FM12: AC Milan - We Are The Champions!

[jasonboyacmilan]

Welcome!

A brief introduction

Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan, is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Lombardy, that plays in the Serie A. Milan was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others. The club has spent its entire history, with the exception of the 1980–81 and 1982-83 seasons, in the top-flight of Italian football, known as Serie A since 1929.

They are the current Italian football champions, and are the most successful club in world football in terms of international trophies along with Boca Juniors, with 18 officially recognized UEFA and FIFA titles. Milan has won four world titles, more than any other club in the world, having won the Intercontinental Cup three times and the FIFA Club World Cup once. Milan also won the European Cup/Champions League on seven occasions, second only to Real Madrid. They also won the UEFA Super Cup a record five times and the Cup Winners' Cup twice. Milan won every major competition in which it has competed, with the exception of the Europa League in which they lost two semifinals. Domestically, with 18 league titles Milan is the joint-second most successful club in Serie A behind Juventus (27 titles), along with local rivals Inter. They have also won the Coppa Italia five times, as well as a record six Supercoppa Italiana triumphs. Furthermore, Milan is the only team to have won the Serie A without losing a game, doing so in 1991-92 during a 58-match unbeaten run.

The stadium

Milan's home games are played at San Siro, also known as the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. The stadium, which is shared with Inter, is the largest in Italian football, with a total capacity of 80,018. It is the home of both A.C. Milan and F.C. Internazionale Milano. The stadium is named in honour of Giuseppe Meazza, the two-time World Cup winner (1934, 1938) who played for Internazionale, and briefly for Milan, in the 1930s and 1940s.

History

Foundation and the early years

Associazione Calcio Milan was founded 16 December 1899 by Alfred Edwards and Herbert Kilpin (from Nottingham, England) as the Milan Cricket and Football Club. The official colours chosen were red and black. Immediately the team gained relevant notability under Herbert Kilpin's guide. The first trophy to be won was the Medaglia del Re (King's Medal) on January 1900, and the team later won three national leagues, in 1901, 1906 and 1907. The triumph of 1901 was particularly relevant because it ended the consecutive series of wins of Genoa, which had been the only team to have won prior to 1901. In 1908, issues over the signing of foreign players led to a split and the formation of F.C. Internazionale Milano. In 1916, Milan won the Federal Cup, a national trophy which had replaced the Italian league, suspended because of World War I. This cup was never recognized as an Italian title. In 1919, the team changed its name to Milan Football Club. After their first triumphs, Milan was unable to continue with their former high-level success, obtaining only a number of half-table placements, even if always playing in the top Italian division. In 1939 the fascist regime imposed a new italianized name, Associazione Calcio Milano, for the team. However, that name was abandoned immediately after the World War II, but maintaining the initial part: the team was called Associazione Calcio Milan, which is the current official name.

The post-war era

In the post-war period, Milan was among the three top Italian teams, and won the Scudetto in 1951 – the first time since 1907. Il Grande Milan included the famous Gre-No-Li, a trio of Swedish players composed by Gunnar Gren, Gunnar Nordahl and Nils Liedholm who were Olympic winners. That team also fielded quality players such as Lorenzo Buffon, Cesare Maldini and Carlo Annovazzi. After the 1951 Scudetto, Milan won another three Serie A seasons, in 1955, 1957 and 1959, and two Latin Cups, in 1951 and 1956. In the end, Milan always placed among the top three teams from 1947/1948 to 1956/1957. Milan returned to win a football league in 1961/1962. Its manager was Nereo Rocco, an innovative football coach. The team included a young Gianni Rivera and José Altafini. The following season, thanks also to Altafini's goals, Milan won their first European Cup (later known as UEFA Champion League) by defeating Benfica 2–1. This was also the first time an Italian team won the European Cup. Despite that, during the 1960s Milan won less trophies, mainly because of the heavy concurrence of Helenio Herrera's Inter. Its next Scudetto arrived only in 1967/1968, thanks to the goals of Pierino Prati, the Serie A topscorer in that season, as well as the Cup Winners' Cup, won against Hamburger SV thanks to the two goals of Kurt Hamrin. The next season Milan won its second European Cup (4–1 to AFC Ajax), and in 1969 won its first Intercontinental Cup, after having defeated Estudiantes de La Plata of Argentina in two dramatic legs (3–0, 1–2).

The 10th scudetto and the first Serie B

In the 1970s, Milan won three Italian Cups and its second Cup Winners' Cup during the 72–73 season. The real goal of the Rossoneri was the tenth Scudetto, which would have awarded the first stella ("star") to the team. Milan had to wait until 1978/1979 to win their tenth Scudetto, primarily being led by Gianni Rivera who retired from football after this final triumph. However, the worst was yet to come for the Rossoneri: after the 1979/1980 season, Milan was relegated to Serie B by the Football Federation, together with S.S. Lazio, because of a betting scandal. In 1980–81, Milan easily won the Serie B, and returned to Serie A, where it would suffer its worst season ever, in 1981/1982, being relegated once again.

