Davy & Chin Talk A.C Milan Weekly
Davy & Chin Talk A.C Milan Weekly
Beating Napoli, Building Belief: Milan’s Statement Win, Allegri’s Simplicity, and Pulisic’s Spark
One goal in three minutes can rewrite a week’s worth of doubt. We break down how Milan seized control against Napoli with a crisp transition, a disciplined midfield triangle, and a back line that finally looks like a unit. Christian Pulisic stands out for his decision speed and relentless box arrivals, while Luka Modrić—yes, at 40—quietly conducts the match by dictating tempo, closing lanes, and telling everyone where to stand. Add Rabiot’s engine and Fofana’s late runs, and the 3-5-2 feels less like an experiment and more like muscle memory.
We also go deep on the details that decide big games: how an early lead feeds Allegri’s “keep it simple” plan, why Napoli kept getting pushed wide, and what changed once the left flank started closing space on Politano. The penalty and red card? We dissect the sequence without losing the larger point—organized suffering wins titles. Through it all, Maignan’s presence reduces chaos, and the back three’s consistency keeps the box calm.
Up front, the conversation turns pragmatic. Leão’s return adds gravity even as he plays his way to full sharpness, while Santi Giménez’s work rate meets the non-negotiables but raises questions about his finishing. We talk striker profiles, January needs, and how to preserve Modrić’s legs without losing the blueprint. Depth is solid in midfield, thinner at wingback, and promising at center-back if young profiles are developed in the right roles.
This is a turning-point performance that raises the ceiling: clearer identity, smarter transitions, cleaner game states, and two match-winners who tilt defences. We close by eyeing Juventus with a simple mandate—own the middle, manage loads, and trust the structure. If you felt the belief grow, you’re not alone. Subscribe, share with a fellow Milanista, and drop your Juve prediction in the comments.
After 11 years, once again, Milan of the Champions of Italy. It's they who win a ground for the 2021.
SPEAKER_00:Hello everyone, this is Divi and Chin Talk Milan, and we are back again. What a day to to to hop on the pod and and tell my boy Chin. What's up, bro? How you day?
SPEAKER_01:I'm doing good, Dave. How are you? I'm very happy. I know you seem extra excited today. I wonder what happened.
SPEAKER_00:I wonder what happened today. I don't think anyone is telling me what happened before you before before they know what's happening. Because what a what a sweet, what a very beautiful way to actually you know end the weekend with a very beautiful win against Napoli and Almighty County. But, anyways, ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to Divian Chin. We are back again to discuss mainland as usual after every game. We apologize who couldn't actually come on board. Um, do the podcast last weekend because of I wasn't feeling too well. I wasn't I was under the weather, but I feel better now. And I think this this this victory today.
SPEAKER_01:Do you feel do you feel better because of the victory or you feel better because he actually got better?
SPEAKER_00:However, you see it change. Oh my change. You know what? Let's start with the build-up to this game first. Because I think that's that's that's the most important part for us before we actually dive into the analysis of this game, right? Because there's this sort of tension. I think it's because I'm still suffering from the post-traumatic stress of Peoli's Bilan and Napoli last season. Because I going to this game, in all honesty, Napoli has they've they've grown, they've become more stronger. And you know, I was like, I had a 50-50 feeling about this whole situation that well it might go Napoli's way or it might go our own way. But the only thing that I think I still stood on all through the game or before the game is that no matter how bad today might be for us, I don't think Aleg Gri being on the sideline will tolerate any sort of like you know lackluster performance from Milan. But by the way, like how do you feel going to this game to even start with?
SPEAKER_01:Well, the feeling you have is justified, right? It's a big game. So Milan is playing Napoli, and you know, technically the two best teams this season, right? And it's expected. Anytime we play any big team in in the league or in Europe, there's always this heightened sense of anxiety, right? It happens all the time. It doesn't even matter where Milan is on the table or whatever, it's just extra sense of like thickness in the air, and you're you just feel more anxious. So it's expected. And to be honest, this time around, it was also it was also more uh what's it called? Because it was more of uh an indication of you know, it's a big test. Because so far this is in Milan has been playing a lot of games. Um, we've been winning, some of them okay games, some of them not so okay. The only loss so far was to Criminosi, which again, I think in hindsight, looks more like a a blip than uh than fact, right? Um, you know, they kept consecutive clean sheets, like three consecutive clean sheets before this game. So for most Milan fans, this was supposed to be uh make or break in terms of are they actually serious this season? I don't know if I that's how I felt. I don't know about you, but that was my feeling, right? And for Napoli, to be honest, he didn't have to prove a point to anybody because they are the defending champions. All they needed to do was not get run over by Milan today, and they are good. For Milan, it is almost like existing all real, and that was the tension for me, anyways. So um so it's normal, it's normal feeling. I felt that way. Uh I felt that way. I try not to think about the games too much because you get distracted, but I felt that way for like the whole week, right? Uh there's a build-up to the game. I felt that way. So uh it's good to finally get get there, see the game start, and uh, you know, I don't know if you want to get into the game, but exactly, exactly.
SPEAKER_00:And before we get into the game, I think one of the one of the biggest boosts going to this game, also, let's let's mention is actually Mike Mignon, you know, coming back because it's the honesty. I feel like Mike Mignon being in the goal, right? It's not just about his goalkeeping ability, right? But his ability to actually be part of the game and control the plays of the game. I think plays a huge, huge role in Milan's um, you know, victories and stuff like that. That's how I feel. But, anyways, going to the game, right? Looking at the selection, I wasn't really surprised. I mean, if it doesn't if it's not broken, why do you want to fix it? But you know what I'm saying, right? And I feel like it's right for him to actually fill in the actual starting lineup that he filled today. What do you think?
SPEAKER_01:Uh I have no problem with the starting lineup to your point. I think if you and I had talked before and you asked me what would uh Allegri do, I tell you, he will still do the same thing that in fact, tomorrow, even with Rafael being fit, he will still do the same thing. Yeah, because for him, like, unless of course, unless he's sure, right, he's not going to make a change. Um, I think again, every time Pulisic plays for Milan, you see the reason why to me he's our best player, right? If you ask me. Uh, at least in my own opinion, he's been our most consistent player since he's actually been a Milan. So um I'm not surprised that alleged went that way. I told you before that this formation allows him to be to have his robust midfield, right? Like strong, yeah physical people that can keep up, and then at the same time uh be able to kind of generate some creativity with polisage.
SPEAKER_00:It's so funny because you know, you know how how we were so used to this 4-2-1-3 formation in the past, right? I were kind of been skeptical about this 3-5-2. Because if you notice, Consistar actually tried to use the 3-4 3-5-2 formation too last season, even though it kind of worked a little bit, but it wasn't really something that those guys are used to based on the the the tactical, you know, the tactical communication and and how they should be playing and the personnel still, right? I don't think it was really making sense on that consistor, but with the way allegria structured this team, Shane, with the kind of message he has actually passed on to these guys, I feel like this 3-5-2 looks like it's a it's a formation that we've been playing for a very long time. But, anyways, let's get into the game. Oh, do you want to say something?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, I wanted to say, like, you know, to be honest with you, uh, I was reading what I like you said about Modric. The difference between Milan's uh last year Milan and this year Milan is that they're not trying to play uh what's his name, they're not trying to play um for um for fana as a CDM. But it wasn't though, it's then it wasn't. No, last year like the two was always for Fana and Randy's, and I told you before the guy he's almost always out of position. That was then, but with Modrich, Modrich kind of controls Modric is like the pacemaker of a C Milan, right? He does because he controls he controls he controls the the rhythm, the flow of everything. He helps like kind of like he's almost he does the same job, in my own opinion, that uh Rodri does for Man City when he's in big form, which is give everybody an idea of where they need to be defensively, give everybody an idea where they need to be attacking wise. Because, like, even someone like Fofana, he can read off of he can read off of uh Modrich. You get my point? Like Fofana can read off of Modric and see based on where Modric moves and actually like react to that. Everybody else can. So that's one key difference. Secondly, instructions also differ, right? Like maybe Allegri is a meat and potatoes coach where he doesn't really want you to add any flair to the to the instructions, he just says, Go out there, this is what you need to do, simple. Yeah, and then on the other hand, maybe Fonseca wants some additional uh inverted runs, overlapping runs and whatever runs that sometimes the players get confused by that mean that many instructions, right? So a wise man once said, Keep it simple, stupid. Maybe Allegra, that's his style. He keeps it simple, and the players go out there and they just deliver because it's simple instructions that they can understand, right? Exactly. Um but it's the it's it's it's slightly different personnel, but also the coaching matters a lot, and that's one of the key differences in terms of how these players are interpreting the uh the formation last uh now versus last year.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, yeah. And going to the game, right? I think one of the huge um icebreaker that we had today was that early goal that came in within the first two minutes, right? And if you look at the run chain, I've been saying this. I don't think I've seen any player that plays like Christian Polisic in CIR. Like he's the different breed when it comes to like he's not that kind of he's he's not that typical, you know, when you have these midfielders that have this sort of like flair, like Polisic, the way he does, he plays it very simple, but he knows what to do at the right time. When he picked that ball from a midfielder and he ran with it, right? He created a lot of space. I don't think Napoli players were expecting it, right? And again, the inexperienced guy that played in the right back for Napoli kind of like also like added to the problem, anyways. But in all honesty, what's what's your take analyzing that the first assist from Polisic?
