The Rumour Commode XXIV: The Reality Era Continues

[Panache]

Milan in 2018 is yet to win a match without Calhanoglu on the pitch, with 1 point collected in 3 matches.
The 3 matches that Calhanoglu were absent;

17/18 - Torino 1-1 Milan (injury)
17/18 - Milan 0-1 Benevento (injury)
18/19 - Napoli 3-2 Milan (disqualified)

[@MilanTV]

Yes! He’ll be like a new signing for us next game.

 

[IL Diavolo 3]

Hakan will deliver the entertainment.

 

[sheva]

after so many signings in the past two transfer markets and our hopes rely on Hakan

 

[Congo Powers]

Who would be qualified for CEO and is Milan DNA in your opinion

many candidates

after so many signings in the past two transfer markets and our hopes rely on Hakan

 

[vidarth]

missed the game as i was travelling. How was bakoyoko? seems no one has posted in his thread.

 

[Alo88]

Rewatched our game against Napoli. Boy... have there been some overreactions. When you look past the surface it's actually pretty positive. The result itself, and giving up a 2-0 lead was obviously a huge blow. This shouldn't happen. Emotionally its hard to swallow, so I can actually understand the negativity.
[...]

There's some good stuff I can agree with and some stuff I don't agree with.

I don't think we shifted the ball well. Actually I think we were very bad at it. Probably it had to do with Napoli closing all our pass routes in midfield very well and run up our players on top of that.

I think Biglia was the player to suffer the most from that Napoli-treatment since after Bonucci has gone he's the only deep laying player who is able to dictate our game. Well, unless he doesn't get run-up by Napoli-players like he was the next incoming of Hitler. He literally had the most awful game since being here at Milan, but a lot of that had to do with Napolis well executed pressing and Rinos stubbornness to use long-balls too.

We saw that during pre-season, we saw it last saturday. And make no misstakes my friends, Roma will do the exact same thing this friday: Pressing like bastards, especially our only playmaker Biglia, and watch our midfield collapse. I have no big hopes tbh. Not as long as Gattuso doesn't allow his gk or his fullbacks to use long-balls.

Speaking of long-balls. I see what Gattuso wants to be our style. Playing it with short passes, smartly and clever, keeping defence, midfield and attack tight in order to find a way from our goal to the opponent's.

Sadly it rarely works.

Yeah it did work one or two times, and I think in the 1st instance it resulted in us scoring. But how many times did our passes land into the feets of Napoli while we were trying to play it smart? How many times did our defenders and fullbacks pass to Donna who isn't able to stop a ball properly even if his life depends on it and sending shivers all over the milanworld?

Maybe we'll be better in that against teams with less tactical class. But as soon as it gets obvious that we are not able to outsmart our opponents with our pass-play we need to use the good old "palle lunge e pedallare" tactics. There's no way around it.

And ffs... don't field Borini on that wing never again!

Borini was the player who made me outrage the most. Not because I don't like his grinta or running. But for being a winger he doesn't bring nothing, absolutely nothing to the table who makes him a valuable winger. Nothing! I mean, have you seen what he did in the rare occasions we finally found a way around that crowded midfield and the ball got to him? He fucking passed the ball back into the crowded midfield where it got lost immediately again!

Jesus. Christ.

I mean, okay, what else can you expect from him? He can't stop the ball, he has no pace to beat his mean, he has no flair to beat his man with a dribbling in a 1:1, he has no good passes to assist Higuain, he has... absolutely nothing I consider important for a winger. When the most valuable thing you can say about a winger is "yeah hi has grinta and backtracks a lot", then that player simply is no winger but a fullback.

And what did Gattuso do? He threw Laxalt into the mix! And how indicative it was that a fullback was doing a better job on that wing than Borini... that said, Laxalt is a fullback, not a winger. We needed a player who has either speed or flair to beat his man. IMO, Castillejo [EDIT: ofc Castillejo and not Callejon ] or even Halilovic would have been the better choice to try to create problems to Napolis backline. Laxalt is not a man who beats his man, at least not as a winger. He's good in that when overlaping as a fullback, but not as a winger.

