Gornata 9: Chievo vs Milan, Sunday Oct 25, 2009

Okay guys, put aside those bottles. Enough with the party. It's been a wonderful week with our wins against Roma and Madrid. But that's European competition, where the teams are more willing to attack.

Now, welcome back to the less ideal world, serie A, where the play is prudent and slower. This is the situation where we normally find ourselves in difficult situation.

Last year we won with Seedorf scoring the only goal in the game. I don't think Chievo will opt to play defensive football since they're the home team with only one point behind us.

Should Leo stick to the 4-3-3? Is Nelson "The Invisible Hand" gonna be our first choice GK or should Flavio play instead? Should Leo rest some of our players to avoid fatigue? I think now that we're beginning to find the right rhythm, it will be better if Leo sticks to the winning team. Of course, with some changes.

Personally, considering his contribution against RM, I think Borriello should start this match along with Dinho and Pato. His physique can be very useful to hold the ball and open the space for Pato, especially if Chievo decides to sit back and defend. Max is on suspension so I think Flamini will start.

So my starting line-ups will be:
Dida, Nesta, Silva, Zambrotta, Oddo, Pirlo, Seedorf, Flamini, Dinho, Borriello, Pato.

What do you think, guys?

Originally Posted by Nalx

So my starting line-ups will be:
Dida, Nesta, Silva, Zambrotta, Oddo, Pirlo, Seedorf, Flamini, Dinho, Borriello, Pato.

What do you think, guys?

I agree, with the exception of Abate in place of Oddo. Borri all the way.

Originally Posted by brk

I agree, with the exception of Abate in place of Oddo. Borri all the way.

Agreed. We'd also need to consider giving guys like Seedorf or Dinho a rest after what's been a tough week.

I would stick to the second half's formation against Real, but it's clear that Seedorf and Dinho need rest. I would try Borriello in Dinho's place, or better, him on the right and Pato on the left.

This Leonardo's system is great, but we're a couple of players short at the bench that way. But when Beckham arrives it will be better cause he can play on Pirlo's place with Pirlo on Seedorf's. But we need one midfielder in January who can replace Seedorf and possibly Ronaldiho also, an attacking midfielder who's also good defensively and can play SS on the wing. Hernanes can be that player, he reminds me on young Seedorf minus some strength and pace and he'd also be eligible to play in CL.

Edit: I forgot that Abate can play winger also.

Well we have another midweek game after this which is away at Napoli on Wednesday. So we just played away at Madrid (and it was reported that the players got back in Milano in the early hours of the morning) ; now we go to play away again at Chievo and in midweek again at Napoli. (then coming home to play Parma and Real again midweek)

It is a lot of traveling and that takes a toll on the players. The good thing is that all this involvment keeps them focused on what they have to do because they hardly have any time to do anything else. In any case these are the times when everyone in the squad needs to play a part and give their contribution.

Gazetta's projected line up is : Dida - Oddo - Nesta - Silva - Jankulovski - Abate - Pirlo - Flamini - Seedorf - Pato - Boriello

Seedorf is going to suck, for sure.
Oddo is going to suck, for sure.
Ronaldinho is going to suck, possibly.
Pirlo is going to suck, possibly.

Milan are going to suck, likely.

Hopefully we can grind a 0-1 away win. Then I don't care. Just like I didn't care about Dida's super howler since we won at Real Madrid.

By the way, I agree that Borriello should start. He has earned it. With him, Pato has more room and scores more freely.

Yes, we are most likely going to play "tired legs" and we'll suck. That is why we need few fresh players in: Abate on the RM, Flamini on the DM, Boriello, Marek as LB. Its enough.

--Zambro-Nesta-Thiago-Marek-
------------Flamini---------
----Abate------Pirlo--------
--------------------Dinho-------
---Pato---Boriello---

Time to forget about Real Madrid. It was nice to win, but now it counts for nothing anymore. The only thing that matters is the upcoming match against Chievo and anything less than a win is unacceptable and will take away the "glory" from wednesday.

Forza Milan!

Originally Posted by mrki

Yes, we are most likely going to play "tired legs" and we'll suck. That is why we need few fresh players in: Abate on the RM, Flamini on the DM, Boriello, Marek as LB. Its enough.

--Zambro-Nesta-Thiago-Marek-
------------Flamini---------
----Abate------Pirlo--------
--------------------Dinho-------
---Pato---Boriello---

This could actually work. If Seedorf is tired, this might be a good choice; but I doubt Leo will rotate, we only had two (tough) games and R80 + Seedorf didn't travel for internationals.

If we can't win against Chievo, both games against Roma and Madrid will be useless for the team confidence ...

The 4-3-3 is working,so why changing a system that FINALLY works well.

Dida(STORARI COME BACK!)
Zambro-Silva-Nesta-Favalli
Flamini-Pirlo-Seedorf
Pato-Inzaghi-Ronaldinho

Abate,Huntelaar,Jankulovski and Oddo are options if things become difficult.

I'd like to see a formation as similar to wednesdays as possible. dont change a winning system.
But yes, Borrigol all the way. It feels like when he has played we have been more dangerous upfront (vs Siena and Real), yet it could be a coincidence.
--
btw: its giornata not gornata.

I agree with most here in keeping the system. Chievo I think will try to attack, so we will have the space we need for the formation to be most effective.

The tired leg issue is also a real one, and Abate, Flamini and maybe Marek in a Midfield role can offset some of that fatigue....doubt many changes will be made to the starting 11 though, with maybe the exception of Boriello over Pippo.

I am beginning to feel sorry for Huntelaar....

This is just the sort of game where we "mess up"...hopefully Leo makes the right rotations, and keeps the players focused such that we dont.

FORZA MIIILAN!!

Originally Posted by mrki

Yes, we are most likely going to play "tired legs" and we'll suck. That is why we need few fresh players in: Abate on the RM, Flamini on the DM, Boriello, Marek as LB. Its enough.

--Zambro-Nesta-Thiago-Marek-
------------Flamini---------
----Abate------Pirlo--------
--------------------Dinho-------
---Pato---Boriello---

hey mrki where were you in last week's victory aganst madrid?
didnt have nothing to be negative about huh?

Originally Posted by Dutchie-Milan

The 4-3-3 is working,so why changing a system that FINALLY works well.

Dida(STORARI COME BACK!)
Zambro-Silva-Nesta-Favalli
Flamini-Pirlo-Seedorf
Pato-Inzaghi-Ronaldinho

Abate,Huntelaar,Jankulovski and Oddo are options if things become difficult.

I know that many don't fancy Dida here, but I would rather start Dida instead of Storari. Is it just me?

Originally Posted by Rossoneri Fuego

hey mrki where were you in last week's victory aganst madrid?
didnt have nothing to be negative about huh?

easy, man. looks like you are the negative one here. We all love Milan. I guess it is just different style to show our affection.

peace.