29
we should put our midfielders in this formation:3-5-2
---------pirlo-----ambro-------
cafu-------------------serginho
-------------kaka--------------
the problem is simple:
the difference between our current midfield and the one from 3 seasons ago is that key players like gattuso and seedorf arent showing any signs of the determination from that season... if we solve that then were pretty much excellent on all fronts of the field
"And the person who said SERGINHO IS NOT A MAGICIAN is a BLOODY IDIOT... I am sorry but you are"
"I think some people should have some more respect"
Are you familiar with the concept "contradiction"?
SANT let me educate you... Dont think your smart by taking two quotes from different parts of my post and then calling them a contradiction... Any half twit would know that the 'respect' I talked about was respect for the MILAN players not people who blast that Serginho just RUNS AND CROSSES THE BALL... Thus there is no contradiction, respect for milan players and a lack of respect of those that criticize the players when they are down and change their minds when they have a good game... I dont mind criticism but constructive criticism, and anyways stop being soft if i hurt somebody's feelings for calling them an idiot then I am sorry, but I still think people get oversensitive so relax...
You cant make as much assists as Serginho has if as stated you randomly CROSS THE BALL... I find that ridiculous... Besides I dont think Ronaldo has ever scored the type of goals SERGINHO has...
Apart from that I think criticism for Seedorf can be understood but at the same time it has to be said that MILAN at their very best the last couple of seasons included Seedorf in the lineup and while i think Rui Costa should get more playing time and Serginho as well they are often a liability defensively.... And i think they are at their best when they come in a second half... Anyways i think the midfield should consist of PIRLO, KAKA, one defensive midfielder either AMBRO OR GATTUSO, and another creator either SERGINHO, RUI COSTA, or SEEDORF whoever is in form....
But my main point is that its not so much about players but MILAN has to play more physically and not allow possession, constant pressure and I hope to see that in the future... Thats the strenght of JUVE they are so hard to break down... We have to get more of that... But of course attacking wise and free flow football we are ahead but we have to become more solid and less vulnerable in teams attacking us...
ACMILAN1983
16-09-2005, 07:28
Ok, I was watching the Milan-Siena match last night for the first time and have a few different opinions.
Firstly, I may have to take back what I said about the structure of the midfield. Carlo has clearly worked on the defensive workings of the midfield and I understand what his thoughts are now. I can even understand why he has a tendancy to play Ambro and Rino either side of Pirlo. If he decides to continue using this midfield, I would like to see Sheva (who now plays deeper) helping Kaka/Rui more with applying early pressure on the opposition.
There are a few problems though, firstly, we need to work at stopping counters better (though we aren't bad actually). Secondly, obviously the defence needs work on set pieces, which clearly Carlo has made a priority.
The third problem I had is one I've said numerous times before, which is we don't just hold the ball when necessary. I can remember a number of times I was literally screaming "JUST HOLD THE DAMN BALL!!!!!" at the tv whilst watching the match.
Why do we always insist on attacking and attempting to get more goals in matches. This leads to defensive problems on counter attacks, as the opposition get more opportunities to hurt us (holding the ball more may ease the first problem stated). The game becomes end to end, thus we lose control of preceedings. Finally, the players are more likely to tire out, seeing as the run furiously around the pitch to constantly attack or defend. A great example of this problem in the Siena match was after Kaka scored. We had a 2 goal advantage and could have easily ended the match by passing the ball around in slightly deeper areas and simply controlling play (and slowing it down). Instead, we continue to counter attack Siena's attacks in search of a 4th goal. I seriously think this atm is Milan's greatest problem and really do hope Carlo starts acting on it.
Its hard to say this but seedorf isnt a player he used to be, and he will never be again. Gattuso is ok, but he is still "good"-old gattuso. Anbro is fine but he always worked better when coming in on 60th min. Serginho cant play defence, so cant rui...Well, its not good to have too much players in our squad, but if we really wanna dominate we need a player who is fresh and can play defence and attack. Like gerrard,rothen,joaquim...
