View Full Version : Are we the 6th best team in Italy?
I seriously think we could end up finishing 6th next season.
Inter Milan and Juventus are going to be light years ahead.
Roma had a poor season, but they can be relied to bounce back in Seria A as they often do.
Fiorentina and Napoli have young energetic teams. They are run the way football clubs should be run.
Can we really finish in the top 4 after selling Kaka and not solving all of the goal keeper, defensive, midfield and striker problems we have had. (I genuinely dont believe Galliani will make a signing that will have an impact)
When Milan's director says we are going for top 3 before the season he needs to get fired next minute. That should never happen in Milan, only opt spot needs to be Milan's objective.
I dont know what Napoli will doo, but if they sign De Ceglie and one more Cf as they want to, they could have a better team then us. But mercato is not over, maybe Galliani actually signs someone for real, not only lies to sell tickets.
NApoli( 3-5-2 ):
----Santacroce-Cannavaro-CB?-
-MAggio-------------De Ceglie--
--------Gargano---Cigarini--------
-----Lavezzi------Hamsik---
---------Quagliarela----
To me this looks great.
Kalstroem6
28-06-2009, 07:38
they could sign someone better instead of Quagliarella with that money they paid for him,they signed Zuniga when they had Maggio there,signed Cigarini while they have Gargano as deep playmaker,probably they will sign De Ceglie or Pasqual for LB.Probably Pasqual.they didnt sign a real DM,which was their main needs,Felipe Melo,Gökhan inler typee of midfielder.if i were them,i'd sign Floccari instead of Quagliarella but Genoa signed him before them.Bocchetti of Genoa,Zapata could real deals for CB for them.Parma's Mariga would be nice addition as well.i think they should go for another GK instead of De Sanctis.
GK
Santacroce Cannavaro Bocchetti
Maggio/Zuniga inler Cigarini Hamsik Pasqual
Lavezzi Floccari.
They have options unlike us. All our players are similarly old and lack movement.
Santacrocce, Hamsik, Lavezzi and Quagliera would all get into our side and improve it.
Referring to the title........
Well, if it makes you feel a little better, we are definitely among the top 6 teams in Serie A
:sagrin:
In domestic form.... Genoa has the potential to be better than us. They are getting players that will really help in their quest for greatness, and have outgunned all teams in Serie A so far in regards to transfers.
Sixth for milan next season is not just a farcry but a true possibility. In recent years, Kaka has been dragging our sorry arses in Serie A, and with him gone.... Galliani needs to get serious and STOP bidding so lowly for players. The sleeping giants in our league are just beginning to wake up, and when they do, they will be putting serious pressure on the orginal top four stragglers such as Milan and Roma. Juve has seen this and already been reinforcing. Same can be said for Inter. What we have done? Acquired players who are not even garuanteed first team spots, and may be loaned out again. Not trying to be harsh, but our current efforts have been laughable.
Already, we have seen Favalli get his contract extended, and our interests moved from Dezko to Adebayor! Get serious Milan, because yes, sixth is very possible.
tardissun
28-06-2009, 20:01
Look at Napoli's transfer season so far this year - brilliant!
Look at Milan's - no comment.
There is no doubt that Juve, Inter, Roma, and Napoli will be ahead of Milan.
It's definitely possible that Fiorentina, Udinese, Palermo, or Lazio could jump ahead.
Currently, I think Milan will be outside of the top 6 as I don't think any top players will be signed.
Milan is in such bad shape.
- Good players either don't want to come or Milan doesn't have the muscle to pull for them. This gets worse with the games Galliani plays in the market and his
ridiculous comments.
- That leaves Milan fighting for other teams old players/backups/Bosmans.
We lost Kaka, and we'll probably sign Ba back on playing contract.
We lost Gourcuff, and we'll probably resign Brocchi.
We lost Maldini, and out best replacement is likely Panucchi.
Is it really a surprise people like Kaka, Pato, Gourcuff, Pirlo, and Gattuso want to leave?
Only the soon to be retiree's or losers who shouldn't be at Milan in the first place, want to stay: Dida, Slowdorf, Kaladze, Kalac, Oddo, Emerson (last year), etc...
Gabriel489
28-06-2009, 22:24
Well, to perform in League means beating all those mid and lower table teams. I actually think that if Milan is at its current shape, those mid and lower table teams will actually believe they have a chance against Milan and attack Milan instead of defend with 10men. IF thats the case, Milan will beat them, then lose to Inter and Juve for those four games, but still win the League as they beat all those mid table and lower teams. Then Galli will wake up and wet himself...
