Milan - Panathinaikos (06/08/10 in Detroit, USA)

Originally Posted by Aficio

I don't know about the penalties.

A win is always good. If Merkel continues his improvement, maybe we needn't buy another CM. ACM is still too much for him, but it is OK for CM.

Delete this post or edit it Aficio !!
We need another CM/ACM !! Merkel is like some bonus allowing us to see less often Gattuso for example ...

Geo, everyone is entitled to their opinion... you said that a few days ago didn't you?

I agree with Aficio. I'm all for seeing Merkel be a starter in the next season, as long as we invest elsewhere. I really like him, he is the definition of a box-to-box player and is a typical modern European player. I read an article today saying he is the new Hamsik from his style.

Originally Posted by hitmannq8

Geo, everyone is entitled to their opinion... you said that a few days ago didn't you?

I agree with Aficio. I'm all for seeing Merkel be a starter in the next season, as long as we invest elsewhere. I really like him, he is the definition of a box-to-box player and is a typical modern European player. I read an article today saying he is the new Hamsik from his style.

Of course, I referred to the "maybe we don't need an ACM/CM" part, we don't know who can read it, maybe some people from AC Milan, without giving name, could come on the forum and say "I love that !! No more purchase for the midfield !!" ...

Originally Posted by GeoTav

Delete this post or edit it Aficio !!
We need another CM/ACM !! Merkel is like some bonus allowing us to see less often Gattuso for example ...

I alway say we need an ACM, and will continue to say that. Of course, if this player is a box to box CM - ACM, it is the best (like Honda), but it is still good if he can only play ACM.

I think Allegri want an ACM, too, but he can not say that because of Ronaldinho, buy one mean N.80 has a reason to go. That's why I think if we want Honda, VdV,... he must be sold.

IMO, Merkel can not play ACM yet, though he likes it, but a dynamic CM who move a lot, create simple -> good passes, and defend when needed, like Marchisio, Obi Mikel or Carrick.

So I mean we are OK with CMs, but ACM is always a need.

on merkel

http://www.goal.com/en/news/184/play...erkel-ac-milan

Originally Posted by Filipéz 182

highlights:
http://www.rossoneriblog.com/milan-5...ed-silverdome/

I couldnt see the game becouse of work, but after seeing this highlights it looks like we were EXTREMELY poor, we gave away so many chances!!

there is no penalty kick in the highlight either? maybe the video editor missed the it just like I did? lol.

Originally Posted by GeoTav

We played with a high defense, which wasn't the right solution against Panathinaikos, especially with both T.Silva and Nesta needing to physically improve, against Cissé who is already ready for the new season.

So we conceded many, many, many chances, we even conceded a goal (funny to see that everyone saw the goal except the referees !! ).

Despite this problem in defense, the midfield was good: we discovered a new Seedorf who needs to run less than in other positions by playing as vice-Pirlo (so it could be the right solution for him), Flamini runs, runs, and still runs, even if this time, he was a bit tired after 65-70 minutes and totally disappeared from the game, and Merkel showed he could be useful because it seems he has more and more confidence and managed to do some very good things. Gattuso wasn't good, nor bad. We struggled in midfield and attack when Strasser, Berretta and Novinic played.

Good game by Borriello too, he runs a lot and helps in midfield, the problem is he never really had any chance to score if I'm not wrong, he mainly tried to create for Odu and other partners. He managed to play well for 50-55 minutes.

Odu can't be in first team, not yet, like others stated before. The guy lacks something.

When Bonera came in, we conceded more chances than when it was T.Silva with Nesta (which was unlikely to happen regarding the amount of chances we let them try). And when Sokratis came in, he just stopped all our opponents by himself, Bonera seemed nowhere when Sokratis just seemed to have a twin in our defense because he did everything. Sokratis seems to be already ready for the next season.

Sorry to leave you and others, I coudn't hold on. I was just too tired. But it seems my decision (to go to sleep) was the right choice.

Interesting with the confidence of Merkel you said. Odumadi seems also confidenced. Seedorf still had desires to run (even only some steps) and to chase the ball. Gattuso was a bit motivated even still far from his good-best performance. My point is that Alliegri could be a good motivator and leader for his team. I need to watch next games since I am still curious about the character of Alliegri.

I agree with you, Odumadi is still not ready for first team but he could be useful for second substitute or first alternative substitue for Pato or wing forward thanks to his pace and speed (plus his confidence). Strasser I still haven't watched him in friendly games. The last time I watched him from Primavera coppa final game, he was still so rough (missed many passes, bad tackles, little creativity or tactical knowledge) but I think he could be more considered for joining the first team compare to Odumadi since what Strasser lacks is games of first teams while Odu still lacks something (individual skill?) except of course tons of games.

Still no De Vito last night. I wonder what happen to this boy. Is he injured or Alliegri thinks that he has already good squad for fullbacks?

Ah, I am really excited about Milan in Serie A next season. If 2-3 players could be included to the first team (for backups), it is possible that there will be more young players coming from Primera will join Milan first team at least in Coppa games. There are Marco Gaeta, Simone Calvano and Edmund Hottor (our second string players of Primavera last season) plus 1-2 from our Allievi like Maurio Ganz Junior alias Simone Andrea Ganz.

For those who want to see the penalties..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2yfTeDjv_0