Anyway, sorry for the long long post. I needed some days to get over that loss and think of all what went wrong. At the moment, I feel a little bit anxious about this season. The key to make us collapse is to press us high, or simply Biglia. I saw Gattuso struggling big times finding a way around it and I saw Gattuso making the wrong choices. We needed that LCM signing so hard, and as I predicted, it will bite our ass in the future. Well, it was day 1, and maybe the Roma game will change my humor. But at the moment, I have no big hopes to be perfectly honest with you guys.

 

[Casualista]

i dont want gazidis..i want someone w milan dna

Very subversive post.
Elliott is now da Milan.

 

[taura]

#ACMilan are interested in #MUFC's Anthony Martial, say reports in France, and could make a move in January

Milan are interested in Manchester United’s Anthony Martial, say reports in France, and could make a move in January.

The French forward has struggled to break into Jose Mourinho’s side at Old Trafford, making 18 starts in the Premier League last season.

According to RMC Sport he has told the club that he doesn’t intend to renew his contract, which expires at the end of the season.

The Red Devils have an option for a further year which they would surely activate, but his price would still fall from the current €40m.

The French outlet believes Milan are ready to beat Chelsea and Juventus to his signature, and would match the €4m net per season he earns in Manchester.

The Rossoneri could even look to take him on loan in January with an obligation to buy, though much will depend on Mourinho.

The Portuguese is under pressure, and if he were to be replaced a new manager could convince Martial to stay.

 

[Congo Powers]

Very subversive post.
Elliott is now da Milan.

although you could be forgiven for thinking that gordon singer and ivan gazidis drinking together in a box at the emirates stadium = elliott...it is not technically elliott

 

[VooDooDoll]

missed the game as i was travelling. How was bakoyoko? seems no one has posted in his thread.

he proved why people call him worst player in epl

 

[Tantalis]

Grab martial if still available only after midfield reinforcements arrive.

 

[IL Diavolo 3]

he proved why people call him worst player in epl

In 35 mins?

 

[Samaldinho]

Rewatched our game against Napoli. Boy... have there been some overreactions. When you look past the surface it's actually pretty positive. The result itself, and giving up a 2-0 lead was obviously a huge blow. This shouldn't happen. Emotionally its hard to swallow, so I can actually understand the negativity.

Logically speaking, the performance was good.
I say this because there is little to no acknowledgement of the circumstances when assessing our performance.

Few points to note:
- We're fighting for a top four spot in the league.
- Napoli are a top two side, and at home.
- They were very short favourites to win this game.
- Our best player last season is suspended, and Borini takes his place.

Despite us being the underdogs, we went to the San Paolo and played with courage. And against the best pressing team in Italy we moved the ball well and scored two beautiful goals. Re-watching the game, this made me very happy. I think a neutral would have been impressed with this Milan side for the most part.

Kessie and Biglia were sloppy at times, but I can forgive them for being the first game of the season. The wheels only fell off when we invited them back into the game off a mistake from Musacchio. Fewer mistakes, and the mental strength to adapt to different phases of the games will propel this side forward.

Speaking of Biglia, he might not be a player to turn many heads, but it's very noticeable when he's not there. Any time he is not playing, we look like a mess. His understanding of the regista role is invaluable to this team.

It frustrates me that all of this gets overlooked, and perfection is expected. We are a work in progress, and one game isnt the end of the world... certainly not one we were expected to lose anyway.

I'm cautiously optimistic about this season under Gattuso. The squad is settled, morale is good, the lineup is consistent, the system is understood. And we have a bomber in Higuain. Plenty to be positive about.

This is a great post and really accurate assessment of things.

Biglia made some bad passes, but some of them were because other players panicked and just shoved the ball to him when he was not the player that should have gotten the ball. I still wish he played better, but like you said, it's so obvious when he's not on the pitch.

 

[Kojak]

5th > 6th

Sarri took a 5th placed team to 2nd. Gattuso still managed to finish 6th despite 230m spent

 

[VooDooDoll]

In 35 mins?

we will see if he can be better against weaker teams but against fast and pressing his touch and decision making look bad.

or he lack confidence ....

