Empoli v Milan

Interesting times...

A few of our players are now back from injury.

The 23-man squad is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Abbiati, Gori, Diego Lopez

Defenders: Antonelli, Alex, Bocchetti, Paletta, Rami, Zaccardo

Midfielders: De Jong, Essien, Felicioli, Mastalli, Poli, Suso, Van Ginkel, Bonaventura

Forwards: Cerci, Destro, Di Molfetta, Honda, Menez, Pazzini

I hope to see something like this:


I'd also like to see Suso on the field for Honda or Menez at some point.

Empoli, despite their league position, are a very difficult side to play. They harass their opposition with seemingly endless energy and play quick, fluid football. Individually, they're nothing special in attack but they build from a solid foundation at the back where Rugani and Tonelli form a formidable partnership in the centre and bring the ball out with confidence, relying heavily on intelligent movement from their midfield and the runs of Mario Rui and Hysaj from fullback. None of Maccarone, Croce or Puccarelli should trouble us on paper but they continually harass the opposition on the ball and provoke mistakes on the ball, something we've been susceptible to all season. They're not a particularly clinical or prolific side though so if we can break them down twice it should be enough. We're also helped by Saponara's absence courtesy of a bout of chicken pox.

We won't see this but it's what I'd like to witness:

Bonaventura---Destro---Cerci
Poli---De Jong---Suso
Antonelli---Paletta---Alex---Rami
Lopez

I know Inzaghi won't drop Menez, so I didn't even bother leaving him out of my aspirational team.

2-2 draw

Starting XI VS Empoli: Diego Lopez; Rami, Alex, Paletta, Antonelli; Honda, Poli, De Jong, Bonaventura; Menez, Destro.

EMPOLI XI: Sepe; Hysaj, Tonelli, Rugani, Mario Rui; Vecino, Valdifiori, Cross; Zielinski; Maccarone, Pucciarelli

Glad to see that Rami aside, no one is being shoved out of position, though I'm uncertain about our right flank. I'd rather have Cerci there but Honda provides greater defensive cover and both he and Bonaventura can tuck into midfield when necessary.

@footballitalia 35s36 seconds ago
According to Sport Mediaset, #Empoli are complaining the grass at San Siro is too long for #MilanEmpoli #SerieA #ACMilan

lmao

Looking forward to seeing Destro today.

should've been 0-1

Bocchetti on for Alex

Why on earth is Diego Lopez kicking the ball out instead of playing out from the back?

God, i can't stand this english commentator. Squeals like a girl whenever Empoli does anything

Commentator A: Valdefiori, what a story, still driving his dad's old Ford Fiesta. 300k km on the clock, doesn't need the glamour of footballing life.

Commentator B: Sounds like you haha

Commentator A: Would fit inside your car

wasteful from jack there

Menez is far too slow to pass

This team atm:

If Menez is out of form/disinterested/invisible then the team is out of form/disinterested/invisible

Lopez has obviously been instructed to kick it long to the wing at every opportunity - even when he has the short pass open.

lackadaisical pressing, empoli are just passing it around at will

Why are we hoofing and lobbing instead of making the simple pass

No supply to Destro at all

We need to sub Menez off. He's hoarding the ball and doing nothing when he gets it.

YES DESTRO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good team goal

The goal was completely against the run of play and came from virtually our only chance. Menez finally passed it when he had the chance and Jack made a good run and cross.

Inzaghi has a lot to look at in the half time break and he couldn't do much worse than reading ES' and my comments in this thread.

Inzagh is an awful coach. This team has no identity, no style of play, nothing. It's just a bunch of individuals running around.

Can't wait until this fool is sacked.