AC Milan Blog

Hard to discuss this past weekend’s match after what happened to Fabrice Muamba. Milan fans may not know him, or even where plays, but if you consider that the very same thing could have happened to Antonio Cassano, it makes you stop and think for a moment how scary such a tragedy can be. In some odd way it is comforting to know that Muamba is recovering even though he is under hospital care, but more importantly is a reminder that the game we love is played by humans. Best of luck to Fabrice Muamba and thoughts go out to his family and teammates.

Milan continued to roll this weekend and the blip in London seems like a historic memory. It was Urby Emanuelson who helped put Parma to rest, despite the fact that Parma tactician and former Milan man, Roberto Donadoni, felt that Parma deserved more. Sure Parma hit the woodwork twice and were the better team for the first 15 minutes, playing livelier and more direct than Milan, but the unfortunate hand ball for Zaccardo gave Milan upperhand and the match seemed to get away. The shot came from Urby that led to the handball, but the more incredible play was his goal that was scored in shades of Diego Maradona and George Weah as he slalomed down the pitch to score. Parma continued to attack and Milan took the pressure, but it was two attacks that seemed to be Parma’s undoing and kept Milan at the top of the table.

The match also gave Allegri a chance to get minutes for Zambrotta and Rino, two players who have veteran leadership and now fresh legs, who may prove crucial down the stretch. The first of a many crucial matches is tomorrow was Milan go to Torino with the intent and goal of qualifying for the Coppa Italia final. It won’t be easy as Milan need to overturn a one goal lead and two away goals. Last season against Palermo it seemed this was a simpler task and it things didn’t go Milan’s way, but you have to believe momentum is our favor despite Juventus’ thrashing of a ten-man Fiorentina.

Allegri’s lineup will be a tricky call because Roma loom on the weekend and some of Milan’s strongest players have not rested in weeks. You have to believe that some players will get a chance to shine tomorrow as the fixture list has Barcelona on it merely a week away, but you can’t make the final unless you win tomorrow so it would appear this match has a lot riding it. So it becomes an issue of balance and where you can rest certain players, so here goes nothing, but don’t be surprised if it isn’t even close!

Abbiati; Zambrotta, Silva, Mexes, Mesbah; Muntari, Van Bommel, Aquilani; Urby; Zlatan, El Sharaawi

Zambro will probably start again as Abate continues to find fitness. Mexes is not suspended so I suspect him to play and Antonini will most likely be rested, though Mesbah may struggle. Van Bommel is fresh from the weekend and Muntari can’t play CL so he should play everything. Aquilani should be fit to play and in turn rests Nocerino and Urby and Zlatan are in form so should continue play. Again, your guess is as good as mine, but considering who is fit and the two matches on deck you can see where work needs to be done in midfield choices.

In order to the be the best, you have to beat the best. Not only will Milan defeat Barcelona, they will defeat every single fanboy who shamelessly walks around and says, “I like my team and then Barcelona.” They will defeat every pundit who believes there is only way to play football, and finally they will remind every single team emulating the Barca-style that before Barcelona there was AC MILAN!

Despite the assurances of the Best Player in the World, Pep Guardiola does not want to tackle the mighty Rossoneri again.

In search of an easier draw, the Barcelona manager stated that he wants to avoid AC Milan in quarter-final stage, owing this decision to their remarkable pedigree in the continental competition.

“I would like to avoid Milan in the quarter-finals,” the former Spain international said.

“We have already played [twice] and they are one of the biggest clubs in Europe.”

Guardiola would like an easier route to the final, but accepted that they will have to overcome the best European clubs to deserve a place in the final.

“However, to reach the final in Munich, there is still so much to accomplish and above all, there remains the need to clash with the best.”

Can’t wait for this one!

So tomorrow UEFA will put a bunch of neutral ping pong balls not affected by temperature or any tampering whatsoever and then call upon some newly fat former footballer to pull them out in random order to determine the next round of the CL. It will most likely end up as follows:

Chelsea v RM
Bayern v APOEL
Barca v OM
Milan v Benfica

Totally random right!? I mean why give Barca tough game now? Why not pit Jose against his former love? Why not give Bayern an easy pass to Barca in the final to reward the Bundesliga? All factors no one in UEFA has even remotely considered right? We shall see!

All kidding aside, what is your draw and who do you want Milan to play? Tough game for Napoli yesterday and I want to reiterate something I said in the comments yesterday regarding the ever present coefficient discussion. Napoli did their part, in exciting noble fashion; it is the rest of Serie A that needs this pride. I now fully hope Napoli finishes in the 3rd spot!

“I have always looked at it this way, Milan should ALWAYS be in the top 3, if not we have a problem. The teams fighting for that third/fourth spot are the ones who should step it up in Europa. Milan have done their part and we should be in the top 3 everyone else needs to be accountable on that one.”

This was one of those matches were the score line didn’t tell the whole story. 60% possession, 19 shots with 10 on frame, 13 corner kicks and the simple notion that Lecce would not be allowed out of their own half for most of the match, as evidenced by their one shot on goal over the course of the 90 minutes. It was a dominant performance, the sort of performance that makes you forget the midweek debacle, but more importantly makes you remember that when this team wants to bring its A-game, it is that good.

The immediate reaction by most fans will be something to effect of, “well it was just Lecce.” In case you hadn’t noticed, Lecce was undefeated in their last five matches and fighting tooth and nail to get out of the relegation zone, Milan wasn’t to concerned. Could have easily been 4-0, had Urby and Binho buried their chances in the first half, but the team was still able to coast it’s way to victory as they prepare for the first 5 day break in a while. The big story for me in this match though was the midfield play, a spot of weakness in London was back in full force suffocating Lecce’s progress forward and compressing the field to near Sacchi like levels. Lecce or not this was a solid performance technically and tactically.

Speaking of technical, Zlatan seems to save some of his most amazing goals for Lecce. We can all remember last year’s near midfield cracker, but yesterday’s cross body blast, on the bounce, was just as impressive. Nocerino added another to his tally and one has to wonder if Urby and Prince in a full season couldn’t find the net in double digits in a whole season. Quite the dynamic from Milan’s midfield as we have discussed, and makes the job of the striker all that much more tactically impressive. It is becoming more and more evident that not just anyone can play up top in an Allegri system, but one guy that can is El Sharaawi. He continues to come on in games and create chances for himself and teammates and his bit of misfortune can turn into a stock pile of goals.

Clean sheet, two goals, and four points clear at the top means that Milan is now in the control of their own destiny. Will they make things difficult on us? Of course, Milan always takes the long road and then walk it, but we may as enjoy the view from top as I tend to like it myself. One month ago this team was “broken” and left for dead by those who didn’t believe, now we show what a little patience and faith can do. Not bad for a team who lacked depth, didn’t spend money, and was struck by injuries! At least the injuries bit is true, the rest was just fans being restless. While small spending Milan solidified their place at the top, big spending Man City squandered their lead, and Juventus who spent a fair amount in the offseason as well, is now in a media blackout? Kettle meet pot?! Funny the way it is sometimes…

Let’s be honest we all want to forget about the midweek match and the truth of the matter is that we will. Regardless of the result we are through to the next round of the CL for the first time since we won it back in 2007. Next week’s will draw will happen, we will get our next opponent and all will be forgotten. A way to make sure this happens is to get three points this Sunday, no questions asked.

Juventus dropped point’s midweek. Suddenly, what I believed to be Juventus’ scudetto to lose is now appearing more and more to be Milan’s claim. This has its positives and negatives. Being in the driver’s seat means you are in control, your results guarantee your success and if you can manage those you get your hands on the prize. It also means there is a bull’s eye on your back and with the added distraction of Coppa Italia and CL, assuring three points in each and every league match becomes tougher and tougher. Fatigue is a very real concern and while the injury situation is improving dramatically there are still concerns about match fitness and player personnel. I still contend that a domestic double would have made for a great season, and anything further in the CL is gravy, but now maybe even I may be swayed to get a little greedy. Point being none of that moves forward without taking care of the first order of business and that is Lecce.

The last match was a 4-3 slugfest in which Prince decided to land the KO. That Milan team seems like a years ago, and their lack of cohesion and chemistry is long gone. I don’t expect a repeat of the result but Lecce has been earnest and impressive in their last five matches and is winning by simply playing smart effective football. This should pose no problem for Milan who will most definitely go back to the normal formation as the performance midweek put the nail in the Plan B coffin and hopefully reinforced that the 4-3-3 is NEVER a viable option for this team.

With the formation all but understood it is the personnel that is the big question. You can always count on regulars like Abbiati, Silva, and Abate, but with the fatigue being a concern some players may see some rest. You also have to wonder if poor midweek performances from Mesbah and Van Bommel get them another chance or some time to think on the bench. My take:

Abbiati; Abate, Mexes, Silva, Mesbah; Aquilani, Ambro, Muntari; Urby; Zlatan, Robinho

The regulars need no explanation, but hear me out on the rest. Mesbah didn’t earn this start, but the emotions of playing his old team may be beneficial to Milan and he needs to forget his performance midweek. Nocerino is the man that never rests and getting Aquilani back into the swing of things should be a priority. If Milan get a lead you can bring in Nocerino or Rino, either way Aqui may not last a full 90. Van Bommel can always use a break if the opportunity presents itself as he always looks a bit sluggish of late. The attacking trio is based simply on fitness but I can be swayed to consider Maxi or El Sharaawi as subs or even starters depending on who needs a break after a tough month.