SPEAKER_01:Well, my first thought was oh my god, I hope he doesn't tear his armstring. But that's a different decision. I know, right?
SPEAKER_00:It was running, right?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, so the the thing, the thing, the thing I can tell you is that I told you before that he is Mubilan's most consistent player. In fact, I would even go above and say he's your best player. But one thing about him is a very smart player. So Polisic is a kind of player that you can like he always, if you notice, I've said it in previous podcasts that his goals are always in the box. He always ends up scoring from inside the box, he always follows the run, the play up into the box, even the assist that he just made, right? Yeah, like most people would have tried to cut it back into the the uh the middle of the 18-yard box, but he actually went across the face of goal and went far post. Now, he knowing fully well that of course Salamarcas will be trying to make that run, that's where most of the opportunity because it's only this guy at that pace he was running. The only person that would have been there would have been Jimenez in the box, right? The guy further ahead than him. But he still basically crossed that ball all the way. Look where Alexis ran all the way from, and the ball still got to Alexis because of the pass he made. So it's just all round brilliance uh by Polisic, in my own opinion. He's a very smart player, and you can see that that smartness, again, similar to what I said about uh Modric, the smartness shows because he just doesn't play for playing sake, he plays with brains, he knows when to pass, he knows when to take on players, you know. And I said it one time that one of the key differences between how he plays for Milan and how he used to play for Chelsea is that, in my own opinion, yeah, is him getting rid of the ball at the right time from his on his feet, not getting like how often do you see him get tackled and he's on the ground? And that what that does for him is he doesn't actually get hurt as much, right? But he gets hit a lot though, he gets hit a lot, like even in the last game against the Denise, for example, like he was not as much as I was scared of okay, not as much as he was when he was at Chelsea.
SPEAKER_00:Well, maybe all right, yeah, yeah. Chin, don't forget to the intensity in EPL is different, right?
SPEAKER_01:No, I understand intensity, but the reality too is that intensity matters, but the same thing too, like your style of play also matters. If you're the kind of person that likes to carry the ball a lot, like Hazard used to, yeah, then you always get hit and you fall, right? If you're the kind of player that realizes that if you do that a lot of times, you will get hurt. What he does now is he tries to get rid of the ball as much as possible. Now, in this particular play, he did run long distance, but the dribble wasn't like he was taking on so many players, it was just yeah, was very direct, yeah. Yeah, timing ahead of the to your point, inexperienced uh defender. So I think that was an impressive, it was an impressive goal, and honestly speaking, it was a perfect start for Milan because it did help give them that confidence. Like I told you earlier that for Milan, this game was supposed to be, this game was supposed to be the first big test for them for this season, was their actual main test. For Napoli, on the other hand, they didn't, again, I keep saying they didn't have to come and prove a lot of points to anybody because they will still probably be there to compete for the league. In fact, even as the game went on, you can clearly see that they are a very, very, very good team.
SPEAKER_00:Oh, yeah, and don't forget too, like they have a couple of injuries, right? Exactly. Yeah, and even though County tried to play down, play down, like it doesn't think the injury is gonna affect the team today.
SPEAKER_01:But the thing is, I think when we got the goal very early, it kind of like gave Milan that you know that advantage in pushing back a little bit, exactly confidence to say, hey, like you know, and then the other thing too is that they now have something to fight for, yeah, because that's something that you forget, right? Like this allegory milan, it's not like they're gonna be swashbuckling and creating. I was gonna say that I was like, yeah, so at least they have something to defend because it was allegory today was like Christmas for him, because it was like Christmas for him because he actually, in his mind, this is a perfect game because you can defend it all your life and then try to hit people on the counter-attack if possible, right? Yeah, you don't have to do anything. In fact, Milan could have just stood back today and won the game, regardless, and that's what he likes. So it was almost like too perfect of a start for them, give them a boost of confidence, made them believe that they could actually score against this Napoli or go at this Napoli team, and that set the tone for the entire game, if you ask me.
SPEAKER_00:So honestly, great start, and also like considering the fact that you know, considering the fact that we've actually had some couple of conversations about Aleg, right? Like maybe at the start of the season, like him like trying to like you know, he start being a little bit boring. But again, like knowing that you play Napoli, right, and you know, scoring a goal at the early stage of the game, right? Like you said, if he decides to sit back and then defend all day, maybe and they want three points, maybe that'll that'll be justified, right? But again, but the thing is, he he I think the team really understood how to then they knew they knew Napoli was gonna come, they knew Napoli was gonna step out and try to equalize, but again they counter them and they scored the second goal. If you know that if you saw how we scored the second goal, right? Coming from um from Pavlovich from the left hand side, pushing it forward, and then again, what I've said a couple of times this season, right? Fofana finding himself in very, very good space in the attack, and he really he really took advantage of it today. What's your thought on the second goal?
SPEAKER_01:So the the thing about Fofana finding space, right? Um, it kind of lines up with what I was saying earlier about how Mudrich helps stabilizes everything. So for Fana now doesn't have to worry too much about you know being too out of position in his defensive meet in his defensive responsibility, so he can freely go forward, right? He's in a fact now doing almost what the general interest is to do. He can just freely go forward, and then frankly, with Rabio being there, Rabio is very disciplined as well. So Rabio is not going to be almost uh cut out, cut out in the wrong position. So the Afrofana can now go and support and help. You know what I mean? So that's why he can, if you notice, he's always like the late runner in, he's always the guy, you know, in the pocket, like the extra attacker. Exactly. And you you almost never see Modric or uh what's his name, Rabio, most times there. Now it's good for him. Um, I think he and Bully Switch are also building good chemistry, if you ask me. Yeah, um, between the both of them, which is good. Can we can we can is there more like again? I'm the kind of person that I keep asking, is there more from uh what's his name for Fana that we can expect? Yeah, but right now he's actually delivering on being in the right spot at the right time, assisting police, scoring goals when needed. Um, you know what? I can't really complain much, to be honest with you, because as long as it's not rubbing lots of streaks that he's playing, I'm okay. Because at least these other people, they have some a lot of things that they bring to the team.
SPEAKER_00:Exactly.
SPEAKER_01:That's the truth, right?
SPEAKER_00:Exactly, exactly. And okay, let's quickly just talk about the um I I'm gonna I'm gonna shine a light on on our on our on our defense right for for for a quick minute here because Tomori, Gabia, and Pavlovich, you know, they've been really consistent this season, and we need to really give them that sort of compliment because again, aside from the goal that we considered today from the from the penalty spot, today could have been a very again under clean sheet, right? And even though, again, Mike Manyan had some saves today, right? But you could tell that the positioning of the defense really protected him so much that the sort of saves he was making, right, were like pretty much like the standard save that you expect um from goalkeeper from that sort of position. What's your thoughts?
SPEAKER_01:Well, the truth of the matter is that when it comes to defending, right, uh stability or knowing your partners and what their strengths and ability, you know, uh their opportunities too, right, is is a key is a key part of it. So these three people, you know what uh you know what allegory is trying to do with them. I told you before that he's trying to make them into his uh new Ponichi, Ponichi, uh what's it called? Uh Cellini and um and uh Bazagli. Yeah, he's trying to convert these guys into those guys, right? Because that's the thing, the consistency. And then if you have a good goalkeeper, the four of them make a very good unit, and then you can always rotate out your wingers or your wing backs, and you don't have problems, right? So whether or not these guys are the best in terms of their talent, it's inconsequential now because they have a rhythm going working for them. You know what I mean? Exactly. They have like they are complimenting each other, they are kind of understanding each other a little bit more, which is why to be honest, sometimes you bring in some of the young guys, it seems like they are actually bad all of a sudden. You know why? Because they also haven't really gotten the opportunity to play with this group that much. So all of a sudden, because that's usually what defending is most times. Yeah, it's being able to read your partner's, you know, like moves and know, okay, this person is going to be able to like I can I use the Liverpool, for example. I can tell you that a lot of people can gamble because they know that uh what's his name? Uh Virgil van Dijk will always come there and cover. But then if you know that that person is not that good, you know, in terms of uh their ability to recover, then you might want to risk less, right? You know, that risk less. Yeah, so those are the little things that this Milan factory are actually forming a good cohesive unit where, regardless of their actual ability, it reminds me a little bit too of uh when Tomori and uh and uh what's his name? Uh Kalulu, yeah, ended up forming this wonderful partnership that led Milan to the Scudetto before. It is about the consistency of those people playing together, not every week you're changing somebody every month, you're changing every two two games. Remember, this was what was going on with uh Milan last year.