The Immortals and the Invicibles

After several different financial troubles had caused bad times and a lack of success, Milan was bought on 20 February 1986 by Silvio Berlusconi, a Milanese enterpreneur. Berlusconi brought in a rising coach, Arrigo Sacchi, and three Dutch players, Marco van Basten, Frank Rijkaard and Ruud Gullit, to return the team to glory. He also signed some Italian stars: Roberto Donadoni, Carlo Ancelotti and Giovanni Galli. Sacchi won the 1987–88 scudetto after a great recovery over Diego Maradona's S.S.C. Napoli. In 1988–1989, Milan won its third European Cup, defeating Steaua Bucuresti 4–0 in the final, and its second Intercontinental cup against National de Medellin (1–0, goal in the last minute of extra time). The team repeated their triumph the following season, against Benfica (1–0), and earned its second Intercontinental Cup in a row and third overall beating Olimpia Asunción in 1990. During this period the team was nicknamed Gli Immortali ("The Immortals"). With Sacchi leaving Milan to coach the Italy national football team, Fabio Capello was hired and under him, the Rossoneri kept being successful and came to be known as Gli Invicibili ("The Invincibles"). With an unprecedented 58-match run with no defeats the Invincibili team had the likes of Franco Baresi, Alessandro Costacurta and Paolo Maldini commanding one of the best defences in history, with Marcel Desailly and Roberto Donadoni in midfield and Dejan Savićević, Zvonimir Boban, and Daniele Massaro playing in attack.AC Milan starting lineup who defeated FC Barcelona in Athens in the UEFA Champions League final on 18 May 1994. In addition to three consecutive scudetti (from 1992 to 1994, including the feat of not losing a single match in the 1991/1992 season), Milan reached the Champions League final for three consecutive years: in 1993 they were defeated by Olympique de Marseille; this match was disputed by a match-fixing scandal in the French league involving Marseille's then club president. In 1994 it was F.C. Barcelona who experienced the taste of defeat, after a famous 4–0 win at the hands of the Rossoneri; and in the 1995 finals, Milan were again defeated, this time by Ajax. Then, in 1995–96, led by famous world-class players such as Roberto Baggio, Marco Simone and George Weah, Milan gained their fifteenth Italian Championship.

Recent history

The Rossoneri managed to remain successful after the Golden Era of Sacchi and Capello. In 1999 they won their 16th Scudetto under coach Alberto Zaccheroni. In 2001/2002 Carlo Ancelotti was hired, and the following season under him Milan won the Champions League in a dramatic penalty shoot-out against Juventus. Then in 2004 Ancelotti continued to bring success to the team, by winning the Serie A. In the following seasons Milan played two Champions League Finals against Liverpool, one in 2005, which they lost on a penalty shoot-out after a thrilling encounter which ended 3-3, and the next one, also their last Champions League, won 2-1. That team consisted of some great players like Kaká, Alessandro Nesta, Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf and Filippo Inzaghi. In the end of the 2008-2009 season, the Captain and football legend Paolo Maldini retired. Carlo Ancelotti resigned, and Kaká was sold to Real Madrid. Leonardo was appointed as the manager, but couldn't get any higher than 3rd in the league, and resigned afterwards. Massimilano Allegri took over in 2010/2011 and managed to win the league in his first season.

(from Wikipedia)

[jasonboyacmilan]

FM info:

You start as the reigning champions of Italy, so the minimum expectation is to mount a title challenge. If you choose this, the board will give you a transfer budget of €8M and a wage budget of €2.6M. If you choose to win again the league, they are prepared to hand you a transfer budget of €9.75M and a wage budget of €2.9M. I would recommend to choose the latter, because you are handed a quality team to work with, basically the same as last year's, with a few new players who should come in handy.

[jasonboyacmilan]

Squad Analysis

Goalkeepers

Christian Abbiati

He should be your absolute 1st choice keeper. At 34 years old, he's still a quality keeper, and should be so for at least a couple of seasons.

Marco Amelia: A very reliable backup keeper, will do the job when duty calls.

Flavio Roma: Just not Milan quality, and 37 years old, get rid of him if you can, or wait until his contract expires in the end of the first season.

Youth prospects: Unfortunately none at the moment in your youth team.

Targets: Alphonse Areola is a great prospect, potential to be as good as Abbiati, if not better, 3 1/2 stars according to my scouts. He's also cheap, around €1.5M - €2M, which isn't really a lot considering that he might be an investment for the future.

Central defenders

Thiago Silva

The wall. One of the best defenders in the game, he not only has managed to an extent to fill in the void left by Maldini, but also has become an absolute leader for the team. Try to keep him at all costs. Possibly a future captain as well.

Alessandro Nesta: One of the best players of his generation, the ex-Lazio captain is still quality, despite being 35 years old. Alongside Thiago Silva should form a magnificient defensive partnership.

Philippe Mexès: The Frenchman is a new signing in Milanello, joining after his contract with AS Roma expired. A good stopper, he starts injured, but as soon he is fit, play him to some save Nesta some fitness. Also might be the replacement for Nesta after he retires/leaves.

Mario Yepes: Decent defender, but ageing and his physicals have dropped a bit. Should do the job for the odd game though.

Daniele Bonera: Not worth keeping him, because of high wages for his quality.

Youth prospects: Only Rodrigo Ely and Riccardo Ferreira have a bit of potential, decent at best according to my coaches. Keep an eye on them if they develop.

Targets: Mehdi Benatia from Udinese has been one of the revelations of the Serie A last year, looks good enough for Milan, especially considering that Nesta and Yepes might not have much fuel left in their tanks. He can play as a right back too, which is a plus. Also take a look at Davide Astori, a product of Milan's youth academy, but sold to Cagliari in this summer transfer window.

Right backs

Ignazio Abate

A quality "home-made" player, he has cemented a place in the first team in these last 2 seasons, and by the age of 24, he still can improve a bit. Quite versatile as well, he can play anywhere down the right flank.