Simply put, put the poor performance midweek behind them and press forward along the home stretch. Who knows if things go well we can start talking about things like doubles and trebles. A far cry from what we have endured with the self-deprecating roller coaster many tifosi have been on!

First and foremost I want to apologize for the delayed post. I started a new job last Monday and the transition has been slow and taxing, meaning less time for me and ultimately Milan! Speaking of Milan, not much I can say other than the fact that I was wholeheartedly disappointed. I know others were disappointed as well, but many factors went into yesterday’s tactics and lineup and while I don’t agree with Allegri’s choices, I simply didn’t see many alternatives.

For those who clamored for a Plan B, yesterday we got it, and I hope we never see it again. Due to the lack of healthy midfielders Allegri made a decision to attack. His belief; the vital importance of the away goal would outweigh any goals Arsenal would score and put the tie to bed. Little did Allegri know that Wenger would throw just about every attack player he had at Milan, creating a huge gap in balance, and most importantly a nail biting affair for us! Credit to Arsenal for playing with a fire and passion that I have not seen for years, from any team, the pace and tempo of their attack and pressing was incredible, and it was no surprise that they were absolutely exhausted by the second half and Milan were finally able to hold the ball a bit and take advantage of their tired legs. The second half was our only saving grace, because the first half was a shameful embarrassment.

Three attackers in this match was a bad choice, even though the formation was deployed in a more standard 4-3-1-2, Robinho was not effective in providing a defensive/pressuring presence in the midfield. This caused Milan a numerical disadvantage in the vital midfield battle and allowed Arsenal to press up the pitch and close down space making it impossible to move the ball through the midfield and in turn playing long balls that rendered our attackers offside more often than not. Despite this seemingly insurmountable issue, Milan did still create chances, but a few point blank misses from both El Shaarawi and Nocerino were the big difference and created a rather interesting dynamic for Arsenal who would have been KO’d had one of those chances found the back of the net.

Allegri, who owned up to his errors after the match, like any good Coach would do, was proactive at half time and restored the balance and order to Milan. I also believe something needs to be said regarding the lack of true CL veterans in Milan’s lineup, this made a difference on this day were calm and composure were key. The only true experience we had was Van Bommel, the only real positive experience really, because Zlatan and Mexes’ history in the competition is a bit tattered when it comes to matches like this one. You could almost see the nerves on the rest of the player’s faces, and for those wondering why Mesbah had not been chosen of late, you got your answer in this one. Not saying he is a done and dusted but performances like this one will not earn anyone’s trust and confidence. Why Allegri didn’t consider Zambrotta, or at least a more defensive deployment is beyond me, but when your team is struck by injuries you simply have to make the best of what is given. Credit to the players who did step up and shine, notably Abbiati and Abate, as both were instrumental in preserving the performance.

At the end of the day, it is important to remember that Milan are in fact through to the next round and this performance was not a direct reflection of the team’s progress. This performance was caused by a chain reaction of events, started by Allegri making due with what was fit and available, and hoping to squeeze out the vital away goal. It backfired in explosive fashion, but was corrected soon thereafter. I don’t worry all that much that this performance will carry over or create a “hangover effect” and the sooner this team can get back on the pitch and back to normal the sooner we can put this match behind us and move on to the next round of the CL. Back with a Parma preview in the next day or so, and again my apologies for spotty posting and coverage.

The ominous records were hashed and rehashed for the past few days. Milan can’t beat Palermo at home, Milan can’t win in Sicily. Like Udinese before them, Palermo had the most points won at home, an impenetrable force at their home turf. That is until they met a man on a mission…

From the first minute it looked as though Zlatan was on some sort of vendetta mission. Coming off a three ban game, he wanted to remind everyone that he was a force to be reckoned with. Like last season Milan and Allegri were forced to press on without the services of Ibrahimovic, and in his absence the team galvanized finding heroes and leadership in adversity. When he returned it was like he was spearheading an even stronger monstrosity in attack. Palermo a team who typically gives Milan fits, has becoming a whipping boy this term. Two matches, seven goals, and a resounding six points. Good teams reverse results and this match was the mark of a good team. It was as though Milan didn’t want to Palermo to breath and after Zlatan’s 14 minutes of sheer dominance the match was over, and Milan could play it at a walking pace, to rest for the trip to Emirates.

Don’t tell Robinho that the match was over, his work rate was impeccable once again, and there is a reason Zlatan seems to find him first in celebrations. The dynamic duo is back, and their chemistry, cohesion and movement is integral to what makes Milan special. Add in some solid performances from Muntari, Ambro, and Nocerino and this win looks even easier, and the team looks more cohesive and dominant then ever. Just in time for the return of injured players and a Champions League match on the horizon.

The trip to Emirates tomorrow is a about damage control on two fronts. The first and most important issue is to keep a clean sheet, what better why to prevent Arsenal from scoring the five goals they need, then by keeping them from scoring a single one! As long as Milan doesn’t concede early the game should be simply a matter of possession and control. If Milan finds the back of the net, a likely scenario against a leaky defense, then the tie will be open and shut and Milan can begin to prepare for their next goal on the horizon. The squad tomorrow is as follows:

Abbiati, Amelia, Roma; Abate, Antonini, Bonera, Mesbah, Mexes, Thiago Silva, Zambrotta, Yepes; Aquilani, Calvano, Emanuelson, Innocenti, Nocerino, Van Bommel; El Shaarawy, Ganz, Ibrahimovic, Robinho.

I don’t expect Allegri to shake things up to much, we may see some players rested late on, but it is important to show respect for your opponent and also to continue the cohesion in the squad. Emanuelson and Antonini appear to be returning fit, and I would expect Aquilani to see a full 90, if able, in his return to the first team. Two names that stick out the on the list for me are Calvano and Ganz, and while I don’t expect Ganz to feature, having Calvano in place of Van Bommel in the second half would be great if all things go according to plan. A bit of a surprise for me was the fact that De Sciglio was not called up to find some rest for Abate who has played two matches a week for the majority of 2012. The right sided energizer bunny seems to show no signs of wear, and while Zambro can play just as well, wouldn’t it be better to give De Sciglio a taste of the bright lights? No matter who plays, it is simply imperative this team secures the tie and moves forward as we have decisive matches in the next 4 weeks and the continued progress in the CL.

On a side note, a special congratulations to my U15 Boys for their victory in this weekend’s Scorpion Bowl. Four matches, six goals for, one goal against, and a nice little piece of silverware to add to the cabinet. Great job boys!

Things are still CRAZY busy on my end, leaving for a soccer tournament on the weekend and will be pretty much be out of touch while the boys try to reverse last year’s PK loss in the finals. But in the meantime some odds and ends…

- For those who watched the USMNT versus Italy on Wednesday, you may have finally gotten your answer as to why Allegri didn’t think Pirlo fit in the 4-3-1-2. Prandelli built around Pirlo but required Nocerino and Motta to hold deep as well to shield the defense, in turn meaning the runs from midfield were not present to work the defenders and the attack became one dimensional. Strikers were seemingly on an island and while they did have chances, the long ball made it easy for the US to deploy an offside trap. It didn’t help that Marchisio did poorly in his role at CAM so the link was virtually non-existent, bypassing the midfielders and playing the same old combination, defense, to Pirlo, to strikers. Opponents find the reference point, supply chain, or whatever you want to call it and it is difficult to be successful. Credit to USMNT for reading the game, but more importantly to Michael Bradley, and his excellent performance.

-Speaking of Bradley, who currently plays for Chievo. It appears his time in Italy has taught him the ever important thing we discuss time and time again, that some actually believe is irrelevant, tactical intelligence. DiCarlo has taught him how to read the game, and in turn you have a destructive midfielder who plays short simple passes and is coming into his own in terms of tactical discipline. Sounds like someone we know and love doesn’t it? Van Bommel’s possible replacement was on the pitch last night, and he wasn’t playing for Italy, he was playing for the USMNT! Before you get all feisty and say how can an American be AC Milan quality, get over it, any player can play anywhere if they have the work ethic and fit the system, this kid and Allegri would go hand in hand. Then again if you believe he doesn’t fit the system, you probably think Pato is a golden Duck, so you have quality issues…

-Speaking of replacements, anyone not enamored by Ogbonna? I am. LCB, LB, or RCB, put this kid next Silva and you have the good old fashion lock down vault defense. Self proclaimed Milan fan currently playing for Torino in Serie B. This matters because Milan has two players on loan there, Verdi and Oduamadi. How about those two stay and we get an Ogbonna loan/buy in return? It is time Fester gets working on players that are not attackers.

