Summer mercato 2009

There wont be any more signings

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Leo: 'We're not the worst team'
Sunday 30 August, 2009
Leonardo insists the derby humiliation is not the end of Milan’s dreams. “We’re not the worst team in the world.”

Last night’s game was meant to boost confidence for a Scudetto push, but instead the 4-0 thrashing at the hands of local rivals Inter raised many more questions.

“It’s true that a win here would’ve improved our self-belief, but this defeat does not stunt our growth as a team,” commented the Coach.

“We cannot make calculations now, nor define exactly what Milan are. In two games we have done both positive and negative things.

“This is a heavy blow, but we are not the worst team in the world.”

Leonardo complained repeatedly that he needed reinforcements for the full-back positions after Inter tore Gianluca Zambrotta and Marek Jankulovski to shreds, but he and the fans will be left disappointed.

“We had a very long talk with the directors and I don’t think we’ll be buying anyone. Now is the time to react. We must prove quickly who we are and what Milan represents. I expect the best.”

President Silvio Berlusconi had hailed the Rossoneri as Scudetto contenders and was in no mood for comment after the game.

“What can I possibly say after conceding four goals?”

I can already see hints of what K77SH C has in his signature, it would be sad if Leonardo is portrayed or even perceived as the one not able to do the job.

Hey Rabia, I am not Turkish, even if my username suggests it (or even my use of God willing, God forbid etc.).

K77SHC and Reza:

This all proves how uncaring our management really is. If a team like Genoa or Schalke or Villarreal see a problem in their formation, they go out and try to fix it. None of the fans asked for anything substantial. All our signings could have been completed by a club like Milan.

Every Italian team worth their salt spent this summer. At a moment like this I wish we had Moratti, Preziosi, or De Laurentis as an owner rather than Berlusconi. The man has stopped caring and it shows.

I feel so badly for Leonardo. He does not deserve a team like this one.

So one begins to wonder what it would take to make this terminally deluded and callous management to start caring and addressing the multitude of problems we have. 6th place? 10th place? Relegation? I think even the staunch optimists will have a tough time accommodating the shameful capitulation yesterday.

Not surprised that we aren't buying anyone.

God, this is making me so ****ing depressed. Things have never been more hopeless in all my time as a Milanista (and that includes 96/97 and 97/98)

I think that Leo legit wants to buy new players but that Berlu is not letting him. I feel kinda bad for the guy because he sees the problems and isnt allowed to fix them

Actually, some people here must be very happy with the game from yesterday as they asked for such a result ... just a thought I had some minutes ago.

Originally Posted by GeoTav

Actually, some people here must be very happy with the game from yesterday as they asked for such a result ... just a thought I had some minutes ago.

I knew it wouldnt make any difference.

If I was Leo i would threaten to quit if I was treated the same. .. I doubt anyone else would really want to touch Milan unless they were allowed to sign who they wanted..

This summer has been a complete joke, if we are really trying to save money why havent we got rid of Dida, Kaladze and Oddo...

Originally Posted by GeoTav

Actually, some people here must be very happy with the game from yesterday as they asked for such a result ... just a thought I had some minutes ago.

I hoped that if we were to lose, we would lose big. The main reason for that is that I love to see Berlusconi shamed (although I don't think a football game can do that to the man). Other than that one can always hope that management will at least see that their "this squad is full of champions" mantra is certifiably absurd.

I would like this team to win the Champions League and the Scudetto, but management must feel some shame for what they have done to a team that was the toast of Europe until a few years ago. So if we win--fantastic. If we lose, then we should lose big to expose the culprits.

we need a leader on this team. Gattuso is too much of a hot head, and Ambro shouldnt be starting so i would give the armband to Nesta

If it makes any of you feel any better, according to Milannews, Leonardo, when asked about whether there will be another purchase, he said "We'll see."

I'm maybe just clutching at straws.

I don't see why Van der Vaart would be so difficult to buy. Hell, don't even buy him, let's just let Real pay us less for Kaka, at least that way money doesn't have to be spent, even though Milan's revenue is incredible and we're not only the richest team in Italy but one of the top teams in Europe.