Milanium
16-09-2005, 15:21
acmilan 1983
I meant that Football is all about faith, that's why even small teams still bring fans (I meant crowd before), but I can tell that there are degrees and it changes depending on the ocasion. Definitly Milan had been, still is, and forever will be a force to be reckon with and this is known all around the universe... but our present reality after CL defeat has given us the worse shaky confidence to our MF that it could've ever have before ('cause I think that defeat generated there)...I think more than the physical abilities of our MD is a psycological problem now, only if Seedorf could get a lil' more inspired and RUN a lot more, we could probably be more balanced then.
ACMILAN1983
16-09-2005, 16:24
Thats a fair point about the psychological issues of the side. Its something I've been worried about too (though I think it started long before Liverpool (possibly Deportivo match).
However, psychologically, the team is improving and many have used it to increase their hunger for success. I think as long as the side gets results and competes, psychologically they will improve.
what about vogel? didn't anyone of you guys consider him in tactics tactics?
personally i would like to c him in a game or two with ambro and prilo because vogel is an a great tactical player and his passing is not bad.
Dr Milano
17-09-2005, 13:48
what about vogel? didn't anyone of you guys consider him in tactics tactics?
personally i would like to c him in a game or two with ambro and prilo because vogel is an a great tactical player and his passing is not bad.
yes he is good too
Pirlo
Ambrosini Vogel
Kaka oh maybe even Rui COSTA instead of Vogel
hitmannq8
18-09-2005, 14:25
Next summer Ballack will be for FREE and he is an OLD and EXPERIENCED midfielder. He's the type of player that Milan always signs.
I haven't been posting for quite a while... but I did read a few of posts on this forum most of the time... Just think I should express my opinion on the current situation Milan is dealing with:
1. Aging defense - everyone knows that, and I am not going to spend a lot of effort on this issue. Milan defense is a bit slow and as much as I love our captain... I think he should play every other game in order to extend his career. Cafu is showing sign of aging also... Especially in the Fenerbahc (Mispelt?) game, he wasn't contributing much in the second half. Somehow, I think Stam should be moved to RB position and start alternate with Cafu. I personally do not think Stam is great in the CB position from the first day when he arrived in Milan. Kaladze isn't consistent enough to keep his position... I do hope that Jankulovski could excel in that slot - Kaladze could be an excellent bench player given his versatility. All in all, we need to get young blood to cover our defense.
2. Zone Marking/Man Marking - It's a continuation of the aging defense, but I think it would be nice to makeit a different item. Watching all the milan games so far in this season, I have to say our defense gave up a lot of rooms for opponents to attack. Partly because of slow and lack of stamina defense couldn't catch up with young guns, they prefer to allow more rooms for themselves to cover. THat force our defense system to a zone cover instead of man-to-man cover...Especially in the PSV and Man U games, we were killed by their fast wingers and at times they made our defense look so valunerable. What happened to the great Milan defense that brand the italian football in the late 80's? I don't see that again... Our zone system is not working well either... gave up rooms for opponents to attack... lack of concentration at times.. off-position.. etc. That is part of the reason why Fenerbahc got that penalty when Gattuso "too eagarly" to get the ball back inside the box. Seedorf was so slow when he was needed to play D. In the Sampdoria game, he almost gave up the third goal to Sampdoria because he was pointing and asking someone else to cover. Stam, once a while, doesn't stay focus enough and gave up couple of goals (last season in some games, he was at fault when the opponent scored from header.)
That lead to point no. 3 - Set piece, our players need to work on defensive and offensive set-piece.. there is no doubt... the lack of concentration is key.. also, miscommunication... at times i think some players just rely on others to cover and that potentially lead to opponent's scoring opportunity. Also, due to the undersize midfield, that end up having too many players in the box and creating more confusion.. in turn, when the ball is clear out, our opponent has a better chance to recover the ball and continue their attack. So I think .. and I hope Ambro does start more so we could have better cover in the air.
