MILAN - The Professional Footballers Association held their gala awards evening at the Teatro Dal Verme in Milan and the Rossoneri came away with the top honours including top player Zlatan Ibrahimovic, best coach Massimiliano Allegri and best player in Serie B last year Stephan El Shaarawy.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic was naturally named played of the year. The striker was presented with the award by Fabio Capello who said: "Ibra or Van Basten? I was fortunate to coach both of them. Marco Van Basten was a great finisher, played to score and played for the team. Ibrahimovic at times has more fantasy. Both of them make the difference.
Milan had four players in the top 11: Thiago Silva and Nesta, Boateng and Ibrahimovic. Another Rossonero, Stephan El Shaarawy, was voted best player from Serie B last year.
Massimiliano Allegri was voted best coach of the year.
Here is the top 11: Goalkeeper: Handanvovic (Udinese); Defenders: Maggio (Napoli); Thiago Silva (Milan); Ranocchia (Inter)/Nesta (Milan); Armero (Udinese); Midfielders: Hamsik (Napoli), Boateng (Milan), Marchisio (Juventus) Thiago Motta (Inter); Strikers: Di Natale (Udinese), Cavani (Napoli) e Ibrahimovic (Milan).
Monthly Archives: January 2012
MILAN: PLAYERS RESUME TRAINING
MILAN - The Milan squad will resume training today at Milanello after resting yesterday.The players will meet in the changing rooms at 11.30am and will start work at 12pm.
TIM CUP: PRICES SLASHED
MILAN - Tickets are on sale for Milan-Lazio, the quarter finals of the TIM Italian Cup, to be played on January 26th, 8.45pm.Once again, just like for the match against Novara, ticket prices have been slashed especially for the first tier. Here's an example: with just 10 euro you can watch the game from the first tier blue section, while with just 20 euro you can watch the match from the orange section of the same tier. Click here for all information
Tactics Tuesday: 4-3-1-2/4-3-3
At the start of the second half on Sunday Allegri made one of the most proactive subs of his Milan tenure. He finally recognized the inability of Urby as a CAM, a half too late mind you, and subbed off Antonini moving the ineffective Dutchman to LB and bringing El Shaarawi into the hole behind the strikers. The thing is El Shaarawi didn’t really slot into the hole, nor did he function as a true CAM, none of the strikers did. Suddenly the time tested 4-3-1-2 looked a bit like a 4-3-3, but not the Leo version that gave many of us nightmares, but a hybrid that proved rather effective; scoring three goals in forty-five minutes.
The traditional deployment of a 4-3-3 calls for a center forward and two wing forwards, under Leo Milan operated this way with Ronaldinho, Borrielo and Pato. Allegri, like anyone else with two eyes, sees the lack of balance in such a formation and deploys the strikers in a much more compact triangle calling on width from his fullbacks, while still shielding the midfield to some extent. This deployment doesn’t unbalance the formation in the midfield, but shields it, simply because of the amount of player traffic in front of the opposing central defenders and opposing defensive midfielder. While none of the strikers may actively defend, their mere presence in that part of the pitch makes it difficult for opponents to move the ball into the midfield. It is also a challenge for opponents to mark the strikers, which is the true beauty of this deployment.
While the formation lacks a true CAM, one of the strikers could drop into the role and cause the opponents defense to track the run, creating space for teammates. On Sunday against Novara, it was both exciting and fluid with the interchange between Robinho, Zlatan, and El Shaarawi almost seamless. It would appear these three had played together for years. Rotating, playing short combinations, and causing defenders fits as they were almost entirely un-markable for a 20 minute stretch. How can an opposing defense cope with marking three players in an area patrolled by two center-backs? Do they drop in a DM? Pinch in a fullback? All the while creating space for the added threats of Abate, Urby, and Nocerino!? This dynamic movement and attack when clicking can score goals at will, and strikers of the one dimensional variety all the easier to sell. Case in point, Allegri used and can use this deployment when Cassano is healthy and while it is a strong attacking formation, and that provides attacking entertainment. It is important to note that it may not be the best option against teams who can and will attack.
The deployment of Prince in the hole makes more sense against stronger opposition, adding more grit and balance, but also giving Milan/Allegri the flexibility to deploy a passing player in the midfield. Like all formations there are matches and situations where they can be tweaked and evolved and Allegri has found a good mix of work rate and industry in the absence of other strikers. Should he roll this out against Arsenal in February or Juve in a few weeks? Probably not, but depending on the team around them and their form at the time you could at least make case to see the hybrid 4-3-1-2/4-3-3 make a cameo.
