AC Milan 2007/08 Thread.

I think Ancellotti can help Milan avoid relegation Bluenine...so he might just be Ok .

Matthew Upson wrote:I think Ancellotti can help Milan avoid relegation Bluenine...so he might just be Ok .

Milan>>>Sampdoria>>>Genoa>>>West Ham

is this a find the odd one out?

The odd one out is Milan...the other 3 have all won at least 1 home game in the league

Matthew Upson wrote: is this a find the odd one out?

The odd one out is Milan...the other 3 have never won the Champions League

f@ck! Owned...

I would currently change Ancelotti for Mourinho.

I think though, Ancelotti is a victim of the current climate in the Milan heirarchy - the ridiculous obsession with Milan as a 'family' club, where its unfashionable to criticise players, where 'blind' loyalty rules, where thousands of supporters including myself pay 800 Euros for a season ticket, only to be told that my club will only be bothered with the World Club Cup and the European cups, fine, both add some international prestige, but my goodness are we being scorned in Italy!

Ancelotti can only work with the players that our technical directors will provide him, iknow for a fact that Carlo requested several additions last summer only to be denied by the club who then provided him with Emerson Toni and Buffon were both signed, this was even admitted by Galliani only for Berlusconi to cancel both deals in favour of remaining 'loyal' to the Milan 'family'.

The league has been an absolute shambles, the tactics, dynamism and technical attributes of the teams shape and match application has been a disgrace in the league, Kaka has been rubbish this season, Dida has been his usual incompetent waste of space, the only shining beacons of this campaign have been Pirlo and Nesta who have both been at approaching their best form. Nesta was fantastic, even in the 2-1 defeat to Inter.

We need a new golkeeper, Frey and Gomes are the current linked players, Frey is one of the best in the world and would be my preferred option.

2 defenders - both centre backs, i wouldn't mind a dynamic extra wing-back too, Vargas would be a useful addition, he's been sensational. If we could control Cicinho and encourage some consistency and discipline from him, he could well provide us with that extra thrust. Zapata, Barzagli, even Dainelli, Criscito, Gamberini, tough as they would be to sign, would be very welcome. Sergio Ramos is the top dream, but Real Madrid is not going to sell.

Some cover in midfield, we seriously lack technical quality in our back up - Ambrosini, Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf, Kaka are fine, but beyond that we have no viable options. Emerson is fat and lazy, Brocchi is a kicker and little else, Gourcuff is not progressing and this club is not the right environment for him to do so currently. It's a disgrace on Milan's part that we have taken him from France with no consideration for his personal well-being or his football progression.

And for goodness sake, we need some fowards! Ronaldo is never fit, Pippo is never a consistent starter regular, Gilardino is talented, but again this club is not the right environment for him to thrive, and it is wrong for us to pressure an 18 year old to carry our season. While Pato is supremely talented, we don't want to destroy him.

While we are a club in trouble domestically, Ronaldinho is NOT aplayer that would solve any problems and the transfer fee that is being reported is ridiculous. For all that money we could actually sign about 5 players that we actually need!

Anyway, looking foward to going to the next match and spending more wages, seeing Pato on his debut against Napoli

Yo Pirlo, good to hear from ya, dude!!

First and foremost, I totally agree re Nesta... he is just awesome, still the best CB in the world IMO. Even against Inter, it was a pleasure watching him live and up so close... his positioning off the ball is just amazing, I have never seen any defender move like that so instinctively, a pity the tv never catches that bit... his tackles were immaculate as usual, he was perfect. He owned Ibra in that game, which is high praise coming from an Inter fan. Nesta is still Nesta, he is the "Buffon" of defenders.

It was an amazing game to watch, we were sitting in the corner (section K rosso, if you know where that is) near the Inter ultras... what an atmosphere, 85,000 people screaming, even tho the ultras from both sides were on a "strike". Pazza Inter Amala!!! Were you there in the stadium??

I hear ya about Milan's issues... I think the CL win blinded Berlu & co, and they ignored the problems... you guys still have a great starting XI, but thats not good enuf to win the league without quality back ups. You desperately need at least 2-3 quality back ups, my recommendation would be Amauri, Amelia, and Barzagli. Then your squad will be competitive, at a similar level to Inter. Then it will be fun.

But like most other nerazzurri, you can't blame me for hoping that Berlu blows away his transfer budget in getting just Ronaldinho

Pirlo wrote:I would currently change Ancelotti for Mourinho.

I think though, Ancelotti is a victim of the current climate in the Milan heirarchy - the ridiculous obsession with Milan as a 'family' club, where its unfashionable to criticise players, where 'blind' loyalty rules, where thousands of supporters including myself pay 800 Euros for a season ticket, only to be told that my club will only be bothered with the World Club Cup and the European cups, fine, both add some international prestige, but my goodness are we being scorned in Italy!

