I'm not overly perturbed by the performance, the first 13min, the supposed length of time that Milan was a team for was not all that different to the final half an hour, the difference being Milan were leading.
What I mean is that Verona's defence was set with 10 players and the guys tried to penetrate using short passes to Balotelli with the intention of some combination (be it a one-two, a dummy etc) creating the opening. I felt these attempts were suitable, maybe they come off on another day but that facet doesn't need changing.
I agree with Senatore that it's wrong to complain of a lack of creativity when Montolivo and Poli were playing, our game style will not change from last season, it is however expected that appropriate decisions be made on the basis of knowing the characteristics of your teammates better than last season.
I am however disappointed in the defence, I would have thought Mexes would be entrusted with Toni-marking duties on set pieces, so to find Constant being out-jumped is disheartening and it feels like no progress has been made to improve on this Achilles heel.
Fiero rightly identified Abate was nowhere to be seen on the second goal so Zapata had to cover but was unable to do so effectively. However, I am of the belief Abbiati has a big say in concession of the goal, he was positioned on the centre of the goal-line and as such a close range header to the near post went in, bitterly disappointed in that effort.
Abate back to being impotent on offence, yet he continued to traverse forward (and receive the ball) while Constant was unused and Poli had to drop back to cover his position, Abate, please just stay in defence and let more capable players take care of the offence.
Urby at RW has been proven to fail since last season so it was mind-boggling he would take Niang out for him, if Urby is to play in this team it has to be rotating LB with Constant, I'm sick of seeing his looped crosses on the right drifting out for goal kicks.
Finally, although Nocerino was his usual ineffectual self, he cannot be blamed for 'forcing El Shaarawy to defend deeper' than him, when defending, Niang and El Shaarawy dropped back (as usual, which is greatly appreciated) to midfield creating a 4-5-1, so Nocerino was defending the inside left midfield while Verona relied heavily on Martinho and their right mezzala attacking down the sideline. Consequently, El Shaarawy was forced to track deeper than Nocerino.
Best wishes, Milan, against PSV.