4. mentality - milan do try to play attractive passing style... I think it's too arrogant and at times it's dangerous... against liverpool in the final last season, Milan showed the world how technically superior from liverpool, but eventually we lost the game. It's that mentality.. holding the ball, passing around.. dribbling around, trying to create space by using player's individual skills, which kills us last year and this year... in the year we won CL... i think Pirlo and Cafu were doing some fundamental football.. pass the ball to the right flank and Cafu beated the defenders and put up a good cross for others to score. Last year, Pirlo wasn't performing so well and also with the emergene of Kaka.. we played more and more "arrogant" football.. yeah, it looks really great, but at the end of the day, result counts. Given Cafu's recent performance (not super but not bad either) I think Carlos should have a lot to think about how the offense should work. In addition, I really hate watching Seedorf... Yes he is gifted and talented with the ball in his feet.. but Come-fxxking-on.. when he needs to speed up and run.. he always slow down.. I wish there is another Kaka.. who can get the ball from the defense and start counter attack right away. I think every single time when Seedorf got the ball.. he just run for 10 yard and then slow down.. searched for other ppl.. passed the ball, GREAT... the opponent's defense is back in their ground and we lost our chance to score. I hope we could get someone young with energy to create keep milan attacking when they need to. I can think of one name so far - Steinsweinger from Bayern - I remember his performance in Euro but I don't watch no German football... so I don't know if he's still that good.
5. Gattuso/Pirlo dilemma - Gattuso isn't the greatest player in the whole world but he did put up good fight most of the time... If milan want him to stay, verse vice, he really needs to work extra hard in his crossing.. and his ability to break thru defenders... he also need to improve his tackling. I remembered sometimes he just put up the most rediculous tackles... For Pirlo.. I don't know how to say it.. he is da SH!T... but he lacks speed.. with his dribbling.. he can be a real danger to others.. however, I think he need to take some more shots. The guy who kept the scoring title for U-21 team should shoot a bit more. So my suggestion is .. when Pirlo is running up.. Gattuso should stay back.. and Kaka or Rui should stay on the right.. and if the attack switch to the left, Kaka and Rui can move back to the center. Until Gattuso is proven to be capable of crossing.. he should stay behind for defense.
I think i have said enough and I believe you all have your own ideas and you might or might not agree with me.. but anyway, just stop picking out our differences.. and keep on supporting our team. Ciao.
The main problem is in defence, Nesta is the only play who is good in the air, the only one who can repel crosses. Stam is beyond awful at dealing with crosses, Cafu isn't any better and Maldini can't jump anymore. I'm not concerned about supposed problems through the middle, it's on crosses where we come unstuck.
Warro Bantan
19-09-2005, 10:24
EXCELLENT POST Edmando!!!!
Well said, and in truth, it echoes my sentiments exactly.
Milanium
20-09-2005, 16:23
EDMANDO...
I Want You To Be Our Next COACH... PLEASE!!!
WOULD YOU...??? you really understand our present MILAN :w221:
edmando wrote a good post.. naming the problems on the pitch.... but what i keep sying and no one lsns to is the most important factor and the main reason for our bad play
WE ****ING LACK DETERMINATION TO WIN!!! ... tell me, when was the last time u saw gattuso stop dangerous attack and scream at our players for not doing their best??? ... or when were on a series of attacks and really pressuring the opponent then gattuso runs towards the crowd and asks them for more support?..
tell me, when did u last see that?!
were all wrong to ask for gattuso to take on defenders and put in great crosses, because it was never his job to do so, thats why we got cafu, and gattuso was never able to do what ur asking for even when we played great football... gattuso's job is to break down attacks and pump up the crowd and the team and if u wanna bash him then u need to ask him to show us the determination he used to show in the past and not whine about him not taking on players like ronaldinho does.. please sound reasonable... oh and if he cant do that then ambro should simply play, its no use saying we shouldve got joaquin or whoever because the market is closed, either rino plays the way he should or ambro gets a chance. same goes to seedorf, either he shows us the touches of the CL and scudetto season or janku/serginho start
ITS THE DETERMINATION THAT WERE MISSING PEOPLE!!!
vBulletin® v3.7.1, Copyright ©2000-2026, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.