Atalanta v Milan, 5/11/06 2pm

Having safely navigated past Anderlecht, we now move on to another local derby of sorts.

Here are a few bits of info from the ch4 preview:

After an unexpectedly fast start, Atalanta are in danger of being brought down to earth. However, while a dubious penalty cost Stefano Colantuono’s men dear last weekend as they fell 3-1 in Parma, the Nerazzurri are still sitting in sixth and will be buoyed by their start.

The Bergamo side haven’t looked overawed in Serie A yet but will need to show a lot of self-belief if they are to get any success against a powerful – albeit stuttering – Milan side. Colantuono will undoubtedly have made it clear that there can be no repeat of the lamentable defending on show against Parma and will hope for an improvement from his backline who have already shipped eight goals in the last three games.


Colantuono has few striking options as Riccardo Zampagna’s left knee injury has ruled him out. Nicola Ventola and Andrea Soncin are set to start up front. Simone Loria is suspended after a disciplinary panel decision leaving Argentine defender Leonardo Talamonti likely to get the nod as Moris Carrozzieri is still suspended for his involvement in a betting plot. Luis Centi, Kewullay Conteh, Marino Defendi and ex-Milan man Christian Vieri are all still sidelined.

Man on fire: Cristiano Doni (Atalanta) – Colantuono may only have two strikers left for the clash against Milan, but who cares when you have a midfielder like Cristiano Doni? The ex-Brescia man has five goals in four games and is bubbling with confidence.


We have taken both positives & negatives from the Anderlecht match. Gilardino scoring again, Kaka in inspired form, the return of Gourcuff, some great team play at times and Dida's form are just some of the plus points from the CL tie against the Belgians. However, poor marking from set pieces, poor defensive work, lapses in concentration and injuries to Kaladze & Nesta which will more than likely see both players ruled out for the weekend match are all points to be noted in the minus column.

Atalanta away is set to be another tricky tie, the pressure is on and we can't afford anymore slip ups in the immediate future. Ideally we would like to win the majority of our remaning games before the winter break to keep ourselves in contention for 4th spot and a shot at the title.

Some hard work needs to be done on our defence between now and Sunday afternoon, if we can get that right i think we can come away from Bergamo with the 3 points.

Hopefully the team has gathered some much needed confidence after the Anderlecht game. Right now what we need to do is just consider each serie match one by one and concentrate on our performance without looking at the table leaders. 14 points is not a tough gap to bridge as history has shown time again and again. It's all in our hands still I believe.

As far as the Atlanta game is concerned, the so called 'goal scoring' problem won't be a concern anymore I sincerely hope. I see Gilardino starting the game with Oliveira as Ancellotti would like to further establish this partnership keeping in mind that this pair will be the starting for the majority of the season. Brochi might get the nod after his impressive midweek display.

Btw one interesting observation : Silvio spoke to the milan channel after the anderlecht match and declared how proud he was of the team and that he wouldn't swap Kaka for anyone, not even Ronaldinho. Then he says "though I would rather see them play together'. Oh damn sweet words... coming from a man who has the powers to make that happen. Nice flirting Berlu, I wud say.

by the way how is nesta shoulder? will he start?

i think it will be best to rest nesta we have to be carefull because Atalanta have had a very good start to the season and doni is on fire

I look forward to this game (and I hope Zlat posts some links), and this will be a tough tie for us, since our first line defenders are out...it would be interesting to see if Maldini takes a CB spot, with either Bonera or Simic...though I would go for Simic over the young Italian international.

The midfield will hopefully see a return for Gourcuff, and I am all for Brocci to start, as he gives us 98% of Gattuso´s grit, but with much better passing.

Pirlo should play, after being rested for most of the match vs Anderlecht...and I expect him to be the real difference for us, regardless of Kaka´s impecable form..and IMO the young Brazilian star should be rested for this game, or at least some portion thereof..maybe an appearance off the bench?

I find it difficult to understand our claims to not need reinforcements in the Winter window...with all of the injury worries, and the age of some of those (eg Serginho) means that recovery is not overnight...

We should win this, though we may in all probability, concede a goal or two, with an untested CB parnership...so scoring for us is a must...Gila and Olivera to start, with Pippo coming on after we have a comfortable lead, with an accompaning switch to the X-mas tree formation.

No prediction..all I want is the 3 points...(and inter to lose..muh ha, haha, hahahahaha)

i read that both nesta and kala won't be able to play. i don't know why but i do like the away games when our opponents opt to attack more than to defense.

i can't wait to see yoann, but i believe pirlo will start ahead of him. yeah whatever, as long as we grab 3 points from this match

with Favalli, Serginho and Kaladze all out, Jankulovski will have to play again at left-back, so i hope he's not in need of a rest. Similarly with Cafu on the right, i'm just not convinced about Bonera as a full-back.

Dida-Jankulovski-Maldini-Simic-Cafu-Brocchi-Pirlo-Gattuso-Gourcuff-Gilardino-Oliveira

Subs: Fiori, Bonera, Seedorf, Kaka, Inzaghi


We're really scraping the barrel for midfielders too, we have 0 options it seems. Another 2 midfielders, 1 to replace Ambrosini, is what we need i think.

yooo zlat...my man....i hope u get some links man...ur great man just great...cuz of u we all get to watch milan....u make us all very happy...thank you

though nesta and kaladze won't play, oddly, I am very confident.

the question is: will Gilardino keep scoring? if so, how many?

I want to see Oliveira and Gila un'altra volta I think this partnership is gonna become rather juicy very soon.

I'd also like to see more of those ol' free kicks of Pirlo end up in goal ... at least a couple of 'em this sunday and one header from Gila ... So I'll go like this Milan 3-1 Atalanta cuz goddamn our defense is too nervous sometimes ... but well thanks God we still can rely on Maldini that sets the right example and control this situation... we need to be stronger at the rearguard and improve those set piece defending. ... and with KAKA totally on fire! ... FORZAAAAAAA MILAAAAAAAANNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

People I have a question, are these "streaming links" and this p2P streaming is that illegeal or what?

Originally Posted by Bosniaco

People I have a question, are these "streaming links" and this p2P streaming is that illegeal or what?

I don't think so ... these programs/channels are readily available over the Internet and are destributed by Chinses P2P clients - at least of them are Chinese.
A copy right issue is if you use the full name of Premiership clubs - for instance Chelsea instead of Chelski - since, from what I know, these club names are registered trade marks and are owned by the EPL or something and one has to have their, the EPL's, permissio in order to use them ... something along those lines.

Originally Posted by Bosniaco

People I have a question, are these "streaming links" and this p2P streaming is that illegeal or what?

I wouldn't want to worry about that question yet. Instead, I would rather worry about whether Zlat is still willing to keep working his butt off for us, week after week.

Originally Posted by Xudong

I wouldn't want to worry about that question yet. Instead, I would rather worry about whether Zlat is still willing to keep working his butt off for us, week after week.

No dude I'm worried because I already had some problems with copyright sh.it and I don't want anymore problems thats why I asked.

Originally Posted by zlatanov

I don't think so ... these programs/channels are readily available over the Internet and are destributed by Chinses P2P clients - at least of them are Chinese.
A copy right issue is if you use the full name of Premiership clubs - for instance Chelsea instead of Chelski - since, from what I know, these club names are registered trade marks and are owned by the EPL or something and one has to have their, the EPL's, permissio in order to use them ... something along those lines.

Is that only for EPL? Because I really don't care about EPL only Seria A because I like to watch Milan all the time!?!