Winter Mercato 2014

[ElMago99]

Merry Christmas to everyone at the Forum.


Dev, Wonderful post!

You're 100% right w everything you say. I read Wilson's articles as well, and agree. This is why my favorite midfield player in the world is De Rossi. He played as an Anchor for Roma for years, but in reality with the National Team we've seen him do everything (create, box-2-box, defend & tackle, make runs into the box). Roma can play w 3 runners in midfield because all can create, shoot, and tackle. We have 3 players in midfield, none of whom can pass or shoot. I think the only complete midfielder we have is Montolivo, and if surrounded by other complete midfielders, we would see his characteristics flourish.

De Jong, Poli, & Muntari are not that player. As Dev has mentioned, Cristante is. We need to keep him and add Nainggolan to our squad (I've said this for years), to give us more complete midfielders.

As for the formation, it is most important for defensive setups. The 4-2-3-1 is more of a 4-4-1-1 as Dev has said, and it was best interpreted by Jose Mourinho at both Chelsea and Inter. It didn't work as well at Real Madrid because of Ronaldo's unwillingness to track back.

I am also in favor of the 4-2-3-1 for a few reasons:

* We have Kaka, a natural Attacking Mid
* De Jong cannot handle Anchor by himself, so he needs to play in double pivot
* this formation makes sense for El Shaaraway, who tracks back nicely on the left.
* We don't have enough good & complete midfielders to play 3 of them

I actually don't like the 4-2-3-1 best, but it is best for us at this moment. I think Juventus have done very well at adopting the 3-5-2 because that works best for them. Pirlo being protected by 4 other guys in his line helps him focus on what he's best at. Also, Juve makes room for 3 CB's which they have plenty of good ones. They lack the creative attacking midfielder, and that's why they just basically do away with it.

Ideally, a real LB to partner De Sciglio, 2 good CB's (one must be great), and then in CDM position (Monty, De Jong, Cristante, Nainggolan, Muntari). We all know what we have up top and on paper we would look rather strong. We have areas in which we need to strengthen but most importantly a coach that needs to be able to get the most out of the characteristics on the field, instead of trying to fit square pegs in round holes.

[ACMILAN1983]

^ Good post Dev, this Wilson guy seems like he knows his stuff but I wish Galliani would give it a read. We'll see how things develop from January forward, seeing as our first acquisition could be Nainggolan, if management somehow mess up on closing this deal then I'll pretty much just classify this January like all the other mercatos (chasing a big signing, not getting them b.c we are WAY too cheap, and then signing some shit player).

With all that being said, every time Pastore links show up I wish they'd go away. He was a fantastic player back at Palermo, but between his strong intentions to play for us one day (having come out publicly and making a huge drama at PSG) and our management liking him, as well as having to resist big offers for ELS, I fear that we might sell ELS and replace him with Pastore. I'm not saying this is a horrible deal, maybe it would work for the better, but this soon, as in this January, I wouldn't even think of it. ELS deserves a long string of games (being fit) before we even decide to consider him a sub, let alone a player who should be sold.

In other, more unrelated news.. Verratti came out publicly and said that he is in fact not a Juventus fan, and he doesn't know what media made up the story of him saying he was. He said he doesn't care, because when you're a professional you really only care about the team you're playing for and you remember especially the teams you win with, then that becomes your team once you are done. He also said that Milan tried signing him at 13, but he didn't feel he was ready to leave his family and friends yet(Milannews). Berlusconi certainly never hid his admiration for this player, as of right now it's pure fantasy seeing as there are no real links, nor is his estimated price in our budget, unless of course Berlusconi really likes the guy.. I just thought I'd throw it out there.

Thanks. Jonathan Wilson is possibly the journalist whose knowledge of the game I respect most. Not just because he knows stupid amounts about tactics (seriously I often doubt if most coaches know as much as him), but he's not someone who ignores the other aspects of the game, such as motivation, technical ability and sports psychology, meaning his opinion always tends to be quite balanced. Hearing him on podcasts and things (like Guardian's football weekly), I also get the impression he's quite modest and not up himself (a refreshing change to most high profile journalists).

About Nainggolan, I'm reading we could draw out the negotiations on Milannews, so I wouldn't be surprised if it ends up another Honda in the summer scenario. We're used to it now anyway.

About Pastore, personally I don't want the guy. He won't be cheap, or rather will be overpriced and I seriously doubt he'll ever have the character to really develop into something special. I have pretty much zero interest in the guy at this point.

Merry Christmas to everyone at the Forum.

Dev, Wonderful post!

You're 100% right w everything you say. I read Wilson's articles as well, and agree. This is why my favorite midfield player in the world is De Rossi. He played as an Anchor for Roma for years, but in reality with the National Team we've seen him do everything (create, box-2-box, defend & tackle, make runs into the box). Roma can play w 3 runners in midfield because all can create, shoot, and tackle. We have 3 players in midfield, none of whom can pass or shoot. I think the only complete midfielder we have is Montolivo, and if surrounded by other complete midfielders, we would see his characteristics flourish.

De Jong, Poli, & Muntari are not that player. As Dev has mentioned, Cristante is. We need to keep him and add Nainggolan to our squad (I've said this for years), to give us more complete midfielders.

As for the formation, it is most important for defensive setups. The 4-2-3-1 is more of a 4-4-1-1 as Dev has said, and it was best interpreted by Jose Mourinho at both Chelsea and Inter. It didn't work as well at Real Madrid because of Ronaldo's unwillingness to track back.

