Matchday 4: AC Milan vs Real Madrid (3/11/2011)

The team played like underdogs, they allowed themselves to be pressured and hurried. Real had the psychological advantage throughout the game, so the coach is to blame. I was against sacking Allegri but now I concede that he just not up for this job, a really good coach(which is what Milan deserves) should make do with what he has at his disposal. The defence did a decent job except for those 2 lapses in concentration, Gattuso was the only midfielder who stood out, Ronaldinho imbalances the team, Pato needs to go on a course for teamwork and decision making, Pirlo tried, Boateng needs to gel with the rest of the team, Abate was ok. I think Inzaghi should mentor Pato, he has all the non-physical attributes that Pato lacks and Pato has all the physical and technical attributes Inzaghi lacks. According to the stats, on the whole, Milan ran more but had less possession than Real, so, on top of being ineffective our playing style is inefficient.

An improved performance from 2 weeks ago, but not a match which I can say I liked what I saw. Psychologically, I think we see ourselves as weaker than Real and therefore when we play them, we play with an inert fear.

Tactically, Allegri set up the side to counter Real's strength in wide areas. By putting Pato and Dinho in wide areas meant it was difficult for Marcelo and Sergio Ramos to push up and double up against our fullbacks.

However, our midfield was overrun by the Real attack. We were cut through frequently and struggled to keep up with them. Primarily, I think it would have been better if Boateng made his presence felt more, as physically he's a dominating player, yet seemed rather subdued. Going forward he gave a lot of balls away which was poor.

As for the first Real goal, we had numbers back but there was a lack of organisation that cost us. The whole defensive line besides Nesta had pushed up, who was too slow to play offside.

Our two goals were rather lucky, as the first was due to defensive and goalkeeping mistakes from Real, whilst the second was offside. Later Real equalized with another defensive mistake where Zambrotta failed to track Pedro Leon.

We had problems both in defence and attack. Defensively, probably to counter Real's pace, we sat extremely deep. However, it's not a good approach for a team like Milan, a team built to attack to sit in the final defensive quarter of the pitch. This gave Real plenty of time and space in front of the defence and midfield to plan attacks before making quick moves to break through to goal.

In attack we were struggling to move from defence to attack. With us sitting so deep, it's hard to push forward with pace without Real getting back to defend. In addition to this, our forward players need to stop letting themselves getting played offside. This could be due to 2 reasons. The first is poor timing of runs by the strikers, the second being the passes are played too late. Yesterday we were guilty of both.

I really don't know what some people here are expecting. We're not among Europe's greats anymore. The fact. Last night we almost won against (again) MUCH, MUCH better team. Lucky or not, but that's how it is.

To be among Europe's greats we need at least one good full back, good up and down midfielder (at this level, Boateng is a joke), and most important a world-class attacking midfielder. I don't even want to mention our bench. I'll just say - not a half decent defender sits there.

Last night just 2 players were at their best, Gattuso and Pirlo. Ibrahimovic and Pato are not in form. Pato is totally out of shape.

Knowing all that, last night's result was great, even better knowing we conceded the equalizer in injury time.

Very disappointed by the game of yesterday ... We never took control of the game, even in the worse moments of Real Madrid. We were unable to make more than 3 passes in a row, by knowing that generally, the first 2 passes were in our own side.

Pato and Ibrahimovic made only one good (very good) game together, but it's obvious they need to train to play together because that doesn't work.

Inzaghi brought the spirit of "Milan version 2003-2007 in CL" once he came in: fighting spirit, pressing, goals. Something all our other players or almost didn't do at all during the whole 90 minutes.

That's also a shame to see our oldest player being the one running the most.

We didn't deserve the draw, but somehow, we showed Milan is still Milan, and even in our worst games, we can get a result against any team (Revolver: you say we drawed against a much better team, I disagree, we drawed against a much in form team, probably a bit better, but if with only one oldie running his heart out, we can draw, when other players will be also in form, we will be able to really compete with the best teams I think).

For the next game in Serie A, I'd send Ibrahimovic and Inzaghi supported by Robinho. That would send a message to both Ronaldinho and Pato: work (on the pitch) or be benched. Ibrahimovic and Inzaghi directly understood each other in few seconds/minutes, so I'd give another chance to Inzaghi with Ibra (before replacing him during the game as it's obvious that playing 90 minutes of all the games seems to become difficult for him, he needs a small rest).

guyz..... you just cant expect more from current lot,old legs of Milan cant match the pace of the game ... and whatever young we've i.e flamini, Manager dont want to player him!!!!!! we are laughing stock

Originally Posted by zakakhan

guyz..... you just cant expect more from current lot,old legs of Milan cant match the pace of the game ... and whatever young we've i.e flamini, Manager dont want to player him!!!!!! we are laughing stock

Wrong, I think it's obvious for everyone that most of our players, for any reason, are in a very bad form ... and that's why we can expect a lot more from this season.
We're not very good, but we're still in the race anyway, so it will only be better when our main players will be in form again.

And I hate this "laughing stock" expression, that just means nothing. For most of the people, right now, we're no more a contender for the CL, but that's also a good thing. If we qualify (I'm sure we will), Milan is traditionnally better in the second part of the season, we'll play a team probably thinking we're not the great Milan, and as a consequence, if we're back to some good level, we'll be able to have high expectations.

We just need to keep our position in the league, qualify for the next round in CL, not more before the winter break. Then, serious things will start.

EDIT: Just read what said Ibra ... That's quite interesting, he would like to play more with Inzaghi because of the way he plays, being more often in the area and letting Ibra play like he wants, be more free, and as a consequence, it was easier for him to pass to Inzaghi.

