Banter 2009/2010

I agree full-heartedly with Galliani that this so called "striker with the qualities of both Pato and Dihno is better to arrive next season. i would laugh so hard though if it eneded up being Paloaschi!

But it seems to me a new central defender is needed. Bonera and Onyewu haven't played all year, and if they were to overcome injuries, they would need a few matches to regain full fitness and play at their level. As for Kala and Favalli, well, we all know the situation there.... (we may as well be playing with ten men!)

We need someone to step in and stand up if either Silva or Nesta is injured, or worse, both! This may seem to the naive to be a problem that can be adressed next season, but if just bushed away, it can really cost us in acheiving anything this season. There is still a LONG WAY TO GO!

Just look at the Palermo and Cagliari games for proof...

The draw of the next round of CL has come out, and we will face Man Utd. Inter faces Chelsea. These drawings are so rigged that it's laughable. It couldn't be this coincidental for two italian teams to face two british teams with which they have stories with (Mourinho and Beckham returns home).

So what does everyone think? Do we need some reinforcements to get through Man Utd?

As long as the back four of ManU includes Park and Carrick. Milan won't need any signings.

Well it would only be worse if we got Chelsea. But, no bother. With our squad fully fit, and with Leonardo leaving his stupid "best 11" game, we can beat Manchester without problems. I'm sure they can't hurt us, the only thing is their defense which is very strong (the strongest in Europe along with Chelsea's), it would be hard to break it, especially cause their RB (O'Shea) is very defensive and he's real pain in the ass, Ronaldinho will have to give 100 % if he wants to outplay him, and Evra on the other side is very quick, their defense is like specialized for our attack.

The crucial thing will be, in my opinion, the form of our strikers. Especially Pippo. Borriello can't do nothing against Rio and Vidic, and Pippo will be super hard to handle for the two.

In the other games, I think that in 5 of 7 games there are obvious favorites (Barca, Bordeaux, Sevilla, Real Madrid and Chelsea) and two of them are equal, Fiorentina has a real good chance to qualify for the best 8.

aren't they(man u) also having problems with their defense? they have several injuries at the back last I checked.

yup, they have Vidic and Ferdinand both out, Evans, Gary Neville, Hargreaves, both the Da Silva twins are all out. They should all be ready for the Milan game though...their best two CBs this year are Vidic and Evans..Ferdinand has been appauling... either way, their defence is weak... and no way near as strong as our defence.. however their team play is better than us and it is hard to beat them.... the same couldnt be said about milan

Man Utd's entire defensive line is injured as well as most of their backups, but we have to think about one thing first. The next round of CL doesn't start until February, which means their players have plenty of time to recover and get back on the court.

How the hell are we going to play with Beckham!? What is our best 11?

Here is my suggestion:

--------------------------Dida
---------------Nesta------------Thiago Silva
Abate?---------------------------------------------Zambro
---------------------Ambro------------Pirlo
----------Beckham
---------------------------Seedorf
----------------------------------------Ronaldinho
--------------------Pato

Tactic: Defend and counterattack

--------------------------Dida
---------------Nesta------------Thiago Silva
Abate?---------------------------------------------Zambro
------------------------------------Ambro
------------Beckham
---------------------------Pirlo
----------------------------------------Ronaldinho
-------Pato
-----------------------Borriello

Tactic: Solid, balanced. Based on short passes deep in our own half, waiting for a run from the far side (by Pato, or Ronnie, or even Borri or a full back overlapping) and having Beckham, Pirlo, Ronaldinho or even Thiago Silva launch through balls from very very deep.


I think the last one has lots of potential, although I'd rather have Seedorf play. Maybe Option 1 is best against Man United, but having Borri is also a plus seeing as how we can cross from almost anywhere on the pitch now... So many options, but which one is best?! Fun fun.

What makes you think that Beckham will start in any of those matches? Leonardo won't change his system for Beckham to fit in. Beckham will fit in our system as a direct Seedorf replacement (CAM) or, with big question sign over it, in right winger position if something happens with Ronny (with Pato on the left). I'm afraid that our midfield with Becks and without Seedorf is too weak physically.

I think Beck could be Dinho's sub: He plays the right winger for Pato plays in the left. Beck play lower than Dinho and has more defensive habit. A formation with him provides solidity.

Or: Abate & Beck and Antonini & Dinho could give us the mobility at both wings.

Maybe ^^

When is the first leg due to start? What date?

Hopefully, as you said, their back line remians injury riddled till then....

Who thinks Antonini should start over Oddo or Zambrotta or even Janko? I do!

Okay, here I have a predicament.... Well, mainly one for MGT....

Since Dida is playing ok, just like at the end of last season, what happens to him season end? it would seem ridiculous to keep him, but considering that he has played for the majorirty of this season, it would seem almost cruel to let go of him....

What do you think?

It isn't really a predicament if you really think about it. Dida is already 36 years old and will turn 37 soon after next season starts. He might be performing well right now, but his career is nearing the very end and we all know consistency is a big issue with him all his career. We need to replace oldies like this as soon as we can even if it means we have to be "cruel" about it. The revolution cannot start if we keep dwelling on players like Dida.

Well, the problem with Dida is his wage. Although he is playing well sofar, but it is also a fact that they are other GK out there who can also do his job for 20% of his wages. For me thats huge.

I mean Stoari was doing a solid job and he is only making 800000 instead of the 5mil Dida is making.

Hey guys, anyone watch the Club World Cup? Guillermo Rojas of Atlante looks interesting..... How old is he bcs he really pushed Barca's defense. Don't be suprised if a few European sides come knocking....