For real, if the mercato ends today. Milan is in seriously trouble. By Jan, teams will come knocking on the door to buy Pato, Pirlo, Gattuso, Nesta, T. Silva and even Borreillo.
I think that Milan will not finish the top four unless they get kick out of CL real early.
How do you measure where we'll be in the league? If you want to use players, even with Kaka gone, I think our starting 11 is still better than every other team in Italy, barring Inter. We've just got a new coach (inexperienced) who will hopefully introduce a new way of playing----that's going to be the key to where we finish next year. If we click under Leonardo, we can win the league or even the CL. If the team doesn't gel, we can even be under threat of relegation or finish in 10th space (like under Capello II). So we'll just have to wait and see. I though remain optimistic, because what happens in the summer doesn't necessarily translate into results on the pitch. Just ask Real Madrid that!
If this was any other season, than no, Milan would be safely in the top four. But after seeing the capabilities of teams such as Genoa, the possibility of Milan coming sixth is realistic. These teams know they are on the edge of greatness, and their desire can be seen with their transfer activities. In fact, genoa has probably been the busiest of all Serie A clubs so far....
So it all depends on what milan can do in the transfer market. Believe me, it is better to make serious moves now, or else everyone we want will be picked up. If the team was to stay the same way it is now for next season, sixth would be likely.
I have to say that Milan will be finishing another season in the top 4, but again there will be intense competition for between you, Juve, Viola and Genoa if they come back as strong as they were last season for the places behind Inter.
Milan will be in a disadvantage though because first of all now you need more players than ever, and you need to replace Kaka, but your club is in debt that you can't budge you budget anymore
Gabriel489
13-07-2009, 06:44
The thing is that, if Roma can stay together, I think they will finish top 4.
Genoa, Napoli, and Lazio will make some noise and I think they will be close just like this past season.
Viola and Milan will be fighting it out for the last spot and as long as there is no injury crisis and Milan does not go too far in the CL. Milan will be in the top 4 again.
devoted_dm
13-07-2009, 15:16
Damn, there's a tremendous amount of negativity here. I wouldn't worry about us being 6th in the league, unless Leonardo turns out to be a complete failure as a coach and we have several injury crises during the season.
Fact is, we have plenty of class players. Say what you want about how they performed last season, but have no doubt that this Milan is actually good enough to be title challengers, especially if Luis Fabiano joins us too. Our biggest problem during the last couple of seasons was getting the players to perform. Ancelotti had a lot to do with that. His tactics had gotten stale and predictable, and he never seemed very good at motivating the players.
I think Milan will surprise everyone next season. I don't see how Juve are supposed to be better than us, and to be honest I think we should expect to be on par with Inter.
Hasan Rossonero
13-07-2009, 16:04
I have to say that Milan will be finishing another season in the top 4, but again there will be intense competition for between you, Juve, Viola and Genoa if they come back as strong as they were last season for the places behind Inter.
Milan will be in a disadvantage though because first of all now you need more players than ever, and you need to replace Kaka, but your club is in debt that you can't budge you budget anymore
The funny thing is your debt dwarfs ours, but your owner cares to invest. I used to think Berlusconi loved this club, but he doesn't...
Anyway, I am optimistic. If we get Hernanes, Fabiano and a LB, I think we can challenge Inter.
Considering that Milan just finished tied for second with Juventus despite losing several key players to long-term injury (and others, such as Kaka, suffering through nagging injuries), I think the answer should be obvious as it stands now. Plus there's still plenty of time to add new players to strengthen an already good squad further. So on paper (which, of course, is not where the games are played, but is all we have here) there's no reason Milan shouldn't finish in the top 3.
Kaka may have been injured, but he was still our top scorer. I dont know if that is good for Kaka or bad for Milan.
Fiorentina linked to Kjaer by the way.
Kaka may have been injured, but he was still our top scorer. I dont know if that is good for Kaka or bad for Milan.
Fiorentina linked to Kjaer by the way.
But Milan won some big games without Kaka (as well as losing some big games with him) and even with long-term injuries to Nesta, Gattuso and Borriello and Pirlo missing about a dozen Serie A games, Milan was still good enough to tie for second and actually make a nice run at Inter (before blowing it in the final month). A healthy and rejuvenated Ronaldinho and the addition of Fabiano (and maybe another defender) could actually put this team in serious contention for the Scudetto.
