AC Milan general spiel 2.0

[p_maldini_3]

disappointing performance in florence today, but unsurprising in terms of allegri's plan in an away game.

we could hardly keep the ball for more than a few passes, and we spent most of the game chasing the ball even when fiorentina were down to 10 men.

we have pizarro to thank for that moment of stupidity that let montolivo score, because it would've been a different game if we didn't hvae the lead. it took some pressure off, but we still played some shit football.

it was even worse after our second goal, we should've closed the game off. it was telling to see nobody argue with the ref after the first penalty, which was a clear gift. but it seemed that the team was prepared to give it up as a consolation goal and you could tell that they'd lost the concentration required to close out such a game.

this draw is on allegri's head. he can come out with gameplans of genius sometimes, but when you are handed the opportunity to play against a 3rd place rival with a man advantage, you have to start securing the result with a dominant performance. allegri loses his testicles too many times, and this game was one of those.

hopefully we can get 2 wins in our next games. we always manage to play well against juve, we can secure a result if allegri shows the balls for it.

[RomaShield27]

What do you all think of this? I think he deserves it, although it is a bit unusual for a player to get a ban for an insult to a ref after a game, isnt it?

Balotelli given three-game ban
Tuesday April 9 2013 / http://www.football-italia.net/32870/ba ... e-game-ban

Mario Balotelli has been handed a three-match ban for insulting the officials during Milan’s 2-2 draw with Fiorentina on Sunday. The striker had already earned himself a one-match suspension after accumulating five yellow cards, but Serie A officials have today confirmed that the Italy international will now be banned for a further two games after comments he made to the officials. It means the 22-year-old will be sidelined for games against Napoli, Juventus and Catania.

[p_maldini_3]

with post-match insult bans, it's happened before, and it will happen again.

he's an idiot. the timing is definitely unfortunate, but this is all balotelli's fault.

[forzaitalia]

I see he was caught smoking in the train toilet's too on the way to Firenze? Madness.

[RomaShield27]

[red]

[RomaShield27]

Milan ready for season-defining fortnight
Apr 12, 4:19 PM BST / Posted by Sumeet Paul / http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/acmilan/id/1401?&cc=5739

Following up on the disappointment in Florence, there is no respite for Milan this weekend as they must rally ahead of the visit of Napoli on Sunday. With key battles strewn across the pitch, where will the game be won or lost?

Having already discussed Mario Balotelli's ban and the implications of his absence, the biggest key to Milan unlocking the Neapolitan defence will come through Stephan El Shaarawy. With 16 goals so far this season, the big occasion requires a big performance from the Rossoneri's most gifted player.

The youngster spoke to the Milan Channel during the week and revealed that while he primarily hopes to beat Napoli, "if the goal arrives for me then it'll be even better". His confidence would have been boosted by his four goal appearance in the traditional Thursday friendly at Milanello.

As important as El Shaarawy's contribution will be, the Rossoneri will require an even bigger effort from the back line.

Edinson Cavani has seemingly rediscovered his scoring boots having netted four goals in his last three games. That took his tally to 22 for the season, as he continues to lead the Capocannoniere race, and as obvious as it sounds, Milan must find a way to silence him.

Both Cristian Zapata and Philippe Mexes will undoubtedly face a torrid time against the Uruguayan, but it will also require a collective effort from the fullbacks to prevent him from finding space on the flanks.

Similarly, the midfield will play a key role in rendering the likes of Marek Hamsik and Blerim Dzemaili ineffectual, with the workmanlike duo of Mathieu Flamini and Sulley Muntari allowing Milan's creative spark to flourish.

Riccardo Montolivo's trajectory since joining the club has been an almost continuous upward curve, from having a tendency to go missing in games, he has come to the fore as a real leader. More of the same will be required and the trio -- who are likely to start -- have complimented each other well in recent weeks.

In Balotelli's absence, Giampaolo Pazzini will have the opportunity to remind us all of what he can bring to the party. His introduction will change the tactical approach, considering he will provide a bigger threat in the air and is arguably better at playing as a conventional target man.

It is important to also realise the magnitude of this game, even overlooking the race for the third and final Champions League spot for the time being.

Should Napoli win and the Rossoneri go on to finish third, then Milan will most likely face a tricky Champions League qualifying round that may well disrupt their preseason preparations. As a result, they can ill-afford to allow the current four point gap to increase any further. Defeat would also be the first of the calendar year during a period where confidence will be vital. Three points on Sunday and the Rossoneri will head to Turin in good spirits.

The gameplan looks obvious on paper, stop Cavani and allow El Shaarawy to prosper. However, we're all too aware that Sunday night's game will be full of tension, drama and perhaps a little more controversy too.

[soccergurl1989]

[p_maldini_3]

i only saw the second half of the napoli game, and i felt we could've done a lot more.

napoli notoriously choke against bigger teams, and it sounded like we had them on the back foot for most of the first half. dropping el sharaawy was a bit of surprise, although not undeserved. he's been out of form for the past few matchdays, and he hasn't been that effective either.

good to see robinho back, he's probably one of our best players when it comes to controlling the ball between the lines, and he was putting napoli on the back-foot with some of his dribbles.

we got juve next, they beat lazio very easily yesterday. i think we can pull off a win, if allegri has the balls for it.

[San Paolo]

Read a few lines this morning from Binho saying he doesn't want to leave Milan yet and also thinks we'll beat Juve at the weekend. i've never known a player who changes his mind as often as Robinho does, one week he's Santos bound next he's staying then he's gone again!

[red]

Can't imagine Milan being too pleased if he decides to stay.

Would think they could find someone to contribute as much as him for considerably lower wages.

[San Paolo]

I'm not sure if Gabriel is a good penalty stopper or is Robinho just awful at penalty taking?

[p_maldini_3]

gazzetta reporting that berlusconi wants seedorf to be the next coach.

i wouldn't mind it one bit.

[p_maldini_3]

weird game against catania, i think we came out with one of the most dominant performances of the season yet we found ourselves chasing the game twice.

we had 38 shots in total with 14 on target, which is enough to tell us that we played a really good game. i wasn't able to follow it properly, but every time i tuned in we were parked in the catania half.

abate now has 2 cross completions in consecutive games. despite all the youngsters who've sprouted up this season, i think abate deserves the most improved player award.

we're home to torino next, we should be able to hold out. i'm also hoping that roma can teach fiorentina a lesson to give us some breathing space, it would be a disaster to miss out on the CL after all we've been through.

[San Paolo]

a good read here http://acmilan.theoffside.com/2013/5/2/ ... mr-allegri

[p_maldini_3]

that writer is a faggot.

[San Paolo]

say what you feel, PM.

[soccergurl1989]

[p_maldini_3]

a very shit game yesterday, can't say we deserved anything out of it.

but if you end a game with 5 strikers on the field, you're bound to bundle something in. allegri is a genius.

[p_maldini_3]

pretty solid showing today; we had everything (the CL) to play for, while pescara had nothing to play for they were already relegated.

not much to say, we were in complete control, pescara had no shots on target the entire game.

balotelli was absolute gold, sure it was against unmotivated and weaker opponents, but he played in all 3 spots of the attacking trident and created most of our chances. he beats his man whenever he wants and nobody can physically play him off the ball, although his superpowers might've been exaggerated by pescara's lack of physical competence.

solid win going into roma's game, if we can carry the momentum we should have the CL in the bag by this weekend.

i'm disappointed that allegri didn't give cristante or salomon their debuts when the game was wrapped up, maybe next time.