-Mentioning attackers, any surprise Pato is hurt again. Oh where, oh where are team, “don’t sell Pato.” Please come and explain to me why I should defend this bum now? 14 injuries, 14!, the numbers don’t lie. He will most definitely be sold in the summer, but sadly 35M is a pipe dream, we will be lucky to get 15M for him now and it will be the last you ever hear of the Duck.

-This weekend Milan goes to Palermo, a place that has been fruitless for years in terms of points and victories. In fact the past two seasons have been a black hole. This MUST change, we have a one point lead over Juventus and slip-ups are not an option at this point and time, if the Scudetto is a real aspiration, and it should be, shouldn’t it? Then this match is a must win to establish dominance and show that Milan mean business. Injuries are still a problem, but Zlatan is back and I would expect the same sort of lineup we have seen of late with Urby at CAM. Arsenal midweek, but with the 4 goal lead, Allegri may be able to rest some players, while simply securing the result. But that is not a question now, Palermo is too important, thankfully the team is in woeful form and Milan should be able to take advantage. Palermo’s trip to the San Siro saw the Nocerino show in action and it would seem that sort of game is not outside the realm of possibility if Milan can score early and keep on a demoralized team.

Back after the weekend, hopefully with good news on all fronts!

Incredible that even after an exciting two weeks the man in charge, Max Allegri, continues to get questioned by fans and pundits. A classic comeback against Udinese, a thrashing of Arsenal, the domination of Cesena and a Juventus result still up for debate, and all this despite the lengthy injury list, suspensions, and lack of form and fatigue from many of the starting eleven. So if for some reason you still can’t get behind him, I am going to give you another.

It all started in the summer; Allegri had a vision for Milan’s midfield and attack. The first step was making the controversial move to not resign Andrea Pirlo, not a Club Legend per se in the ilk of Maldini, but a great player who enjoyed many a successful moment in the Milan shirt. Allegri decided that instead of having Pirlo in the midfield as a focal playmaker, he preferred to change the player type entirely in his three man midfield. By moving away from Pirlo, Allegri thought it would give the opponent less to key in on, and give him greater flexibility in deploying his tactical game plan. With Pirlo gone, Allegri made two midfield moves that were accepted with minimal fanfare, in purchasing Nocerino in the summer and Muntari in January. Box to box midfielders known for their tempo and work ethic more than their technical and tactical qualities, but Allegri says no worries. Gone is the static Pirlo reference point, and in its place two hard running midfielders and a holding defensive presence.

This midfield choice now ties directly into the attack. Without a true creative central attacking midfielder on the roster, Allegri had to adapt this role as well. The CAM for Allegri is not a classic number ten, as many fans know it, but instead a laterally moving force that pressures the ball and links the holding player to the attack. Not the most glamorous or traditional of positions, but one of incredible importance to the attacking engine that is AC Milan, the most prolific goal scoring team in Serie A mind you. Bossed by Kevin Prince Boateng, Urby Emanuelson has also grown into the role of recent and Alexander Merkel seems to be the heir apparent as well, meaning Milan and Allegri are well manned in this hybrid position despite fan’s beliefs that we still need a true CAM.

The final piece of this puzzle is the strikers. With three hard charging midfielders able to make runs into the box and do a bit of defensive dirty work, it requires a bit of adaptation and evolution of the strikers. We saw it last year in Cassano and Robinho, and it has been completely reborn in Ibrahimovic this season. No longer are the strikers simply target men, or off the shoulder strikers, they are complete players and when on form just as effective off the ball as they are on it. The strikers no longer make their runs towards goal, but instead in a checking fashion, towards the midfielders, forcing defenders to recognize and potentially mark or leave free; in turn creating space for midfielders to burst into and take chances on goal. No surprise then that the midfielder with most minutes, Antonio Nocerino, has 8 goals with Prince not too far behind and Muntari and Urby getting in on the action as well. With Muntari making an almost immediate impact.

By using the strikers as checking players it opens up the space and makes the most out of their quick and decisive touch. They can lay off or combine, but most importantly continue their runs to goal to clean up any rebounds or missed chances. When it works effectively, it is a defender’s nightmare. Who do they mark? Who tracks the midfielders, and where does the opposing holding midfielder go? Do they cover the strikers? It creates a laundry list of questions for the opposing Coach to answer, if he doesn’t? Devastatingly successful results for Milan as evidenced against Arsenal, Palermo, and a host of other teams. Sure it isn’t always successful against team who defend deep with numbers, simply because of a lack of space, but if deployed a bit differently it can work then as well, but that is a topic for another day.

Simply put, Milan’s goals from the midfield are not a serendipitous occurrence. They are a carefully calculated attacking phase game plan from a great up and coming tactician. I would expect in the future we will continue to see the evolution of Milan’s play and players away from traditional strikers like Pato and specialized midfielders like Pirlo, and into an era of versatile midfielders, and complete strikers to continue this game plan working effectively. So when you question player purchase, substitutions and lineups, stop for a moment and think about the “game plan.” Think about what is making this team successful and how, and your questions may be answered easier than you think. Why didn’t we keep Pirlo? Why doesn’t Pato fit? What does this team see in Muntari? All questions we have seen numerous times in the comments, and all of them answered relatively simply by Allegri’s new tactical attack.

As many of you are well aware, the Italian National team takes on the US National team this Wednesday. A pretty exciting prospect for an Italian American such as myself, who finds himself more often than not, rooting for my home land over my mother land. Why you ask? Because somewhere deep down and inside I feel like the US can someday achieve something great in this sport, or maybe it is because I am certified to Coach by the United States Soccer Federation system, and my allegiance is to those that trained me. Either way, the match will be an entertaining one to showcase Prandelli and Klinsmann’s progress with their respective squads.

Due to this International Friendly occasion I will be taking a few days off. I have some personal and footballing matters to attend to and will be back in earnest for a Palermo preview on Friday. If I can sneak in a tactics post regarding the goals from midfield I will most definetely do so, in the meantime I ask you to keep doing what you have been doing so well over the last few days, and that is foster a great discussion. Thank you for that!

Yesterday at 245 EST my U15 boys took the field against one of the strongest Premier teams in Connecticut. This meant that first and foremost my attention for the Milan game was elsewhere as my boys were preparing for a stern test and second I would have to watch the game after the fact, never an easy task. The odd thing is that not only did the matches start at the same time; they paralleled each other in eerie fashion. My boys defended like dogs in the first half, well organized and tactically sound, while Milan dominated the attack in the first half. In the 79th minute my boys had a goal wrongfully disallowed, in the 23rd minute Milan had a goal wrongfully not given. At the end of the match my boys earned a hard fought nil-nil draw (proud of you fellas), something no one expected, while Milan also shared the spoils. Now I leave you with the exact same thing I told the boys. You will NEVER be rid of referees and the errors that they make, so the sooner you accept this fact and move on the sooner you can prepare for the next match.

I don’t want to discuss the goal; I don’t want to discuss goal line technology, or any of that nonsense. Instead I want to focus on what was an incredible football match and even upon a second viewing this morning, I found even more interesting and intriguing. The first half proceedings were clearly dominated by Milan, Allegri made some smart tactical choices and it allowed Milan to exploit Conte’s brazen decision to play three at the back away from home. Milan’s key to success the absolute incredible work rate of my Man of the Match, Robinho. Nocerino’s goal, a testament to Robinho’s pressure on the ball, while his off the ball runs and jack in the box appearances left the Juventus in fits. His touches were almost always positive and his incisive running and combinations with Urby were incredible.

To his credit even Emanuelson seems to continually improve with each and every minute on the pitch. His role as a CAM today was not spectacular, instead it was industrious and workman. His positioning made it difficult for Pirlo to be effective, and Milan’s possession in the first half meant that they saw little of the ball in the midfield, losing the ever important midfield battle. Nocerino was once again in stellar form, chasing down everything and making great runs. While Muntari continued to serve his detractors heaping plates of humble pie, while today I prepare a little dish called Roast Duck, it will be served here all week long, at 35M a plate. Robinho was by far the better man, and never before have I witness a striker see so little of the ball, injury or not he has no place left in this team. Credit must also be given in defense, 9 players tracked back for Milan and kept impeccable shape and even when Juve did breakthrough it was Mexes, Silva and Antonini who were stout time and time again.

In the second half Conte did what any Coach should do, he recognized his error and adapted. He played four at the back, helping to neutralize Milan’s attack more effectively, but more importantly it allowed Juventus an extra body at the back meaning it was easier to play the ball out of pressure and build some possession. Up until the Juventus goal, Milan continued to dominate the midfield but the tempo of the match began to favor Juventus. Allegri morphed into a 4-4-2 more or less, removing Urby for Ambro in the 72nd, his second sub after removing an ineffective Pato at half time (a waste in and of itself), to lock down the midfield, but it proved too good to be true. As Matri broke through in the 83 minute on a very fortune goal, a collection of marking issues combined with a great run, gave Juventus the equalizer. A demoralizing goal and one that surely was not expected as outside of a few minutes in the second half Milan were the better team on the day.