SPEAKER_00:Exactly.
SPEAKER_01:They started with Pablo Vich before you know Tomorrow was on the bench, before you know he came back, before you know uh Gabiya came and was taking everybody's place. Malik Chia will come in one game and leave. It was all over the place.
SPEAKER_00:There's no level of consistency in terms of the lineup.
SPEAKER_01:So consistency is key. Yeah, the same guys, week in week out, they know when one person likes because he used to be no tomori has assisted a few a few this this season. And guess who is now the guy helping out going forward? Pavlovich. Yeah, right? Yeah, so it's almost like they kind of they're getting it, right? And I I you know, I think to your point, they uh they've been very good this year, and I believe that they will continue to be good as long as they we keep the team consistent and Milan continue doing whatever they need to do.
SPEAKER_00:And even if you if you even the guys coming in too, like I if there are a couple of guys that are coming in that are still doing the job properly, like very well, in terms of like the center back, like Cody the winter came also came in today, right? For tomori, because tomori is injured, right? Um, had some growing um discomfort and was forced to come out. But when Cody the Winter came on, like even despite the fact that Milan was in the heat of the pressure, because again, at that point, um, this guy was already um recorded. What's his name? Estupinha, which we're gonna talk about shortly. But when Cody the Winter came on, like I could see that his confidence, his involvement in the game was spot on, like he was did very well as well. Now, Estupinha kind of had like a bit of a struggle with Politano today, which did say a bit of a struggle, but let's be let's be fair though. Politano is very difficult to get to back, he's very intelligent and quick.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, but I I don't know if he's that good. I said it to the group, like he's good, but not that good. Come on, like Estupina made him look like he was uh he was like the prime prime uh uh uh like I don't know, I just don't know. Like the guy gave him so much space. I've never seen that much space, even like a basic normal player with with that much space will right you're right, make a lot happen. Like, you can't leave people like that with that much space because the guy gets the ball all the time, he has room to take a touch and then faint, right? Like go left. You know, he's either gonna go like today. In fact, at least the good thing about Politano is that he can try going left or right. Like a few times like in the first half, I was so scared. If Milan was gonna concede, everybody keeps blaming Salamakas for not covering his guys. Well, he's not expecting that every time they have one-on-one with his uh left wing back, they will always pass. Like, you know what I mean?
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_01:So that's the issue. And I don't know, like Allegri has to figure out something out because every time Milan plays, uh uh if we play somebody like Politano and we have to deal with this stuff every time. Trust me, it's gonna be a lot of problem.
SPEAKER_00:But my question though is like when when Batisagi came on, right? He was I think I think he did a better job than speeder, you know, honesty, right?
SPEAKER_01:Maybe because Batisagi understood what I was saying, which is just mark okay.
SPEAKER_00:So the I think but Batisaki was quick was able to quickly close him down whenever he gets the vote. Yes, everybody's gonna be able to do it.
SPEAKER_01:I noticed I noticed that yeah, players. It's again at this level, time and space. Time and space. If you give players of that caliber the time and the space, they will make you look bad. It's uh to me, it's as simple as that. You know what I mean? Yeah, they will so time and space, time and space. So that's all.
SPEAKER_00:Sorry, what I just feel like today's just the one-off, anyways. For for for estupinion, he's he's a very good player, and I think he's improving as well, if you ask me. But again, yeah, you know, so it's just one of those games where you just meet your match, you can you can't stop them. I think that's just what happened today. But again, so having Balasaki comes to you.
SPEAKER_01:The only issue is that I can tell you one of his big problems. Yeah, his big problem that I've learned is he cannot turn his waist. His waist is very locked. Yeah, his his wrist is locked, like he's like uh what's it called? Like, you know what I mean? I don't know how Teo used to do it, but he every time you basically like allow you notice it, he cannot his waist does not move. Yeah, because he cannot turn that way fast, so it kind of makes it a little bit difficult, like you know, defending setting those shifty players, right? And that's a problem. Now, like again, to your point, it's not every day he's going to go against someone like Politano, but reality is um, like there's a lot of good wingers in Syria. Uh, they're not all Politano, but there's a lot. Now, again, Milan is not also going to play Napoli every single week. So, because that's the other part of it. It's not just about because he also has to watch, he also has to watch for someone like uh what's his name, like all the KDBs in the midfield that where they're running. Because sometimes I just saw that positionally between him and Pavlovich, it feels like they were confused as to who's covering what. They are just lucky that Milan and Napoli players did not take advantage of some of those gaps.
SPEAKER_00:But in all honesty, though, um, Leo, one of our special guests, is back on board. Leo, thank you so much for joining, even though I know it's the last the last minute invitation for you. You're able to make it so thank you very much. So, um, my my my question to you I'll uh sorry, I didn't mean to throw you under the boss though, but I will I will have to do that. Um, I want to talk about our midfield, our midfield three, which is basically Mudridge in between um Fofana and Rabio. Like these three, um this three so far this season, do you have you seen any better midfield than them? Uh I would say it's still too early to well based on the first five games, just no, we're analyzing based on the first five games. We're not thinking ahead of that.
SPEAKER_02:So far, based on the first five games. Um, how good are they? I would say they've been really good. Uh most of the games we won, we we kind of like took control of the entire game. Uh like watching Milan this season, you know, there's this fear factor you get when you watch Milan, and somehow it feels like it's beginning to dissipate. Even today, like we take control of games, and like even today, if not for the red card and the penalty, like we I felt like we had control of the game, right? And it's testament to the uh to the work rate of our midfield. And I know where you're I know where you're coming from and why you're asking me this question, because the midfield three that started this game is not my ideal midfield three. Like if I were coaching Milan, you know, I would I would draw Fofana out of that midfield and say, I do not agree with you. I do not agree with you, yo. But but but to be fair, um, this team is getting results, yeah, and you cannot argue with results, right? So uh I would say Allegri is he's the boss. If he feels like Fofana is the player he needs to get whatever he wants, I support him, I support that, right? But I would love to see uh Richie in place of Fofana because Fafana is very wistful. Um, like he saw that like it would have been 3-0 in the first half. He had a very good chance. He likes to drive forward, Fofana, and which is good. He's a box to box, right? He's a yeah, he he he just apart from being boxed, he just loves to go forward, but he he doesn't have the um the technique uh to actually be playing up front because he misses a lot of chances. Yeah, so if you're gonna be putting yourself up there, you should be if Fofana like buries uh 50% of the chances he gets, he'll be one of the scariest midfielders in Europe. He just misses too much, and based on that, I also feel like maybe concentrate on your defensive game or be like that fourth player that would come in, you know, after like uh Richie. Richie has, I feel like he has more potential. If Allegri can get him, because he's although he's more conservative, he wouldn't always bust forward like Fofana does. But if Allegri can get him to play a similar game where he's like really good box to box, yeah, I think he would do better.
SPEAKER_00:I think I think my my issue. I agree with what you're saying, right? But the thing is just that if we look at it the the the the three guys that we're having a meeting right now, right? Rabio is again an amazing, amazing player. No, no, no one's gonna be able to play the trend. Exactly. And again, he's I don't see anyone exactly. He's him and Modric, I think they they already have their spot, right? Yeah, but the thing is, if you look at what Fofana brings to the table, right, in terms of his work rate, his ability to move around the pitch, like not every not like Fofana is the only mythic that we have that you see him inside the opponent's box, you hardly ever see Rabio playing inside the opponent's um box seating, right? You you hardly ever see that. Fofana is the only guy that moves into those spaces. And again, if he's moving into those spaces and making this sort of contribution that he did that he made today that led to a second goal, I think it's it's okay to call him a slack. He's gonna move on to it.
SPEAKER_02:If he's going to give a pass, like and it's an accurate pass, like he did today, like he did so well with that goal that you can't fall that. Like, if if that's how he plays, that's very good. But like he puts himself in these positions where he has to shoot the ball and he just like you know, he just does what he does.