Gianluca Zambrotta: The ex-World Champion is unfortunately 34 years old, and can only be a backup at best.

Luca Antonini: Another academy graduate, but not top quality mind. A decent backup.

Youth prospects: Also none in this area.

Targets: In the first season, in my opinion, none is needed.

Left backs

Taye Taiwo

Signed from Olympique de Marseille in this summer transfer window on a free, he's by far the best left back you have at your disposal. A physical beast.

Gianluca Zambrotta: He can play on both flanks, so that's a plus as you don't need new signings in this area.

Luca Antonini: Same as Zambrotta.

Youth prospects: Dídac Vilà was signed from RCD Espanyol in January, but was sent back on loan. Looks good for the future, and hopefully will gain some experience while on loan.

Targets: As the areas above, no signing is needed here, unless you want to have a world-class left back. Still the current players will do the job.

Midfielders

This is a delicate area, as you have a lot of midfielders, a lot of different players who can provide different dimensions and qualities, thus no player is a sure starter, it would be better to see for yourself throughout the pre-season who performs and fits best your tactics.

Massimo Ambrosini: The captain, is still good enough as a holding midfielder.

Mark van Bommel: The General of the midfield is capable of breaking opponent's attacks and organise the play.

Gennaro Gattuso: As some of his team-mates, he's ageing quickly, but still does a great job in winning the ball.

Antonio Nocerino: A new signing here, from Palermo in the summer transfer window. He's young, and capable of doing a great job as the ball-winner.

Mathieu Flamini: The ex-Arsenal player is a decent player, but not more than a backup in my opinion.

Clarence Seedorf: Some fantastic technical and mental attributes, but overshadowed by poor physicals, The Professor should be good enough for the odd game.

Urby Emanuelson: Not really a central midfielder (providing that you'll play without wingers), but adapted there by Massimiliano Allegri, is no more than a decent backup player.

Alberto Aquilani: Currently on loan from Liverpool, but with the option to buy for €7M, a bargain at that price in my opinion, as he really performs pretty well as a playmaker. He shoots from distance a lot, which might also be a bit annoying.

Kevin-Price Boateng: He's really a player that will come in handy in different situations, as he is quite versatile, has great stamina and strength, combined with high determination, aggresion and bravery. Can play in a lot of roles in the midfield.

Youth prospects: Alexander Merkel and Rodney Strasser are two players that might become quality in the future, don't forget to bring Merkel back from the co-ownership deal with Genoa. Strasser is on loan at Lecce for some first-team experience. Marco Ezio Fossati is another future prospect, currently on loan at Latina. Also Simone Calvano and Mattia Valoti are worth keeping an eye on.

Targets: Reinforcements are pretty much needed here, probably a creative mifielder more than anything else. Christian Eriksen from Ajax (a personal favorite) is one of the best prospects in the game, he's also good from the start. Will come for about €10M-€12M, a great bargain. I would also recommend another defensive midfielder, as some of the current midfielders will retire sooner rather than later. Yann M'Vila, Moussa Sissoko etc are just a few players who are worth at least sending your scout for.

Forwards

The same as for the midfield, no player here has a guaranteed first-team spot.

Zlatan Ibrahimović: The Big Swede is fully a Milan player now, after completing his transfer from Barcelona. One of the best players in the team, he might be the only sure-starter, but that also depends on his temper and performance.

Alexandre Pato: At the age of 21 he is one of the best strikers in the league, and has the potential to become a world-beater, but unfortunately a bit injury-prone, so hopefully he'll spend more time on the pitch than sidelined.

Antonio Cassano: A quality player, also versatile, "Fantantonio" is a magic player, but can be inconsistent and selfish, and his temper doesn't help. Try to be a bit generous with the team talks.

Robinho: As Cassano, he's a magic and versatile player.

Filippo Inzaghi: The legend is 37 now, and will probably retire in the end of the season. Give him some games though, he's a fantastic poacher despite his poor physical attributes.

Youth prospects: Stephan El Shaarawy has great potential, bring him to the first team, and give him some games, should become a great attacking midfielder in the future. There is also Alberto Paloschi on loan at Chievo, he is the perfect replacement for Inzaghi. Him and Pato might form a great striking partnership in the future.

Targets: I don't think anyone is needed right now, maybe a future replacement for Ibrahimović, but try not to spend in this area. Though if you're looking for a striker, I would recommend Leandro Damião from Internacional, looks like he'll be a beast of a striker in this edition.

[jasonboyacmilan]

Tactics

The tactic that best suits the current squad is a 4-3-1-2, also used in real life by Massimilano Allegri.

The back-line should consist of a central Stopper/Cover partnership, with Nesta as the Stopper and Thiago Silva as the covering defender. Then the usual full backs, Taiwo and Abate, who can also do a good job as wing-backs, if you want them to push forward more often.

The midfield trio might be the trickiest, as I mentioned above, you have a lot of midfielders with different qualities. I would recommend there to use a Ball-Winning Midfielder/Defend , an Advanced Playmaker/Support and a Central Midfielder/Automatic. As the physical attributes play a big role in FM (especially in some roles), it would be wiser to use Aquilani as the playmaker, Boateng as the central midfielder and Nocerino as the ball winner.

As for the attacking midfielder, this position is totally up for grabs. Different players can play there, so look who's fittest or performing better, change them depending on your opposition and/or how you want the team/player to play. In my opinion Robinho is the best player in that position, as a Trequartista.

