We face our first midweek challenge in the midst of a minor injury crisis. Both Abate and Kucka will be unavailable after picking up injuries against Palermo, prompting Sinisa to call up two primavera players. Significantly, despite a defender being called from the youth squad, Mexes has been left out again.

AC Milan Squad: Abbiati, Donnarumma, Diego Lopez, Alex, Calabria, De Sciglio, Rodrigo Ely, Llamas, Romagnoli, Zapata, Bonaventura, De Jong, Josè Mauri, Locatelli, Montolivo, Nocerino, Poli, Suso, Bacca, Balotelli, Cerci, Honda, Luiz Adriano

We'll be faced with the dilemma of who to rotate with a flurry of games to come and a reduced roster to rely upon. The fullbacks pick themselves due to injury but it shall be interesting to see if Ely gets a look in once more or if Sinisa will wait until Zapata makes a significant error to give him another shot.

With Kucka out, I'm uncertain who will be chosen in the RCM role. Poli seems the obvious choice, given the apparent reluctance to try De Jong in a slightly more advanced position, though I fear we'll see Nocerino again.

Balotelli may also earn his first start of the season, though all selection choices will come down to a final training session to see who is fresh enough for the challenge.

For Chrissakes, Sinisa, tonight's the night to bench this Honda guy.

I can easily see Bonaventura starting ahead of an excellent midfield trio comprised of Montolivo, De Jong and Poli.

I would still keep Balotelli on the bench, however. True, the guy has been 'OK' lately, but Luiz Adriano offers real work rate whereas Mario mostly slows us down with his ponderous and showy dribbling. He has the physique, so, why not move that slow butt of his and give some rhythm to our play?

Meanwhile, OMG Calabria! I never thought we would be able to churn out another outstanding defensive talent this soon. In a football world where defenders come a dime a dozen, We have produced 4 fullbacks one better than the other: Abate, De Sciglio, Darmian and this kid Calabria.
Add Astori and Ely as decent centerbacks and I would say we've done a better job than Barcelona, even. Says who Bartra and Montoya are better than Astori and Ely? Right?

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MY XI against Udinese:
Lopez - Zapata, Romagnoli, De Sciglio, Calabria - Montolivo, De Jong, Poli, Bonaventura - Bacca, Luiz Adriano

Still not fan of keeping balo on bench. Regardless of how gud Adriano's work rate is. If i want anybody to hit ball on goal I want it to be balo not Adriano. Also he offers on set pieces. As far his lazy ass I think he has learned a lesson or two from last season. seems to me a different guy tbh

I really want Balotelli to be tried as the trequartista behind Luiz Adriano and Bacca. Sure he is slow, but he is not much slower than Honda. With Balo at CAM, it could potentially allow for some rotation between the front three. We have already seen that Bacca is very capable of creating chances. It deserves a try at least.

Hopefully Monto is our RCM today. Don't think I'll be able to handle seeing Poli/Nocerino starting.

Seems like Mexes is heading for the exit door come January

LOLOLOLOOLOOOLOLLOL.... Is this AC Milan?

Pirloisjesus wrote:Still not fan of keeping balo on bench. Regardless of how gud Adriano's work rate is. If i want anybody to hit ball on goal I want it to be balo not Adriano. Also he offers on set pieces. As far his lazy ass I think he has learned a lesson or two from  last season. seems to me a different guy tbh

2-0 up in 18 mins. Shocked and Happy

Not watching the game but Balo

Miha

Guys is this Milan

Supersports is killing me. They don't have the rights to show Serie A this season. Been watching our matches this season at the pub. can't believe I'm missing this

How well are we performing?

Guys are you seeing Calabria? That thruball to Bacca ffs, not even prime Alves can do

Everyone is playing well, and Honda is continuing to improve. I wouldn't put Bonaventura in Honda's place, he is great exactly where he is playing now.

ZAAAAAAAAPAAAATAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

3-0

An assist from Jack

Zabata scored 3 - 0. A decent header.

Zapata scored?

Wow. Is this real life?

Never thought I'd see the day he will be reliable

How am I not watching this game?

Balotelli's work rate is definitely up. He has been really involved so far.

Pirloisjesus wrote:Still not fan of keeping balo on bench. Regardless of how gud Adriano's work rate is. If i want anybody to hit ball on goal I want it to be balo not Adriano. Also he offers on set pieces. As far his lazy ass I think he has learned a lesson or two from last season. seems to me a different guy tbh

Alex on for Calabria....

Can't understand this sub

Miha probably want to ensure the clean sheet, Alex won't be making any forward run, so we're basically playing with three CB's.

... That didn't work out.

Badu scores...and the assist comes from Duvan on the left...Zapata was ball watching

NDJ is useless as a B2B, doesn't contribute anything in offense