At the end of the day, Milan was simply the better team, but that does not always guarantee the result. As mentioned earlier, referees and their errors are part of the game so we should take the high road, unlike our opponent. Milan exposed their weakness, they exposed their 3-5-2, and instead of calling a spade a spade they are doing what irrational and illogical teams do, they make excuses. Milan fans should praise Allegri, especially the ones who had given up hope, and praise the players you turned your back on as well. With the beauty of all this being that we have a trip to Turin coming up, something we can all be excited about, but more importantly we have something else. Confidence, we know our team excelled, while they showed weakness, we know what is left to be done, WIN, while they have to always watch their backs. This title is ours; Juventus just doesn’t know it yet…

I will be back tomorrow with more, need to let this settle in for a bit…but I leave you with this thought…WE WILL PRESS ON, WE WILL USE THIS ADVERSITY AND AT THE END OF THE DAY THESE SORT OF CALLS ALWAYS EVEN OUT. The best team will still come out on top.

So I waited around this morning for the verdict of Zlatan’s appeal, knowing full well what the outcome was going to be, but a part of me still had a shred of hope. Hope that the FIGC would forget that our big old Swede is a repeat and pestilent offender, hoping they would forget his lengthy ban last year for the same sort of foolishness and more importantly appeal to the fans, allowing for the best players to take the pitch in a monumental showpiece for Serie A. In that sense I was wrong, but all along I knew what the correct outcome was going to be. There is no funny business, no hidden agendas or anything of the sort, the guy is simply getting what he deserved, to bad Aronica didn’t get it as well.

So here we go again, much like a stretch last season, we go it without Zlatan. Am I worried? Somewhat, but what will that accomplish? Should I curl up into a ball and concede the match and possibly the Scudetto because Zlatan is banned? Should I abandon ship like the many did a few weeks ago during a rough patch of form? Nope, sorry, I will stand behind this team because in the past 225 minutes of football this team got it’s killer instinct back, it’s bite, its GRINTA! Oh Juve, they have GRINTA, but now both teams come in full steam ahead for what could very well decide the proud owner of this year’s Scudetto. Sure Milan could drop points here, but then Juve could still endure a rough spell of matches. Maybe Milan takes all three points and a Cinderella CL run puts Juve in the drivers seat? Frankly, I would rather the Scudetto and a Coppa Italia smash and grab, but I can only speak for myself. Either way let’s focus on the task at hand shall we.

It remains to be seen if Conte deploys a 3-5-2 or plays more traditionally with four at the back. Milan have asserted themselves well against 3 man back lines outside of the previous Juventus match, and Conte may feel a point is all he needs from this match considering the table and the game in hand. I am sure he will keep those cards very close to his chest prior to the match so all we can do is worry about our own. I do know one thing, and in fact everyone knows it, if you crowd Pirlo, you stop Juventus. The reason Allegri was OK with letting Pirlo go is that he wanted a Milan midfield that was dynamic and difficult to read. With Pirlo on the pitch the opponent always knows how to stifle the attack, it happened in the Carletto era and Allegri saw the writing on the wall. At Juventus Pirlo has seen a bit of a rebirth because he has the hard running hard working midfielders around him to help shield him from the crowding. But it can still be done and if you attack the space in behind him like Catania did, Juventus are not as unbeatable as they have been made out to be.

So we know Zlatan is off the list and Prince is questionable but it seems players are returning to training and fit for this big time match. So how does Allegri make it happen:

Abbiati; Abate, Nesta, Silva, Mesbah; Urby, Van Bommel, Nocerino; Prince; Robinho, Maxi

So I can already hear the crying and whining, but I will devote an entire paragraph to that mess. The back line should return to some semblance of order with Nesta Silva back as first choice pairing. Mesbah has been playing solid defense of late and is the better option on the defensive side of the ball, the only way I can see Antonini winning out is if Allegri choosing to attack Juve’s right flank with pace and numbers, unlikely. I have Prince at CAM, because I feel that even at 75%, he is a difference maker and he will do his best to get onto the pitch. If he does then Urby can continue to play at RM where he has been improving dramatically. If not then Urby goes into CAM and Muntari steps into his role in the midfield. Again would rather Prince get to work, but can live with last week’s lineup. Muntari could also prove that hard running grit needed to make Pirlo’s life a living hell, as noted above. My attack is simple, Robinho and Maxi.

So why you ask did I choose to leave out the chosen one? Is it because he hasn’t scored a goal in 2012? Possibly because he lacks match fitness? Or everyone’s favorite, and mine now as well, because apparently all the facts don’t exist, I just hate him. Matter of fact I will tell you why I didn’t choose him because unlike Allegri I have not received a team sheet from the Owner or the Owner’s daughter. I also remember Pato’s performance against Inter and would hope to NEVER have to see that again, I also feel like his 15 minutes against Arsenal were poor and with Robinho’s resurgence of form and Maxi’s more physical nature it is the perfect blend in the attack. I want Milan to have the best chance to win and all things considered, having Pato on the pitch doesn’t provide that.

There you have it. Saturday 2:45 PM EST Milan welcome Juventus onto the pitch at the San Siro for a Scudetto showdown. All eyes should be on this one, can Milan hand Juve their first loss? Could Juventus go the entire season without a loss and still somehow not do enough to win the title? No matter who you root for this season is shaping up to be a great one for Italy and Serie A. One more point I want to make, I have always and will continue to have the utmost respect for Juventus, both team and fans. Some Milan fans like to slander because of the match fixing scandal and so on, but at the end of the day I have always felt Juventus were punished and made a scapegoat for something everyone did, Italy is corrupt, not just the FIGC, but Italy as a whole. So in essence you should thank the Juventini, they took the fall, the purgatory, but now for the good of Serie A they are back. Best of luck to you, and may the best team win.

Before we preview the Juventus match tomorrow, I think it is best we take a minute and talk about a few teams actually still in Europe. Sorry Juventini, but you know it’s true, and you will be back, but at the moment you are the odd man out. Which means winning the Scudetto is that much easier for you, but hey no big deal right?

Last night those that tuned in were treated to another Italian victory over a London team, this time it was Napoli 3-1 over Chelsea, a follow up on Milan’s 4-0 thrashing of Arsenal. Today Inter take the field, against French opposition, but the Serie A versus EPL banter has always been the focal point. Two struggling EPL teams have literally been put to the sword by Italian teams, and while EPL pundits are quick to say well Arsenal and Chelsea were woeful, they will be the ones sorry at the end of the day as they didn’t recognize what I believe to be the beginning of a new era for Serie A.

The past few seasons have seen a strong showing for the EPL presence in the CL. While they haven’t won many outside of Liverpool and Manchester United, all the while Milan quietly showed up in 3 finals, winning two and Inter getting one of their own, but who is counting right? How about the fact that Barcelona has made a “bit” of noise as well, but the point being is that money was the golden ticket in the CL. If you spent it, and spent it well mind you, you could assure yourself the depth and talent to be successful in Europe’s biggest competition. But times they are changing, with money not being what it used to be in the current economic climate and Financial Fair Play being a very real thing, teams are not longer able to buy blindly to buy a winner off the shelf, instead they have to build a team systematically and the Italians, and to some extent the French, have joined the Bundesliga in this progressive process. Sure you can’t count out Barca and Madrid, but the mighty big spending EPL teams have fallen, and just about anybody can be next?

At the end of the day, you can say what you want about Italy’s 7 goals to England’s 1 over the last 180 minutes. You can say the EPL teams were poor, or that Italian’s simply dominated home turf on “unplayable pitches,” but those all sound like excuses. Not to mention, both Milan and Napoli can still go to London and lay quite an egg, but something tells me reversing the past week’s results will not be that easy for the Londoners. Arsenal and Chelsea both appear to be in shambles on the balance and defensive side of the ball, two traits crucial to be successful, and Italian sides are starting to build their strong defensive fortresses once again, with the heavy emphasis on the word build. Instead of buying the next big thing, teams like Milan, Napoli and Juventus are buying what they can, more so based on traits needed to be successful then unrealized hype, at the end day making for a more cost effective process. Mesbah, Zuniga, and Pepe are all prime examples of Italian teams buying smart efficient players to fit the system as opposed to breaking the bank for a player who is merely happy to get paid.

So while I am certainly not here to write the eulogy of the EPL, not yet at least, I think Serie A fans should continue to bide their time and let the play do the talking. Let the EPL fans sink themselves along with their teams, if it and when it happens in the next two weeks. Next season Serie A will be back even stronger with the return of Juventus and Milan, and the potential for a team like Napol to be Serie A’s version of a Liverpool, a CL contender, but a domestic enigma! Cheers to Napoli and all their fans, it was a special night, and one to remember, now keep on rolling!

A lot of has been made of late both on this Blog and in Serie A about “Plan Bs.” Milan fans seemingly unhappy and a bit jealous, claiming that Milan doesn’t have one, while Juve fans are sitting smug at how efficiently their Plan B is working. Well it boils down to a simple factor for me and it has to do with the players.