Same is the attacking duo, you have different options, but a Complete Forward/Attack and a Poacher would be the best combination, consisting of Zlatan Ibrahimovic as the complete forward and Pato as the poacher.

You can also switch to a 4-1-2-1-2 if you want to hold on a good result (by moving the ball-winner behind as a Defensive Midfielder/Defend), or a 4-3-3 if you're looking for a goal in the last minutes of a game (by moving the attacking midfielder further up the pitch as a Deep-Lying Forward/Attack or as an Advanced Forward/Attack)

The philosophy of the team should be fluid, to allow more movement and creative freedom, and the control strategy most of the games would be enough to score goals and be in control of the games.

...and some last words...

You are in control of one of the most successful teams in world football, and winning is the only thing, thus expectations are very high. It is all up to you to maintain this success. But most importantly, have fun and enjoy playing the game!

FORZA MILAN!

[Llew_Arshavin23]

Great OP mate; surprised that no-one else has said that. Well Done

Seeing that I am more of a Juventus fan myself, a AC Milan save probably won't be on the cards but, they're back to their superior best!

[vieires]

I've been waiting for this one! Very nice OP.

I haven't got the demo (for some reason I never do) and I am forcing myself to wait until after Uni exams before getting the full version (a little under a month away!) but I am currently spending just about all of my time wondering how I am going to set my Milan team up.

I never sign in the first transfer window (seeings how we already have new signings) so sticking with the players we already have, I think a 4-3-1-2 is the best formation to go with. I think your three man midfield is the way to go. Aquilani has to play, and I think Nocerino can be great, attributes willing. I was thinking of pushing Robinho out to AML though, and playing him as an inside forward, and then playing Zlatan as a STL on advanced forward and Cassano at STR as a deep-lying forward or a Trequartista to move into the vacant space. With rotations, Pato will come in to the side as the advanced forward/poacher and Zlatan can play the deep-lying foward role.

I kind of want to build my team around Cassano. I think he can be a real superstar with the great support around him.

As far as signings go, its gotta be in midfield. Bastian Schweinsteiger would be my dream signing in real life but he is probably not that great in game and his loyalty is probably sky high. An energetic DM is a must, so M'Vila or Sandro from Tottenham could be excellent (and relatively cheap) options. M'Vila would be an excellent signing as he is not only a great ball-winner, he is also great at setting and controlling the tempo of a game from deep, which is something this Milan team is sorely lacking. Then a creative midfielder needs to come in as well. Eriksson is a great suggestion and would be an amazing signing in real life too. I was also thinking Borja Valero from a cash-strapped Villarreal could be both effective and cheap?

Gah, this thread is really testing my resolve to not play this game until after exams!

[jasonboyacmilan]

Thanks Llew.

vieires: I'm in pretty much the same situation as you with Uni and exams, and I will have to wait 2-3 weeks to get the full game.

That formation with Robinho as AML/Inside forward is a nice option, since he's right footed. Tinker around with the attack until you find the goals and the right balance.

Borja Valero might be another good option, relatively cheap also, but I don't think he can be the player you're looking for, at least judging by his attributes anyway, I have never used him in FM.

[vieires]

Admittedly, my suggestion of Valero as a good signing is based on his real life self. He's a tricky, creative customer. I am not sure how well he is rated on Football Manager.

I'm also massively cheap and I dont really like splashing the cash. 12m for Eriksson though, that's definitely on the cards.

I'm really looking forward to El Shaarawy's development too; making him a star is one of my highest priorities.

[boogle]

Im making a start with milan although im unsure whether to spend 30M on ganso given his injury proneness ?

[Viscaelbarca]

I fancy changing the way Milan play. Moving away from the ancelotti diamond to put more emphasis on the wings. Playing through the middle all the time is too one dimensional especially without pirlo in there providing the passes. Unfortunately with the budget available it will take more than a season to re shape the squad the way I'd like. I reckon i'll play 4-3-1-2. The back 4 almost pick themselves except for the dilemma of nesta or mexes alongside thiago but as a Milan fan(despite my forum name lol, what can I say barca are class) I think ill stick with nesta for now. I havent got the game yet so based on not kbowing players stats id have robinho on the left, nocerino in the middle, possibly pato on the right with kpb behind ibra and cassano. Will be selling van bommel cause I just flat out don't like him. I really hope.Merkel and paloschi are good in fm 12 cause I want to have some Milan youth products in my team. Unfortunately though it seems like a squad that ill have to put a lot of work into, because the midfield aren't particularly great. Dream signing would have to be robben. He'd rip the league apart

[jasonboyacmilan]

Im making a start with milan although im unsure whether to spend 30M on ganso given his injury proneness ?

There are better options IMO, in terms of price/performance. Ganso, apart from being injury prone, might also be a bit tricky to get him to perform. I haven't tried him personally, but I'm not really sure how would he fit in Milan.

[jasonboyacmilan]

I fancy changing the way Milan play. Moving away from the ancelotti diamond to put more emphasis on the wings. Playing through the middle all the time is too one dimensional especially without pirlo in there providing the passes. Unfortunately with the budget available it will take more than a season to re shape the squad the way I'd like. I reckon i'll play 4-3-1-2. The back 4 almost pick themselves except for the dilemma of nesta or mexes alongside thiago but as a Milan fan(despite my forum name lol, what can I say barca are class) I think ill stick with nesta for now. I havent got the game yet so based on not kbowing players stats id have robinho on the left, nocerino in the middle, possibly pato on the right with kpb behind ibra and cassano. Will be selling van bommel cause I just flat out don't like him. I really hope.Merkel and paloschi are good in fm 12 cause I want to have some Milan youth products in my team. Unfortunately though it seems like a squad that ill have to put a lot of work into, because the midfield aren't particularly great. Dream signing would have to be robben. He'd rip the league apart

If you plan on playing with wingers, then you should bring in at least another winger. I would recommend Xherdan Shaqiri, potentially one of the best wingers in the game, and can play on both wings, so you can use him either as a winger or inside forward.

