Abate is one of my favorite players in FIFA too. He's definitely always playing. I love his speed and he always comes forward. Players like C. Ronaldo cannot even get passed the guy!
Well at least he's a bit better though, but he still deserves more.
I've experimented a lot with formations and player positions. I played most solid with a 4-4-2 formation:
Abbiati
Abate Nesta Silva Zambrotta
Robinho Pirlo Seedorf Cassano
Ibra Pato
Robinho as RM and Cassano as LM. They still had high ratings. Robinho is a quick dribbler and I can always either cross to Ibra (and even Pato heads lol) or I could pass to Pirlo or Seedorf who can make a shot. Sometimes I just go all the way and dribble my way through to get closer to the goal.
On the other side with Cassano I just run towards the corner flag and go back and make a shot out of the penalty area, which most of the times go into the far corner, or the keeper gets his hands to the ball.
I have no idea how I will play in FIFA 12. I may play the Milan default formation and/or make slight changes. Not sure at all.