If you look down Milan’s roster you see depth in all the wrong places, we have numerous strikers, we even have numerous defenders, but we what we lack seems to always be what we need; versatile midfielders. In order for a Coach to change formations on the fly he needs the sort of players both capable and comfortable of changing roles and responsibilities. Juventus has these types of players in spades, Milan has a few, but their flexibility seems to be borne more out of the fact that they are not excellent at anything, just adequate at a lot of things. Case in point Bonera, Antonini, Urby, and Abate are all versatile; playing in defense or in wide areas, but none can truly be deployed in an area on the pitch to make a real tactical difference outside of their own position. On the other hand Juventus boast the likes of Caceres, Pepe, Lichtensteiner, Paduin, and Estigarribia. All versatile players comfortable in any space or area on the wings, but in the same sense they can be just as vulnerable as they often can be caught out of position if they become over exuberant or uncomfortable in their role if they are asked to defend or attack too much.

To be clear, I am not jealous, not in the least. My experience has shown me that players respond better when they are comfortable in the formation. They think less about what the need to do tactically and more about what they can do technically. This comes with training and rhythm, which is why changing formation on the fly is never a good option. It is also imperative to understand that playing a player comfortable on the wings in different areas is a bit of a gamble, they require specific traits and without them you put the team at a disadvantage. A player like Pepe epitomizes versatility, and Juventus have a few them, but Milan really only have Abate and Urby who could be deployed up and down the sideline, but even then it makes them uncomfortable. With this roster Milan would even struggle to deploy a 4-3-2-1 because that would require additional CAMs, something we really don’t even have. So you begin to see why a Plan B is so difficult to execute. You cannot deploy a striker as a CAM or wing player, and hope for the best, the rigors of the game would destroy them, and in turn the balance of the team. In fact very few Milan players would truly be able to survive out of position for an entire match, fifteen minutes here or there, OK, but never the entire match. Milan’s players are specialists at what they do, hence their success, but in turn their lack of versatility.

For Juventus, they found comfort in playing with 3 at the back because of this versatility, but on the weekend Catania showed a bit of weakness in the formation. Conte decided to deploy the 3-5-2 with a few alternative players, most likely eyeing rest for some work horses. What this lack of continuity did early was give Catania a chance to bring their high energy and tempo into the match to pressure the ball, compress their formation, and break on the counter. The most vulnerable part of a 3-5-2 is the numbers game at the back and Catania showed you can break it a bit with some good pace and attacking the vacant space. This game plan looks eerily similar to what Milan did against Arsenal, coincidence? I think not!

Up to the last match against Juventus, Milan has had great success against teams who deploy three at the back. The common them in those matches has always been the tempo of the first half and attacking with pace. Milan came out slow against Juventus and while they possessed the ball a bit in the midfield early they never broke into the attack. This should change on the weekend and if it does Milan have a bit more success, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Conte goes back to a more traditional four at the back to meet the challenge. It will be an interesting tactical battle to say the least. Back Thursday with a bit more tactics for AC Milan and a preview piece.

No Zlatan, no problem. Yes, the opponent was Cesena, a team struggling to not only score goals but prevent them as well, but yesterday’s first half performance was clinical. For Allegri and Milan it was a statement that they could in fact retain the momentum from Wednesday’s Champions League match, and prove that while injuries have decimated this team, players are ready to step up and being counted.

Urby Emanuelson was one such player. His interchange and goal were clinical and while his role as a CAM has been inconsistent to say the least, this match was one of his best. His play at RM had been much better as of late, making it easy for Allegri to put him on the team sheet at a time where there are very few other options, but on this day his return to CAM was just impressive. Can he be a vice Boateng? I actually prefer his play at RM, it allows him to use his left foot to cut inside and open his shoulders to make a pass, but in a pinch he has proven he can evolve and improve his play, a provide Allegri the versatility he craves.

Speaking of midfielders, Muntari was also impressive. To say many Milan fans vilified him was an understatement; in fact I still get harassing tweets claiming he is “merda.” I simply asked he be judged when he played, and it was a great first impression. Within 30 minutes he had nearly five shots on goal, a few great tackles, a yellow card, and his name on the score sheet. Not a bad debut, and one that served many a Milan fan a slice of humble pie. He will never be the prettiest of footballers, but in Allegri’s system, where hard work is prized, he is just the piece of the puzzle Milan needs and may even be the answer to the aging problem at CDM. Say what you like it about him now, I prefer to continue to let his play to do the talking.

Robinho also got on the scoresheet, making it three in his last two matches. A little bit of confidence has gone a long way, but truth be told the work of Lopez and Urby off the ball gave Robinho acres of space to play into. Sure it doesn’t help that outside of a strong midfielder in Parolo, a player Milan should tracking, and two strikers in Mutu and Iaquinta, this team really struggled to defend and Milan put on a show in the first half. It begged the question again, was Milan that good or Cesena that bad? For me it is always a bit of both, Milan took advantage of what was given to them and neutralized any forays forward. It wasn’t until later in the match when Mutu started to get more connected to the match and Milan threw away a clean sheet by conceding a meaningless goal, really the only blemish on an excellent match.

So three more goals, making it 9 in the last three matches with 3 of the 9 coming from midfielders, meaning the goal tally for Milan continues to climb with 17 different goal scorers and Allegri’s dream of no focal points continues to come to fruition. With no matches midweek the table is set for this weekend’s scudetto showdown. Should be back with a two part tactics preview, but don’t forget to enjoy Napoli and Chelsea tomorrow as well.

Sometimes the hardest thing for a team to do is keep a good thing going. Not but a week ago people were crucifying Allegri for his first half against Udinese, and how hapless Milan was in the matches prior. The mood has changed dramatically, no surprise, but the injury crisis is still ever present and the fact that the schedule remains congested does not just go away. Initial reaction would be to rest up for Cesena, but at the risk of throwing away some new found chemistry, or taking the opponent to lightly, Milan have to keep on chugging along as they have been all month long.

It is cliched to say three points is a must, but the cold hard truth is that three points keeps Juventus exactly where they belong for the time being, and that is second place. Don’t forget they still have games in hand, but while their schedule tightens ours could potentially get easier with mid to lower table competition, and don’t forget our title showdown looms merely a week away. But best to not get ahead of ourselves, for most fans we sucked royally not but a few weeks ago and Sunday just about anything can happen. Cesena have struggled of late, and while they boast a solid attack with Mutu and Iaquinta, they have injury troubles at the back and struggle to maintain leads. Milan has the same troubles at the back with Mexes getting yet another injury and little chance for Silva to get some rest.

The injuries still remain a real concern but players are returning slowly but surely, so Allegri needs to be cautious on who can play and who can’t, taking into consideration match fitness and fatigue. My lineup:

Abbiati; Abate, Nesta, Silva, Mesbah; Urby, Ambro, Nocerino; Prince; El Sharaawi, Lopez

Abbiati returned with a bang midweek and rightfully takes back his place. Nesta should be able to return fit to play alongsSilva, if not Bonera will surely be next in line. Mesbah replaces Antonini after a solid display midweek, but giving Luca another match after the midweek showing wouldn’t be to far fetched. Urby and Nocerino have been solid of late and will continue to flank the CDM who should be Ambro this week to assure rest for Van Bommel. If Prince can play again, he should go directly to the CAM spot, and with the injury to Seedorf Milan have few options, truth be told no options, in his place. If Prince can’t go you can throw the Little Pharaoh behind Robinho and Maxi. One guy that gets an automatic rest is Zlatan, so if Prince goes I would like to see a repeat of the new dynamic duo, Lopez and El Sharaawi. No mention of Pato, because at this point, he is an afterthought, no sense in sugar coating that one. One key thing to look out for is if Valoti, Cristante or Calvano make the bench for this one with the continued midfield injury crisis. Calvano is a solid CM/CDM option while Valoti can play behind the strikers, there typically few games were players like these can make a decent showing, but if the game goes well enough early, this can be one of them.

So, three big points, or chance missed, guess you have to come and find out on Sunday. Oh yeah, schedule permits a live blog at the moment, so for those who enjoyed Wednesday’s extravaganza feel free to join in on this one, oh and if you missed Wednesday’s fun, don’t miss this one!

Yesterday AC Milan scored four resounding goals, each one meaningful in and of itself. The first blast by Prince, after an incredible touch and finish, silenced the critics. Those who said injuries didn’t matter and that Allegri had no clue, get Prince back and immediately this team is more lively, more aggressive, and more dangerous. The second goal put to bed all those who didn’t believe Robinho and Zlatan were the best attacking partnership, their movement for each other is superb and unrivaled on the roster, and they are officially Milan’s dynamic duo. The third goal silenced Robinho’s detractors, he can’t finish, he looks disinterested, does he now? It is called form and confidence, it ebbs and flows for every player and when on form he is a 30 goal potential player, and when off form, like any player, he can be dreadful. Fatigue can play a role, but when it mattered he came to play! The fourth goal was my favorite, sure it was a simple PK, but it put a sock in every EPL loving English pundit and every cynical self-loathing AC Milan fan.

