AC Milan Thread [2012/13]

[Xifio]

haha! there's only one that concerns Milan, but fair point, fair point ...

 

[ShiftyPowers]

Yeah, I got it after 2 seconds, but at first I'm like "NOT GOMEZ!!" and then I was like "NOT GOTZE!!!!!!!!!!", but then realized it was Balotelli and really didn't much beyond the fact that having him in England assures that every minute of his insane life is recorded in the press.

 

[Xifio]

11/01:

Derby della Madonnina coming up on the pitch ... Derby della Madonnina already running off the pitch for El Apache -- Inter have City's consent, Milan have the player's ... Galliani should definitely refuse to make it an obligation for Milan to complete the purchase in the summer, which is what City want, what Inter have done, and what should hopefully be decisive ...

for the same €25mil, apart from Super Mario Balotelli, I'd want to see Milan going for Yo-Yo-Yovetić ... what a player!



would fit right in to the system, alongside Zlatan, or as a shadow striker ...



EDIT/UPDATE:

the plug was pulled on the Carlitos deal, AND The Duck will stay! oh, twas truly a joyous day!

 

[ShiftyPowers]

I completely agree about Jovetic's quality, but they might have to overhaul the team a little. Milan has been playing something that resembles a diamond midfield for a long time.

EDIT: I guess Jovetic could play in that system.

 

[Xifio]

I can't tell you how much I dislike that narrow 4-3-1-2 (or even the previous 4-1-2-1-2) setup ...

my hope/theory is that Allegri would be persuaded by the strength of his playing staff to permanently shift to a 4-3-3 (or even a 4-2-3-1) in order to field the strongest possible XI, as he has done on a handful of occasions during his tenure ...


EDIT: yeah, Jojo could definitely play "in the hole" ... but somehow I doubt Max would have the guts to play him there, if he had him at his disposal ...

 

[Xifio]

been a little while since Zlatan's scored from a backheel, so he took care of that concern brilliantly today ...

that's 2 wins against Novara within the week ... the bigger story, though, has been "arrival" of Stephan El Shaarawy, who it seems will finally be given a chance with Fantantonio and The Duck both out injured ... he was very impressive in the Coppa match, scoring a very good goal from outside the box, and showing, throughout the 120 minutes, how technically gifted he is ... and today, Stephan's introduction at the half-time break was the catalyst for Milan to break the deadlock and seal the points ... he should have got himself onto the scoresheet, but eventually had to content himself with just an assist ... Max would be stupid not register him for the Champions League ...

playing El Shaarawy wasn't the only good decision Max got right: Urby was finally play at LWB! and he looked excellent, bombing forward constantly, and providing that added dimension of the overlapping run ... I expected Taye Taiwo to have been the man to do that very job, but he's looked completely useless as far as I'm concerned, and it comes as no surprise that he's been sent away on loan [to QPR] ... Djamel Mesbah is Taiwo's direct replacement in the squad ...

good to see Alexander Merkel back from Genoa (he was part of the deal that brought El Shaarawy to Milan) ... with all the midfield injuries, he'll be getting enough game time due to show how his development has progressed ...

 

[RobbieD_PL]

Zlatan and Jovetic could also communicate on the pitch in Yugoslav.

 

[Xifio]

ARTICLE LINK

hah, the Sheikhs are pissed at Uncle Fester! awesome ...

 

[ShiftyPowers]

I kind of feel like that's a common thread at Milan. Seemed to work that way with Zlatan too. Milan went to the player and agreed terms, and then dictated to Barcelona the terms of the transfer.

 

[Xifio]

just wonder how long it will take before they mention Maxi López ...

so it didn't take long for his name to be mentioned ... and in the intervening month since I posted that comment, Milan have actually agreed a deal with Catania for Maxi -- a right they will exercise if they don't sign a bigger name, or if Pippo Inzaghi leaves in January ...

Carlitos is that bigger name ... senseless transfer, due to his ineligibility in Europe ... but tbh, even if he was eligible, I'd still say "ugh"; not a fan of his ...

so Maxi it is ... not as good as it would have been if Galliani had gone for Poldi (or dare I say Luisito from Pool), but it is much better than getting Tévez ... and with El Shaarawy choosing the perfect time to impress heavily, the forward options for the CL look much better stocked ...

was interesting to see Maxi at the Coppa match; he was so desperate to move to Milan that he'd been staying in a hotel in Milan since Monday, hoping for Milan to opt to sign him ...

the Coppa game also saw Mesbah made his debut ... he looked much better than Taiwo ever did; decent in defence, while making good attacking runs, and delivering a couple of dangerous crosses ...

El Shaarawy took most of the plaudits again, with another eyecatching performance ... he needs to bulk up a little bit, but his technique and skill with the ball was great to see; the highlight of his night was the assist for Seedorf -- a brilliant backheel return flick to play the veteran in for the winning goal ... it really would be disgraceful if Max decided not to register him for the Champions League now ...

lastly, Inzaghi looks to be on his way out ... must have been embarrassing to be asked to warm up on the sidelines, only for the coach to send on Zlatan straight from the bench ... Allegri clearly thinks Super Pippo's predatory instincts are no longer what they used to be, and it looks like he'll be released from his contract ...

 

[Arnau]

Maxi only had 3 moments in his career, penalty against boca, goal against Chelsea and bicycle kick goal. Other than that he is ****, Wanda Nara is hot though.

 

[Xifio]

Maxi only had 3 moments in his career, penalty against boca, goal against Chelsea and bicycle kick goal. Other than that he is ****, Wanda Nara is hot though.

and also the assist for Samu, don't forget ... but yeah, agreed ...

 

[ShiftyPowers]

Lopez's surprising change of luck from being a criticised forward in River Plate to being signed by world's giants FC Barcelona made him an Internet meme in his native Argentina. Satirical blogs were created lobbying for his inclusion in the Argentinian squad for the 2006 World Cup. After the Argentinian elimination of the cup (without Lopez getting any caps at all) the nature of the meme changed to a series of reasons explaining his lack of time play on Barcelona with hyperbolic claims about Lopez's virility, skilfulness and a supposed affair with the wife of Barcelona's coach Frank Rijkaard which closely resembled Chuck Norris Facts. In interviews, Lopez has stated that he is ok with this unexpected following and the Church of the "White Drogba". (As he is known after missing a crucial Penalty kick for River against Arch-enemies Boca Juniors on the same week Didier Drogba missed one against Egypt in the final of 2006 African Cup of Nations)

Okay, now I wish I spoke Spanish.

 

[Sir Calumn]

Before this move the biggest club I heard Lopez linked with was Fulham...

 

[Xifio]

f*cking Max Allegri ... does great by starting Stephan El Shaarawy, with which I was genuinely impressed with ... then, instead of subbing off the insipid Robinho who had done f*ck-all, he takes off El Shaarawy, who had looked menacing, and was combining well with Zlatan ... after that, Milan went on to concede and lose, which thankfully means that questions will definitely be asked about Allegri's decision making ...

 

[Sir Calumn]

Milan 4 - 0 Arsenal

New rule. Any team xifio supports always wins.

 

[ShiftyPowers]

Yeah, I was thinking the exact thing when Zlatan was running rampant today. Xif, do you think you could openly support Bayern for the rest of the year? We really need you, and Ribery's genius is something I know you must admire!

 

[Sir Calumn]

Supporting Bayern Munich is basically the same thing as actually being a Nazi... you might aswell start goose stepping down the street and beating up Mandieta6

 

[Back Door Skip]

Hahahahahahaha

 

[ShiftyPowers]

We were actually the Jewish club. 1860 were the Nazis.