Summer Mercato 2011

[russo-neri]

Didac villa is starting?!? He actually does exist!!!

[xudong]

yes, he does.

[ElMago99]

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 destoyer (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.

We have not had a lot of creativity in our lineup until this year. We've been stagnant since Kaka left with the likes of Ronaldinho, Pirlo, Seedorf, Gattuso, Borriello in the lineup. Considering we will have Ambrosini, Van Bommel, Flamini, & Gattuso in the squad, we should certainly look for midfielders who are more creative. The ideal situation would to be get an a creative player for ACM & a dynamic midfielder for LCM. Keep in mind Boateng gets forward A LOT, so you'll need the other midfielder to be able to defend and be tactically aware so we're not caught out......Boateng is certainly more attack-minded than average midfielders.

[WCmilan]

With ronaldinho and pirlo on the field thats enough creativity, i think athletisism these days is making up for creativity, a midfielder that posseses both is a world class midfielder. ronaldinho will always have his creativity and un matched ball control but really with his weight gains and being out of shape you saw what had become of who should've went down with pele/maradona.. he had the greatness i just dont understand what exactly hapepned to him.. he did what messi did but with alot more flair, i think one player we missed on was affelay he went to barca relatively cheap and that player is very good

[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

[xudong]

the reason that AC Milan did not win any trophy in 2004-2006 was just purely bad luck and jube buying referees off. we were freaking strong but jube simply reaped points week in and week out. every week, i was so mad watching them playing like crap but always getting referee to help them (it was that obvious! and it was amazing that they actually needed special help for almost every week towards the end of season).

in 2004-05, we were fighting on both fronts until the final moment, and lost both tragically. everyone knows the Istanbul nightmare, but one reason that we lost to Jube for Scudetto was because that Jube refused to re-schedule their matchup with us (right before or right after, I don't remember, our CL second leg of semi-final game with PSV). Instead of playing in the cool evening, we had to play in the hot daytime. Fatigue became a factor and we lost that crucial game 0-1 and the hope for scudetto was gone. It serves them right to be so pathetic and miserable now.

and we were robbed by referee too when playing Barcelona in the semi-final. I am not sure if that German referee intentionally wanted to help barca though. at least that's bad luck for us.

Other than that, Zeekay, I understand your argument. But I would love to have Ganso and Hernanes.

[Gabriel426]

The reason why Milan did not win the CL in 2004-06 was mainly due to the mismanagement of Carlo.
In 2004, Milan only conceded more than 3 goals once prior to the 2nd leg against Deportivo and that was against Udin right after the Club World Cup. Someone, Deportivo scored 4 goals at home against Milan. Carlo did not make any adjustments and thus allowing Milan to lose. Also, if the rumor about the hard training before the match is true, then it just showed that Carlo thought the tie was wrap up thus they can just walk through Deportivo and head to the semi-final.
In 2005, Milan were up 3-0 at half time. Both players and Carlo were responsible as they thought the game was over at half time. RB and Pool did not do something special in the 2nd half, rather they just played like they did in the first half. The difference was the lack of concentration in midfield and defense. Even if Carlo subbed in Ambro and Brocchi to replace Pirlo and Seedorf, I don't think it would matter much, as I suspected the players were drinking and partying during halftime as a celebration. Once again, something that Carlo should had controlled.
In 2006, I think it could have gone both ways against Barcelona.

As for the league during that era, well, just blame on Juve.

Personally, Milan needs better midfielders, as I am sure MVB, Ambro, Gattuso and Flamini are more than enough to cover the defensive part of midfield. They need offensive players, guys like Hernanes, Honda, Lucas, Hamsik....
Ideally, Milan should play a midfield trio of Boateng-MVB-LCM with another AM. While sending in guys like Gattuso or Flamini to kill off the game while leading.

[am I Milan enough?]

giovinco anyone?

[Aficio]

giovinco anyone?

I like the player but I don't know where to put him. Moreover, I still remember what Gattuso and Van Bommel did to him

[Gabriel426]

Givinco is a bit over-rated. He is a good player but at this moment, he won't be a great player.