Well, I've thought of pretty much nothing else since Sunday, and I've decided that Robinho needs to be used as a sub/backup or in a situation where we really need a goal. An attack with Robinho, Ibrahimovic, Ronaldinho, and Pato is the type of thing dreams are made of, but we must have a strong midfield in order to compete against the top 7 or so clubs in Italy and obviously in Europe. Leonardo's formation was amazing at times last year, but it would never work against elite competition since Pirlo lacks the defensive qualities necessary to play him in a two man midfield with four in attack. I'm sure we'll see all four players in attack at some point when we absolutely need to score, but it's best to rotate the attackers.
Likewise, I don't want to see Pirlo and Seedorf playing together on a regular basis. It worked well on Sunday, but Pirlo, Ambrosini, and Seedorf would be torched by quality teams. I'd prefer that Seedorf be used as a sub/replacement for Pirlo, and that either Boateng or Flamini start alongside Ambrosini and Pirlo.
Abbiati
Bonera-Nesta-Silva-Antonini
Boateng-Pirlo-Ambrosini
Pato-Ibrahimovic-Ronaldinho
I think that would be our best formation at the moment, because Ambrosini gives a little bit of defensive weight to the left side, which is the weaker of the two sides defensively. In addition, Boateng will give the left a fast and offensively skilled player that Pato can work with (the right side is weaker in attack without Boateng). Pirlo will also have all kinds of options in this formation, and it puts Pirlo in his best position instead of out to the right or left, which is where he was last year under Leonardo. I really don't know how teams are going to be able to defend this Milan... Pato, Ibrahimovic, Pirlo, and Ronaldinho are all players that teams would prefer to man mark, but you can't do that effectively when they are all on the pitch.
The nice thing about this formation/starting XI is that we have all kinds of subs available in case of fatigue/injury.
GK: Amelia and Roma are both fantastic subs
RB: Zambrotta and Abate are capable
CB: Sokratis and Yepes. Probably our strongest position, IMO.
LB: Zambrotta is really the only quality option here unfortunately, which makes it our weakest position. Bonera can still play at LB, though, since he's primarily a defender when he plays. Jankulovski is also available, but I don't think we'll ever see him again.
Midfield: Flamini, Abate, Seedorf, Merkel, Gattuso, and Strasser.
Attack: Robinho, Inzaghi, Odu, and maybe Verdi when he returns. Robinho alone gives us all kinds of options:
Pato-Ibrahimovic-Ronaldinho (starting attack)
Robinho-Ibrahimovic-Ronaldinho (rest Pato)
Robinho-Pato-Ronaldinho (my favorite lineup, rest Ibrahimovic)
Pato-Ibrahimovic-Robinho (rest Ronaldinho)
Now, Seedorf is not as good as Pirlo in his CM role, but I still want to see Seedorf used as a sub/backup to Pirlo regularly. Pirlo is someone that has suffered from way too much playing time for about four years for club and country, and we need to do everything we can to keep him fresh. So, if we are up 3-0 (like we were against Lecce), then we can bring on Seedorf to give him a rest. In some cases, we could even use Merkel to replace Pirlo...
Rotation is the key to competing in the CL and Scudetto. I don't think Milan's midfield/backs are good enough to win the Champions League, but we are certainly as good as anyone in Italy, IMHO.
Ibroparovic
oh we always have a primavera competition or we better win coppa italia this year i like that badge
