EL Round of 16: Slavia Prague - Milan 14/03/2024 18:45 CET

[Hitchens]

4-2 lead after a horrible performance last game. Slavia largely outplayed us even with 10 men last game. They showed real grit, were a very physical side and had several decent finishers.

I expect us to line up as follows:

Maignan
Calabria-Tomori-Gabbia-Theo
Adli-Bennacer
Pulisic-RLC-Leao
Giroud

Main uncertainty is starting CBs. All are fit, Tomori the least rusty of the returnees, and I therefore expect him to start alongside Gabbia who's been a revelation since returning.

I hope for a disciplined performance that builds confidence in the defensive department.

 

[Deep Fried Pizza & Chips]

4-2 lead after a horrible performance last game. Slavia largely outplayed us even with 10 men last game. They showed real grit, were a very physical side and had several decent finishers.

I expect us to line up as follows:

Maignan
Calabria-Tomori-Gabbia-Theo
Adli-Bennacer
Pulisic-RLC-Leao
Giroud

Main uncertainty is starting CBs. All are fit, Tomori the least rusty of the returnees, and I therefore expect him to start alongside Gabbia who's been a revelation since returning.

I hope for a disciplined performance that builds confidence in the defensive department.

As always RLC gives me the ick...

I think we'll grind this one out, with some mild heart attacks along the way.

 

[CDarius]

Qualify and get Marseille next round. Grazie

 

[fray]

Hope we don't see anything similar to Rennes away here. Tbh we should've gone into this game with at least a 4-goal lead.

 

[Stitches]

Early game, i expect taking a lead in first half and then train composure in defending.

 

[Milanista from Russia]

The main thing is to guess with a couple of central defenders. Tiav definitely should not play, and from the three of Kier-Gabbia-Tomori it is necessary to choose the optimal duet. A mistake can cost us dearly.

 

[Hitchens]

The main thing is to guess with a couple of central defenders. Tiav definitely should not play, and from the three of Kier-Gabbia-Tomori it is necessary to choose the optimal duet. A mistake can cost us dearly.

It seems Gabbia is struggling a little, so it will likely come down to either Tomori-Kjær or Tomori-Thiaw.

After all the latter was the principal starting CB pair, if they can't start together after becoming fresh again that's very worrying.

I have a feeling we will see Kjær-Tomori.

 

[Az.]

Captain America to carry us, or bust.

 

[kevin_dk]

It seems Gabbia is struggling a little, so it will likely come down to either Tomori-Kjær or Tomori-Thiaw.

After all the latter was the principal starting CB pair, if they can't start together after becoming fresh again that's very worrying.

I have a feeling we will see Kjær-Tomori.

Gabbia does seem to be struggling a bit. Put in fresh legs and fresh minds. As long as the replacements know their job and the expectations for them, they should be trusted.

Kjaer will probably start in place of Gabbia.

The team should run on roles and not specific names. Taking a name out of a role and plugging in another name should not break the team. If doing that breaks the team, go inquire the management, on both corporate and operational levels.

 

[BillyTheKid]

Poor Gabbia is so unpopular here. I don't know why you guys think he was struggling. I believe he has been excellent and deserves to start.

 

[leaf]

Another fantastic win + Leao goal

 

[King Hennessy]

3-1 Milan. Leao, RLC and Puli will be the scorers.

 

[Hitchens]

 

[Kirk Van Houten]

They will come out all guns blazing tonight the way Rennes did two weeks ago. We just need to whether the storm for the first 15/20 minutes. If we don't concede early the crowd will get quieter and we'll be fine- concede early and it could be a nervy night for all of us. Thank God we have a 2 goal head start.

 

[Milanista from Russia]

Many predict that the Musah-Adli pair will be released in the center. But these are the details, Yunus or Reynders. The main thing is that Bennaser does not fly into the field. At least until you reach a comfortable account

 

[Hitchens]

Gazzetta suggest Musah will join Adli in the pivot.

That's a new combo, isn't it?

 

[CDarius]

Please..my dear Milan just give me a quiet night..no need of rising my heart beat.
I hope for a big team mature display.

Musah from the first minute is music to my ears but i would prefer Tijy next to him instead of John Wick.

 

[Deep Fried Pizza & Chips]

So Musah is getting released from the cell Adli occupied the last year?

Let the boy cook!!!

 

[Stitches]

Unbeatable kit?

 

[AndreiX]

Musah has really grown on me. I still don't trust him to not overcomplicated things when building up out of tricky situations but he works a ton and his runs are ridiculous, he's raw but with some guidance he could turn into a game changing player

There's things that could click for him and turn him from a project player into a dependable one.
Either learning how to play with his head up a bit, offensively often after he dribbles he just does nothing and shoots a tired shot or crosses into the first man he sees or towards nothing. (Leao s ability to find people after a massive run is world class BTW, few players can scan a box as fast as he does it's just that his passes don't always connect)
And if he were to turn into a pivot CDM type of player instead of trying to shape his game around his runs he needs to learn to pass a ball, I think he sees the spaces but he almost always mishits the simplest of passes

 

[DonSilvio]

Its Leao day. Well rested and the team needs him to shine today

 

[Deep Fried Pizza & Chips]

I'm looking forward to meeting and watching the match with the guys from the Milan Club Scotland tonight.

Let's get the win and see a comfortable game... Please

 

[doraemon]

I swear if pioli ruin these nice beautiful day for us... We just need to sit back and waiting to counter slavia, play 3atb if necessary

 

[Stitches]

Gotta be ready for anything

 

[Stitches]

Dominate Holes

 

[Hitchens]

MILAN (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Gabbia, Tomori, Theo Hernandez; Adli, Musah; Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek, Leao; Giroud. Allenatore: Stefano Pioli

Excited to see Musah start.

 

[Stitches]

 

[Stitches]

 

[kakajd]

does anyone think we play to win, or just to draw?

what would pioliball do tonight?

 

[Hitchens]

I hate this kit.