The problems in milan's midfield....

The problem with Milan´s midfield is, as has been said, the amount of space they give to attacking teams F and MFs, on the counter, or when they (the opposing team) are dominating posession.

The soloution to this, is finding the correct balance between ball winning, ball retention, and initiating attacks...and, as has been pointed out endlessly, is more easier said than done.

With some of our midfielders underperforming, and Carlo´s selections at times baffling even Einstein, we tend, as a result, to play below our potential.

To be fair however, Carlo has been encumbered by Berlu´s insistence on playing two out and out strikers.

On the other hand, IMO, he has enough talent, to work an effective compromise...plus...in all honesty, he should tell Berlu where to get off, as long as he wins, say with the Christmas tree formation for example.

Only when we lose can Berlu have anything to say, and indeed, he really could only support his coach, after his (Berlu´s) insistence on playing with two forwards, even when trying to defend a lead (still not my preferred tactic, but at 3-0 up at half time, even I would have taken off a striker for a defensive mid, or even an attacking mid) in Istanbul.

Balance, ie achieving it, what with rotation, and 2 game a week at times, (or even three counting the Italian Cup) is therefore the soloution to this problem, though, not the easiest of equations to solve.

So there you have it, my two cents, and not a Jamaican cent (practically worthless at US$1=J$62)more.

we should put our midfielders in this formation:3-5-2

---------pirlo-----ambro-------

cafu-------------------serginho

-------------kaka--------------

the problem is simple:

the difference between our current midfield and the one from 3 seasons ago is that key players like gattuso and seedorf arent showing any signs of the determination from that season... if we solve that then were pretty much excellent on all fronts of the field

"And the person who said SERGINHO IS NOT A MAGICIAN is a BLOODY IDIOT... I am sorry but you are"
"I think some people should have some more respect"

Are you familiar with the concept "contradiction"?

SANT let me educate you... Dont think your smart by taking two quotes from different parts of my post and then calling them a contradiction... Any half twit would know that the 'respect' I talked about was respect for the MILAN players not people who blast that Serginho just RUNS AND CROSSES THE BALL... Thus there is no contradiction, respect for milan players and a lack of respect of those that criticize the players when they are down and change their minds when they have a good game... I dont mind criticism but constructive criticism, and anyways stop being soft if i hurt somebody's feelings for calling them an idiot then I am sorry, but I still think people get oversensitive so relax...


You cant make as much assists as Serginho has if as stated you randomly CROSS THE BALL... I find that ridiculous... Besides I dont think Ronaldo has ever scored the type of goals SERGINHO has...

Apart from that I think criticism for Seedorf can be understood but at the same time it has to be said that MILAN at their very best the last couple of seasons included Seedorf in the lineup and while i think Rui Costa should get more playing time and Serginho as well they are often a liability defensively.... And i think they are at their best when they come in a second half... Anyways i think the midfield should consist of PIRLO, KAKA, one defensive midfielder either AMBRO OR GATTUSO, and another creator either SERGINHO, RUI COSTA, or SEEDORF whoever is in form....

But my main point is that its not so much about players but MILAN has to play more physically and not allow possession, constant pressure and I hope to see that in the future... Thats the strenght of JUVE they are so hard to break down... We have to get more of that... But of course attacking wise and free flow football we are ahead but we have to become more solid and less vulnerable in teams attacking us...

Ok, I was watching the Milan-Siena match last night for the first time and have a few different opinions.

Firstly, I may have to take back what I said about the structure of the midfield. Carlo has clearly worked on the defensive workings of the midfield and I understand what his thoughts are now. I can even understand why he has a tendancy to play Ambro and Rino either side of Pirlo. If he decides to continue using this midfield, I would like to see Sheva (who now plays deeper) helping Kaka/Rui more with applying early pressure on the opposition.

There are a few problems though, firstly, we need to work at stopping counters better (though we aren't bad actually). Secondly, obviously the defence needs work on set pieces, which clearly Carlo has made a priority.