Berlo does have other things on his mind so I hear from the news
Considering that Milan just finished tied for second with Juventus despite losing several key players to long-term injury (and others, such as Kaka, suffering through nagging injuries), I think the answer should be obvious as it stands now. Plus there's still plenty of time to add new players to strengthen an already good squad further. So on paper (which, of course, is not where the games are played, but is all we have here) there's no reason Milan shouldn't finish in the top 3.
Yes, theoritically, with the players we have on our list, we should be able to finish top four. Maybe not up to par wiht Juve and inter, but certainly better than Fiorentina. However, let's keep wary of other teams such as Genoa, palermo and Lazio who have all added well to their squads. Don't be suprised if they apply far more pressure to not only Florence, but Milan as well..... We can't afford to make dumb slip-ups like before because the competition is more equal than ever before....
Calcio Debate EXCLUSIVE: Milan Have No Money, Andrea Pirlo Will Leave & They Won’t Qualify For Champions League
Goal.com Italia editors Fabrizio Ponciroli and Sergio Stanco explain the economic problems behind Milan’s miserable summer, and advise all Rossoneri supporters to fear the worst next season…
16 Jul 2009 11:00:17
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Milan's injury-plagued superstar Andrea Pirlo (Grazia Neri)
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Milan fans have had to look on enviously as Juventus and Inter splash the cash this summer. The Bianconeri have conducted a truly outstanding campaign thus far, signing Brazilians Felipe Melo and Diego, as well as Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro. Inter, meanwhile, have strengthened by snapping up Genoa star duo Diego Milito and Thiago Motta.
The Rossoneri, though, have made just one purchase – 27-year-old United States defender Oguchi Onyewu on a free transfer from Standard Liege. The signing of Porto left back Aly Cissokho fell through in mysterious circumstances, with many arguing that Milan invented a problem with the Frenchman’s teeth in order to try and lower the transfer fee.
Speculation has been widespread that Milan are in serious debt, and that it is unlikely that much of the €68m received from Real Madrid for Kaka will be spent on new players. Fans are becoming restless, with riots in the fashion capital, and Milan's chances of success this season look slim at this current moment.
Goal.com Italia editors Fabrizio Ponciroli and Sergio Stanco, who are both close to the situation at Milan, can exclusively reveal what is really going on. And it is depressing reading…
“Milan have no money,” asserted Ponciroli.
“They sold Kakā because they needed money and they have no money to invest.
“Unfortunately, Milan will be just a ‘normal’ club for the next one or two seasons.
“President Silvio Berlusconi has a lot of problems in Italy and he can't help Milan, as he has done in the past.
“I don’t think Milan will qualify for the Champions League this year.”
Stanco is also less than optimistic over Milan’s short-term future.
“One of the most important problems at Milan is not that Berlusconi doesn’t have money, but that he won’t spend it,” he explained.
“The economic crisis that we are experiencing is hurting everybody, and the head of the Italian government, who has a public position, must be an example to his country.
“Moreover, he has many companies. How can he say to people: ‘sorry we have to fire you in order to spend millions of euros on players for Milan’?
“Even Berlusconi’s children won’t allow him to spend money on Milan, and they are always telling him to sell the club.”
So, if Berlusconi has no intention of spending any more money, thus ensuring that Milan have no chance of challenging for major honours, why will he not entertain the idea of selling the club?
“Berlusconi loves Milan, it is his creature,” Ponciroli stressed.
“In Italy he is best known as President of Milan. He will never sell Milan.”
This is a view echoed by Stanco, who added: “Milan is Berlusconi’s toy.”
“Even if he did want to sell, no one would want to buy an Italian team in the current climate. There are too many problems, and too few profits.
“If a rich Sheikh came to Italy to try and buy a club, it is hard to see everyone allowing it to happen for obvious reasons. Once one club is sold, then all the others will have to sell too in order to close the gap.”
So how much money, if any, will Milan actually spend this summer?
“A maximum of €12-15 million,” believes Ponciroli.
“Only Luis Fabiano can arrive, and I believe that Andrea Pirlo will also be sold to Chelsea.”
Stanco has offered Milan fans slightly more hope, but only slightly. “It's really difficult to forecast who Milan will buy because it's Berlusconi's toy,” he continues.
“He always says he will buy nobody (pressed by his family) but at the end (as occurred with Alessandro Nesta and Ronaldinho) he treats himself to a gift.
“Having said this, I think this summer it will be very difficult to spend much. If they sell Pirlo, which I believe they will, it is possible they could then go and invest €30m in the market.
“They will only buy a forward like Luis Fabiano, and a cheaper, younger Pirlo replacement, like Hernanes or Cristian Ledesma, who will become a backup for Clarence Seedorf. If there is still money, maybe a left back can arrive."