SPEAKER_00:And that's that's where I have a problem with him. Let me ask you now. So, but how how how satisfied are you? I don't want to use the word convinced because you've got to tell me that okay, still short, right? How satisfied are you with Milan's performance in this particular game against a very strong Napoli, Napoli side?
SPEAKER_02:No, I am I was very satisfied with the performance. Like it was it was it blew my mind. Getting the goal in in three minutes against Napoli, that's that's some crazy football like we played today. And uh I I bet you if not for if not for that penalty and red card that we got, like we had complete, like it would have been more than two to the card. And I just feel like there's this conspiracy against Istimulan. Honestly, like I get it. You want to give a penalty, but come on, red card, you know, yeah, like if you look at that play frame by frame, you see that DiLorenzo, he wasn't actually he was just looking for the penalty. He he was actually looking for it because the contact was minimal, like it was he was barely there, right? He just put his his foot in front of the ball, but the comp the contact wasn't wasn't that much, like you could even see the player like raising his hand as soon as he felt that contact.
SPEAKER_01:I think it's because uh stupina was pulling, if I'm not mistaken, he was pulling him before he even yeah, and that's the thing though.
SPEAKER_00:Like, so chin chin. This is here though. Exactly. Yeah, but the question is though, but they were tussling. I well, I wouldn't say pull that much, but he was maybe you're right, right? But they were just talking they're both tussling together.
SPEAKER_01:They uh stupinha was sleeping, and then the guy ran past him and was. Him and the funny thing is that goal that guy would have scored just like uh Salamaka scored. That's the game I would have got.
SPEAKER_00:You're right, you're right. Now I have a question for you, Chin. So I noticed something in this game, right? I noticed that um Napoli couldn't find the space in the midfield, in the middle, to go to the middle, so they had De Bruiner to be you know throwing long balls to our wings again.
SPEAKER_01:This to Politani so that he can take advantage of a spinion.
SPEAKER_00:Exactly, exactly. But it wasn't just it wasn't just that was our weakest point, yeah. Um but honestly, though, it wasn't just a superin though. If you know this though, like there was a time in the first half where like they they they they they they threw a long ball straight down to um Angusa, and then Salamaka was supposed to come in and close in a map, but he didn't.
SPEAKER_01:But he had the feeling. Can I say something? Yeah, you're you're so sometimes you're so unfair to this, Alexis Salamaka's guy. I don't even know. Like you're so unfair because Alexis is not the defender, Alexis is the defender playing but he's he's a right, he's a right wing back. Okay, so he but you had you you had excuses for a stupina who's actually born to be defended. Alexis is god, god Alexis is doing a job, and okay. So, since you know Alexis, can I ask you a question? Have you seen him play in this position? Estupina Brighton, that's his job. This is his job. Somehow he just to be honest, I don't know how he sucks at it like this, but yeah, he uh again. Alexis is a smaller guy, he's more the attacking winger than the defensive winger, if you ask me. Yeah, and that's it. That's what that's basically what I'm trying to say. On the other hand, should be the defensive winger, and somehow he does not defend that much. Like, seems like we might as well put a cone there to cover and uh Politano. Today I couldn't believe my eyes.
SPEAKER_02:Uh, I agree with Chin because if you notice, whenever Allegri wants to lock the game, he takes off Salamakis and brings in like uh Akami. Yeah, I agree with that.
SPEAKER_00:And when he did that today, right, I can tell that Atakami actually did a good job defending, right? But even though our creativity going forward was kind of limited.
SPEAKER_02:No, he he he creativity just that's why he does it. He's gotten the the lead and he wants to defend.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, the only reason Alexis plays is simply because he has work rate to go physically go go all the way back and stand in those positions to try to help. But like normally, like, think about it, Alexis is a like a winger kind of guy, and then now we're making him play right wing back, which means he gets to run back and forth. But reality is the guy, like if you complain about his finishing and creativity in the in the final third, that one I'll give you. I think that's the one I've always said that that's his issue, right? But if you give like Leao this job to do, Leao will not even pass halfway like that. Yeah, I'll just run with back. What do you mean? Why would you go and put Leia? That's the point I'm making, though. Okay, but you you get the message I'm sending to you, right? Is that I don't know when you just concluded that Alexis is your right wing back, that because the guy can run back and forth and try to help, all of a sudden you're not blaming him for not being leave him alone.
SPEAKER_00:I think what you need to understand is change. I'm not blaming him, I'm not pointing pointing fingers at him, but what I just want you to know is again, having a right wing back, regardless of who is there, right? Playing as a right, there's a time that Musa was playing as a right wing back, right? Don't forget. Again, having someone to play as a right wing back, the one of their responsibilities to actually fall back a little bit to actually support the three managers.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, but he's falling. But the reality is that you expect him to go and start nodding ball against Anguisa. Anguisa is taller than him by a lot. Like, I don't know what you want. Anguisa is taller than him, running towards the ball. The guy is there, he's just a little behind. Like, I'm telling you that his job is not even he's not a full-time defender. Your but your full-time defender got a red card and a a penalty for the same reason, and that's the person you should be complaining about.
SPEAKER_02:But anyway, regardless that the ball, the ball to Anguisa came from your full-time defenders, he's just allowing Politano putting crosses like he had a bad game today. He had a bad game. I love him. I I support him, but he he had a he was an actual heel today. But anyway, everything that went wrong with our game today was just from him. Okay, okay. Which I feel like was a good thing, like because honestly, he wasn't just in the game. Politano, and if you notice, after the red card and the changes we made, Conte just brought out Politano because he was eventually the Sagi just kept intercepting all his keeping the lobby because because Batasaki was able to close him, yeah, brought him out.
SPEAKER_00:But was able to close him down on time, right?
SPEAKER_02:Again, I think he was very close to him. But Supinyan was just like dancing all over the place, allowing this guy take thrusts in the box. Like, what are you doing?
SPEAKER_01:I was telling, I was telling Dave that his waist is locked. That's a problem. So he has like he's not he doesn't have rigid waist, flexible waist, like because somehow he cannot turn, you know. So that's the issue. But, anyways, that being said, uh, again, Estupina will add a lot of value to Milan, but the reality is that today, oh my god, today he was not it. But at the end of the day, if someone let's not make it seem like Milan, Milan lost. Milan won the game, which to me is a big deal. Um, at least now Napoli, everybody would take Milan seriously, right? Which means the players themselves will take themselves seriously. Anyway, they will start.
SPEAKER_02:I feel like it's a learning curve, it's a learning curve for uh Supinian because most people don't know how tough Serie is until they start playing in the league, right? Like you you figure like it's it's really tough, you know. So he's he's gotten that baptism of fire with this game. So I feel like if he's a good player, he should he should learn and improve.
SPEAKER_00:Let's quickly talk about the the the main talking point in the attack before going to the next session, please. So Rafael Leao is back from injury, and he menaced today. I think his work off the ball was kind of effective, but I noticed that whenever he's on the ball, it's just a big struggle, and he wasn't really getting the right touches. Sometimes he gives the ball away when in the final third, you know, and all those things. Now, I know when they interviewed um um allegre after the game, right? He said he said um Leo's fitness is lagging because he's been off for 45 days, and I'm very confident that when he comes back, he's probably gonna take the starting spots um of Jimenez, right? How confident are you? I'm gonna start with you, Leo. How confident are you um with Leo carrying us all through this first half of the season? Because I'm I'm quite sure Milan is probably gonna go back in the market and look for a striker in January.
SPEAKER_02:Well, I would say I'm more confident in Leal than Jimenez. Uh, first of all, because we we saw a glimpse of what Leo can do as a striker in preseason. Like he was he was very good in that role. And uh in fact, before Aleg even knew he was gonna get all this like you know extra that the management gave him in terms of Mordrich and Rabbi, he already had he already had that game plan to play with Leao as his like as his beast of the team. Like the team should play for Leao. Yeah, and Leao will strike for him, and Leao was rising to that occasion. So uh I feel like Iménez was given a lot of opportunities to prove what he can bring uh into the attack, and he's he's not taking those opportunities, right? And a club as big as Milan, you you only get a few chance, chances to show what you can do. Uh recently, Piontek was also online saying how how hard it is to strike for a club like Milan because Milan is big, and if you are, they won't give you as much of a chance to prove yourself before they get another striker. So I see us getting a striker in January because to be frank, if Jimenez had put away about 50% of the chances of the XGs that we've created for him, like Milan will probably be the most scary thing in Europe right now because we are creating a lot of chances that is just not putting in it. And I get it, people say a lot about his work rate and all that stuff, but come on, he's a striker. That's the the sole reason why you are there is to finish those chances when they come. That is your number one job, right? And if you're not doing that job, I don't care whether you are all over the pitch, something is missing, right? If you're all over the pitch and all of a sudden we get a chance, you are playing in front of goal and you miss it, then why are you there?