[boogle]

There are better options IMO, in terms of price/performance. Ganso, apart from being injury prone, might also be a bit tricky to get him to perform. I haven't tried him personally, but I'm not really sure how would he fit in Milan.

What are these options?

Ideally i`m looking for a pirlo-esque midfielder at the start of the game to buy for next season?

I would have bought thiago of barca but he aint interested in milan at the moment. Ive got eriksen but i see him as more of trequartista as opposed to a deep lying playmaker.

[jasonboyacmilan]

What are these options?

Ideally i`m looking for a pirlo-esque midfielder at the start of the game to buy for next season?

I would have bought thiago of barca but he aint interested in milan at the moment. Ive got eriksen but i see him as more of trequartista as opposed to a deep lying playmaker.

I'm thinking of Andrea Poli, but he's on loan at Inter from Sampdoria, and has an agreed price of €8M. If you can take him away from Inter, that would be great. Also Marvin Martin from FC Sochaux looks good, but I'm not really sure he can play as a deep-lying playmaker, not that good defensively. Armin Bacinovic from Palermo might be another option, but make sure he learns the "Dictates Tempo" PPM.

There aren't many Pirlo-type of players though, it is very difficult to find one.

[boogle]

Funny thing is i got a scout report from Galli on two footballers De Bruyne of Genk and Ganso. De Bruynes weakness mentioned injury proneness but surprisingly for Ganso it wasn`t. So ill try and buy him.

[Viscaelbarca]

If you plan on playing with wingers, then you should bring in at least another winger. I would recommend Xherdan Shaqiri, potentially one of the best wingers in the game, and can play on both wings, so you can use him either as a winger or inside forward.

Good shout, hopefully he can play for me like he did for the under 21's last summer.

The game's installing now so I'll see who I can rustle up for my champions league assault. Forza Milan

[jasonboyacmilan]

Funny thing is i got a scout report from Galli on two footballers De Bruyne of Genk and Ganso. De Bruynes weakness mentioned injury proneness but surprisingly for Ganso it wasn`t. So ill try and buy him.

Well, good luck with him then.

Good shout, hopefully he can play for me like he did for the under 21's last summer.

The game's installing now so I'll see who I can rustle up for my champions league assault. Forza Milan

Good luck to you as well.

[Viscaelbarca]

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Delighted with my start to the season.

Signed Willian rather than Shaqiri, tried to get both but didn't have the cash

[jasonboyacmilan]

That's nice mate, keep it up throughout the season.

I hadn't thought of Willian, but he's also a good player.

[Viscaelbarca]

Straight back down to earth with a bang. 2-1 loss to Juve on the opening day and a muck performance:mad:

[bobani17]

i think we should try and figure out a good tactic =)

i myself would like to create a tactic that replicates the way milan play IRL.. but i feel there is something missing.. what i got now is a 4-3-1-2 on control stratedy and rigid philisophy (sorry for spelling)

GK - defend

LB - Fullback - Support

LCB - Central Defender - Defend

RCB - Central Defender - Defend

RB - Fullback - support

LCM - Offensive Playmaker - Support

CM - Defensive playmaker - Support

RCM - Ballwinning Midfielder - Defend

LST - Offensive striker - Attack

RST - Poacher - Attack

now i don't know if the roles makes sense, since i use swedish ingame, so i may have translated it a bit wrong..

however i would like som help in trying to replicate te way milan plays under allegri as much as possible! =)

[jasonboyacmilan]

bobani17: Replicating the way Milan play IRL isn't that easy. But IMO these roles should come closer.

GK: Abbiati: Defend

RB: Abate: Full Back/Automatic or Support

RCD: Nesta: Central Defender/Stopper

LCD: Thiago Silva: Ball-playing Defender/Cover or Defend

LB: Taiwo: Full Back/Support

RCM: Aquilani: Central Midfielder/Support with Forward Runs often

CM: Van Bommel: Deep-lying Playmaker/Defend with not much Creative Freedom

LCM: Nocerino: Box-to-Box or Ball-Winning/Support

AMC: Robinho: Trequartista/Attack

RST: Pato: Poacher/Attack but with Runs From Deep often and some higher Creative Freedom

LST: Zlatan Ibrahimovic: Complete Forward/Attack

I'm thinking of the last 3-4 games where Nocerino has switched sides with Aquilani. Not sure about the role for Nocerino, it is something between a Box-to-Box and Ball Winner with Support duty. Also the AMC position depends on who's playing. Boateng holds up the ball more than the others, Robinho runs with the ball more often and might as well be more of an Inside Forward with Attack Duty than a Trequartista. Boateng is more of a plain Attacking Midfielder with Attack duty. I don't think there are specific roles in these cases. The Philosophy is more Standard than Rigid, though sometimes it changes in Fluid throughout the game, and the strategy is always Control. I hope this was helpful. In any case, if you have further questions, ask here.