Originally Posted by GeoTav

Wrong, I think it's obvious for everyone that most of our players, for any reason, are in a very bad form ... and that's why we can expect a lot more from this season.
We're not very good, but we're still in the race anyway, so it will only be better when our main players will be in form again.

And I hate this "laughing stock" expression, that just means nothing. For most of the people, right now, we're no more a contender for the CL, but that's also a good thing. If we qualify (I'm sure we will), Milan is traditionnally better in the second part of the season, we'll play a team probably thinking we're not the great Milan, and as a consequence, if we're back to some good level, we'll be able to have high expectations.

We just need to keep our position in the league, qualify for the next round in CL, not more before the winter break. Then, serious things will start.

EDIT: Just read what said Ibra ... That's quite interesting, he would like to play more with Inzaghi because of the way he plays, being more often in the area and letting Ibra play like he wants, be more free, and as a consequence, it was easier for him to pass to Inzaghi.

You probably mean by traditionally better in the second part is Milan's Ancelotti. But now is Milan's Allegri. I am not that sure about Milan chance in CL.

About Ibra's comment, I think Pato should learn from it. Inzaghi and Ibra have been played for only 90 minutes maximum but they are better partner regarding understanding between them. With Pato as target man, Ibra and Pato were in many times in same position and not selten almost hit each other when they are chasing ball.

I am not that sure about Inzaghi play from the first minute since he is not young anymore. He is 37 years old. Age can't be fooled. As a joker or super sub, I am in for it.

Originally Posted by GeoTav

Wrong, I think it's obvious for everyone that most of our players, for any reason, are in a very bad form ... and that's why we can expect a lot more from this season.
We're not very good, but we're still in the race anyway, so it will only be better when our main players will be in form again.

And I hate this "laughing stock" expression, that just means nothing. For most of the people, right now, we're no more a contender for the CL, but that's also a good thing. If we qualify (I'm sure we will), Milan is traditionnally better in the second part of the season, we'll play a team probably thinking we're not the great Milan, and as a consequence, if we're back to some good level, we'll be able to have high expectations.

We just need to keep our position in the league, qualify for the next round in CL, not more before the winter break. Then, serious things will start.

EDIT: Just read what said Ibra ... That's quite interesting, he would like to play more with Inzaghi because of the way he plays, being more often in the area and letting Ibra play like he wants, be more free, and as a consequence, it was easier for him to pass to Inzaghi.

Goes to show you, that Robinho was possibly wrong player to buy. Huntelaar and Borriello were wrong players to sell possibly.

Perhaps we should have kept Huntelaar and paired him with Ibra....Pato would have prob started but at least we would have had that option. Now, we have all incompatible players with Ibra (Pato, Binho, Dinho)....

I'm proud of Galliani for buying us some players, but looking back I'm starting to think there was no method but just finding good deals,,,

Now we have a team who's not balanced.

What happened to all the optimists on MM who were over the moon after the big summer transfers?

Originally Posted by Elmago99

Goes to show you, that Robinho was possibly wrong player to buy. Huntelaar and Borriello were wrong players to sell possibly.

Perhaps we should have kept Huntelaar and paired him with Ibra....Pato would have prob started but at least we would have had that option. Now, we have all incompatible players with Ibra (Pato, Binho, Dinho)....

POST OF THE MONTH

Originally Posted by mzk57

What happened to all the optimists on MM who were over the moon after the big summer transfers?

They were over the moon because we hadn't sign two players like that for years.... now it's time to sign the right players...

Milan Players Need To Give More - Gennaro Gattuso
Milan's Gennaro Gattuso has called on his team to reflect on their performance against Real Madrid.
By Salvatore Landolina
Nov 4, 2010 10:11:00 AM

Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso believes more effort and alertness against Real Madrid would not have seen his side throw away a win at the death of the game.

The Spanish side stole a point on 94 minutes when Pedro Leon struck a smash and grab equaliser, leaving Gattuso and Milan with heads in hands.

"We need to take examples from Flippo Inzaghi. We are not giving out best and we are struggling to give 100 per cent. We have to give more," he told Tuttosport.

"We cannot have players who don't give their soul. If we want to carry on playing like this then we need to have a balance from everyone.

"We are Milan and we must win because we are built to do so."


Originally Posted by mzk57

What happened to all the optimists on MM who were over the moon after the big summer transfers?

I'm still optimistic, maybe even more ... We're 3rd of the league, we're 2nd of the group, and we have played so badly so far !! That means it can only be better ...

I'm not sure whether we are lazy or just tired. Did you guys notice by how midway through the 2nd period Ibra was dead tired? He would not chase balls into our half but would instead squat in the center circle looking dead. Fitness appears to be an issue for this team me thinks. With little rotation aside from the front three and forced due to injuries to FB we keep the same line up when available with late substitutions.

Also notice when Inzaghi comes in and starts pressing Real and hurrying them off the ball we at least get possession. Before that, Dihno and Pato would lay off and Ibra would walk back from offsides positions when he have the ball deep in their area. No one would press Real and we would sit 3 back on top of our 4 defenders. Real is too good to be given that much time on the ball. The wider we go against them, the more they cut us inside with quick passes. We did frustrate them by playing 'italian defense' but in the same breath we limited our possession and thus chances. Don't forget with this 'wide playing style' we did give up a mess of chances to them. Luckily Higuan was not sharp in either leg.

Whether we need to go back to a diamond formation with Binho playing old Kaka's role or not I do not know. All I keep noticing is that our chances are withering away as is our meaningful possession as teams pass between the large gaps we leave in midfield and build up play in our half.

Originally Posted by mzk57

What happened to all the optimists on MM who were over the moon after the big summer transfers?

Sod off and get lost.