SPEAKER_00:Like, why are you my striker, right? I think I really agree with what you're saying, right? My only concern is just that, again, like I've I've not really seen a particular season where like Rafael Leao, even all the days that he was playing as a left winger under Pulli and other coaches, right? I've not really seen him being committed to you know working that extra hard off the ball for the team. That's number one, and number two, I'm not I've not really seen him taking a lot of hit as a as a central man, as a central striker, right? For because he hasn't really had it. He only played as a strength central striker for now in the preseason.
SPEAKER_01:So I don't really what do you want? You want everybody on the team to be running around working hard. He wants Leah to defend.
SPEAKER_02:We should we should learn our lessons from what happened with Seka. Leah will never defend. Like this is this is even if he tries to, even if he tries to, it's not his fault. Like today, he came in today and he was just throw jogging about about in the pitch. But the truth is that he's dangerous. You cannot take away the fact that he's he's a dangerous guy, and that's the point, right?
SPEAKER_01:So we should play to his strengths, yeah. Like the uh Leo, I agree with you because I think the issue we have with uh Jimenez is that he's a hard worker, great. But what does hard working get you if you do not uh convert chances, right? At least with Jeffrey Leao, he's gonna create for others. If not, he's gonna score some goals, and he's just gonna put fear. Dave, you were the one that saw that picture of one one versus seven. Yeah, I don't think if he's Jimenez, there will be seven people chasing him. I'm just telling you, like, those are the little things that you again with a guy like Leao, the reality is that this is a similar team, right? As currently constituted, we don't have a lot of creativity to be getting away with. Uh to be because think about it. You made the case that you want to have Rabio, which I understand why. You know, you want to have Forfana, which again I understand why. And those guys are not going to create a lot for you. So the reality is that your creativity is gonna you have to kind of have a what I call like a a super boost of creativity coming from Pulisic and Leao. And and you cannot you cannot fall off, you cannot fall off with himself and just being honest. It will not, it won't cut it. So we should just be happy that Liao is back on the field, actually. So that just gives Milan an extra level of for me anyway, confidence going forward. In fact, I all I can't wait for is when Kunku will finally be fully fit enough to be playing a lot of minutes because yeah, then he can also push uh uh uh Himenez further down the field. Further down, yeah.
SPEAKER_00:He actually know he actually he made he made he made a comment about Nguku today as well that um he's he's actually growing and getting better. Now, talking about Nguku, um I want us to touch base on Milan's um squad depth this season compared to last season, right? Because again, I know we had a couple of good players this season, which you know now I think we have I should I wouldn't say we have a solid starting lineup, but at least we have a consistent first level that Allegra has been using for the past few games now. Now, Leo, what's your thought on the on the squad depth this season? Do you think this depth is is is strong enough to compete with the likes of the top teams in the top four, like Inter Milan, um uh Napoli and Cole?
SPEAKER_02:When you talk about the midfield, I feel like we are 100% there in terms of depth. Uh some in some other areas though, uh I feel like we we struggle. Uh like we just met talked about the strikers' position. Uh, really have Inez as an uh only all-out striker in the team, uh, even though there are other attackers that can come in, but they are not strikers, so we don't have any depth when it comes to striking. And then uh when you look at the defense, um, I feel like we still uh could use uh some defenders. Uh, for example, that left back position. Yeah, yeah, that left back position. I'm not really convinced with Stephenyan and Betesagi. Uh Betesagi is too young, and you know, there's there's there's several things like he he needs to really grow in the game.
SPEAKER_00:He's actually good at tackling. I think he's gonna be a good one.
SPEAKER_01:He's good at yeah, he's good at tackling, but going forward, he's like he has in the 20-30 minutes he actually came on.
SPEAKER_02:Honestly speaking, he did more than a stupid hand with that who did the previous whatever but when are we gonna get like a full like a complete left back that has both you know both skill sets going forward and defending? Like Theo Theo used to be that guy before you know his attitude problems started.
SPEAKER_01:Can I actually make a recommendation? Yeah, like what happens if we use why wouldn't the groom betastagi for like a left left uh center back can attain similar to what Bastoni does for intermila? Because the reality is that the guy would I don't think he would be that good going forward, partly because of his size. I see I say that because one thing we don't factor in is again going forward, you need to kind of sometimes be a little bit shifty, small, quick, fast.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, he's gonna gravity.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, his guy is big, he's a big kid, so he's a very tall person, so you're gonna end up with him doing a lot of headed balls out. Why not? Instead of the rubbish we do with Pavlovich sometimes, why not try putting him in that position, groom him for that? And that's my own theory because the reality is Bastoni does it for internal land, right? And we were here trying to shoehorn him.
SPEAKER_00:I don't, I don't, I don't, I, I don't, I don't think Patsagi is ready for for that sort of role. No, no, it's not a matter of being ready.
SPEAKER_01:It's again, it's not a matter of being ready, it's a matter of actually looking at him and asking yourself, is he your left back or is he is he better off being your your left one of your center backs and start working towards that with him?
SPEAKER_02:Because you keep I think I agree, I think I agree with Chin because you know sometimes you just have to keep moving players, especially young players, right? You can move them around until you define what you find a good spot for him. For example, like take Alexis, take Alexis, take Alexis as an example, and who's the coach? He's gonna be the coach and the same Alexis tried him at right back, didn't work, try him at right winger, guys are funny.
SPEAKER_00:You think Alex would do all these things you say?
SPEAKER_01:No, he won't. No, but okay, Dave, when Batesaki came to Milan, uh, when we first saw him, we saw him as a left back. But based on the build and how he looks, the reality is that he to me he never looks like he's not a left back, like he looks like one of those guys that is he's a left-footed.
SPEAKER_00:You're just you're chin, you're judging this key based on his height, like his tall.
SPEAKER_01:No, but height plays height plays a key role in you becoming a left back or a a center back. Most center backs are his height, right? They you how many tell me how many left back you've seen that are tall like that?
SPEAKER_02:Every good uh left back or right, but they're always short, like the colours.
SPEAKER_01:They're not that big, exactly. They're not that big, they're just you know the only big one I can think of is like a Fabio Grosso. Fabio Grosso was a big no.
SPEAKER_00:There are a lot of big or Maximo Odo was also uh a tall right back as well. Odo wasn't that big. No, no, what are you? Are you serious? Odo is tall and big wasn't big, he's tall.
SPEAKER_01:Go a check, go look at his tall, he's very tall. This guy, this you know, you know that this butter sag is taller than your or yourself, almost all your center back. And I see I see what you're trying to say, right? But at the end of the day, all I'm trying to say, all I'm trying to say is we're just talking about tomori, right? The fact that tomorrow is injured. I want Cody the winter, that's fine. But the reality is, man, who if Pavlovich gets hot, who's gonna play for Pavlovich?
SPEAKER_00:Odoku's there.
SPEAKER_01:Is he a left-footed player? Yeah, he played at the same time. Okay, he has Bush. Okay, because the point I'm trying to get across is that, like, because we keep saying we need a left back, we might be better off by signing an actual left back and stop thinking Batasagi is a left back. Because to me, like, he doesn't play to me, like he doesn't okay. When you think of ideal left back, usually I think of the guys like Teo and and even the stupina, even though he's bad defensively, like that can actually help bump forward. That's what most fullbacks these days in football do. They're not there to usually defend, and Batasagi is more like he's actually built to defend. Like, I don't know how many times you've seen the guy pass halfway line in football. Like, I have never seen him pass there.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, like when he once he's passed the halfway line, he's so clumsy with the ball, and like exactly he's like, What are you doing? It seems like it's but he has a really good crossing, though. His crossing is good.
SPEAKER_01:But that's the same thing, Bastoni. Bastoni has very good crosses as well. Okay, so I'm using him, I'm comparing him to Bastoni, that's just it.
SPEAKER_00:But anyway, here's my next question, guys. So this team started well. I mean, we had a blip in our first game, and then we've been since then we've been able to keep very consistent, you know, level of play, and again, achieved um, you know, quite a few results, which again beating Apple is one of the the listing, the the top results so we've had so far this season. But my my question is like, what do you think Allegri can do to keep this team consistent, uh, you know, all through the long stretch of the season? I'll start with you, Chain.