With Milan falling significantly behind Inter and Juventus, the likes of Napoli, Genoa and Palermo conducting excellent transfer campaigns, Fiorentina still competitive, and Roma ready to bounce back, the Rossoneri could be facing the very real prospect of not only another trophyless campaign, but a failure to make the Top 4 in Serie A too.
What are your views on Milan’s financial problems? Is the Rossoneri’s short-term future at stake due to their transfer struggles? Will they fail to qualify for the Champions League next season? Goal.com wants to know what YOU think…
Carlo Garganese, Goal.com
----
I think they have a valid point when they talk about berlusconi, who cant afford to be seen to spend millions on Milan. Its even more worrying that we are hanging by the thread of a 72 year old, whos family wants rid.
If he sells all of our assets, namely Pato and apparently Pirlo then are we really going to be an attractive proposition to would be buyers?
Hasan Rossonero
16-07-2009, 10:28
Of course! I think if we sell off both those players, it wouldn't make much of a difference to a wealthy person ready to put their vision into effect. Milan is a huge name in football.
However, I really don't think Berlu will sell, and I have mentioned the reasons in the Summer Mercato thread:
http://www.milanmania.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25995&page=529
Joey Faria
16-07-2009, 15:14
hello all...wow, i haven't posted here in years LOL...but anyways, back to the thread.
as much as I'd like to believe we'll be challenging for the title, i honestly don't think we will. To win a long hard fought season we need depth, which we do not have. our starting 11 based on picking up some much needed additions "could" be enough talent to theoretically win it, however we need a few of our players to step up and play like they are capable of playing (dinho, pirlo, zam all had sub par seasons) and we need them to be healthy all year round. I'm simply not confident that our starting 11 will be able to keep at their highest playing levels, nor am i confident in our subs being able to fill in when they're needed.
However I do think we'll challenge top 4. Afterall, we are still the RED DEVILS...:devs:
In domestic form.... Genoa has the potential to be better than us. They are getting players that will really help in their quest for greatness, and have outgunned all teams in Serie A so far in regards to transfers.
Genoa? They sold their two best players. Their two most important players. You just don't replace that easily and I seen none that could replace Militio. Just watch how he will carry Inter to success now.
I think that people thinking we won't make UCL seriously overestimate the other teams. We have a better starting CB pair that all these opponents by far and that was our weakest team part last season. They have sure signed some interesting names, especially Napoli, but they were also far behind us last year (apart from very much weakened Genoa).
other teams.
Roma. Bought none, apart from Menez their team just got older and none the better.
Fiorentina. They lost their best midfielder and possibly best player.
Genoa. Lost their two best players and the replacements are interesting, but hardly assured ones.
Palermo. Are never a real challenger. Bought some promising players, but their defense is weak and they can't take any injury to their strikers.
Napoli. Exciting team that finished in the lower half last year. Overrated defense. They have a exciting offense, but don't score that much.
Rest of the teams. They suck.
Juve and Inter. Obviously better than us at this moment.
what a pesimistic thread we have here. I know that we are having a probably worst pre-season, and the current squad is not good enough to race for scudetto, but we are not 6th in italy.
we will qualify for the CL.
Gabriel489
31-07-2009, 04:31
To do well in league means beating lower to mid table teams, and that going to be pretty hard with Pato the only real person with speed up front. On top of that, the team is one year older-more chances of injury. Then there is Dinho, who I have faith in but he is really not in the best of shape and form over the past two-three years. Nesta if healthy is still top 3 CB in the world, but can he be healthy throughout next season?
The midfield still lacks speed and mobility unless Leo is brave enough to play Abate-Flamini-Janku instead of Gattuso-Pirlo-Seedorf.
Having said all that, I think on paper Milan should finish top 4 but on paper Milan should have finished 2nd in 2008 and ended up in 5th.
To do well in league means beating lower to mid table teams, and that going to be pretty hard with Pato the only real person with speed up front.
Serie A have never been won with pace. That is what you need in europe more than serie A. Just look at Inter and how they won several years now without pacy players. How succesful Totti and Del Piero are even still, despite never having been quick.
Our problem would be more that Borriello don't seem to score or even be able to handle the ball at the moment.
I have just seen the seria a table. Inter, Juve and Fiorentina are in the top 4. Samp are flying high with almost double our points and Genoa arent too far off the pace. Are we still safe?? There is always Napoli too, if they sack their terrible manager then at least they have the players to expect a better finish.
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