[bobani17]

okey, thanks.. you think you might be able to uppload that tactic? =)

[jasonboyacmilan]

okey, thanks.. you think you might be able to uppload that tactic? =)

I haven't tried this tactic, nor have I created and saved. But I'll try to do it, it will need some testing though. I'll tell you when it's ready.

[bobani17]

I haven't tried this tactic, nor have I created and saved. But I'll try to do it, it will need some testing though. I'll tell you when it's ready.

that would be awsome! =) thanks in advance

[jasonboyacmilan]

that would be awsome! =) thanks in advance

Just created it, currently testing. Won the Supercup against Inter 1-0. Link

See for yourself and then tell me how it goes, suggestions etc.

[bobani17]

just something i noticed straight away..the tactic uses a box-to-box midfielder on the left side, wich is usually where seedorf and aquilani plays... and that doesn't really make sense.. in that case is should be on the right side where nocerino and gattuso can play.. =)

i'll do some testing tho =)

[jasonboyacmilan]

just something i noticed straight away..the tactic uses a box-to-box midfielder on the left side, wich is usually where seedorf and aquilani plays... and that doesn't really make sense.. in that case is should be on the right side where nocerino and gattuso can play.. =)

i'll do some testing tho =)

As I said above, I tried to replicate the tactic that Allegri has incorporated in the last 3-4 games. Nocerino on the left and Aquilani on the right.

[MilanBoy]

Currently using Jasonboyacmilan's 4-3-3 tactic above and its working a treat. I sold Gattuso to lower the Wages, and brought in Granero on loan.

GK: Abbiati

DR: Abate

DC: Nesta

DC: Silva

DL: Taiwo

MCR: Aquilani (Playmaker), Granero is the rotation

MC: Nocerino/ Van Bommel rotation ( defend C Mid)

MCL: Boateng/Ambrosini rotation (BBM support)

FWR: Pato (poacher)

FC: Robinho/ Cassano (Deep Lying)

FWL: Zlatan (Complete forward)

Slowly slowly with the right training method and team talk encouragement the team is playing awesome football

Just topped the group stage in the CL 2 point advantage over Lyon with 1 game to play

and equal first in Serie A with Inter as I just beat them 1-0

Im at work so cant get screen shots, but am enjoying the challenge so far.

[jasonboyacmilan]

Currently using Jasonboyacmilan's 4-3-3 tactic above and its working a treat. I sold Gattuso to lower the Wages, and brought in Granero on loan.

GK: Abbiati

DR: Abate

DC: Nesta

DC: Silva

DL: Taiwo

MCR: Aquilani (Playmaker), Granero is the rotation

MC: Nocerino/ Van Bommel rotation ( defend C Mid)

MCL: Boateng/Ambrosini rotation (BBM support)

FWR: Pato (poacher)

FC: Robinho/ Cassano (Deep Lying)

FWL: Zlatan (Complete forward)

Slowly slowly with the right training method and team talk encouragement the team is playing awesome football

Just topped the group stage in the CL 2 point advantage over Lyon with 1 game to play

and equal first in Serie A with Inter as I just beat them 1-0

Im at work so cant get screen shots, but am enjoying the challenge so far.

Glad to have been of help. Good luck with your save, enjoy it.

[thumpjitsu]

Hi everyone, need some help please. I havent played FM since 2010 and im kind of lost with all the features and options you have with the new game.

Anyway i need some help with tactics i like to play 4-4-2 formation with wingers pushed up, so far i sold Ibrahimovic/Bonera/Van Bomel/Flamini/Zambrota/Yepes and with money made got Cavani/Hazard/Shaqiri/M'vila.

So my first team is:

GK - Abiatti

LB - Taiwo

LCB - Silva

RCB - Nesta/Mexes

RB - Abate

LCM - Boateng/Aquilani

RCM - M'Vila/Ambrosini

LWM - Hazard/Robinho

RWM - Shaqiri

CF - Pato/Cassano

CF - Cavani

What would be the best team/player settings for this formation and players i have? Ive set what my assistant recommends but so far in pre season im playing average at best agains rubbish teams!

[Javier Zanetti]

WOW how on earth did you get all those players by selling lots of old players, how much did you get for each and how much did you pay for the players you got?? (not that I don't believe you, just curious how much one could sell them for)

Awesome line-up you got there!

I'd play Mexes as ball playing defender and Silva as stopper, if you choose to play Nesta then he should be the stopper and Silva the ball playing one.

Taiwo and Abate both as FB automatic (you can't afford playing them on "support" because your midfield has lost some of its defensive quality).

Then I'd play Boateng and M'Vila on the centre, definitely more quality and better fit for the team (as Boateng is better at defending then Aquilani, and you can't have all the defensive work dropped on M'Vila), set Boateng as a box to box and M'Vila as central midfield defend or automatic.

Hazard as inside forward is a must, Shaqiri I don't really know but I think he would also do well as an inside forward.

In the attack I'd play Pato as poacher and Cavani I'm not quite sure, perhaps advanced forward.

[thumpjitsu]

Sold: Ibrahimovic £31m, Robinho £27m, Bonera £1.5m, Van Bomel £2.5m, Flamini £3.5m, Zambrota £500k, Yepes £300k, Emanulsen £3m totals £69m plus the £9m you start with so £78m to spend.

Bought: Hazard £23m, Cavani £25m, M'vila £19m, Sheqiri £9m spending £76m :-D

[442 is dead]

Kind of glad I had my ISP issues now and could do it. Outstanding OP man!