The third problem I had is one I've said numerous times before, which is we don't just hold the ball when necessary. I can remember a number of times I was literally screaming "JUST HOLD THE DAMN BALL!!!!!" at the tv whilst watching the match.

Why do we always insist on attacking and attempting to get more goals in matches. This leads to defensive problems on counter attacks, as the opposition get more opportunities to hurt us (holding the ball more may ease the first problem stated). The game becomes end to end, thus we lose control of preceedings. Finally, the players are more likely to tire out, seeing as the run furiously around the pitch to constantly attack or defend. A great example of this problem in the Siena match was after Kaka scored. We had a 2 goal advantage and could have easily ended the match by passing the ball around in slightly deeper areas and simply controlling play (and slowing it down). Instead, we continue to counter attack Siena's attacks in search of a 4th goal. I seriously think this atm is Milan's greatest problem and really do hope Carlo starts acting on it.

Its hard to say this but seedorf isnt a player he used to be, and he will never be again. Gattuso is ok, but he is still "good"-old gattuso. Anbro is fine but he always worked better when coming in on 60th min. Serginho cant play defence, so cant rui...Well, its not good to have too much players in our squad, but if we really wanna dominate we need a player who is fresh and can play defence and attack. Like gerrard,rothen,joaquim...

acmilan 1983

I meant that Football is all about faith, that's why even small teams still bring fans (I meant crowd before), but I can tell that there are degrees and it changes depending on the ocasion. Definitly Milan had been, still is, and forever will be a force to be reckon with and this is known all around the universe... but our present reality after CL defeat has given us the worse shaky confidence to our MF that it could've ever have before ('cause I think that defeat generated there)...I think more than the physical abilities of our MD is a psycological problem now, only if Seedorf could get a lil' more inspired and RUN a lot more, we could probably be more balanced then.

Thats a fair point about the psychological issues of the side. Its something I've been worried about too (though I think it started long before Liverpool (possibly Deportivo match).

However, psychologically, the team is improving and many have used it to increase their hunger for success. I think as long as the side gets results and competes, psychologically they will improve.

what about vogel? didn't anyone of you guys consider him in tactics tactics?

personally i would like to c him in a game or two with ambro and prilo because vogel is an a great tactical player and his passing is not bad.

Originally Posted by sam_3

what about vogel? didn't anyone of you guys consider him in tactics tactics?

personally i would like to c him in a game or two with ambro and prilo because vogel is an a great tactical player and his passing is not bad.

yes he is good too

Pirlo

Ambrosini Vogel

Kaka oh maybe even Rui COSTA instead of Vogel

Next summer Ballack will be for FREE and he is an OLD and EXPERIENCED midfielder. He's the type of player that Milan always signs.

I haven't been posting for quite a while... but I did read a few of posts on this forum most of the time... Just think I should express my opinion on the current situation Milan is dealing with:

1. Aging defense - everyone knows that, and I am not going to spend a lot of effort on this issue. Milan defense is a bit slow and as much as I love our captain... I think he should play every other game in order to extend his career. Cafu is showing sign of aging also... Especially in the Fenerbahc (Mispelt?) game, he wasn't contributing much in the second half. Somehow, I think Stam should be moved to RB position and start alternate with Cafu. I personally do not think Stam is great in the CB position from the first day when he arrived in Milan. Kaladze isn't consistent enough to keep his position... I do hope that Jankulovski could excel in that slot - Kaladze could be an excellent bench player given his versatility. All in all, we need to get young blood to cover our defense.

