Fiorentina vs AC Milan: A New Hope

Serie A is finally back and with a new season comes a new beginning. After a disastrous season under Inzaghi we start afresh with an experienced manager in Mihjalovic. This is still very much a side under construction however we've a promising balance of experience and youth throughout the side now and having completed much of our transfer dealings early this season, many of our most important additions have had a chance to gel with their team mates.

We face however a difficult test away in Florence. Under the guidance of their new coach, Sousa, the Viola have been in majestic form in preseason, defeating both Chelsea and Barcelona, however it has been a difficult week for the Viola as Joaquin is attempting to push his way out of the club and they are awaiting a decision from the federation on whether Suarez will be permitted to play.

Missing from the squad are the injured Niang, Menez and Mexes, whilst Zaccardo has been given compassionate leave to look after his Clash of Clans account.

AC Milan Squad: Abbiati, Donnarumma, Diego Lopez; Abate, Alex, Antonelli, Calabria, Rodrigo Ely, De Sciglio, Paletta, Romagnoli, Zapata; Bertolacci, Bonaventura, De Jong, Jose Mauri, Nocerino, Montolivo, Poli, Suso; Bacca, Cerci, Honda, Luiz Adriano, Matri

I would expect the same line up as against Perugia, with the likes of Montolivo still physically underdone at this stage of the season. This will be a difficult beginning but I believe we'll edge them 2-1 with both of our new strikers opening their league accounts.

Can't believe I'm saying this but i'm actually excited to see us in action (I missed the Perugia game). I won't mind a loss too much, but what I want to see is at least a sign of improvement from last season.

The main question mark for me is how Honda will do if he's playing in his natural position as he was against Perugia. Hks performance will be key in order to evaluate how desperately we really need another midfielder.

Dos wrote:Zaccardo has been given compassionate leave to look after his Clash of Clans account.

Super hyped for this game. Bernadeschi will be one to watch for Fio. With Rossi out, Babacar will likely lead the line for them and he isn't half as effective.

I wouldn't be quite so quick to dismiss Babacar, he's an excellent shot from distance and quite agile for his size. Despite his build he's not the type to dominate a central defender with his back to goal but I do worry about allowing him to run at us if we lose the ball in our own half during a transition.

Excited for this. Tough fixture to start the season on. Holding my expectations in check, expecting a draw though I won't get too excited if we win. We beat Lazio on our opening game last season and that season went well

First time in a long time have I been this excited to watch Milan play.

Mihajlovic

M99 wrote:Excited for this. Tough fixture to start the season on. Holding my expectations in check, expecting a draw though I won't get too excited if we win. We beat Lazio on our opening game last season and that season went well

Ah, good times, good times

Mario Suarez has been cleared to play tonight after the FIGC ruled that his suspension that carries over from the Copa del Rey should apply only to cup competitions not to the league.

dostoevsky wrote:Mario Suarez has been cleared to play tonight after the FIGC ruled that his suspension that carries over from the Copa del Rey should apply only to cup competitions not to the league.

Smh Berlu is past his prime.

I'll be on the plane home unfortunately (might arrive during halftime). I've had a great track record of Milan winning whenever i'm in the air (Vs Roma 2-1 last season, vs Napoli 1-0 10/11, vs Real 3-2 09/10, etc

Hopefully we win, though i'll still have reservations considering the false start last season

Official lineup: Lopez; De Sciglio, Romagnoli, Ely, Antonelli; Bonaventura, De Jong, Bertolacci; Honda; Luiz Adriano, Bacca

3/4 of our back line is Milan youth products!

Bonaventura

Ely sent off on debut (:

So much for a good start to the season

This won't end well.

i dont even blame ely for that.... what is midfield doing ????? nothing!!!!!!

ball goes from defense all the way to forward... midfield has no job to do nor has brain for the job to be done!!!

i knew this would happen, and it will happen over and over again this season...

i cant see why milan will finish at top 5...

very good job by, romagnoli though!!

80 million spent... for this wow!

i can see this kind of results happening throughout the season, prepare to brace urself guys...

sad reality

Positionally we were a mess. We desperately need a ball-playing CM. None of our interiors are dropping deep to collect the ball. Every time we build from the back we end up hoofing the ball, because no one's dropping deep to give us a numerical superiority against Fiorentina's pressing.  

My fears regarding our young CB partnership was evident. Ely has no pace, so the moment he's out of position, he's screwed. It also doesn't help that he's the defensive stopper. He's gonna have to anticipate plays and will make mistakes due to age and inexperience.

I also think Bertolacci should NEVER play as a RCM. He misplaces way too many passes, and his greatest strength is driving the ball forward, which is easier if he's playing on the left side.

Well, shit.

Crap

Well that was.. underwhelming, to say the least!

Garbage midfield. Not a good debut for Ely at all. We got straight up dominated. I did like our line up though, given the players we have had available. Not too depressed about it since i fully expected this to be a loss or a draw. We are a mid table team at best, sadly.