To be fair Arsenal were dreadful, I expected a whole lot more, but it does prove a point. Experience means something, and while youthful exuberance has its place, this Arsenal was far greener than the one who came to the San Siro and scored two goals in 2008, and it showed. Tentative goal keeping, miscommunications at the back and poor play in the center of the park made it a long long night for Arsenal fans. Their only bright spots were two chances, that is all, from RvP, but Abbiati was ready for the task on both. It was interesting to see fans suggest that Arsenal would sit back and soak up pressure, it is simply unlike them, and it was rather odd to seem them have the bulk of possession on the wrong side of a 4-0 scoreline. It was all true to form for Arsene Wenger, who once again, in Leonardo fashion, seems to believe that attacking football is the ONLY way to play, and then he makes his subs and instead of going for broke he actually goes attacker for attacker? Poor choices, and while he did find his usual laundry list of excuses, his summation of this being Arsenal’s poorest performance in Europe was spot on.

When you get such a poor performance it is rather natural for your opponent to look omnipotent. Sure it could have been 6-0 had it not been for some wasteful chances by rusty substitutes, but who is counting anyway? The key for me was Milan’s pressing and patience even when they didn’t have the ball. They filled in spaces, pressured when the needed to, and never let Arsenal get into dangerous areas. Yes at times they were a bit route one when they attempted to counter with pace, but more often than not, they found the space and attacked in clinical fashion. Making it easy to see why CB’s who are bit longer in the tooth make a whole lot more sense, and for Arsenal Mertesacker was sorely missed. The team was also a bit fortunate to lose Seedorf early, as he looked slow, unwilling to up the tempo, and incapable of defending. The minute he went off and Urby came on, Milan looked faster, better suited to defend, and more dangerous. No surprise this correlated directly to Arsenal’s systematic decline in every single minute of the match.

MOTM for me was a close call, Robinho’s brace, Prince’s blast and Van Bommel’s utterly simplistic performance in front of the defense were all worthy of consideration, but for me it has to go the big man. Jury is still out if he can show up consistently in Europe but Zlatan took one big step towards it last night. The assist, the consistent winning of the aerial battles, and the fearless PK made him MOTM for me!

So where do we go from here? The cynical self-loathing fans will shove their heads in a hole until the next loss, fine by me; we can all use the break. The overly optimistic unrealistic fans will start etching our name in Old Big Ears, claiming WE ARE BACK, or that even Pippo could roll back the years and lead us to CL victory, UNLIKELY. In all honestly though it is best you fall right smack in the middle, we had a great performance, we put a team who showed weakness to the sword and twisted the blade. There is still work to do, and while many were quick to write off Allegri or the team, you have to believe with a healthy roster (Cassano, Aquilani, pile money in place of Pato) and a bit more depth, this team is on the right track, which is the key for me. We may not win the CL this year, but we are on the right track to returning to European glory! We may not even win the Serie A this season, but we are building, building for Financial Fair Play, building for a three to five year run and building a better Milan. If anything that is all the victory I need right now! Enjoy it while you still can, there is work to be done on the weekend!

Sidenote, thanks to everyone who participated in the live blog, can’t say thank you enough. Had a blast and made the BIG win all the more enjoyable. Hoping to get one in for Cesena this Sunday as well!

Enjoy it!!!!

Oh yeah, live blog below, but in case you missed it:

Preview Part I
Preview Part II

and a little memory…use the pain!

As many of you know I have a bit of connection to Arsenal, former podcast co-host, one time blog fill in, college roommate and longtime friend, Chad, is a Gunner, and more often than not our footballing discussion centers on over hyped strikers, but we always circle back to our passions, AC Milan and Arsenal. With that said I want to share a little Q&A we had as we prepare for the match:

1. Strengths of both teams?

Chad:

Arsenal: RvP. Let’s all face it; the guy has scored over half the team’s goals this season. He is the strength of this team at times taking the boys on his back and making something happen out of nothing. Without RvP this team would be sitting in the bottom half of the EPL.

Milan: Experience. Milan has experience all over the pitch, and while that may seem to some like calling players old, it is hardly that. Prince mentioned yesterday that he felt Arsenal lacked Experience and that was why they played well one game and terrible the next. I’d prefer he doesn’t say things like that to fire another team up before a big game. Milan has key experienced players all over the pitch and this is why, even when they don’t play well in a game or a half, they can still win games. Arsenal tends to be on the other side of the miracle comebacks by weaker teams, where as Milan hang in and steal the game. It is why players like Seedorf or Inzaghi can still have success; they understand what it takes to offset their deficiencies due to age. That comes with experience.

GF:

Arsenal: Pace. They have it everywhere and in spades. Milan can cope, but it only takes a poor pass and interception for a guy like Walcott or Oxlade-Chamberlin to make you pay.

Milan: Experience. Everybody wants to live out their FM and FIFA fantasy and win the CL with a team of 25 year olds. Arsene Wenger has been trying to do it for the better part of 20 years to no avail, because it just doesn’t happen. Milan have guys in spots that have seen it all, and when the CL anthem plays one team’s knees will be knocking, hint hint, it won’t be Milan. It is not the end all, but it is nice to have it on your side.

2. Weaknesses of both teams?

Chad:

Arsenal: Defense but specifically set pieces. Milan has a lot of weapons to use on set pieces as well so this could be an import part of the two legs. Arsenal for me doesn’t communicate well and it shows on the pitch. Their offside trap is usually out of sorts and they are playing CB’s out of position at RB and LB for long stretches this season.

Milan: This was a tough one for me as I haven’t been able to see the last couple of week’s games, but I am going to go with defense. The spot next to Silva and the LB spot have been soft spots for much of the season when I have watched and those are spots that Arsenal will attack through Walcott and RvP. Milan will need strong performances out of their defensive midfielders here to help with the Arsenal attack.

GF:

Arsenal: Everyone wants me to say defense, but I don’t think it is that bad. Is it susceptible? Yes, but what defense isn’t it? It is also easy to say something like, “They lack grit.” But for the first time in years I think this team has some. For me their weakness is wasted chances, and it always comes back to bite them. I recall a game against Wolverhampton, a 1-1 draw; they had 27 shots and 11 on frame, but couldn’t find the back of the net. It wreaked havoc with their psyche and at the end of the day cost them two valuable points.

Milan: Everyone wants me to say pace, but I don’t believe it. Experience helps you cope with pace, what Milan lack is depth in key places. Just look at the CDM spot, two players asked to share the load over the age of 30. Some want to blame management, that’s fine, but the fact of the matter is you can’t just buy to buy, you need cohesion, it has to be the right move and shame on Milan for not getting that sorted out sooner. Had Pato been sold, money could have spent, that wasn’t the case so how do we cope in the meantime? Muntari will help in the Serie A, but poor form out of Ambro and Van Bommel can prove costly.

3. Player to watch?

Chad:

Walcott. He has been becoming more of a playmaker the last few weeks, using his pace to get wide and put pressure on LB’s. He will need to exploit Milan’s weakness at LB in order to help Arsenal generate quality chances. I like Abate to at least hold his own on the opposite side against either Oxlade-Chamberlin or possibly Gervinho if he is back and fit to go.

GF:

I had to take two, the first being Alex Song. I mean for a team like ours crying for a CDM, this guy is a dream. So effortless, so smart on the ball, and a tank on the tackle. A dream signing if management would get their head out of their ass, I mean Brazil, and look at the real talent being churned out in the rest of the World. My second is Zlatan, simply because we are all waiting for him to shine when the lights are brightest, can he? Will he? Don’t hold your breath…better to come in with low expectations.

4. Winning the midfield battle?

Chad:

This is the game for me for Arsenal. Win the midfield battle and they will be sitting in Milan’s end for a long time with many chances. Lose the midfield battle, and Milan will have plenty of chances to put pressure on a suspect Arsenal defense (Mertersacker is out) and look for goal scoring opportunities. Arsenal will need Song and Arteta to protect the defense but also be able to provide support on the offensive side. IF, Wenger is bold enough to use Ox (Gervinho may be the best bet if available) on one side with Walcott on the other (he better be, because if I see Arshavin on the left, I may join the growing Wenger boo birds) this will be a tough game for Milan with all that speed on the wings and age in the midfield.

GF:

Hard to win the battle when you have a beast like Song in the opponent’s midfield. But it all depends on tactics. Does Arsenal attack, or do they sit? Some argue all they know how to do is attack, and that means if Milan can possess and they don’t track back it will be easy for us to establish a midfield presence. Having a healthy Prince back will go a long as well, as he can drop in and shoulder some of the defensive burden.

5. First leg: Attack or Defend?

Chad:

Arsenal: Attack, Attack and Attack. This team simply is not built to defend despite quality at the CB position. Communication seems to be a big problem as well as defending of set pieces (attributed to communication issues???) which makes me nervous for Arsenal to be under siege for too long in this one. Their best strategy is and always seems to be, to attack and try to control play in their opponents end. This unfortunately leaves Arsenal wide open for counters something which Milan will want to exploit.

