Gornata 9: Chievo vs Milan, Sunday Oct 25, 2009

To Galliani: It's the fullbacks, stupid!

Nesta!!!!!!! I know you are world class, but I'm still amazed.

I think there is no question that we will have to do some rotation in the next game, as the lack of rotation for this game nearly cost us.

Pirlo, who many people are criticizing, as well as Seedorf, are simply not able to play so often, and I wonder what Leo will do for Wednesday's game vs Napoli....one, or both, need to rest, or sit out a half at the very least.

That said, I blame Pirlo for not covering the Chievo goal scorer, as Nesta had an attacker closer to him that he was marking...however, we all know Pirlo is not a "Redondo" type player...

The dynamic of the game changed in the 2nd half, when Chievo seemed content to settle for the single goal. Pirlo got more space/time on the ball, and made the difference with the cross that led to the 1st goal.

While Seedorf also had a poor first half in the attacking phase, he more than made up for it with the defensive work he did, and in the 2nd half, he also helpd to link play well.

Ronaldinho was not as peripheral as some make him out to be...he made some good plays, but suffered due to Pato's poor touch, and some poor decision making of his own at times.

Tremendous game from Nesta, while Thiago Silva did well, even if his performance was understated compared to Nesta's, he made timely interventions, and was generally cool under pressure.

The question mark that sourrounds Huntelaar is one that only time and games will answer: he seems to lack the physicality that would enable him to get into positions that Pippo's experience allows, and Borriello's physicality forces...and this is for me the issue....further, the mental concentration of defenders tends to decrease the longer the match progresses, so his replacements, (either of Pippo or Borrigol), tend to benefit from this also.

Suffice it to say, were I Leo, I would bring him on, especially if (and that's a big "IF") we have a lead, and then evaluate his performance, in a game where he is afforded time and space as the opponents are forced to attack.

Dida: Wow. What a save!!! Simply a flashback to the UCL PK saving keeper vs Juve...

Flamini, good solid performance, while the wing backs....I dunno...Antonini for me was ok, and Oddo..well, his crossing is still a gamble, some will be close to the target, others won't pass the first defender.

Pato: the more I see this youngster, the more I think if he continues like this, we will be asking: Kaka who? Guilty of some poor touches that negated chances, but he is always a concern to defenders, and that is a good thing.

In the end their keeper kept them in it, until our superior quality and desire overcame their decision to "settle" for a one goal win.

Leo for me should have started with either of Pirlo [b]or[\B] Seedorf, and should do that vs Napoli....bringing Marek into the midfield wouldn't hurt, and could increase our crossing options.

Forza Milan!!

Was it just me, or did the pitch seem a little too slippery?

Originally Posted by brk

Was it just me, or did the pitch seem a little too slippery?

I pointed it out at the beginning of the game. I was wondering whether it just rained or it was some type of trick that Chievo played.

Wow, now its 3 consecutive comebacks to win the match !

Didnt watch the game but hail to the king NESTA for his 2 goals

and not to forget Dida - (will check the highlight later on!) good Job, dude ! that's how you should be performing to justify your high pay

Forza MILAN !

Originally Posted by Warro Bantan

....bringing Marek into the midfield wouldn't hurt, and could increase our crossing options.

According to acmilan.com...."10/25/2009
MILAN - A.C. Milan communicate that the footballer Marek Jankulovski will be subjected to a surgical operation the remove a plaque in his left ankle, which was applied after the injury in May 2005. The operation will be done in the next few days in Varese by Professors Cherubino and D'Angelo. "

So, no word on how long he'll be out. Does anyone have suggestions on how long this takes? I can't immagine that it'll keep him out for long, but that's just a guess.

All you Dida critics, how do you explain the fact that we have won all the games were Dida has been in goals?

Also Huntelaar just doesn't cut it, we need Borri

It is funny how, in the game against Roma we went down a goal in the early stages and struggled to get back into the game. Second half comes and it is a totally different team on the pitch. Game against Real Madrid similar scenario, we go down a goal, half time 1:0, second half same scenario like against Roma, a different team came out and beat Real Madrid. Yesterday against Chievo, we go down a goal very early struggle the entire half time, half time 1:0, we come out into second half and again again same scenario.

Now in all these three games Milan made suffer so much, because we struggled so much and it was frustrating to watch how pathetic we were. Then the second half of all of these game was amazing and gave me so much joy and happiness.

I hope Leo can somehow get them to start to play from the beginning of the game and not wait until they go down a goal and then start playing, and make us fans go thru so much pain.

HAIL NESTA Just brilliant. 1-0 vs Roma, 1-0 vs Madrid and now 1-0 vs Chievo and i just love being 1-0. Guess it takes Milan that goal to wake them up. But I believe we deserve this win. After that early goal from Chievo, i didn't see them do anything great until that fine save from Dida in the dying minutes of the game. We kept pressing and i knew it was coming. Our fullbacks did a good job. Both Oddo and Antonini showed they can play. Thiago is our rising star, just the apt replacement for our beloved Capitano. Nesta as always brilliant and so were the others except Flamini. Boriello is somone we need to play more often. All in all it was a good fight and the important thing is we won all the three points. Hope we keep going from here. FORZA MILAN.

Must admit Borriello is doing pretty well even though he is not scoring. He is like Drogba (not as prolific thus far).

J

Originally Posted by Xudong

But have you realized that in three games in a row now, we have all had a very crappy first half and fantastic second half?

And do you remember what happened the last couple of years? It was the complete opposite. Ancelotti always wanting the team to score early and hold on to dear life until we concede an equalizer goal in the dying minutes. I like it better this year fo sho..

Originally Posted by bijon

All you Dida critics, how do you explain the fact that we have won all the games were Dida has been in goals?

Also Huntelaar just doesn't cut it, we need Borri

In fact, we won all those 3 games SINCE Leo changed the 4-3-1-2 to 4-4-2 (its more like a 4-3-3 to me, but media keeps mentioning otherwise). And yes, Dida did perform superbly last night - I critise yet praise him when its due..

However, having said that, IMO we dont need a GK who, on one fine day, commits a basic goalkeeping error (despite what Leo said) and almost costs us a game, and, on the other day, performs a miracle. Sorry, but that just doesnt work for me..

Players must perform consistently in order for the team to perform such too!

FORZA MILAN ! Long live The King NESTA..

For all you Pirlo critics, yesterday there was a beautiful through ball from Pirlo to Anotnini which Seedorf failed to convert. But that just goes to show that there is still that brillance left in him and with more winning games that confidence will grow. His long range shots were not on target but neverthless he s atleast trying. His passing is getting back to what it was like a few years back.

My points / comments / Feeling:
1- Dida... that save is needs to be on a poster
2- Nesta.. i am sorry i removed you from this game from my fantasy football team ( stupid me)
3- Seedorf... excuse me mr. but the goal is forward not on your back.. please have an attcking mind more
4- Our engine starts only on the second half.
5- All season games made me tense...we need to win some games comfortably andf score early. I am tired of being tensed.
6- Did we ever score from corners? can someone remind me the last goal that we scored from corner ( ok Real Madrid goal was disallowed)
7- Our Mid filed need to socre more goals ( ok Seedoof socres, but what about the remainig)
8- I jumped off my seat with Nesta's the 2nd goal, had not have this feeling since Pipo's or (JDT) goal against PSV in the CL semis in 2003.
9- I am still die hard milan fan since 1987