So what is it going to take? How many more performances does this Milan team need to muster to get one dim witted CL announcer to stand up and take notice? What is it going to take for our boy’s to get some respect in this tournament? Granted, it was hard for this team to earn some respect around here from some of you, but thankfully that lot has crawled back into it’s holes, they said we can’t compete in the CL, we will be over run, I believe I have heard it all. But now it’s time to talk about the real truth!
Three matches in the bag and we have seven points and sit atop Group H with Barcelona, defending Champions, of which we took a point from at the dreaded Camp Nou. But alas, Milan wont’ compete in the CL, Milan are to old, to slow, and the mercato was cheap skate! We were promised big signings, boo hoo, and yet here we are. Almost assured of a ticket to the knockout rounds and a showdown at the San Siro with Barcelona for all the spoils of the Group. Excited yet? I know I am, the team took the ribbing, the verbal abuse, the lack of confidence both from fans and pundits and they stood there, tall and strong to boot, and let the football do the talking!
So let’s talk about the football shall we. Yesterday was a great compliment to Saturday’s romp of Palermo. The dynamic movements and interchanging of the midfield line with Prince was fantastic, and the movement of Cassano and Zlatan was just as stellar to watch. Sure you have to acknowledge that the opponent was not exactly the cream of the crop, but outside of a few nervous minutes in the second half Milan were always in control. Not to mention those few nervous minutes were exclusively from Milan blunders, with Van Bommel and Abate the guilty culprits and Abbiati to the rescue. But the rest was good simple football, counter when allowed, posses when needed, and break towards goal when the defense allowed it.
Milan played so well in fact it is almost impossible to pick a MOTM. Aquilani’s simple passing and two almost goals put him high on the list, but then there was Zlatan’s efforts, and Abate’s forays forward. You know things are going your way when almost all the players are in contention. At the end of the day though it all boils down to being a team effort and the tactical deployment on the pitch. Yes, injured players have returned but the team has not changed significantly, what has changed is the chemistry and cohesion of the group and the signs are starting to show on the pitch. A few more points to consider:
- Is the Bonera jinx over, two matches six points?
-Taiwo appears far more comfortable in the open play of the CL than in the cagey Serie A. (This one was intriguing as I wrote in the 65th minute, still has a lot to learn about defending but can really play in a more open environment.)
-Boateng’s touch on the goal to kill the ball dead and push off for shot was incredible. Some want him in the midfield three, but his ability close to goal is undeniable, where is the best place for the Prince?
So with that we celebrate another victory, two in a row, and prepare for a match with Lecce on the weekend. I leave with a simple yet nagging question: Anyone still think this team can’t compete in the CL?
What’s the best thing to do after a decisive victory?
A: Pat yourself on the back
B: Celebrate like you have never won by drinking yourself into oblivion
C: Forget it and move on.
The answer here is C, for obvious reasons. On Wednesday Milan welcoming Belarus side, BATE, to the San Siro for a crucial match. If Milan can get a win they will all but assure their passage into the next round with seven points from three matches and potentially make Barcelona’s visit to the San Siro a winner takes all match for the Group. Pretty exciting and something people seem to have forgotten with their gloomy outlook on Milan’s poor run of form in Serie A. Hopefully that is behind the team after a decisive win on the weekend, but the win is in the rear view mirror as Allegri looks to pick a winning eleven with healthy players and team chemistry to keep the newly found momentum alive.
The return of Robinho was crucial in the last match, and it is tempting to send him out there again midweek to start. I think his match fitness is up to the level and he can always be subbed if Milan get on the score sheet early. Allegri also has Prince at his disposal and Ambro may be fit to give Van Bommel a well-deserved day off, something he hasn’t gotten since his summer holiday. Allegri can go with a bit stronger team here with Milan playing Lecce on the upcoming weekend, and while no game is a given, securing points in this one with a strong squad should be priority number one. It may best for precautionary reasons to rest Silva who seems to have suffered deep bruise, allowing Nesta to start alongside Yepes or even Mexes, but the Frenchman may lack match fitness. With the team getting healthy and the roster ballooning Allegri’s choices get a bit harder, but why mess with what worked on the weekend!?
Abbiati; Abate, Nesta, Yepes, Antonini; Aquilani, Ambro, Nocerino; Prince; Binho, Zlatan
As discussed I went with Yepes over Mexes because of match fitness. I slotted Prince in so it frees up Cassano to spell Binho and gave Van Bommel the day off as mentioned. I feel this lineup preserves the balance from the weekend while maintaining a team that could keep the ball and find the back of the net. Three points in this one, would give top standing in the CL group and now only four points off the lead in Serie A, it doesn’t look like the sky is falling after all now does it.
Like many of you I struggled mightily for a stream today thanks to FSC’s unwillingness to show the match at some point today, instead choosing to air it tomorrow. At one point I was listening in Italian, watching in French, and reading a UEFA game commentary. But amid all the madness endured to watch the match, the effort was worth it, even if it took some time to be rewarded.
The tone was set early by Plzen forcing a stellar Abbiati save and it wasn’t his only. He was challenged quite often despite Milan’s large quantities of ball possession. Plzen came to play in their 4-3-3, and no surprise as their success on the road in the CL this season was no secret, but their scrappiness wasn’t rewarded as Milan continued to hold the ball and as time wore on the began to generate chances.
Early in the match Milan was insistent on playing narrow but once Abate and Antonini began to maraud the flanks, Milan began to click. It was Abate who was the better of the two, and created many offensive chances with good runs and strong crosses, while not disappearing from his defensive duties. Despite the numerous chances created Milan continued to be wasteful, with Cassano, Zlatan and Urby missing some clear cut chances. Many questioned the inclusion of Urby but his work rate along with that of Nocerino was excellent as they covered ground and linked the ball to the attack freeing space for Clarence to pass more and defend less.
The real key though for me was the Zlatan factor. When he is on the pitch the team has a tenacity and aggressiveness that simply doesn’t exist. It is like a pack of teenagers who got their bully back, when the going gets tough give it to Zlatan, and while that could have its problems at times, today it made space for Cassano among others. Not to mention for Zlatan himself, who with a bit more match fitness might have scored a brace, if not three goals today. His efforts were rewarded with a penalty which he took calmly and soon thereafter he linked up with Cassano for a second goal. Cassano wasted a chance at a brace himself but at that point Plzen’s spirited effort had all but dried up.
For those worrying about the injuries, today was a better example of what Milan should and will look like and as more players return fit, specifically Ambro, Binho, and Prince the team will continue to improve. Once victory appeared secured Allegri went to the pitch giving Aquilani a chance for Seedorf who overcomplicated every touch and appeared to come into a match he hadn’t even been watching. The team was strong today in simple passing combination but Aqui did his best Seedorf impersonation trying to take a million touches before laying the ball off. Taiwo on for Antonini was a bit more successful and were finally able to see his cannon shot, wildly off target, and almost killing the referee. Finally for those who salivate over youth Allegri even played De Sciglio, but more for the purpose of getting Abate the standing ovation he deserved, than meaningful minutes for a green defender.
In the end it took some time for the team to be rewarded but the game was a good building block for a little trip to Torino on the weekend. A few stellar performances from Abate and Abbiati and ninety minutes for Zlatan to get his swagger back and Milan are looking to put the early woes to rest and began their title defense in earnest. Anyone who had jumped ship at the first time of crisis maybe you should start swimming back to the boat.