Milan: Not sure this will go over with the Blog fans here but Milan need to Defend and counter in this one. Why would I say this after I said Arsenals strength was attacking? You beat Arsenal by allowing them to have the ball but pressuring them immediately. Watch, they get frustrated and sloppy and tend to give the ball away too easily. Most of the teams in the EPL have used this method this year, outside of Chelsea who seems to like to go shot for s hot with Arsenal which is rarely a good strategy. Arsenal’s defenders lack communication skills and you can catch them out of position quite frequently.

GF:

Arsenal: Can they do anything but attack?

Milan: Injuries, fatigue, missing key personnel, and match at home; all key factors to consider when shaping a game plan. Can Milan sit back and counter? Depends on who plays, but if Milan presents a well-organized defensive stance Arsenal will struggle to break them down and struggle more to get back. For me the key to beating Arsenal is getting their defense out of shape and forcing them to chase the ball down, disorganizing and taking advantage of space. Milan has the guile to do this, they just need to find the quickness to make it work. Take advantage of some pacey bodies will still retaining balance should go a long way.

Hope you all enjoyed the Q&A preview, Chad will be traveling during the match and therefore unavailable for slander, but he will answer all calls in the order they arrived upon his return! There is also a VERY STRONG possibility for a live blog during the match tomorrow, check back at 2:45 EST and join the festivities.

“If you make winning something too important, you will only end up not winning it.
“Now I point to all the trophies that I can win and if I do win the European Cup then great, and if I don’t win it then I don’t.
“And this does not diminish my career because I did everything I could.”

Those are the words of Zlatan, and they are rather important at this moment. Last season’s scudetto seems to have raised expectations to a level that may or may not be obtainable. In the eyes of some Milan are building, growing towards a better future phasing out older players and grooming future stars. For others the notion and obsession of winning the CL, the so called European DNA of AC Milan, is all consuming and in turn means, as Zlatan says, you may only end up not winning not it. So let’s be realistic, silverware is never a given or entitlement, it is earned through effort and hard work and Milan may overcome this Arsenal test, they may not. They may win the Scudetto again, they may not, but at the end of the day I like knowing they did everything they could and readying for next year as well.

Defeating Arsenal over two legs is not impossible, not for this team. Injuries and fatigue have been the theme of the month but players are returning healthy and while they surely lack match fitness, certain players like Prince Boateng, can provide a boost in energy this team sorely needs. Both teams are suffering a dip in form, only natural for teams, some experience it early, some late, some in the middle of the season and both teams come into this tie with recent inconsistent results and inconsistent play. What once was a match-up of electric attacks and the two most in form strikers in Europe, Van Persie and Zlatan, has fizzled somewhat, but it is still pretty exciting.

We all know what happened in 2008 and for those members of the old guard still present, their stories and experiences will be shared with the players who take the field in the hope of erasing that memory. It has been a long time since Milan have defeated English opposition and I am not going to get into the EPL versus Serie A debate, or anything like that, simply put I want this win for Milan and no one else at the moment. Now winning won’t come easy, not if you consider the glut of fixtures of late, the injuries and the lack of chemistry with returning players. If you think these are non-factors or excuses, I am sorry, but they are very real and affecting the team as we speak so it will be up to Allegri to make due. Last season he employed Silva at CDM, while the crisis is not as bad this season, it is very close. My lineup:

Abbiati; Abate, Mexes, Silva, Mesbah; Urby, VanBommel, Nocerino; Prince; Zlatan, El Sharaawi.

Abbiati may or may not be match fit, so Amelia will have to step in if not. Same can be said for Nesta, and Mexes has earned the start if you ask me. If Nesta is ready and well rested, you always go with the wiley CB! Mesbah and Abate should help cope with the pace and width of Arsenal, while Urby and Nocerino can bring a bit of pace themselves. I know Urby has come under fire of late, but has done well enough at RM, and this point there are few better options on the roster that are fit. I say Prince is a must start, and while he may lack match fitness, his inclusion can spark the team with a bit of aggression and he can always be replaced with Seedorf, Ambrosini, Binho or Maxi depending on circumstance. Zlatan has to be in there, and while he underperforms in the CL, he seems to be in a right state of mind for the CL and less cocky as evidenced above. My nod for El Sharaawi is simple, playing time is earned, and is there anyone earning more than him at the moment. Robinho is an terrible run of form, and Pato is a liability, so let the Little Pharaoh do his thing. That is until of course Berlu sends down the team sheet, but we will leave that discussion for another day…

Back tomorrow with a little Q&A with a special guest, and then it is showtime…

A few days ago when Milan lost Juventus I noticed something. I noticed something in Juventus that Milan had all last season, it is subtle, and the casual fan doesn’t see it. The casual fan is to caught up in pretty passing and attacking movements, and that is all well and good until your kicked, battered, and your back’s against the wall. What Milan had last season, and Juventus has in spades is GRINTA, that is until now…

If you visited the blog at half time on Saturday, you would have thought Milan were left for dead. Down one-nil in the Friuli Fortress, where no one team had come in and won all season. Injuries had decimated the roster and the bench, and fans not aware of this were still calling for “changes” and “Plan B’s” when Plan A was barely in effect. Hope was in short supply, and support was non-existent. Unlike the fickle fans, the team simply grit their teeth and came out with a determination and force that was slow to build but ended with a bang, two goals, from a much maligned signing and a star in the making and it gave Milan new life, new hope, and the realization that things weren’t great, but their is light at the end of the tunnel.

For those quick to claim a signing is not useful or not Milan caliber without getting them on the pitch, let this match be a lesson. Maxi Lopez was pivotal, and I have to believe Muntari can be just as useful when he returns, and that players should be judged not on their past, but their present and their contribution to the cause. The real story; however, has been Stephen El Sharaawi, the youngster has taken advantage of his chances, and his now two goals against Udinese this season have been crucial. For those wonder why he doesn’t score goal, this is is not his forte, instead his movement and passing make him very difficult to spot for defenders and his pace makes him very dangerous. A welcome sight in the absence of Ibrahomvic and when we discuss the midweek match, the Little Pharaoh, has to be a BIG choice for Allegri.

Speaking of Allegri, he also has come under what I believe to be unwarranted scrutiny as of late. Blamed for factors beyond his control, like injuries and selections, while fans seem to disregard the fact that players are not available? On Saturday he made a questionable call to remove Nocerino in my eyes, but it paid dividends. His choice to leave Seedorf in was puzzling, who looks a man finished, but the link the midfield/defense was crucial as Milan took advantage of Guidolin’s questionable move to remove DiNatale and the unfortunate injury to Isla. Ambrosini, who struggled early in the first half as Udinese won the number games in the midfield and swarmed the midfielders, was a strong presence in the second working hard to stifle attacks and apply pressure to allow time for the CB’s to fill and defend. Mexes, not the most calming presence at the back, had a gritty match and assited Silva well. While Mesbah, who was maligned for his runs forward, came up big with a late block.

End of the day, Milan beat a proverbial “top team” which has been a topic of endless discussion. Scored two goals, ended this streak of poor form, built some confidence and beat Udinese at home. Nothing like a little momentum before a midweek CL tie. Are we in the clear? Not really, but a little adversity goes a long way it proving a team’s mental worth and fortitude. Yes players are returning from injury and it will alleviate some pressure on those playing two matches a week, but the month is not over yet and come March when things settle down, the competition will be strong.

I want to end on a side note, mainly about the players brought in this January. The lack of support for management and transfers has been absurd of late. In January I lambasted Pato who after four years has scored goals yes, but shown little progress as a player both on and off the pitch. It was in my opinion that his sale was better the team and fund purchases that management claimed could be made with the money. The sale didn’t happen and buys were done on the cheap, which leads us to recognize that Milan is not flushed with cash and that money doesn’t grow on trees at Milanello. A point that many should recognize sooner rather than later. My point is I waited four years to make this determination on Pato, after observation, discussion, and consideration. I was then told to be more “patient” that I was being hasty to judge, yet our new signings like Mesbah, Lopez and Muntari are being judged in FOUR MATCHES or before they even get on the pitch!? Yet I am the one being hasty!? Bit hypocritical no? Many of you judged Van Bommel, Cassano and Urby the same way last year and they all contributed, have you not learned from your own mistakes? I will end there, but at the end of the day I stand by the decisions I make, you should be prepared to stand by yours as well.

Back tomorrow and Wednesday with a two pronged Arsenal preview and a very special guest…

So I sat here for 90 minutes, taking jabs and answering comments, the mood was poor to say the least. To say their was no hope from many was an understatement, sad really. Sometimes you simply need to believe…so what now…hopefully both Max Allegri and Maxi Lopez get a little respect out of this one. I don’t care about being top, or how we played, I care that we got the win!

