Montolivo is INJURED!

SES has an inflammation on his ankle too

Bojan should get a chance then

When does Europa league start?

Eivindo wrote:Bojan should get a chance then

I think he is also injured.

Cristante save us!!

Cristante is going to be called up

El Shaarawy wrote:When does Europa league start?

This. I think its over now. Seedorf next year.











Bring on Cristante, at least u show the club u had balls, Allegri!

Cristante will be called up....

But will start with a midfield of Muntari Nocerino Flamini.

Highly doubt Cristante will start, I also doubt he might even come on tbh.

The archetype of a "grit 'n stupidity" midfield

Isn't Bojan injured too?

Forza wrote:Isn't Bojan injured too?

muntari and flamini will save us

My post from the Milan Channel Live thread.

dostoevsky wrote:I will be absolutely infuriated if we see a line-up of Flamini---Muntari---Nocerino. This is what Cristante is being groomed for, let's give him a chance. With all due respect to Torino and Pescara, despite the pressure on the team to get results, this presents a perfect opportunity for a youngster to find space within the side.

It's a pity that Bojan is injured, otherwise I'd recommend a switch to the 4-2-3-1 with Bojan running the show through the middle, however in his absence we need someone with the ability to play from the deep. I'm hardly expecting Cristante to run the show in midfield and he might present a timid figure at first, however if we're not going to play our youngsters when there is no one else available in their position then we may as well not have a youth team. Funnel everyone to Genoa and be done with it.

Building upon this, our main decisions revolve around whether to play a two or three man midfield and from this, how these midfields should be composed.

Montolivo, Ambrosini and Bojan will all be unavailable, which leaves us bereft of a dependable anchor or a creative presence through the spine of the team. Two youngsters yet to make a Serie A debut who have the characteristics required are Bryan Cristante and Bartosz Salamon, however at best we might see one of these take the field. Should either see the pitch?

The argument for Salamon lies in his physical maturity, consistent game time this season during the first half of the season playing in Serie B, recent national debut for Poland and his quality on the ball in defensive midfield. Having played much of his football in the backline this season he would provide great steel in midfield, however whether he has the composure on the ball to perform when thrust back into the midfield on his debut for a big club is a question we can not answer at this point. His inclusion would allow us the flexibility to play either a two or three man midfield.

Cristante has been earmarked as the heir to Montolivo within the team, receiving a professional contract the moment he turned 18 and having been invited to train with the first team throughout the year. For a player of his age he is an impressive physical specimen and provides a creative option in the channels, however his inclusion likely requires that we use a three man midfield to ease the pressure on the youngster, whilst he may not yet be ready to step up to the plate, even against modest opposition. That we shall require quality on the ball in midfield is undeniable however, with a midfield of Muntari, Flamini and Nocerino offering little in terms of vision or patience with the ball. Their greatest assets concern their movement off the ball, defensive prowess and their ability to carry the ball forward rather than move it on quickly. A player to keep the play moving quickly is required to ensure that we do not become dependent upon an aerial bombardment of the box.

Boateng's use in either a three man midfield or through the centre in a 4-2-3-1 is a potential solution, however his best performances have been in his mobile role from the wing this season and his effectiveness in these roles remains questionable. Personally, I advocate the selection of one of our youngsters, with Boateng's role chosen to complement either youngster. Should Cristante be used, it may be wise to choose a more combative midfield to surround him, whilst Salamon will likely provide us with the means to field a more aggressive line up.

Just start a double pivot of Salamon--Cristante

#YOLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

No way is Cristante going to start. The best we can hope for him is coming on from the bench.