Ancelotti can only work with the players that our technical directors will provide him, iknow for a fact that Carlo requested several additions last summer only to be denied by the club who then provided him with Emerson Toni and Buffon were both signed, this was even admitted by Galliani only for Berlusconi to cancel both deals in favour of remaining 'loyal' to the Milan 'family'.

The league has been an absolute shambles, the tactics, dynamism and technical attributes of the teams shape and match application has been a disgrace in the league, Kaka has been rubbish this season, Dida has been his usual incompetent waste of space, the only shining beacons of this campaign have been Pirlo and Nesta who have both been at approaching their best form. Nesta was fantastic, even in the 2-1 defeat to Inter.

We need a new golkeeper, Frey and Gomes are the current linked players, Frey is one of the best in the world and would be my preferred option.

2 defenders - both centre backs, i wouldn't mind a dynamic extra wing-back too, Vargas would be a useful addition, he's been sensational. If we could control Cicinho and encourage some consistency and discipline from him, he could well provide us with that extra thrust. Zapata, Barzagli, even Dainelli, Criscito, Gamberini, tough as they would be to sign, would be very welcome. Sergio Ramos is the top dream, but Real Madrid is not going to sell.

Some cover in midfield, we seriously lack technical quality in our back up - Ambrosini, Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf, Kaka are fine, but beyond that we have no viable options. Emerson is fat and lazy, Brocchi is a kicker and little else, Gourcuff is not progressing and this club is not the right environment for him to do so currently. It's a disgrace on Milan's part that we have taken him from France with no consideration for his personal well-being or his football progression.

And for goodness sake, we need some fowards! Ronaldo is never fit, Pippo is never a consistent starter regular, Gilardino is talented, but again this club is not the right environment for him to thrive, and it is wrong for us to pressure an 18 year old to carry our season. While Pato is supremely talented, we don't want to destroy him.

While we are a club in trouble domestically, Ronaldinho is NOT aplayer that would solve any problems and the transfer fee that is being reported is ridiculous. For all that money we could actually sign about 5 players that we actually need!

Anyway, looking foward to going to the next match and spending more wages, seeing Pato on his debut against Napoli

Yo Blue,

Glad you enjoyed the match, as it was an 'away' match for us i didn't actually go to the stadium but i watched it in one of the sports bars in my local town Piazza, you were brilliant, under much pressure and not playing well in the first half but really turned it on in the second and completely controlled us and in Julio Cruz you have one of the best strikers in Europe at the moment, his contribution has helped mask the drop in form of Zlatan, and his professionalism is superb.

Did you go in the 'red' entance, its the whole side opposite the Curva Sud, Inter have the Curva Nord which is the 'green' end, i also sit in the 'red side' ofd the stadium but i go in turnstile 10 and up the spiral on the corner in block 248, about midway through the second tier.

Yeah, the red side on the first tier in the corner, which borders the green section.... great view, even tho I prefer to watch from the centre of the pitch. But Pirlo celebrated his goal in our corner, like ten meters away from where we were sitting.

Cruzzzzzzz is so under rated. This season he has so clearly outshone Crespo that no one can ignore it anymore.

I plan to go again for the next derby in april... if the title hasn't been decided already...

Pirlo wrote:Yo Blue,

Glad you enjoyed the match, as it was an 'away' match for us i didn't actually go to the stadium but i watched it in one of the sports bars in my local town Piazza, you were brilliant, under much pressure and not playing well in the first half but really turned it on in the second and completely controlled us and in Julio Cruz you have one of the best strikers in Europe at the moment, his contribution has helped mask the drop in form of Zlatan, and his professionalism is superb.

Did you go in the 'red' entance, its the whole side opposite the Curva Sud, Inter have the Curva Nord which is the 'green' end, i also sit in the 'red side' ofd the stadium but i go in turnstile 10 and up the spiral on the corner in block 248, about midway through the second tier.

Ronnie rediscovers the net Saturday 5 January, 2008

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Ronaldo is back in full training with Milan after six weeks and scored a goal in today’s game between ranks.


Il Fenomeno had not trained with the ball between his feet for 38 days, as his mystery calf problem had kept him on a succession of tests and physiotherapy tables.


The trip to Brazil seems to have done him good, as Ronnie was in good shape when he resumed training with his teammates in Dubai.


He took part in two sessions and the game between ranks, his first since November 27, when the calf twinge prevented him from stepping on to the pitch as a substitute against Benfica in Lisbon.