SPEAKER_01:Uh Dave, he'll do uh exactly what Allegri does, which is yell at them from morning till night. Like Allegri, the thing with him is if I even said it, everybody running, helping the team out and so on and so forth. The one thing I know about him is we're here seeing how like Rafael doesn't run. Just wait. If he doesn't run at some point, he'll bench him for humanity, as long as humanness is running. Allegri has like this thing where you know how some players, some coaches have an obsession with uh, you know, like certain kinds of players in terms of their technical ability or whatever. His own is work rate. His own is work rate. If you can work hard for him, you're his best player, you're his best friend. It doesn't matter to him. So, how do you keep them consistent? Is exactly what he's been doing. Like, you see how he hugs Fofana, like Fofana has cured cancer. Why? Because Fofana runs everywhere for him, right? So that that's the level of intensity and expectation he has for this team. And to be frank with you, if the the players understand that and they can deliver to that every single day, then Milan don't have. I think Milan this season are in an ideal situation, if you ask me, to be able to deliver on that simply because of the fact that they they don't have that many games, they can't complain about fatigue. They play once a week, so you can run as much as you want, right? Because that's what you can do. Now, hopefully, by doing that, they can go far this year, which affords them to buy good players next year, and then now he can rotate the squad. He even said it in his post-smatch conference oh, the player comes in, they run, they come in, they work hard for 60 minutes, and then the new guy comes in and starts working hard again. That's how he sees it. For him, it's just that, right? So, uh to answer your question, simply put, I don't see them not doing this. The only issue is um if maybe injuries begin uh begin to hit the team, which uh again, given that you play one game a week, it shouldn't be too many injuries coming coming for this Milan team.
SPEAKER_00:And I think I think he's been able to keep the the team healthy so far. I mean, loftus chick is is he's he's been he's been healthy. Quite a few players are usually like you know injured most of the time, right?
SPEAKER_01:Well, to be honest, like the only coach that I ever saw that had issues with a lot of all the Milan players getting injured was Peoli. I'm not just saying it because I want to be uh No, I think it's because yeah, you're right, because of the intensity that Peoli used to play. I don't know what it was, but when you wasn't it was intensity, everybody was injured every single time.
SPEAKER_00:It was intensity, and that's why they always have muscular problems. Like that's what happened. But, anyways, um, Leo, what's your thought though on on this conversation, right? On this particular question we're talking about, keeping this level of consistency.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, like uh for me, uh I'm happy you know you said it's on allegory because that's that's that is where a coach comes in, right? Like, um, we know this Milan side is always uh kind of like duty of losing concentration. Uh, you know, last season, the season before that, they've never been consistent. And that has been the problem. So this is something we expect Allegri to fix. And if I were him, you know, the best way to fix, because right now he's spoiled, right? Like he has lots of players, lots of, you know, and especially when the club is performing, you know, every player wants to be part of that success. So use that against them. And if you see any player that's not giving you what you want in terms of work rate or technical abilities, you know, send them to the bench, bring somebody else or try somebody else, right? And I bet you they will seize that opportunity uh and you get what you want. So you could just use that against, you know, use that to your favor and just keep rotating players and you know, uh putting players that are giving you what they want. And if everybody is on board and everybody is, you know, delivering, then it makes your life easy, you know. You just you know plays these easy games and you know rotates players, even through games, right? Like you could play a 90-minute match and everybody plays. You see what he did in the Coppa Italia, bringing a bunch of players on the bench to play, and they they also delivered, uh, which is something very good to see because it tells me Milan plays according to a system right now. It doesn't matter who is on the field, they will try to get the goals, they'll try to low block and defend as a unit, you know, and hit things on the counter-attack. That is the system. And the players get it. So he just has to keep you know doing whatever he's doing right now to make sure that they don't, you know, slack off, right? You I I I strongly believe in discipline. That's why even when Fosseca was there and you know he was having issues with some players, I was backing him because you know, if you lose discipline in the team, then you you you lose everything, right? And you could tell how a season just went downhill. Yes, we had a lot of bad managers, but then uh the players themselves just lack discipline, right? And that's why I like how you know certain players that were showing signs of you know, like not having a cool head, he just chipped them out. Like so uh Emen LC. You know, he just sold the guy, even though that guy is talented, he's good, but you you would tell that Alegri doesn't want to deal with that. He just wants players that listen, that are gonna be professional, yeah, or like you know, the few andandes of this world that feel like the old world revolves around him. No, he just wants players that will keep their hands out and play according to his system. And if he keeps doing that, I feel like we're we're gonna go all the way this season.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, and I think you you you you you you your you you made mention about rotation, right? I think rotation is also one of the key things that I think um uh I also believe is gonna help us a lot this season because at the end of the day, like whether it's now or when the injuries start hitting, right? Like players like Richie needs to start getting on the field and putting getting some minutes. Um I feel like Allegri needs to look start looking for ways again. I look, I know Modric is a different breed when it comes to players, right? He's a whole new, he's a different kind of guy.
SPEAKER_02:Like, are you are you not afraid he's gonna run that guy down?
SPEAKER_00:Bro, that's the thing.
SPEAKER_02:I'm really concerned.
SPEAKER_00:I'm really concerned.
SPEAKER_01:I'm really concerned about it.
SPEAKER_00:Even during the game today, right? During the first half, right? I can see was feeling some discomfort in the first half. I was worried like, oh my god, I hope this guy is not injured. I hope he's not gonna take 90 minutes, 90 minutes and he did a lot of crucial, a lot of crucial interception today.
SPEAKER_02:Like, boy, trust me, trust me. I was just watching Modrich. That guy is a genius. Like, if you see the way he moves, even when we're out of possession, the way Modridge moves, I was just like, This this guy is such a genius, and without him, we would not have we'll not have won that game.
SPEAKER_01:Trust me, was it was Modrich Arabio? Yeah, he's touching to the wall. He's passing like Modrich never put puts a pass wrong. Like, sometimes I actually just ask myself, all these other players don't see him because, like, what's his name? Like, uh, for fun, I'll be passing rubbish every time. Like, um like Modrich, every pass is purely weighted, it's perfectly weighted, it's like change.
SPEAKER_02:You're not being fair. How will you be comparing the ballon the old winner? I don't know. I just wonder.
SPEAKER_01:I wonder. Sorry, I just to be honest with you. I just feel like the truth is some if Modrich can if Modrich can do it, there's nothing stopping the rest of them from trying.
SPEAKER_00:Even if it's a president actually mentioned Modric, he said the old is only the only player that is supposed valuable with the eternity. You're not cooperating with forefather.
SPEAKER_01:No, Modrich, Modric Modric is so good, like his his touches are impressive for his age. His actual work rate is also impressive. And that's why I said they should test him for drugs because there's no way you can be doing this at 40. And then the other part too is you know, those interceptions, uh Leo. You know, it's yeah, he's in the movie play out. Like sometimes it's not about running.
SPEAKER_02:There was this cat and mouse game between him and Lubotka to see that was just so fun. I was just oh yeah, enjoying it. Oh, yeah. I mean no, honestly, Lubotka really had a good game today as well, even though the botka he was, and that was why I like what uh what Rabio did to him, like taking him out of the game. I was like, Yes, no, I guess I knew we won the game.
SPEAKER_01:Lobotka is another good player, right? Like, I I don't know. Um, but um, I guess I'm asking for too much, trying to say our other mission that should try and get to that level. Rabio is good too. Like, again, so let's get something clear, uh Dave. When I complain about certain players at Milan, I'm not complaining because I don't think they are good, they are good quality players, though. Don't get me wrong. Only complaint is that I just look at the future of Milan and realize that if Modric plays one season and leaves, then we're back to almost where one because we rely so much on him this year to win. You know what I mean to do a lot. And then when he leaves and goes on, then all of a sudden we're back to having players that never have because even I'm watching this at Takami, for example, yeah, half of his problem is lack of playing time, to be honest. Because sometimes he's in positions and he's uncomfortable because I don't think he's he feels uh confident, you know, doing those things. Same with the winter. The winter looks like a good player. But if these guys don't get playing time, I can tell you that you will start you, you'll be the first person to tell me next year that they should send them on loan, and then they'll send them on loan and they'll become uh CDK. That's my issue, is that we have to figure out a way to get these people to play and show that they're actually good enough so that in future, when these old men leave Milan, which they will leave, we can use these guys and build Milan sustainably for the long haul. Now that's my concern. Not that, not that uh what's his name, Modric or Rabio are not good players, right? That's just me. But anyway, anyways, that's that's my thinking.