[jasonboyacmilan]

thumpjitsu: Pretty much what Javier Zanetti said about the player roles. I think your best midfield would consist of Aquilani and M'Vila, the former providing some creativity playing as an Advanced Playmaker on support duty, and M'Vila as a Ball Winner on defend duty. In some games, when a more physical midfield is required, play Boateng or Nocerino instead of Aquilani. Either way, you have a great team there, congrats and good luck with the save.

442 is dead: Thank you very much mate.

[Markmilan]

Well done Jasonboyacmilan top opening post, I haven't started a game yet, whats Lorenzo Tassi like? He's 16 and plays at Pescara - he's supposed to be the next Baggio!

[vieires]

I completely failed in my attempt to not buy this game. There goes my future!

I have started my Milan save which I hope to be my long term save. As I have previously said, I don't allow transfers in the first window - Galliani has already done his work so I'll respect that.

Have started in pre-season, giving everyone a run in the team. I think I have settled on my first choice 11 though:

GK: Christian Abbiati - GK Def

LB: Taye Taiwo - Fullback Auto

CB: Alessandro Nesta - Central Defender Stopper

CB: Thiago Silva - Central Defender Cover

RB: Ignazio Abate - Fullback Auto

CM: Kevin-Prince Boateng - CM Support

CM: Mark van Bommel - Ball Winning Mid Defend

CM: Alberto Aquilani - Advanced Playmaker Support

AML: Robinho - Inside Forward Attack

ST: Pato - Poacher Attack

ST: Antonio Cassano - Trequartista Attack

My friendly results so far:

Reserves: Won 3-0 (Pato, Boateng, Robinho)

Granada: Won 3-0 (Cassano, Robinho, Inzaghi)

Cliftonville: Won 4-0 (Pato (2), Robinho, El Shaarawy)

San Carlo Pontevi: Won 5-0 (Pato, Cassano, El Shaarawy, Ambrosini, Seedorf)

Juventus: Won 4-0 (Pato, Cassano (2), Inzaghi)

As you can see I started off with very easy opposition as I was building fitness and tactical fluidity. The game against Juventus though was not 'easy' and I managed a large victory, leading the shot count 21-7.

I found that Cassano was not playing brilliantly, though popping up on the scoreboard a few times, so before the Juventus game I selected him as the team's primary playmaker. Prior to that no playmaker was selected so as not to artificially weight the player's options. In the Juve game though, he scored twice and set up another before I switched all 11 players in the 61st minute - he was man of the match. I think I'll stick with him as my main playmaker for a while

Pleased with how things are going, but obvioulsy the opposition is not of a good enough standard to really judge the team's progress - Juventus aside.

[bobani17]

nice one dude! =)

[Nesta]

Sold: Ibrahimovic £31m, Robinho £27m, Bonera £1.5m, Van Bomel £2.5m, Flamini £3.5m, Zambrota £500k, Yepes £300k, Emanulsen £3m totals £69m plus the £9m you start with so £78m to spend.

Bought: Hazard £23m, Cavani £25m, M'vila £19m, Sheqiri £9m spending £76m :-D

How did you manage to sell Ibra? It's so hard to sell him.

[Javier Zanetti]

Well done Jasonboyacmilan top opening post, I haven't started a game yet, whats Lorenzo Tassi like? He's 16 and plays at Pescara - he's supposed to be the next Baggio!

unless they sold him on ur game, he plays for Inter

[urizen7]

How did you manage to sell Ibra? It's so hard to sell him.

Managed to sell Ibra as well. 30.5m with milan paying off 86,000 of his wages till 2014.

[jasonboyacmilan]

Well done Jasonboyacmilan top opening post, I haven't started a game yet, whats Lorenzo Tassi like? He's 16 and plays at Pescara - he's supposed to be the next Baggio!

Quite promising, potential to become a quality player, but as Javier Zanetti said, he plays for Inter, do it would be very difficult to persuade him to join Milan, at least in the first season.

[jasonboyacmilan]

I completely failed in my attempt to not buy this game. There goes my future!

I have started my Milan save which I hope to be my long term save. As I have previously said, I don't allow transfers in the first window - Galliani has already done his work so I'll respect that.

Have started in pre-season, giving everyone a run in the team. I think I have settled on my first choice 11 though:

GK: Christian Abbiati - GK Def

LB: Taye Taiwo - Fullback Auto

CB: Alessandro Nesta - Central Defender Stopper

CB: Thiago Silva - Central Defender Cover

RB: Ignazio Abate - Fullback Auto

CM: Kevin-Prince Boateng - CM Support

CM: Mark van Bommel - Ball Winning Mid Defend

CM: Alberto Aquilani - Advanced Playmaker Support

AML: Robinho - Inside Forward Attack

ST: Pato - Poacher Attack

ST: Antonio Cassano - Trequartista Attack

My friendly results so far:

Reserves: Won 3-0 (Pato, Boateng, Robinho)

Granada: Won 3-0 (Cassano, Robinho, Inzaghi)

Cliftonville: Won 4-0 (Pato (2), Robinho, El Shaarawy)

San Carlo Pontevi: Won 5-0 (Pato, Cassano, El Shaarawy, Ambrosini, Seedorf)

Juventus: Won 4-0 (Pato, Cassano (2), Inzaghi)

As you can see I started off with very easy opposition as I was building fitness and tactical fluidity. The game against Juventus though was not 'easy' and I managed a large victory, leading the shot count 21-7.