Originally Posted by pirlofanusa

we need a leader on this team. Gattuso is too much of a hot head, and Ambro shouldnt be starting so i would give the armband to Nesta

Agreed, never has it been so clear to me how much Maldini will be missed untill I watched the game yesterday. Gattuso was walking around looking depressed even before he was sent of, no one was there to keep things under control, no one was there to keep the players motivated.

People can talk about Kaká all they want, I wish he was in Milan aswell, but in my opinion Maldini is the one that's needed more.

Nesta could be a captain, he was a captain in Lazio. The only other option is Pirlo ofcourse, but I honostly don't see either as big leaders. Ambrosini seems like a good leader, but he isn't a natural starter so it's obviously a problem, but the same could be said about Maldini aswell for some time.

Originally Posted by GeoTav

Actually, some people here must be very happy with the game from yesterday as they asked for such a result ... just a thought I had some minutes ago.

Yea, thought about that to. It always annoyed me a hell of a lot when people said something like that. Having to bear hearing Moratti gloat like he did isn't worth the signature of Messi, Essien and Daniel Alves.

Originally Posted by Samaldinho

If it makes any of you feel any better, according to Milannews, Leonardo, when asked about whether there will be another purchase, he said "We'll see."

I'm maybe just clutching at straws.

I don't see why Van der Vaart would be so difficult to buy. Hell, don't even buy him, let's just let Real pay us less for Kaka, at least that way money doesn't have to be spent, even though Milan's revenue is incredible and we're not only the richest team in Italy but one of the top teams in Europe.

Yeah I read that too but my initial thought was this has been his stance all summer. It would be surprising if something was to change in the next 24hrs.

More importantly, it's really unlikely we can get what we want. I think for most the hope is a good fullback comes in, but given Rafinha is probably the most likely to come, let's not expect signings which will help take the team to the next level, although at least we can upgrade on Janku.

I like the ideas Leo wants to implement into the squad, until now he's has laid some interesting ideas to the press. The reality though is he's been ***eonholed into certain systems. He spoke immediately after his appointment about wanting wide players to use the width better, and in the end we got no one, despite wingbacks being a glaring problem for 3 years now. In CB he got reinforcement, but it's not enough to secure the backline and with a single injury we'd be in deep trouble (imagine Kala or Favalli having to come in if Nesta gets injured).

He also needed reinforcements in midfield. We have a relatively strong midfield, but given the uncertainties (Pirlo's form and Rino's return from injury), it would have been useful to get someone fresh in, even if it meant at the expense of someone like Ambro.

He's also stuck with having to play Dinho and this potentially is the biggest problem he has. Dinho is VERY static these days, which is partly why he's so inconsistent. Given space he can be a genius, but close him down and he's useless. On top of this him being in the side stops Leo from playing his desired formation. We're very lop sided when attacking as on the left we have a fair balance of Pato, Flamini and Janku attacking. However, down the right we only have a weakening Zambro. Ideally, Dinho would be dropped for someone who can play on the right with Pirlo a little more free to move up through the middle, but given Berlu's stupid demands we're stuck with an unbalanced side that's lacking movement.

I can't blame Leo for the problems right now. They stem from a poorly constructed squad and unreasonable demands from what appears to be a very senile owner.

Originally Posted by Christian

Nesta could be a captain, he was a captain in Lazio. The only other option is Pirlo ofcourse, but I honostly don't see either as big leaders. Ambrosini seems like a good leader, but he isn't a natural starter so it's obviously a problem, but the same could be said about Maldini aswell for some time.



Yea, thought about that to. It always annoyed me a hell of a lot when people said something like that. Having to bear hearing Moratti gloat like he did isn't worth the signature of Messi, Essien and Daniel Alves.

I dont see Pirlo as the biggest leader of the bunch, but Nesta was a captain before and I think that he would be a good captain for us, probably the best of out starting 11 right now.

The reason that it doesnt bother me is that Berlu would have done the same thing if we had won like that, and hopefully this will embarass Berlu

Originally Posted by Christian

Yea, thought about that to. It always annoyed me a hell of a lot when people said something like that. Having to bear hearing Moratti gloat like he did isn't worth the signature of Messi, Essien and Daniel Alves.

Milan will always be Milan notwithstanding any taunts. If temporary humiliation can bring long-term success, then I am all for that.