SPEAKER_00:I I know we've not done our rating in a while, right? So I'll like us to do it today. Um today's today.
SPEAKER_01:Can I start with the can I start with the uh bottom bottom three?
SPEAKER_00:Should on what's your problem? We already know who you're going to pick, so just hold on. We'll give you a chance, Leo. Let me start with you. If you give me your top, your top, your tops and flops.
SPEAKER_02:Okay, for my tops. Number one, Captain America, police. Yes, yes, like he's been red hot from the assistant the goal, like he's he's been amazing. Uh, number two, Alexis Salamarquez. Uh I don't know what he did to him in Bologna Roma, but he's come back a different, you know, player. He's back. And uh he's he's my boy Alex. My boy Alexis came through. He's he's really good, so he's my number two. Even though there's some question marks with him, you know. Yeah, I know. That's he's not a bit of a those mistakes he makes, it's forgiven because he's not like Chin said, he's not a defender, he's just he's just a body that comes back to defend, so we can't be that harsh on him. And besides, I blame the person that is allowing the crosses coming from his wing that is an actual defender, you know, compared to him. So that doesn't take anything away from this game today. It was amazing. Okay, and then uh finally, I'll say Luka Modric. Yeah, 40 years old and doing what he's doing. Everyone's talking about Luka Modric right now. Like even Real Madrid uh fans are picking themselves for letting him go. And you know, they've you know they've been having like they lost 5-2 this week to uh Atletico Madrid, and you could just tell how frustrated they are that their parent crop of midfielders are not you know doing as much as Modric is doing for Eastern right now. They're all for fans, they're not yeah, yeah, they feel like they're so rigid and all that, so which is good. I'm so happy we're able to get these guys like Modric and Rabio. Um, I feel like it's just you know when the stars are line for you, you know, it's it happened for Milan this season, and you know, let's enjoy it. Let's let's see how how far that takes us. So those are my top three.
SPEAKER_00:Any flops for the game?
SPEAKER_02:Any flops? Yes, of course. Uh I would say just a stupinian is my flop. Every other person did good, and the only reason why I'm mentioning a stupinan is apart from the whole penalty incident in the first half alone, uh Politano was just. Only threats we were getting from Napoli was from his side of the the field. And he just kept letting Politano putting those uh process in the box, uh, which you know you you can't do that, right? Like one, two, we can let's get it, it's a mistake, but you know, over and over again. And the penalty we considered, like you just lost concentration, right? Like for you not to know that somebody's coming from behind you, you know, in that kind of situation, you lack awareness, right?
SPEAKER_01:To be honest, too, right? Like the header should have been a goal. Like the header should have been the goal, right? Yeah, uh, the header that Agrisha had before the rebound.
SPEAKER_02:But McDominia was dragging the header with him now.
SPEAKER_01:So this is that's why, yeah, the both of them were going for it. And then the funny thing is, Alexis was there, but then so was tomorrow. This is why you need you need top defenders again. I keep saying this part, but hey. But uh, can I can I give mine now? Yeah, go ahead. So, my my top is uh Christian Poliswich by Miles. Like he again, he single-handedly carried this team in terms of creativity and uh attacking, whatever. Um my my second best player is um is not Salamakas. I would put Rabio. Okay. I say this because a lot of times we kind of take certain things for granted, but the amount of work Rabio put in today, right? I know you say for fun I did the same, but Rabio, like I saw some blocks he made, he was he was budozing people, right? Just getting them out of the way. Um, and I think that kind of sends a message to the other team. Every time we play this uh Napoli team, they always out outperform us in midfield.
SPEAKER_00:And even with the covered the most distance in Milan.
SPEAKER_01:Oh, yeah. The guy worked so hard today, and he would never see him complain. Um, you know, you would just keep putting his head down and working, which is why Alegri loves him. And then my other player is uh Modric at 40 years old, like unbelievable. Like he basically, to me, he's the he's the glue that holds this whole Milan team together. I told you earlier in the podcast that the way he moves left, right, controls the flow of everything. His uh short, you know, one, two passes, close circuit passes, allows movement around the team. So those are my top three players. Honorable mention is obviously Alexis, and I think uh, you know, sometimes we take Mike Miyan for for granted too. He he did have a good game too. Um, some of those some of those saves were good. Uh okay, those are my tops. Flops. I don't really like you know what I'm gonna surprise you. Oh, I forgive Estupinion. It's uh it's it's gonna be like one. I'll just I would I would leave it as that. I think the um Leo already said everything you wanted to say about the Stupinion. There's nothing else to say, anyways.
SPEAKER_00:I'll give you my own tops. Number one, I know we guys don't really talk about him a lot. I think he deserves no, not for fun, actually. It's Gabia. It's Gabia. Gabia deserves that flower. Yeah, he's one of like Gabia has really, really improved. And for him, actually playing the role that we thought he wasn't gonna be able to be competent in playing because Malik Tao left for Newcastle, right? Gabia has held that role down, like you know, confidently and effectively. And I think um he deserved that flower. He did again today, very solid, very commanding in the in the in area balls, and he did very well today. Yeah, Holland was so quiet in the game, like even the competitor was actually forced to sit after 20 minutes, like, oh my god, like Holland was so quiet today and stuff. So, yeah, that's my number one. Number two, obviously, I'll pick Modric. Modric is is again on a whole new level, to be honest. And I was watching Modric today, and I was wondering, like, so we have a player like this, and we're expecting players like Ben Asset to be played this role. You know what I mean? And I could now relate clearly to why Ben Asset was struggling to play this role, not because of the fact that you know he's it's Ben Asset, the levels you have to raise your level to to some certain you know meters for you to be able to actually command this sort of role, especially for a team like Isimilan.
SPEAKER_02:And I think Modrich has I I hope our management is learning a huge lesson, even though he's 40 years old. What spend money, even if you have to spend a hundred million to get a player like exact quality, exactly. I won't raise the you raise you see that you raise the level of every other person by by a notch.
SPEAKER_00:You know what really intrigues me about Modric today? After the final was fool, the excitement in him was just on a whole new level. I'm like, wow, this guy has won everything. Yeah, like if it was Ibrahim, you know how Ibrah used to do after big games and you know, black way I'm the god and just normal thing for me and stuff. Like he was literally celebrating with every team members today, and that was that shows you know how what a champ, what a true champion he is today. And I'm really happy about it. My my again, my thought is obviously Christian Polisic. Now, Polisic to me, every time I watch Polisic play, I was I used to ask myself, like, why did Chelsea sell this guy to Milan for the cheapest amount?
SPEAKER_02:25 million dollars euros, sorry, was how much because because Chelsea is so full of themselves, like they are so full of themselves that they feel like they are they are Real Madrid.
SPEAKER_01:But I'm like, look, the thing to give you have to also factor in, like you know, uh Chelsea has a lot of player turnover because there's a lot of change in regional manager. I mean, obviously, and then fully switch was always yeah, the police switch was always injured at Chelsea. I don't know. I think that's what I was telling you earlier that he just the style of play has changed since he came to Milan. I don't know if it's maturity or whatever, he now realizes he doesn't have to hold the ball for a billion. Because this author started, he started it started when he was in uh Dortmund, right? He would his style was I will hold the ball, right? And then try to take on people. But in England they will hit you, and because they will hit you in England, he was always getting hurt. Now he realized that if he comes to Italy, one of the things he could change is get rid of the ball quicker, use more sense, get into space, get in the box where a lot of the action actually, you know who can actually learn a thing or two from him?
SPEAKER_03:Uh-huh.
SPEAKER_01:Not to sound like an ass. I've said it before, but you know who I'm gonna say. Rafael. Yeah, like all kidding aside, Rafael Leo can learn one or two things from Pulisic and how he actually plays because yeah, like he's always romancing the ball too much. Yeah, unnecessary romancing, and then secondly, he doesn't actually realize that nothing happens outside of the box. Like Polisic never stops. As soon as he plays the ball, he starts following the ball. Even the goal he scored the game before this was exactly the same. Even this goal today, notice how he's ended up there in the box for for Fana to lay the ball off to him. If he stopped running, which Rafenoya typically does, yeah, he would have actually never been in that position to get that ball, right? So it's just I just think he's an all-around smart player, and he's become so much smarter since he came to Milan, uh, that he doesn't actually put himself in those situations where he has to get hurt, right? Yeah, and I think uh we're lucky for that. So let's not let's not fault Chelsea for getting rid of him because just like someone can ask, how did you guys get rid of CGT?
