I've been trying to be optimistic but it's getting hard after watching us be totally dominated by Chelsea and create zero offensive threats.
We looked ok the first 30 minutes but because of the speed of the match got tired and couldn't keep up the pace. Estupinian confirmed that he sucks, RLC I still don't know what's his best position while Jashari on his first touch after he entered missed a pass that led to their second goal. Later was badly beaten on an attempt to tackle and his opponent hit the post.
People defend this guy, say give him more chances but every time I watch him play he disappoints. We're still weak at defending set pieces with De Winter as the most guilty today. Salaemakers has been awful this pre-season, hope it's just a phase and not a regression.
I'm beginning to agree with those that opine that Camarda and Comotto should be loaned out, both need to grow and get more physical. Cisse` and Tomori didn't play today but for the young black Italian hope it's just to rest him and has already made the team. For Tomori it's a possible sign that he's on his way out.
We have too many deficiencies and too many fodders to have a chance at a top 4 as it stands now. Chuckie in no way is worthy of a starter position, Musah is midtable talent at best, Terracciano I would let go for 4 million or so, Ricci is rightfully on the transfer list as is Fofana that showed nothing today.
We have Maignan, Gila, Rabiot, Pulisic, Gimenez and Athekame out and things may improve with their return, maybe with Gimenez as back up to Ramos or we'll have to buy another striker. If we keep Leao maybe go back with Puli on the right and Rafa on the left and forget this inverted stuff.
In my opinion Pavlovic was our best player in the first half with his bursts forward that were basically our only offense, Modric was ok as well, and Leao decent, while in the second half our CBs got easily over-run showing their lack of speed. Again too many misplaced passes and I see zero improvement in the returning players under Amorim.
Speaking of the coach that I'm not knocking because it's too early to judge, I wonder what caused Gerry to have such complete trust in his abilities despite having failed at his last stop. Basically gave him carte blanche in the transfer market even though that has come to a sudden stop. Who suggested it and convinced him that it was a good move.
I'm sure he had no idea who the guy was or fully understood what his tactics are. As a principle I despise the 3 at the back formation, no matter which model: 3-4-3, 3-5-2, 3-4-1-2, or our 3-4-2-1. Gasperini has had success with it as well as Conte and Inzaghi in a more offensive minded set-up. Alegri brought us ugly football while we won the scudetto and made CL semis under Pioli in a 4-2-3-1 mostly.
Having said all that, we really need to move fast this upcoming week, buying and selling while deeply evaluating who is worthy of the Milan jersey. Too many of our current players are not.
PS: I thought that Palestra was great today playing on the left while at Cagliari was on the right. It doesn't matter because he's equally adept with both feet. Has real good size and speed and his crosses and passes were constant dangers to our defense.
For those that said that a move to Chelsea from Cagliari is too high a step up, he was probably man of the match today and looked extremely confident. Yes, EPL clubs tend to over-pay but Inter made a 50 million offer that is tremendous for a Serie A club and was accepted, until Chelsea swooped in.
Marotta knows talent and wouldn't invest so much if he wasn't sure. I was impressed the first time I watched him play by his excellent first touch, his dribbling, and how comfortable he looks with the ball at his feet.