Buffon on Juventus success
Juventus top Serie A ahead of AC Milan and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon believes his side’s success is down to “hard work and a strong will”.
MILAN TAKE HONOURS AT FOOTBALL GALA
MILAN - The Professional Footballers Association held their gala awards evening at the Teatro Dal Verme in Milan where the team of the year was revealed.Milan had four players in the top 11: Thiago Silva and Nesta, Boateng and Ibrahimovic. Another Rossonero, Stephan El Shaarawy, was voted best player from Serie B last year. Massimiliano Allegri was voted best coach of the year.Here is the top 11: Goalkeeper: Handanvovic (Udinese); Defenders: Maggio (Napoli); Thiago Silva (Milan); Ranocchia (Inter)/Nesta (Milan); Armero (Udinese); Midfielders: Hamsik (Napoli), Boateng (Milan), Marchisio (Juventus) Thiago Motta (Inter); Strikers: Di Natale (Udinese), Cavani (Napoli) e Ibrahimovic (Milan).
CLARENCE SEEDORF AWARDED AT FIFTEENTH EDITION OF "CHAMPIONS FOR CHILDREN"
MILAN - Clarence Seedorf was honored this morning at the Palazzo Isimbardi in Milan with the "Champions for Children" award. The award ceremony was held in the presence of the minister of Sport for the Province of Milan, Cristina Stancari, the Jury Chairman Gianni Mura, the president of the association Gianni Di Domenico and Damiano Tommasi president of AIC. The Milan midfielder won the award for the work done by his association "Champions for Children".
AC Milan CEO Adriano Galliani admits Zlatan Ibrahimovic could be better than Marco van Basten
The Italian admits that while the former Netherlands striker still has a special place in his heart, he feels that the Swede could ultimately prove a bigger hit with the club
NO TRAINING FOR MILAN TODAY
MILAN - Milan did not train today. Nesta and Flamini trained yesterday and will be back at Milanello tomorrow as will the full squad for a session at 12.00.
GALLIANI CALLS FOR CALM OVER TEVEZ
MILAN – Here is what a smiling Adriano Galliani had to say in front of the Lega Serie A offices.
ON MAXI LOPEZThe situation is very simple, we have an agreement with Catania and the agreement with the player. It seems to me that he is already in Milan, but now we will see. The medical? Take it easy, let's see … We'll wait for a few more days . Maxi Lopez is a player that interests us very much, is very likely to arrive.
ON TEVEZ: Does he want to join Milan? We also want Tevez. Have I phoned him? Yes, with one of the other actors in this triangle, so it was City or Paris Saint Germain. We’ll see, there are still seven days before the end of the transfer market.
ON BOTH:If Tevez doesn’t sign then Maxi Lopez will. It will be one or the other, certainly not both. The situation is very clear, City and Paris Saint Germain know that, Catania and Maxi Lopez know that.
Lazio, Liverpool, Manchester City, AC Milan or Paris Saint-Germain – Where will Keisuke Honda be playing in 2012?
Cesare Polenghi and a panel of Goal.com’s experts examine the options for the Japanese utility midfielder with the January window still open for over a week
Lopez set for Milan
Catania have revealed they have turned down an approach from Fulham for Maxi Lopez and expect the striker to complete a transfer to AC Milan.
Novara 0 Milan 3
Following this win Milan sit at forty points. Forty points at the midway point is exactly the same as last year’s title winning campaign and Allegri has managed 40, 42, and 40 in his first three half-seasons. Sure the knock is that Milan have not beaten a top side in Serie A this season, but the point total stands and it matters little how and were the 40 points were obtained. That is why beating Novara today was imperative, allowing Milan to stay within one point of Juventus and ahead of the pack in the Serie A.
Despite the scoreline, the match was never in question. Yes, Milan struggled to find the net in the first half but they controlled the ball and continually pressed the goal with solid possession and off the ball movement. The midfield was not first choice, with Ambrosini playing alongside Van Bommel, but Milan still managed to dominate possession and passing. The only weak link in the attack was once again Urby Emanuelson in the hole behind the strikers. Allegri appeared to finally see the error in his ways at the start of the second half and with the inclusion of El Shaarawi Milan morphed into a hybrid 4-3-3/4-3-1-2 and looked capable of scoring with each and every foray forward. Allegri hasn’t given up on Urby quite yet, as evidenced today, when he moved him into a more natural LB position replacing Antonini, and seeing an immediate response. As CAM he often drifts wide left and never checks back strong to the midfield, his play on the left was much simpler and stronger and appears what was once a problem position now has a bit of healthy competition with the purchase of Mesbah and the good showing by Urby.