 

[Congo Powers]

just from that cameo i saw bakayoko needs to be playing next to 2 other midfielders..at least

 

[Samaldinho]

Sarri took a 5th placed team to 2nd. Gattuso still managed to finish 6th despite 230m spent

Yeah, but they finished 3rd and 2nd the two years previous to that, they underachieved that season, that's why they fired Rafa to begin with. Why would they bring Sarri if they did not underachieve?

They also won the Super Coppa Italia that year they finished 5th. So stop acting like Napoli was this trash team that Sarri brought into glory.

Shit, here is Sarri's own words:

“I have to say thank you to Rafa,” added the Tuscan.

“When I arrived in Naples I had the feeling that the team was almost ready to play my football.

“If I arrived after another coach it may have been more difficult for me. He’s a very good Coach.

Wow. It is almost as if he had less work to do, that he himself admitted, because Rafa did a really good job with Napoli.

 

[milanator]

This is a great post and really accurate assessment of things.

Biglia made some bad passes, but some of them were because other players panicked and just shoved the ball to him when he was not the player that should have gotten the ball. I still wish he played better, but like you said, it's so obvious when he's not on the pitch.

I think nobody doubts that Biglia is our best regista. He has to get in form and at his age he might feel some fatigue from going to the world cup too because that resulted in a much longer season for him. I´m glad he retired from the NT.

The real problem is that we have to find a back up for him, Baka can´t do it in the foreseeable future so we either have to bring Monto back or try Bertolacci there.

 

[Kojak]

Yeah, but they finished 3rd and 2nd the two years previous to that, they underachieved that season, that's why they fired Rafa to begin with. Why would they bring Sarri if they did not underachieve?

They also won the Super Coppa Italia that year they finished 5th. So stop acting like Napoli was this trash team that Sarri brought into glory.

Shit, here is Sarri's own words:

“I have to say thank you to Rafa,” added the Tuscan.

“When I arrived in Naples I had the feeling that the team was almost ready to play my football.

“If I arrived after another coach it may have been more difficult for me. He’s a very good Coach.

Wow. It is almost as if he had less work to do, that he himself admitted, because Rafa did a really good job with Napoli.

So what? Gattuso inherited a team that won the Supercoppa the season before too. However, despite spending a quarter of a BILLION he still finished 6th with just 1 point more. Also, he was in charge for 24 games and if you extrapolate his PPG over the entire season it still would’ve meant finishing 6th.

Gattuso’s done a solid job but let’s not pretend he’s some miracle worker.

 

[ZBoban]

I think nobody doubts that Biglia is our best regista. He has to get in form and at his age he might feel some fatigue from going to the world cup too because that resulted in a much longer season for him. I´m glad he retired from the NT.

The real problem is that we have to find a back up for him, Baka can´t do it in the foreseeable future so we either have to bring Monto back or try Bertolacci there.

That Biglia is our best regista, that's the problem. Even at his best he is not that good.

 

[Kojak]

After the Napoli game I think Gattuso could’ve finished top 4 had he been given the players to compete (ie 2 creative mids + 1 tricky winger). Instead, they gave him the rope to hang himself after a poor mercato and will inevitably replace him with Conte and then spend.

We played on level terms with Napoli for an hour before the significant differences in squad and managerial quality decided things.

 

[Alo88]

So what? Gattuso inherited a team that won the Supercoppa the season before too. However, despite spending a quarter of a BILLION he still finished 6th with just 1 point more. Also, he was in charge for 24 games and if you extrapolate his PPG over the entire season it still would’ve meant finishing 6th.

Gattuso’s done a solid job but let’s not pretend he’s some miracle worker.

I agree with you however Gattuso wasn't the coach when we spend that money. So if I was nitpicking I'd say we didn't spend the 200M for him but for Montella. Gattuso had to deal with players he never asked for but who were paid big times. He inherited a (at that time) disfunctional team with very low selfesteem. And he made all that result in the 3rd best running team of the league once he took over.

As I said, I agree with your last statement. He did a very solid job indeed. And yes, that doesn't mean he's a miracle worker too.