I found that Cassano was not playing brilliantly, though popping up on the scoreboard a few times, so before the Juventus game I selected him as the team's primary playmaker. Prior to that no playmaker was selected so as not to artificially weight the player's options. In the Juve game though, he scored twice and set up another before I switched all 11 players in the 61st minute - he was man of the match. I think I'll stick with him as my main playmaker for a while

Pleased with how things are going, but obvioulsy the opposition is not of a good enough standard to really judge the team's progress - Juventus aside.

That's a great start mate, keep it up, I think your team is good enough to reach at least the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

[boogle]

Are any of you guys frustrated with the amount of yellow and red cards abate seems to accumulate ? I can`t even have a private chat with him to tell him to calm it down. Do any of you have any ideas how i can control this ? he doesnt seem to learn no matter how many fines i give him.

[boogle]

Another question, how long will it take before silvio agrees to getting a foreign feeder club to boost merchandising ?

its an absolute joke that a club like milan cant find anyone (either in japan or america) to boost their revenues !

[jasonboyacmilan]

No idea for both of your questions really. Try to lower Abate's tackling, that might help. The sponsorship might be hard-coded, don't know.

[MilanBoy]

totally agree with you on the feeder club issue, its so hard

Another question, how long will it take before silvio agrees to getting a foreign feeder club to boost merchandising ?

its an absolute joke that a club like milan cant find anyone (either in japan or america) to boost their revenues !

[vieires]

It would seem that Antonio Cassano simply loves to play against Juventus. Following my pre-season 4-0 demolition of Juve, I have just beaten them 5-1 away from home in the Serie A. Cassano scored twice and provided 3 assists for hat-trick-hero Pato.

Sorry that I haven't done a monthly update, but I'll give you a snapshot of how I'm going now - I'm at the end of January and am performing as follows:

Super Cup - I won this in a cagey match against Inter. "KP" scored a long-range stunner into the top left in the 95th minute (ET) to take the trophy back from Beijing.

Coppa Italia - Fielded a weakened, but ultimately still strong team against Cagliari in the first round and got beaten 1-2. Luckily, it's a competition I don't value.

ECL - I topped my group which included Bayern Munich, Zenit, and Otelul. Happily, I actually beat Bayern 1-0 at the Allianz Arena and drew 1-1 at San Siro to take first place. Zenit did sneak a win against me at the San Siro though. I am up against Sporting Lisbon in the first knockout round. This is a tie I should be winning, and so am very happy with that draw.

Serie A - After a mid-season surge of 15 games undefeated, I currently sit atop the table; 11 points ahead of second placed Inter but they have a game in hand. I started off picking up wins, but not playing very well. Then Pato hit his straps and my whole team game has picked up. The very zenith of Pato's purple patch resulted in a 8 game streak with 30 goals scored and 2 conceded.

My transfers were limited, with none in the summer. I bought Borja Valero during the winter period. He and Aquilani are in battle for my CM Advanced Playmaker role. I also paid for Lucas Andersen, a Danish youngster who will be arriving in July.

Pato is undoubtedly my best player with 20 goals, 5 assists, 9 MoM's and an average rating of 7.75 after 21 games. The start of his season was injury ravaged as well, but since returning from injury he has scored 18 goals, provided 4 more at an average rating of 8.04 in just 15 games.

Mexes and Thiago Silva have also forged a very strong central defensive partnership and bother are highly rated - Nesta is wondering how he will get back into the team.

Strangely Robinho won the Serie A player of the year (awarded for the calendar year) - he has been good too, but I didn't expect that. Silva was defender of the year, of course!

Some other player notes:

Ibrahimovic has been injured a lot! He has been a peripheral figure. Though he is about to get his chance as a creator alongside Pato as Cassano just picked up a long-term injury.

Cassano's stats are not great - 7 goals, 9 assists - but he started to really pick up in his trerquartista role, only to then pick up a 4 month injury

Also, El Shaarawy is coming along nicely. I play him regularly as a sub when Robinho needs a rest.

[jasonboyacmilan]

That's very nice vieires.

Are you playing with the same tactic as in the beginning of the season? I'm currently struggling to score goals, albeit dominating games.

[Se7enDeadlySins]

Ok so i started a new game with Milan,and here`s my winter update.(this is my first save on the 2012 game).

Transfers :

Honda-18 mil

Eriksen-11 mil

Presita Giusepe-1.5 mil

Transfers out:

Pippo,Seedorf,Gattu,Roma total sum 4.5 mil.Been trying to get rid of Ambro and Bonnera but no one will take them,i even offered them for free,and still no one will take em.At least come end of the season il get Ambro off my pay role(100 k /week FFS)

Im playing my version X mas three

-------Ibra(support striker)---Pato(poacher)----

--------------Honda(ACM)-------------

--------Aqua(Box to box)Prince(Box to box)

---------------MVB(DM)------------------

--Taiwo---Nesta--Silva-----Abate---

-----------Abbiati-------------------

Im rotating Eriksen with Honda and so on.

So far played : Inter in super cup,beat them 1-0.

Unbeaten in the league,won 12,draw 6,scored 34 11 against.

Qualified for the first K.O round of Champions league from a group with Barca rangers and Malmo second.Only lost to Barca 2-0 at there home,but beat them 1-0 at the San Siro.Playing City in the K.O.

Everything seems to be going well except my finances.My wage budget is ok,but i dont seem to be making enought money to cover the debt.The players i bought in make less then 120 k in wages total so it cant be that.Anyone else struggling with finances?