I am also in favor of the 4-2-3-1 for a few reasons:

* We have Kaka, a natural Attacking Mid
* De Jong cannot handle Anchor by himself, so he needs to play in double pivot
* this formation makes sense for El Shaaraway, who tracks back nicely on the left.
* We don't have enough good & complete midfielders to play 3 of them

I actually don't like the 4-2-3-1 best, but it is best for us at this moment. I think Juventus have done very well at adopting the 3-5-2 because that works best for them. Pirlo being protected by 4 other guys in his line helps him focus on what he's best at. Also, Juve makes room for 3 CB's which they have plenty of good ones. They lack the creative attacking midfielder, and that's why they just basically do away with it.

Ideally, a real LB to partner De Sciglio, 2 good CB's (one must be great), and then in CDM position (Monty, De Jong, Cristante, Nainggolan, Muntari). We all know what we have up top and on paper we would look rather strong. We have areas in which we need to strengthen but most importantly a coach that needs to be able to get the most out of the characteristics on the field, instead of trying to fit square pegs in round holes.

Thanks, I appreciate it.

I agree about De Rossi and Montolivo. I do think De Rossi's been good in his career, but a part of me feels we've never quite seen the best of him, which is a shame. Maybe it's because he's stayed at Roma for too long under Totti's shadow as captain or maybe it's because he didn't have the right temperament, but I think he could have achieved more in his career. The fact that Montolivo is quite well balanced and complete is the reason I'm prepared to sacrifice De Jong rather than him, despite the Dutch man's better form.

Ironically, when thinking about your 4-2-3-1, I did think of Mourinho and Ronaldo and Eto'o and how one works for the team, while the other for himself.

However, this always leaves me with questions, because do we compromise a system for an individual like Ronaldo or is the system the larger focus. I've always thought the system should take precedence and still do, but it's hard to ignore a guy like Ronaldo when he scores every game. I think Ancelotti's a good example of someone who faced a similar problem, as prior to Juve he always played 4-4-2 and a set system, but at Juve with Zidane, he had to change to accommodate. Since then, we've seen similar adaptations where he'll cater for individuals, like at Milan he moved Pirlo deep to let him play, but also changed from 4-3-2-1 with Inzaghi as the lone forward to 4-3-1-2 to play Sheva.

[Gabriel426]

Great stuff, Dev.

I still remembered some of us were having this specialist debate a few yrs ago. I think it was during the Leo era or the use of Pirlo...

Anyhow. I think the game is changing, and as much as I hate to admit, it is becoming more and more about transition, from defense to offense to defense again. Yes, there is still Barca but when you look at all other top clubs, Arsenal, Juve, Bayern, Real, PSG, ManCity and even Dortmund, they all play quick transitional football with great discipline. Something that Milan is not able to do. Part of that is because beside Kaka, Milan does not have any good dribbler in the starting lineup.

[ACMILAN1983]

Thanks Gabriel. Agree about transitions, I think it was Wenger during the earlier period at his time at Arsenal said the modern game was all about transitions from defence to attack. Personally, I've thought about this for many years, as again it goes back to Sacchi's Milan for me, a side where moving from defence to attack quickly was fundamental. I can't remember exactly who said it, but a Napoli player from the Maradona side said that his side focused on technique and possession while Sacchi's Milan were incredible at just "bolting" forward. He said he couldn't understand what would happen against that side. However, for me it's not just the transition from back to front that has to be quick, as I've always been more impressed with how quickly that side would re-organise when losing the ball. It wasn't all about pressing high, the side worked incredibly hard and was super quick to get back. That's why I was so frustrated when Poli would jog back vs Inter (a derby match!).

About the specialist vs universitality debate, you're right we did indeed have this discussions a few years back. Ever since around 2006, I've wanted us to move towards the universal approach and return to what I feel are the roots of Berlusconi's Milans success. It's a topic I regularly touch on in various posts myself.

[Arildonardo]

Roma offer €7.5 million for 50 per cent of Nainggolan?

http://www.football-italia.net/43182/rom...nainggolan

[ACMILAN1983]

Just read that. It will be awful if we miss out on him imo, as he's a player we can use, plus we have this awful habit of drawing out negotiations only to lose our target.

Read on Milannews Sogliano could bring Jorginho with him to Milan, as according to some FIFA agent Sogliano is 99% coming.

[Gabriel426]

I would rather keep Cristante and have Jorginho instead of Nainggolan. As I doubt he would improve Milan a great deal, as I think the problem with Milan have more to do with the mental approach of the game instead of just having crappy players.

To be honest, I think the fact that Saponara started in the derby match instead of Matri and Muntari getting 3 games might mean Cristante finally having some play time.

Dev, back to the universal vs specialist debate. I think unless that specialist is head and shoulder better than anyone at his best position in the team, they will find their it hard to break into any team from now on.

[Mathias]

Apparantly we're trying to offload balotelli already :/

[Mystik]

According to what source? I don't think it would make any sense to lose one of our best players during the winter transfer window, especially since we are still in the CL.

[reza]

He can be frustrating and sometimes ineffective but there is no sense to do that even in the summer. I don't trust the current management with any money gained either, so even with a high bid I don't see the point. There will be a time in the future (post Berlusconi? post Galliani?) when the team is clear where it stands then we can sell and buy properly.

No money? stop whining and act like it (real youth project for example)
Lots of money? spend it wisely but do spend it.
Lots of money but don't want to spend it? (don't expect miracles and don't fool the fans with grandiose 'champions' statements)