AC Milan general spiel 2.0

[p_maldini_3]

Allegri: 'Milan could've won'
Massimiliano Allegri thinks Milan could’ve won against Barcelona had they been sharper on the counter-attack after their amazing start.

“The team did very well at the start, then we got a bit too deep, mainly because of Barcelona’s pressure. We could’ve done better with some counters and keeping possession, but it wasn’t easy,” he said after the 2-2 draw.

“I don’t think we allowed Barca many chances and could’ve gone 2-0 up straight after the opener.”

Alexandre Pato scored after 24 seconds, making it the fifth fastest goal in Champions League history.

However, Barcelona fought back to lead 2-1 and had 70 per cent of the possession before Thiago Silva’s last-gasp header from a corner.

“The lads did well not to lose their heads after going behind and were rewarded for all the hard work and sacrifice they did over the 95 minutes,” continued Allegri.

“I didn’t expect this, as it’s not easy to come here and score twice. We all realised it was difficult and held firm, as Barcelona are capable of scoring three goals in five minutes.”

Antonio Cassano was quiet, while Kevin-Prince Boateng went off with a back injury during the first half.

“Cassano, like all the others, worked to help out the team. I was convinced he’d have a great game, otherwise I wouldn’t have fielded him. He did create an interesting opportunity, but four days after the high tempo game against Lazio, fatigue was always going to be an issue.”

Allegri argues his approach was not negative against the reigning European champions.

“We had two options, which was to push forward as quickly as possible, the other was not to give away silly fouls or let ourselves get taken on one-on-one. I think we did that pretty well and defended well around the box.

“At half-time I asked the lads to be sharper when we had the ball, which we did very well on the goal, but after a while we started giving away possession far too cheaply.”

[The MAN]

Awesome result!!

Our offensive game really sucked, Pep made a few strange choices for defence so we could have even taken more of an advantage of that. We did have some luck to get a point but really could've won it if we werent so incompetent at stringging a few passes together, we gave away possession far too easily and Pato in particular could've done alot more damage, his decision-making is not the best, but he did score a goal so overall he was one of our better players. The lack of quality in our midfield is quite obvious. We really need a world class addition or two there

Our defensive organization is simply brilliant though, this has been a trademark under Allegri, but today the defensive strategy, organization and focus were superb. I'm proud of the effort all the Milan players put on today, very high workrate which is what I thought we would need to stand a chance against this Barca. Barca was clearly frustrated and couldn't create their usual chances, we limited them significantly (though they still did create quite a few)

Man of the Match is without a question Nesta. He fucking owned Messi today. This was pure class in defending. That's why he's one of the alltime greats. He shut Messi down today though Abate did get burnt by him on the first goal (Thiago should've covered for Pedro's run there). All in all, we were superb in defence I cannot complain there. This was Barca we're playing against

We give ourselves a realistic chance at winning the group now. I still see Barca as favourites but our chances went up a notch today. We'll need to get 12 points against the 2 minnows for sure. Then, we need to get a result in San Siro, Barca is more than capable of beating us there, they will be super pissed for that one haha

[vtec]

[Bagg10]

Why didn't allegri sub cassano into the game? You guys could've used him on the field.

[The MAN]

[The MAN]

[juventino_italiano]

[red]

I thought Cassano was terrible and should have been subbed earlier.

[Bagg10]

[San Paolo]

i think it was a hard game for both pato and Cassano, just Cassano really got no chance to do anything with the ball.

[RomaShield27]

It was especially hard for Cassano as he had so little time when on the ball and not much support, and he couldn't do anything to hold on to it. At least Pato has burning pace and could just put the head down. I wouldn't be too hard on him for his performance, it was always going to be tough.

[San Paolo]

i think all the team was pressed for time on the ball, we got the point and thats job done, must get 12 from the other two teams in the group.

[p_maldini_3]

cassano was absolute shit yesterday. he added nothing offensively or defensively, i don't know why he didn't get subbed after 20 minutes.

in other news, we have an injury crisis:

Ambrosini adds to Milan crisis
Milan will have a decimated squad against Napoli after results of tests on Kevin-Prince Boateng and Massimo Ambrosini.

The Rossoneri earned a 2-2 draw away to Barcelona last night, but picked up a series of fitness problems too.

The official club website released a statement this evening confirming Boateng’s x-rays came back clear, so there are no fractures to his ribs, but the muscular problem on his torso is still causing a great deal of pain.

Ambrosini also underwent tests today and it’s discovered he dislocated his right shoulder during the game at the Nou Camp.

“His return to football is expected in three to four weeks, excluding complications.”

It’s a double blow considering Zlatan Ibrahimovic is also likely to be out of action after damaging his right thigh during training on Monday.

Robinho also missed the Barcelona game with a groin problem and remains in doubt along with Gennaro Gattuso.

[red]

Don't know how many of you were watching the SKY coverage of Barca-Milan, but the commentators were accusing Ambrosini of faking injury.

It's rather impressive commitment to faking injury to manage to pretend to be in agony for the remainder of the game and convince the Milan medics that he dislocated his shoulder.

[San Paolo]

[The MAN]

I don't usually understand those English commentators well, there's probably too many cocks in their mouths when they speak so most of the time what they say is rather unclear to me.

[The MAN]

Great avy SP, that tackle was super awesome, I don't how many defenders in the world can pull that shit on Messi in the 6-yard box and not concede a penalty, just a beauty. Credit to the English ref for getting it spot on, actually, he did rather well reffing the game to be fair.

[Bagg10]

viewtopic.php?f=23&t=801

Serie A fantasy league, join up bitches.

[p_maldini_3]

Pato hails El Shaarawy



Alexandre Pato has been left impressed by the ability of Milan new boy Stephan El Shaarawy. “He’ll be a better player than me!”

The attacking midfielder, who will only turn 19 in October, joined the Rossoneri this summer from Genoa in a co-ownership deal.

“I really want to play alongside him,” the Brazilian told Milan Channel. “He’s a boy who will do better than me – I’m sure of that.”

Pato may get his wish this weekend as an injury crisis means that the club’s attacking options against Napoli are limited.

Boss Massimiliano Allegri can only count on Pato, Antonio Cassano and El Shaarawy for the San Paolo showdown.

El Shaarawy, an Italian Under-19 international whose father is Egyptian, has only appeared in three Serie A games during his career.

[Italiamia]

Oh, Silvio.....


http://www.lagazzettadelmezzogiorno.it/ ... ategoria=1