Despite flying to Japan for the Club World Cup, he had been unable to take part in any of the training sessions.


Reports suggest that in Dubai today Ronaldo was able to sprint on the sand and even managed to score with a left-foot angled drive.


“It’s going better,” he smiled to journalists. It remains to be seen when he will be ready for a match situation, but it is progress for the man who has played once since July 31.

Pato: My dream debut
Sunday 13 January, 2008

Serie A’s newest starlet Alexandre Pato admits his debut for Milan alongside hero Ronaldo was a dream come true.

“I dedicate the goal to my family and my girlfriend,” said the 18-year-old after netting in the 5-2 win over Napoli.

San Siro was packed out to see the Brazilian talent open his account in a trident attack with fellow Selecao stars Kaka and Ronaldo.

“The team played very well and it was an excellent game of football. Ronaldo remains the Fenomeno. I am just very happy to have scored.

“Ronie was always my hero growing up and it is a dream to play in the same team as him.”

President Silvio Berlusconi said that Pato will go on to score dozens of goals in the Milan jersey, but the teenager is keeping his feet on the ground.

“How many goals can I score? I’ll sleep on it and then I’ll tell you,” beamed ‘The Duck.’

--

channel 4

This is going to be some holy trinity! Ronaldo is...Ronaldo, Kaka is...Kaka and Pato looks good!

Great to see the kid score

Is he eligible for the CL?

Yes

Marcotti say's he isn't. But then, Marcotti could be wrong...

Has he been registered?

I don't know if has been yet but he will be. You are aloud 3 new players after the group stages.

I'm looking forward to seeing him - Pato - play for Milan. I still think you have a very good team. Indeed, your midfield is frighteningly talented and/or effective at their role.

It's not good to see Milan struggling in Serie A. Hopefully Pato can spark a resurgence, enabling you to move up the table at a quickened rate of knots.

The CL doesn't seem right if Milan aren't in it! Come on, you guys need to ensure that you’ll be there in the 08/09 season!

I know its almost blasphemic, but I want Milan to qualify for the CL... its good for Serie A to have the best teams representing Italy in Europe, and that has not happened for a while.... we don't want another Lazio or Chievo!!

Next season, I want Inter, Roma, Juve and Milan in the CL and Fiorentina, Udinese, and Sampdoria/Palermo in UEFA Cup.

The Bulk wrote:I'm looking forward to seeing him - Pato - play for Milan. I still think you have a very good team. Indeed, your midfield is frighteningly talented and/or effective at their role.

It's not good to see Milan struggling in Serie A. Hopefully Pato can spark a resurgence, enabling you to move up the table at a quickened rate of knots.

The CL doesn't seem right if Milan aren't in it! Come on, you guys need to ensure that you’ll be there in the 08/09 season!

well he didn't score 2 but he got 1 and played well apparently

milan have got 3 games in hand so can make up the points to get 4th place, especially with ronaldo back

The Bulk wrote:I'm looking forward to seeing him - Pato - play for Milan. I still think you have a very good team. Indeed, your midfield is frighteningly talented and/or effective at their role.

We have a good starting midfield, but we don't have midfielders who can come from the bench and change things.We have tons of DMs but the only 'creative' midfielder is Gourcuff and he doesn't really play much.

I think our attack with the additions of Pato and Ronaldo will be fine. Gila is a good player but he isn't able to play as a lone striker or even worse when paired with Pippo. However, when partnered with Ronaldo/Pato I think he will start scoring. Inzaghi can't play many games but he can make an impact coming on as a sub. Yesterday was like watching a different team, with players upfront who can move, take players on and create chances for themselves and not box players who are extremely service-dependent.

Our defence is not good though. We have a keeper who has become a liability over the past couple of years and needs to be replaced immediately. Nesta is awesome, IMO our best and most consistent player since returning from surgery last year. But we definitely need a new GK, a CB and a full-back.

Hold on, hold on... that was Napoli playing away from home! They only had half an hour of fight in them against a quality attack... I would like to see Milan against a tougher opponent before saying that they are back...

Next weekend, away at Udinese would be a tougher test, still not a top team, but a decent team. Lets see what Milan do there against the more confident Zebrette...

110% wrote:well he didn't score but he got 1 and played well apparently

milan have got 3 games in hand so can make up the points to get 4th place, especially with ronaldo back

Milan have to win the games in hand. With that Milan are only 3 points from the 4th place.

You make it sound very simple, but its not... milan will have a very cramped up schedule in the next 30 days, and the team will have to be rotated... winning 3 games in a row will not be easy, let alone the other games as per the regular schedule... also involving teams like Udinese and Fiorentina. Its not that simple, even if Milan win the 3 games in hand by the end of the month, they might end up seeing the gap increase from the current 3 points... coz Udinese and Fiorentina could take out a few points from Milan.

