Summer Mercato 2011

[Best-Pundit]

Zeekay, while I do think that you suggested formation is realistic and we will probably see Allegri deploy it, I don't think it is comparable to Ancelotti's Milan (if you are replacing players).

Flamini = Gattuso ... sure, maybe Flamini doesn't reach Rino's levels but same type of player
Boateng = Seedorf ... not similar at all, Seedorf is more creative/technical but physically not the beast Prince is
MvB/Ambro = Pirlo … this is the biggest problem. Pirlo is a visionary while those two players are destroyers.

This replacing of the positions is nothing like the original diamond by Ancelotti. Much less creativity, which is what you need to win the big titles.

I hope that, maybe not this year but in the long run, we get rid of the two destroyers in the midfield. Instead we need one destroyer (if he can pass accurately that is a plus) along with two dynamic players, one being Boateng, who while not creative can contribute going forward and help the defensive phase with their work rate. Then up top a creative player, a trequartista.

Don't you think this more creative midfield with 1 less defensive midfielder was one of the main reason AC Milan not winning a single trophy in 2004-2006 period, despite having the best finishers, best midfielder & ofcoure Maldini & Nesta? Yes it has this flair about it, Kaka, Pirlo & Seedorf, 3 creative midfielders in the same midfield, but at times the dirtiness required in the midfield to win a deciding game was missing & it happened on three occasions vs Juve, Liverpool & Barcelona.

Simple example would be AC Milan's 2005 & 2007 UCL final teams. In 2007, ACM had a slow Inzaghi upfront all alone, no where near the combination of $hevchneko & Crespo, but ACM had Ambrosini in the midfield. Which killed any chance of a Liverpool come back.

Lest just say any of Diego, Patore or Hamsik is signed (I really hope no Hernans & Ganso). So one of them with KPB will offer enough creativity. So no worries. Flamini will be the main destroyer. MVB can destroy and he is not at all a bad passer, even Ambrosini for that matter is a good passer. So I really don't think there should be an problem of lack of creativity in the midfield. Plus Pato & Robinho can create things as well. ACM no longer play with Inzaghi alone upfront

Personally I don't care, what brand of football AC Milan play. If it helps in winning a trophy, so be it. After all I am a Jose Mourinho fan