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, you're right. But I'll just probably shine it. I'll I also want to shine light on Rabio. Rabio's work ethics, I mean, is on a whole new level. Again, like to what you watching actually talked about a little bit, uh, about his work rates. I feel like Rabio is just one of those rare signings that Milan actually, you know, usually gets. And this was the last minute signing. He didn't this guy didn't start the season with us. He already started the season Olympics.
SPEAKER_01:We thank God for we thank God for his uh anger issues. We thank God for his anger issues.
SPEAKER_02:That's why I said when the when this when the stars want to align for you, they will align perfectly. Exactly, exactly, exactly. Because the truth is that Milan tried to get this guy before doing the so much as far window, and his mama agents would you know not even look at us, like and he already he already started the season with Olympic Marcel, like they already yelled. Exactly. He was booted out of the squad because of his debacle, and for some reason we just got him for seven million.
SPEAKER_00:It's so funny because um it's so funny. Um Benatia Benatia, which is um Olympic Marcel's um, I think sporting director, was actually actually talked about. Was like he wasn't happy about how um Rabio left left um Olivia Master for that price. But he said, Well, they didn't have a choice, that's what happened. But, anyways, my my flops today though, aside opinion, I think I'm gonna I'm also gonna pick um Santi Jimenez. And I was I'm picking it for a reason, not because for the fact that he's not doing enough of the ball, but just feel like today, like there's some certain um qualities that you expect from a striker that it's not he didn't he didn't to be fair, he didn't get any one-on-one chance. Like, no, it wasn't he didn't he didn't hold the ball properly, and when it's why he had yeah, that's why he didn't call him a flop. When he had a chance, he didn't get any chances when it when he had a chance on the ball, I think his touches were not that perfect too, which kind of like draws back a little bit. And I think that and those are my my my my those are my flops to pinion and and and and humaness. Now, the next question uh I I want to ask you guys is at the beginning of the season, and chain and leo, both of you were not really convinced about Milan having what it takes to win the scudetto. Now, with the first five games, I know you you guys said it's too early, but what do you think though? Chain, I'll start with you. Like, are you still doubting um allegory and his boys?
SPEAKER_01:No, not okay. So I my mind my mind has changed, and I'll tell you why, because it's it's gonna sound very cheesy because of today's game against Napoli. Why I say that is because games like this is how you start building this idea identity of your team, yeah, and start believing that you have something special going on. And you know, before today's game, I think I told you that today was the big test for Milan, and they passed, they passed the flying colours. You see the reaction after the game, that those kind of reactions are the things that bond that forge the bond among teammates, right? The way they suffer today as a group. Uh Allegri said, you know, they got their defensive workout or whatever, whatever. But to him, this is exactly how he wants the team to be structured, you know, where they can't conc they don't concede, they didn't concede. Think about it, Milan did not concede to Napoli even after being you know a one uh one player down, and again, except for the penalty, right? And honestly speaking, if you do this over and over and over and you add a few quality players, uh quick quality plays from Rafaelia and Polisage, you should be able to win a lot of games. A lot. Now, how many player, how many teams in Syria are going to play Milan exactly the way Napoli play today? I can only count about two or three teams, right? That can do this to Milan. So what that tells is that we are literally like at least top three, top four best teams in Italy. Yeah, and again, if we continue doing what we're doing today in the big games, there's a good chance that we'll be there when it when when when the league ends. So to answer your question simply, I I have actually changed my my mind on how where this team can finish. I thought the I thought top four would be a minor miracle. Now I'm thinking if they don't finish top top three, then then there's a problem, especially with what's going on with Inter Milan and Chris and Kivu, right?
SPEAKER_00:Okay, okay, okay, Leo. So again, like I said, you you guys all had this sort of doubt, right? At the at the first at the at the start of the season, the first two games of the season, obviously, with the qualities and everything. How convinced are you now so far with the way Milan is playing and you know how Allegria has been able to manage his team in terms of winning Scudetto?
SPEAKER_02:I would only say one thing: if we continue in this way, we don't lose concentration, we don't begin slacking off, we are going to win the league. Like Napoli came into Milan with like we had this pretty good factor going into the game, and you could tell like teams were already getting scared of Milan. But trust me, we have wrapped Syria with this performance against Napoli, right? Uh, if we can go to Turin and pick all three points against Juventus, that fear factor will just double, and yeah, you know, it's gonna be easy pickings. We just keep picking teams until I see us wrapping the league by although Syria can be really competitive because a lot of teams just don't just perform, especially they only perform when they play Milan, they don't perform against the other big sides, right? Yeah, so uh it may go down to the wire, but the good thing is we don't have Champions League, and you know that that should come to our favor. But I feel like we have a good chance to win the league this season. Okay, guys. But let's not get carried away.
SPEAKER_00:Let's watch the Juve game next week and uh we'll see we'll see how that goes. Let's quickly talk about the Juventus game coming up on Sunday. Now that we have Tomori, uh, we don't know what the situation is with Tomori. Obviously, he's not that bad, but I doubt if it's gonna be because this is growing injury. I doubt if he's gonna be available for Juventus game. So I'm guessing Connie DeWinter will probably replace him. Then Estupina being recorded, obviously, it's gonna be Batsagi that will come in, right? Looking at everything, I think everything should still be the same except for Rafael Liao with the possibility of actually starting against Juventus. Like, what are your expectations from this game and how do you think Milan should handle this game? I'll quickly start with Chu Chin.
SPEAKER_01:So I see again, I see Milan doing the same exact thing they did today. Like, if if players are injured, I'm guessing if tomorrow is out, the winter will go in and we'll just continue. Um, I think he probably might not even start Rafael against Juventus.
SPEAKER_00:You think so?
SPEAKER_01:Oh, yeah, no, I think he's going to play Jimenez again, and then at like maybe 55 minutes or 68 minutes, he'll bring Rafael like because for him, uh I think ideally, apart from the red card today, ideally you wanted to bring Rafael in so that he can come and you know close the game out for you, right? Until Leao is back to full fitness, he's not going to, and then I'm sure he'll do the same thing with Pulisic. You'll play 60 minutes, 65, take him out and bring in maybe Nkonku or somebody like that, right? Yeah, so that's kind of how he's gonna kind of play the game out. So you end up seeing Leao and Nkonku playing together towards the end of the game.
SPEAKER_00:So okay, Chin, that's your prediction for this game.
SPEAKER_01:Um, I think again, or give you what I saw today, Milan should be able to beat Juventus 2-1.
SPEAKER_00:Or you think we should keep a clean sheet?
SPEAKER_01:No, I don't think we'll keep a clean sheet. Uh, it will be 2-1.
SPEAKER_00:Let me borrow your scoreline. Okay, okay, back to you, Leo. Juventus are not actually bad, they're actually just one point behind Milan so far. So they've been doing well as well. So, what are your expectations in this game, Dow? Knowing that Allegri is actually going back to touring for the first time since he's been fired um three, four years ago, and Rabio was also kicked out of Juventus, too. So it's gonna be a grudge game, you know, honestly. So, what are you what are you expecting from this game?
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, like I already mentioned that um it seems like Allegri is setting up Milan to play a system uh game. So the players that are missing, I think he already has like uh natural replacements for them. So the winter was just slotted for Tomori and Patasagi will come in at length back. Yeah, every other game will be the same that started this game. So uh it's gonna be you know a good game. I feel like both sides are gonna score because Juventus has always scored um in every game. Uh, they're kind of like the comeback kings of uh Italy right now. So uh, but yeah, it's I see us winning the game uh at the end of the day because I feel like overall we have much better quality. Uh maybe just if we may edge them a little bit uh in terms of quality, they also have a very fantastic side. Ken Avis is doing amazing. Uh is this young kid they have uh at stage that's called that goal against the Inter. The winning goal is also really good. So um I expect a good game. Uh, but if we go with the same approach, I see us coming up with our three points.
SPEAKER_00:Anyways, guys, I'm predicting Milan winning 2-0 in terrain next week. Mark my words. 2-0. Mark my words. Um, anyways, guys, thank you so much, Gene. Thank you, Leo. Thank you, our listeners. Thank you so much for your downloads and support. Just in this month of September, we actually had 510 downloads. So that's that's that's amazing. Um, I want to say thank you to all our supporters and everybody you know taking time to actually download and listen to our podcast. Leo, it's gonna be a great week for all Milanistas, obviously around the world.
SPEAKER_02:I think I think you have allegory to thank for that because the more we are winning games, the more downloads you're gonna get.
SPEAKER_00:Definitely, definitely, definitely. Anyways, thank you, Leo. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Ching. Do have a wonderful week. Fuza Milano. Ciao, ciao, thank you. Bye bye, take care.