What can I say now that hasn’t already been said? Should I preach for calm or patience? Should I remind the tifosi that we are not bottom three in the table and in danger of relegation? Should I mention that we are STILL competing on three fronts, despite the rough patch? Do tifosi need to be reminded that all Clubs go through a rough spell and even Juventus is due? At the end of the day I can remind and remain calm, but that can and will only be for me.

Saturday Milan travel for a high noon EST kick-off in Udine. The same Udine who I respect tremendously and admire for their business practice, playing style and player development. While the most sincere of fans pray every night to their deity for oil tycoon ownership, Udine fans simply smile and watch true miracles unfold. Sell promising players, no problem, just bring in more talent. Italy’s version of Arsenal never gets the credit they deserve and as they sit very near the top of the table, a mutually assured destruction of Juventus v Milan in the next few weeks, could see Udinese sneak off with the title. Their could be worse things?

All fun and games aside, my respect for Udinese runs deep, almost to the point of jealousy envy. I was never one for teams that were haphazardly assembled by check book instead of groomed through team building. The best teams always find a way to supplement their core with the proper players then scout and build from within, and Udinese is Italy’s shining example. Throw in the fact that they play some interesting tactical football in the 3-4-3/3-5-2 and you have an exciting team all around. Now I may like Udinese, but it matters little come Saturday because Milan have it all to gain, or more importantly all to lose.

I was going to propose a lineup of who could play, but upon further review it makes more sense to post who can’t:

Christian Abbiati, Mario Yepes, Alessandro Nesta, Rodney Strasser, Mathieu Flamini, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Alberto Aquilani, Alexander Merkel, Alexandre Pato, Gennaro Gattuso and Antonio Cassano are all still unavailable with their physical problems. Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Mark Van Bommel are banned..

Sure injuries are no excuse, every player on the roster is a Milan players and should be able to step up and bring their A-game right? But have you ever seen a crisis like this one? All the while we are still in second place, not second from bottom, second from top!

Here is the squad:

Goalkeepers: Amelia, Roma, Piscitteli. Defenders:Abate, Antonini, Bonera, Mesbah, Mexes, Thiago Silva, Zambrotta. Midfielders: Ambrosini, Emanuelson, Nocerino, Seedorf, Cristante, Innocenti. Forwards: El Shaarawy, Inzaghi, Maxi Lopez, Robinho.

Throw them on the pitch in whatever way you see fit, Plan A, Plan B, or Plan C, who am I to judge? You want to throw strikers in the midfield, defenders in attack, midfielders in goal, fine by me!? In the past few days I have read and seen it all in the comments, so nothing surprises me anymore. You think Pippo should play 90, when he could barely run for 45 last time out, A-OK? Start Cristante and Innocenti in a pressure packed game, why not? I think El Shaarawi can play CDM, buddy of mine did in FIFA12, he smoked me, has to work right? I think Piscitteli is ripe for a debut as well, we aren’t going to win anything this season anyway, may as well throw caution to the wind…

Hopefully I got a laugh out of some you, but in the end I guess I borrow words from Allegri, “time to grit our teeth” and all we can do is hope for the best…I will be here either way…

If you have been following the comments lately you would think it was the day after the Senior Prom with all this talk about Plan B. The old adage in football has always been in order to have a Plan B, you need a Plan A, and only then to execute Plan B you need the players. We have come a long away from the days of Leo, where Plan A was to address all problems by throwing attackers at it. We now have a very firm and successful, Plan A, and for those that have forgotten that Plan A won us a title, restored balance, and made this team a force domestically last season. The true issue here is that I don’t believe we could have a Plan B with this roster.

Sure on paper it looks like we have depth, but do we really? Our depth is fictitious, can we count Bonera, Zambro, and Pippo? How about the fact that our hardest working group, the three man midfield, has few subs to maintain the balance and rhythm needed to be successful. Injuries haven’t helped that, but Urby and Ambro’s poor play and the lack of a real CDM is causing its own problems. Even our striker force, which is the most crowded position lacks cohesion despite the depth and their injuries are presenting a real problem. I am not making excuses but simply wonder how a Coach can have Plan B when he often lacks the players to execute Plan A?

Another rather odd suggestion from fans, one that isn’t well thought out, is the belief or notion that you can change formations on a game by game basis!? This is a common suggestion of fans who don’t understand the amount of work and effort required to first learn a new formation, and then execute it. The suggestions to play a 4-2-3-1 using Robinho and El Shaarawi as wingers, is simply suicide. The formation would degenerate into a 4-2-4 in mere minutes and the defense would be shredded week in and week out. Worse is the lack of recognition in the fact Milan doesn’t even have true wingers on the team outside of the fullbacks, and even they are not actually wingers in the truest sense. It is different, and in fact easier, for a team like Barca to morph from a 4-3-3 in to a 3-4-3 when you have players like Alves who can bomb forward, and Busquets and Mascherano to drop back. But this is the exception not the norm, few teams deviate from their main tactical plan, Real Madrid and Jose Mourinho work exclusively in the 4-2-3-1, can he change players to make the formation more attacking or defense, yes, but Allegri doesn’t have that luxury. Can he play a more attack minded CDM, LM, or RM, not when he doesn’t have one!

End of the day I do not believe Milan have the players to make this happen or in fact deploy any other formation outside of a 4-3-2-1 which is the only logical choice considering how this team was previously built and the players on hand. Fundamentally the formation would remain the same except you can deploy Seedorf and El Shaarawi behind a striker, but that is the only way it could even be considered, let alone be successful. So as we take the field against Juventus tomorrow, our third match in six days, you have to wonder if we can even manage to execute Plan A without keeling over from exhaustion, let alone consider a Plan B?

Yesterday I was able to enjoy the match with my old friend and podcast co-host Chad. This is usually a treat because different geographical location requires us to text during Milan matches, but it appears texting is the better option because Milan remains win less when Chad is in town! Sorry Chad…

Reading comments when Milan drops points is a real adventure. You have the usual irrational nonsense, the self-flogging fans, and the occasional insightful response and true to form yesterday was no different, but I think while there are some serious problems, the team and Coach deserve a bit more credit in preserving the point. The immediate reaction to this match is one of disappointment. Disappointment that Milan didn’t win, or take advantage of dropped point from Juventus and Udinese, but considering the circumstances I will gladly take one point over none, which could have easily been the result yesterday.

First and foremost there is simply no excuse for Zlatan’s behavior. Busy month of February or not, no player should lose their cool in a pressure cooker of a match, during a passage of play where Milan were clearly the better side. These matches are always heated and the rivalry is intense, not to mention there are a handful of Napoli players who deserve slapping, but a goal and a win would have been hurt more than ten cheap shots on a big mouthed defender. I won’t even mention the ridiculousness of the slap and how it was hidden across Nocerino, if Nocerino had been wrongly carded it would have been a far worse problem, but not carding Aronica or DeSanctis was also a failure in my opinion. Now, like last season, Milan will go about a long stretch without Ibra. Last season many were worried, but the team showed it could win without the influential big man, time to show that again.

Another point is to hit out on the criticism received by Allegri. To be honest Milan were the better side this match, and a goal was on the horizon before the red card, it was only a matter of time. Sure Robinho missed a brilliant chance, but we can discuss that later, the point being is Milan were in control. In fact they coped very well with Napoli’s width, and despite Napoli defending with a brick of 5 players at the top of the 18 yard box Milan continued to pressure getting the ball into good areas and creating chances. Seedorf was not the savior many expected as they called for him against Lazio, he simply wasn’t effective at finding the passes and breaking down the defense. He could have easily helped in exploiting the space in behind the wingbacks, but then again the whole team could have. It appeared the player’s once again failed to recognize and exploit the weakness of the opponent. In the end it didn’t matter much because we lost out on the momentum of the match and Allegri played it safe leaving Maxi Lopez alone up top and defending the point. Any pragmatic Coach would have done the same thing in a title race, preserve the point you have over chasing the ones you don’t.

For me the issue is still one of depth and personnel. Sure injuries are a factor, and fatigue looks to be setting in early in this busy month. But without the proper players in the midfield this team will struggle because there is a lack of tactical balance both offensively and defensively depending on who is deployed. Is it an excuse, not really, I don’t like excuses, but as fans cry for a Plan B you have to ask how or where that plan is going to from? Changing formations wily-nily or debuting further youth team players is not the answer here. From a simple stand point the players called on need to play better. In the absence of Aquilani, Prince, and Merkel, players like Urby and Ambrosini need to step and perform and the fact of the matter is they have not. Couple this with a poor run of a form from Robinho and lack of a real second striker option outside of El Shaarawi and the lack of options continue.

Feel free to be disappointed, but not at Allegri or the result, instead direct it at Zlatan or the players who simply aren’t rising to the challenge. This was never going to be an easy month, one point out of the first two matches is a poor start, but the month continues. If you didn’t abandon ship following the loss to Lazio, and your still hanging on now, congrats, you have earned my respect. Now let’s get behind this team, Zlatan has three games, the rest of the guys need to step up and frankly so do the fans. We have a Wednesday visit from an Old Lady to start preparing for.