Week 6: Milan - Fiorentina 29/09/19 20:45 CET

[Hitchens]

Hard to argue with those comments on Hernandez. He needs to be more balanced while still enhancing his forward contribution.

[Hitchens]

More comments.

The tactician is already feeling the pressure after a 2-1 defeat to Torino on Thursday, their third loss in the opening five rounds.

“The only thing we did wrong against Torino was not killing off the game when we had the chance, but the performance showed we are on the right track,� he said in his Press conference.

“I enjoyed most of the game, as we played good football and the team felt confident. At times, we didn’t get some details right and failed to filter out the dangerous through balls.

“My objective is always to play football, to control the game, the tempo and the ball with superior possession to the opponents. I saw that for most of the match at Torino and the attitude seemed to show belief too. Unfortunately, details make the difference.

“Every game is tough and mentality is crucial, so we must respect each opponent and give it our all, not hold back or think we’ve done enough.�

Milan have scored only three Serie A goals in five games, but just one – Hakan Calhanoglu against Brescia – was from open play.

“We created the chances, it’s just that we weren’t precise with the finishing. Krzysztof Piatek is back in his habitat with the 4-3-3 formation. Rafael Leao has the characteristics to play wide left and we must try to push as many players forward into the opposition half as possible.

“This team has temperament, but we need to protect possession better when the opponents try to fight back. There is no such thing as a game we can dominate for 95 minutes, but during the periods when we’re under pressure, we must use our technique to limit the opposition.

“Playing 4-3-3, we have to bring other players close to Piatek, so it’s a different dynamic to the one we used in the first few weeks, but the system ultimately makes little difference, it’s how you interpret it.�

Giampaolo was also criticised for not using the summer signings earlier, as Theo Hernandez, Ismael Bennacer and Rafael Leao were among the best performers against Toro.

“Hernandez was out of action for six weeks, so he’s a player with great power and attacking intent, but he was injured. The same goes for Bennacer and Leao. I have no regrets over not using them earlier. Hernandez always goes on the attack, even when he shouldn’t, whereas Ricardo Rodriguez is more rational out of possession.�

Paolo Maldini confirmed his faith in Giampaolo and Arrigo Sacchi also urged Milan to stick with this Coach.

“I was a director many years ago for a small club, so I know how clubs think and operate. If Milan decided to stick with me, it’s because they evaluated the situation as a whole.

“I understand criticism, Milan have history and millions of fans. I understand disappointment and grumbling, but my duty is to keep working. I must try to find the best performance from my squad and focus only on that task.

“We must all take the positives from the Torino game and multiple them.�

[Fabio]

Montella vs Giampaolo. This will be a fun match

[necromancer]

Forza Giampaolo and the system.

[Wild]

Lets see if we build on Torino game.
Tbh it was the first game where we had improvement.

[bacon d'or]

Originally Posted by Fabio

Montella vs Giampaolo. This will be a fun match

when a stoppable force meets a movable object

[Goodfella]

"On changing from the 4-3-3: “I don’t like to change, when you go for one formation you continue with that one. We have to continue in one direction. In the end, the characteristics of the players will determine the style of play.�


Finally.

Giampaolo is becoming tolerable now that he has stopped forcing 4-3-1-2 on a vastly different squad than the one he had at his disposal at Sampdoria.
I'm looking forward to see what he can add to it.
Starting Theo and Calabria seems like a high risk high reward move which I don't think Rino would make. I like that.

I wish he would drop Suso immediately, but his comments suggest he's very much aware of Suso's flaws and he's trying to improve him. I believe he will realize eventually that he can't change Suso. Hopefully it won't take too long. And hopefully he'll decide to bench him, rather than accept him for what he is and keep relying on his crosses anyway, like Rino did(Rino also tried to change Suso, initially).

[Qaas]

Piatek and suso on the bench please

[Mr. Milanista]

Originally Posted by Qaas

Piatek and suso on the bench please

I dont know how Piatek will react if GP puts him on the bench. There's only 2 options, either it fires him up or it brings him down.

I rather ww go with Piatek a bit longer. He had his best game against Torino. He only needs to finish the chances he gets

[Mr. Milanista]

Giampaolo says his biggest regret is not finishing off the game against Torino. He should have said his biggest regret is subbing out his 2 best players Leao and Bennacer which completely killed off our game. As soon as Bona came on for Leao instead of Rebic for Suso I knew the game would finish off ugly

[fray]

Players called up:

PORTIERI:
Donnarumma A., Donnarumma G..

DIFENSORI:
Calabria, Conti, Duarte, Gabbia, Hernández, Musacchio, RodrÃ*guez, Romagnoli.

CENTROCAMPISTI:
Bennacer, Biglia, Bonaventura, Çalhanoğlu, Kessié, Krunić, Paquetá.

ATTACCANTI:
Borini, Castillejo, Leão, Piątek, Rebić, Suso.

Paqueta returns.

[mrki]

Keep Piatek. Play 433 with leao-piatek-rebic

[Wild]

Originally Posted by Qaas

Piatek and suso on the bench please

Ptek isnt wasting chances Pippo style.
He will start scoring soon.

[Tobinho]

Already a great deal of pressure, absolutely need a win and convincing performance. Forza Milan!

[joyrider]

Donnarumma; Calabria, Musacchio, Romagnoli, Hernandez; Kessie, Bennacer, Calhanoglu; Suso; Piatek, Leao [@DiMarzio]

Good if he subs out Suso in the second half

[Hitchens]

Originally Posted by Mr. Milanista

I rather ww go with Piatek a bit longer. He had his best game against Torino. He only needs to finish the chances he gets

This. He was a hairs breadth off scoring from open play last game. If he suddenly bangs a couple tomorrow he might rediscover form.

[leaf]

Hoping Piatek bangs in three!
The reign of Giampaolo will begin (hopefully) and all doubters like myself will be silenced.

OR I hope we get slaughtered....lose 3-0 or more

A narrow win via a penalty/dodgy goal or worse - a narrow or narrow loss is the worse thing that could happen.

[fray]

Optimism and Milan doesn't usually go hand in hand these days, but today?

Milan 2-0 Fiorentina.

Leao to score his first goal.

[Qaas]

Originally Posted by Wild

Ptek isnt wasting chances Pippo style.

He will start scoring soon.

He did waste a 100p scoring chance..

[Qaas]

Originally Posted by Mr. Milanista

I dont know how Piatek will react if GP puts him on the bench. There's only 2 options, either it fires him up or it brings him down.



I rather ww go with Piatek a bit longer. He had his best game against Torino. He only needs to finish the chances he gets

I just wanted to see leao in his place for one match. He can’t do worse than that