The big story was the second straight influential game for the Little Pharoah. His inclusion in the second half gave Milan an immediate boost. As I mentioned early Allegri’s change made the formation more dynamic and even more difficult for Novara to pinpoint the attacking reference points. El Shaarawi, Zlatan, and Binho interchanged beautifully and three goals didn’t justify the attacks forward. While Binho was still wasteful and in front goal, and his goal was merely a cherry pick of what should have been an El Shaarawi goal, but he still continues to make incisive runs forward and create space for his teammates. More importantly Milan earned three points and the mini injury crisis didn’t seem to negatively effect the squad on this day.
Take nothing away from Zlatan who was also influential, his first goal was an excellent touch and finish on a cheeky ball from Ambrosini, his second goal was more a mistake from the Novara keeper then his own talent, but it took some quick thinking to drop that ball back in the net. You have to admit it was pretty funny to see Nocerino kicking the post while the ball rolled into the goal, but even this sour moment couldn’t hide a solid game from his as well, making great runs into the box and getting better and better at defending as well. It helped that Allegri basically had two CDMs to shield the defense, making the work of Silva and Mexes all the easier, and the attack was able to function effectively early but even more efficiently in the second half.
Flat-track bullies or not, Milan continue to earn points in games they should win and that is imperative to staying close to the top. Juventus remain consistent, Inter continue to press on, and Udinese are back on track. This title race is one of the best that I can remember and may come down to a three points or less, so brace yourself for the second half of the season. Don’t forget there are still 8 days left in the silly season as well, a lot can still happen on that front as well. Back tomorrow with a tactics piece and hopefully by midweek we can talk transfers with Maxi Lopex, Montolivo, and Tevez all in the rumor mill.
Milan still want Tevez
AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has not given up hope of signing Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez during the winter transfer market.
AC Milan CEO Adriano Galliani: We will sign Maxi Lopez if Carlos Tevez does not arrive at San Siro
The 67-year-old has admitted that they could sign the Argentine striker after all, but only if Manchester City’s Carlos Tevez does not move to Italy
AIC FOOTBALL OSCARS: MILAN AWARDED!
MILAN – The Rossoneri will be out in force at the Teatro Dal Verme in Milan for the Grand Gala of Italian football hosted by the Italian Footballers’ Association.Massimiliano Allegri, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva, Kevin Prince Boateng and Stephan El Shaarawy will be present with the presence of chief executive Adriano Galliani also expected.
ALLEGRI: 122 POINTS
MILAN - Since Massimiliano Allegri has coached Milan, no coach o fan Italian club has gained more points. The Rossoneri coach has repeated the performance of 40 points in the first half of the season as happened in the title-winning season of 2010-11.
The statistics for Milan coached by Allegri are powerful and important:
FIRST HALF OF THE 2010-2011 SEASON - 40 POINTS12 wins - 4 draws - 3 defeats34 goals for - 17 against
SECOND HALF OF THE 2010-2011 SEASON - 42 POINTS12 wins - 6 draws - 1 defeat31 goals for - 7 against
FIRST HALF OF THE 2011-2012 SEASON - 40 POINTS12 wins - 4 draws - 3 defeats40 goals for - 17 against
Why winter champions Juventus have history on their side in their bid for the Serie A title
Unbeaten and unbowed, the Bianconeri lead the way after 19 rounds, but despite a poor recent post-Christmas record, there is one stat which suggests they are champs in the making
Serie A Team of the Week: Round 19 – Pirlo, Totti & Ibrahimovic shine in Italy’s top flight
Goal.com picks the best performers from Italy’s top flight as the three veteran stars led their teams to comprehensive victories over the course of the weekend
Borussia Dortmund’s Shinji Kagawa plays down talk of a move after reported interest from Manchester United & AC Milan
The Samurai Blue superstar has been linked with the European pair in recent weeks however he insists wants to be part of the German champions’ future
NOVARA 3-0 MILAN, GALLIANI: "The good times are back"
NOVARA - Click here to read what players and management had to say after Milan's 3-0 win in Novara this afternoon.