 

[IL Diavolo 3]

Abate and Ricardo Rodriguez should start on the flanks for Milan against Roma, according to Sky

 

[rossonero1]

After the Napoli game I think Gattuso could’ve finished top 4 had he been given the players to compete (ie 2 creative mids + 1 tricky winger). Instead, they gave him the rope to hang himself after a poor mercato and will inevitably replace him with Conte and then spend.

We played on level terms with Napoli for an hour before the significant differences in squad and managerial quality decided things.

I feel the same way. I think they'll let Gattuso decide his own fate. If he can manage to win with this current team then ok with going ahead with him, but I think they are ready to replace him with their long term pick for manager should the shit hit the fan. Leonardo and Maldini basically came in with only weeks left in the mercato. I think this season will be about seeing how Gattuso and the current team does before they spend their resources. I also think Conte is the guy waiting to take over.

 

[Milan10]

Abate and Ricardo Rodriguez should start on the flanks for Milan against Roma, according to Sky

lol

 

[Milanista92]

Abate and Ricardo Rodriguez should start on the flanks for Milan against Roma, according to Sky

 

[Kojak]

I agree with you however Gattuso wasn't the coach when we spend that money. So if I was nitpicking I'd say we didn't spend the 200M for him but for Montella. Gattuso had to deal with players he never asked for but who were paid big times. He inherited a (at that time) disfunctional team with very low selfesteem. And he made all that result in the 3rd best running team of the league once he took over.

As I said, I agree with your last statement. He did a very solid job indeed. And yes, that doesn't mean he's a miracle worker too.

Yeah but you could argue all new coaches inherit players they don’t want and demotivated squads. That’s why there’s a managerial change in the first place.

Regardless, this season will be the acid test for Gattuso’s managerial abilities. He’s been given the players he asked for (apparently) and a full pre-season. IMO we’ve got the 5th/6th best squad in the league so if he cracks top 4 he deserves to stay.

To his credit this is the first time I’ve seen Milan play with desire and an identity in years. Unfortunately for him he’s limited by a subpar playing squad full of holes.

 

[rossonero1]

Abate and Ricardo Rodriguez should start on the flanks for Milan against Roma, according to Sky

I like the change to Abate. You may lose something going forward, but he's a lot better at defending than Calabria who is very shaky at that and marking players. Just keep things afloat until Conti is healthy.

 

[MilanFan89]

Abate and Ricardo Rodriguez should start on the flanks for Milan against Roma, according to Sky

Wow amazing. I still believe in Gattuso, I really do
Abate hasnt play in a long time and I would play Laxalt on the left instead of Rodriguez.

 

[Samaldinho]

So what? Gattuso inherited a team that won the Supercoppa the season before too. However, despite spending a quarter of a BILLION he still finished 6th with just 1 point more. Also, he was in charge for 24 games and if you extrapolate his PPG over the entire season it still would’ve meant finishing 6th.

Gattuso’s done a solid job but let’s not pretend he’s some miracle worker.

So what? You are ignoring that Sarri inherited a squad that had finished 3rd and 2nd in the two seasons previously, again, the reason why Rafa got fired was because he took a top 3-level squad and finished 5th. That's the only reason why Sarri got the job.

Oh, that team also won the Coppa Italia the year before that.

Oh, and Sarri's first season he got Higuain's best ever season, breaking the Serie A goal record.

Did Gattuso have that? Did Gattuso make any choices in the players he got? Hell, did he get much opportunities to spend money this summer? He didn't even get a full season with this management to be creative with what players he wanted to bring in.

Also, what you miss, is that when people talk about Gattuso's performance, they are talking about the second-half of the season. His first few games were bad. Also you are missing context. When Gattuso took over, Milan was 7 points away from 6th place.

Gattuso took the team to the Coppa Italia final. Yes, they imploded there. But he did a great job to get them there. Look at how he turned the players around.

You don't get that Gattuso has done a good job, considering the circumstances?

Also, why are people calling Gattuso a simplistic tactician or "Grintuso" when they are at the same time criticizing him for playing too fancy?