Gone wrote:Milan have to win the games in hand. With that Milan are only 3 points from the 4th place.

Gone wrote:Milan have to win the games in hand. With that Milan are only 3 points from the 4th place.

Actually only 2. And if we beat Udinese, then we could leapfrog them.

The thing is bluenine, our home form has been the worst. We have gotten results away from home. So that's why there is a feeling that maybe (God willing) things are starting to look up.

Things looking up is one thing, winning 6-7 games in a row is entirely different. My guess is that by the time Milan plays all their games in hand, the gap will be around 5-6 points.

Forza Italia!Forza Milan! wrote:

Gone wrote:Milan have to win the games in hand. With that Milan are only 3 points from the 4th place.

Actually only 2. And if we beat Udinese, then we could leapfrog them.

The thing is bluenine, our home form has been the worst. We have gotten results away from home. So that's why there is a feeling that maybe (God willing) things are starting to look up.

bluenine wrote:Hold on, hold on... that was Napoli playing away from home! They only had half an hour of fight in them against a quality attack... I would like to see Milan against a tougher opponent before saying that they are back...

Next weekend, away at Udinese would be a tougher test, still not a top team, but a decent team. Lets see what Milan do there against the more confident Zebrette...

110% wrote:well he didn't score but he got 1 and played well apparently

milan have got 3 games in hand so can make up the points to get 4th place, especially with ronaldo back

btw I said ronaldo is back, not milan

Lets hope for a better future:cheers:

There's no doubt about the highlight of working as a football journalist in South America - the opportunity to spot the next generation of global stars.

It's like having a private screening of a film that you know is going to be a blockbuster.

Alexandre Pato
Pato celebrates scoring on his much-anticipated AC Milan debut

It was like that three years ago in Colombia, at the continent's Under-20 Championships. Argentina had called up Lionel Messi, but even they didn't know a great deal about him. He had been at Barcelona since he was 13, and he'd only played one friendly for them.

There had been whispers of his promise, but as he took the field for the first game he looked more like the pigeon-toed runt of the litter than a potentially world-class footballer - until he received the ball.

Then, it was instantly obvious that we were dealing with something very special, and that those of us in Colombia were very privileged to be in at the start of the story.

Brazil's Alexandre Pato is a similar case. From his first kick in senior football it was clear that here was another youngster who had been touched by the hand of genius.

He made his debut for Internacional away to Palmeiras in November 2006, just two months past his 17th birthday. He scored in the first minute and set up two more in the opening half hour.

Palmeiras didn't know what hit them, and it was no wonder. Internacional were well aware they had unearthed a diamond, and they had been terrified of losing it.

Before his debut Pato was showing his extraordinary ability in training. But the club asked their players not to talk about him to the press, as other clubs might hear about him and be tempted. So there would be no fanfares or first team matches until he had signed a contract - and when he did, Palmeiras were the unfortunate victims.


Now the secret is well and truly out. All of Europe is aware that Alexandre Pato is the genuine article

It is quite a contrast to his competitive debut for Milan last Sunday. He moved to Italy during the close season transfer window in August, but because of his age Milan were only allowed to register him this year.

For months the expectation has been building - especially with the team's dismal form at home. Word seeped out of the training camp of Pato's astonishing potential. The 18-year-old was being cast in the role of saviour.

And then he went out against Napoli and showed that he could take all the fuss in his exuberantly youthful stride.

The fluency of movement, the courage to take defenders on, the cool, precise finishing - the virtues he showed in his brief time in Brazil were on display against Napoli.

And if he didn't get the chance to give a demonstration of the threat he carries in the air, he crowned his performance with a solo goal which will have defenders all over Serie A sitting up and fretting about how to deal with him.

It goes without saying that he is nowhere near being the finished article. Pato has a nice problem, but at this stage in his career a problem nonetheless.

He can do so many things that picking his options is not easy; he would be well advised to keep things simpler outside the penalty area and leave the flash stuff for when it can really make a difference.

But now the secret is well and truly out. All of Europe is aware that Alexandre Pato is the genuine article.

The days of the private screening for us in South America are over.

From now on his TV appearances will be in front of a global audience of millions.

Tim Vickery

Loving the Ronaldo afro!

Anyway it's nice to see him back. Milan looked awesome at the weekend with these 3. Pato defintely looks like he can cause alot of trouble. The mobility he brings is what Milan have been crying out for ages. A few defenders in place and maybe someone to replace Seedorf maybe and you've got yourself a very nice balanced team.

I am much more worried about Milan now than when the draw was first made.