"THE GOOD TIMES ARE BACK"
MILAN – Here are the post match declarations following Novara-Milan:
ADRIANO GALLIANI
"Regardless of this particular result, I like the idea that since Allegri’s been here, we’ve got 40, 42 and then 40 points for each half season. That’s really a lot. I said to the players that if we get 42 points like we did last year, then maybe we’ll get our hands on the title. Juventus are doing well, credit where credit’s due, but we’re doing well too and we’re only a point away from them. The good times are back. I think Emanuelson did well at left back, that’s the position that we bought him for and that’s where he played for Ajax. Actually, I think most players can play in more than one role, it’s juts in Italy where we nail them a particular position. Last year when we signed the trio of Van Bommel, Emanuelson and Cassano, it’s not like we made any mistakes. Last year it was three, this year it’s a couple. Two or three, this is the dilemma. We’ll have to wait and see. Each win is worth three points and they’re all important and all the same for the league position. I’m happy because we have the same number of points as last year. We have President Silvio Berlusconi to thank if we’re able to fight for the top spots despite the numerous injuries that we’ve had.”MASSIMILIANO ALLEGRI
"The players did well. They played a technically good game and created a lot of chances. We just needed to find the goal because in the first half we had created a lot of goal scoring chances without hitting the back of the net. I think that Emanuelson played well as a full back and El Shaarawy is confirming what he did in the last few games. Thursday’s game is very important for me. The cup is one of the season’s objectives and we have to make sure we do well against Lazio. The club is very adept when working in the transfer market and in the last year and a half, I’ve always had great players to work with.”
ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC
"I was really happy after the third goal. It gave the team tranquillity and calmed down our game. In the first half we had a lot of chances to score, but the ball wouldn’t go in. We continued to create though and in the second half we got three. El Shaarawy has to grow a lot and he has much to learn, but he’s training very well. He also works with intensity and I’m sure that he’ll go far.I think Emanuelson should play as a full back, but these decisions have to be taken by the coach. When he was at Ajax, that was where he was playing anyway. I feel better this year. I feel like the team leader and it’s a situation that I like. The extra responsibility pusher me to give even more in every game.”
STEPHAN EL SHAARAWY
"I got on the field in the second half and I immediately tried to get into the game and play my part. I missed a couple of chances, but the important thing is the three points. Robinho’s pass to me was fantastic but I took it on the instep as I was at top speed and it went wide. Emauelson is good passer of the ball as he showed with the ball that he gave me, another chance that I wasn0’t able to capitalise on. I have always felt ready, but now that I’m training better, I feel even more ready.”
URBY EMANUELSON
"The first half was difficult for me in the position I was playing but we played well in the second half both in attack and in defence. El Shaarawy had a good game as well. It must be difficult for the coach to choose who plays. I can play at left back, I played there for Ajax as well and I’m happy to play in this position. I feel more trusted by the team. I want to play.”
MASSIMILIANO ALLEGRI (Press Conference)
"We deserved to take the lead and we looked to double it immediately. We played a good game and only risked a couple of counter attacks. The players are back after the derby defeat. Yesterday the first impressions we had of the synthetic surface in training were good, we just needed to adapt a bit. Juventus haven’t lost in 19 games, they’re a point ahead of us and they’ve done extraordinary things so far this season and so they should be considered favourites along with us for the title. Maybe even the clear favourites as they have a point on us, without of course taking anything away from Udinese, Roma and Inter. Ibrahimovic is a champion. We’re lucky he’s with us. The team always tries to get the most out of him and he, for his part, does the most he can for the team. I’m not thinking of Tevez because in four days time we have Lazio in the cup. The club knows well what to do. If new players come then they’ll be Milan players and I’ll be happy to coach them, but if not I’m happy with the team and the players that I have.”
Massimiliano Allegri: AC Milan & Juventus are the favourites for the Serie A title
The Rossoneri coach has voiced his opinion that his side and the Bianconeri are the two teams with the best chance of walking away with the Scudetto come the end of the season
MATCH RESULTS FROM THIS WEEKEND’S SERIE A ACTION
MILAN - Ahead of Inter-Lazio this evening at 20.45, here are the results from this weekend's action in Serie A:Roma-Cesena 5-1 (Played on Saturday 21/1)Atalanta-Cesena 0-2Bologna-Parma 0-0Cagliari-Fiorentina 0-0Lecce-Chievo 2-2Siena-Napoli 1-1Novara-Milan 0-3Udinese-Catania 2-1Palermo-Genoa 5-3
NOVARA-MILAN: ALL THE PHOTOS FROM THE ROSSONERI’S 3-0 WIN
NOVARA - Click here for the photos from this afternoon's 3-0 win in Novara.