2. Zone Marking/Man Marking - It's a continuation of the aging defense, but I think it would be nice to makeit a different item. Watching all the milan games so far in this season, I have to say our defense gave up a lot of rooms for opponents to attack. Partly because of slow and lack of stamina defense couldn't catch up with young guns, they prefer to allow more rooms for themselves to cover. THat force our defense system to a zone cover instead of man-to-man cover...Especially in the PSV and Man U games, we were killed by their fast wingers and at times they made our defense look so valunerable. What happened to the great Milan defense that brand the italian football in the late 80's? I don't see that again... Our zone system is not working well either... gave up rooms for opponents to attack... lack of concentration at times.. off-position.. etc. That is part of the reason why Fenerbahc got that penalty when Gattuso "too eagarly" to get the ball back inside the box. Seedorf was so slow when he was needed to play D. In the Sampdoria game, he almost gave up the third goal to Sampdoria because he was pointing and asking someone else to cover. Stam, once a while, doesn't stay focus enough and gave up couple of goals (last season in some games, he was at fault when the opponent scored from header.)

That lead to point no. 3 - Set piece, our players need to work on defensive and offensive set-piece.. there is no doubt... the lack of concentration is key.. also, miscommunication... at times i think some players just rely on others to cover and that potentially lead to opponent's scoring opportunity. Also, due to the undersize midfield, that end up having too many players in the box and creating more confusion.. in turn, when the ball is clear out, our opponent has a better chance to recover the ball and continue their attack. So I think .. and I hope Ambro does start more so we could have better cover in the air.

4. mentality - milan do try to play attractive passing style... I think it's too arrogant and at times it's dangerous... against liverpool in the final last season, Milan showed the world how technically superior from liverpool, but eventually we lost the game. It's that mentality.. holding the ball, passing around.. dribbling around, trying to create space by using player's individual skills, which kills us last year and this year... in the year we won CL... i think Pirlo and Cafu were doing some fundamental football.. pass the ball to the right flank and Cafu beated the defenders and put up a good cross for others to score. Last year, Pirlo wasn't performing so well and also with the emergene of Kaka.. we played more and more "arrogant" football.. yeah, it looks really great, but at the end of the day, result counts. Given Cafu's recent performance (not super but not bad either) I think Carlos should have a lot to think about how the offense should work. In addition, I really hate watching Seedorf... Yes he is gifted and talented with the ball in his feet.. but Come-fxxking-on.. when he needs to speed up and run.. he always slow down.. I wish there is another Kaka.. who can get the ball from the defense and start counter attack right away. I think every single time when Seedorf got the ball.. he just run for 10 yard and then slow down.. searched for other ppl.. passed the ball, GREAT... the opponent's defense is back in their ground and we lost our chance to score. I hope we could get someone young with energy to create keep milan attacking when they need to. I can think of one name so far - Steinsweinger from Bayern - I remember his performance in Euro but I don't watch no German football... so I don't know if he's still that good.

5. Gattuso/Pirlo dilemma - Gattuso isn't the greatest player in the whole world but he did put up good fight most of the time... If milan want him to stay, verse vice, he really needs to work extra hard in his crossing.. and his ability to break thru defenders... he also need to improve his tackling. I remembered sometimes he just put up the most rediculous tackles... For Pirlo.. I don't know how to say it.. he is da SH!T... but he lacks speed.. with his dribbling.. he can be a real danger to others.. however, I think he need to take some more shots. The guy who kept the scoring title for U-21 team should shoot a bit more. So my suggestion is .. when Pirlo is running up.. Gattuso should stay back.. and Kaka or Rui should stay on the right.. and if the attack switch to the left, Kaka and Rui can move back to the center. Until Gattuso is proven to be capable of crossing.. he should stay behind for defense.

I think i have said enough and I believe you all have your own ideas and you might or might not agree with me.. but anyway, just stop picking out our differences.. and keep on supporting our team. Ciao.

The main problem is in defence, Nesta is the only play who is good in the air, the only one who can repel crosses. Stam is beyond awful at dealing with crosses, Cafu isn't any better and Maldini can't jump anymore. I'm not concerned about supposed problems through the middle, it's on crosses where we come unstuck.

EXCELLENT POST Edmando!!!!

Well said, and in truth, it echoes my sentiments exactly.

EDMANDO...

I Want You To Be Our Next COACH... PLEASE!!!
WOULD YOU...??? you really understand our present MILAN