40 POINTS AT THE HALFWAY MARK
NOVARA – It had to be a win and so it was. Against a Novara side intent on damage limitation, Milan come away 3-0 winners and get to the season’s halfway mark with 40 points. Just like last season when the team lifted the scudetto.
Allegri started with Ambrosini instead of Merkel with Emanuelson behind Ibrahmovic and Robinho. There was only one team in it for the first half. On 12’, Ibrahimovic took the free kick from the edge of the area, Ujkani pushes the ball away and Robinho fails with the resulting tap in. On 23’, another bullet of a free kick from the Swedish striker and this time the keeper pushes it out for a corner. Thiago Silva gets his head to the resulting cross and Caracciolo manages to clear the ball off the line. The hosts were more or less pinned back with the Albanian keeper working over time. On 26’, he saves once again from Ibra and on 33’, he looks beaten but Nocerino's shot is an inch from opening the scoring. The umpteenth chance to score came 7 minutes later from a corner. Mexes has his chance cleared by Caracciolo. The teams headed to the changing rooms with the score all square.
Stephan El Shaarawy made his entrance for Antonini for the second half. Amelia made his first save of the game after 2 minutes from a right footed shot by Caracciolo. Just after El Shaarawy had an almost free header go wide after Robinho found him with a perfect cross. The deserved lead was finally taken after 12 minutes of the second half. Ambrosini finds Ibra in the bow with a lob into the area. The Swedish forward takes the ball down on his thigh and volleys it home. Textbook technique. Milan could have doubled their lead on 27’. Robinho and El Shaarawy combined well but the teenager seemed in too much of a hurry and spurned the chance. Shortly after, the Brazilian gets his name on the scoresheet after a half cross, half shot from El Shaarawy. 2-0 and it’s curtains for Novara. A few soft saves for Amelia and then Ibrahimovic made it three with a cheeky goal at the death. Third win in a row away from home without conceding a single goal. Onwards and upwards.
NOVARA 0-3 MILAN FULL TIME
NOVARA - The Rossoneri end the game with a clean 3-0 win thanks to a double from Ibrahimovic and a goal from Robinho in between. Click here for the full match report.
LAZIO IN THE TIM CUP
MILAN - Milan-Lazio in the Italian cup at 20.45 at the San Siro stadium has the scent of a classic. In the last 14 years the game has been played 5 times in the Cup with the record in Lazio’s favour, 4 to 1.In 1998-99, these two teams faced off in the final of the competition which at the time was played over two legs. A goal from the great George Weah gave the Rossoneri a 1-0 lead from the first leg played at the San Siro only to lose 3-1 in Rome (after having 1-0up). One year later, Milan-Lazio was played in the last 16 of the competition and Lazio again went through thanks to a 3-1 win in the Stadio Olimpico and 1-14 draw in Milan. 2001-02 was the last time Milan won this match. It was the quarter finals when Ancelotti’s men came back from Rome with a 3-2 win after having won the first leg in the San Siro 2-1. Two seasons later, the two sides met in the semi finals and it was Lazio to go through to the final with a 2-1 win in Milan and a convincing 4-0 win at home. The last time the two sides me in this competition was in the 2008-09 season and Delio Rossi’ side won the match 2-1 and went on to left the trophy.
Both teams started their cup adventure in the last 16 this season and both had hard fought wins. Milan beat Novara 2-1 in extra time while Lazio got the better of Verona with a 3-2 score line and the winning goal scored in the final minutes.
Milan and Udinese keep up pressure on Juve
AC Milan took their time but
eventually eased past bottom side Novara 3-0 to stay on the tail
of leaders Juventus in Serie A on Sunday while third-placed
Udinese also won.
Novara 0-3 Milan: Ibrahimovic and Robinho make the difference as Rossoneri return gap to Juventus back to one point
After a host of missed chances, three second half goals, two from the Swede and one from the Brazilian, give Allegri’s side the points against a spirited Biancoazzurri