Britain's Got Talent

Clarence Seedorf - Goodbye Europe?

Tottenham Hotspur 0 AC Milan 0

There is something about English teams and the omen they are to AC Milan. Maybe it’s the accent, maybe it’s the weather. Maybe it’s not. 3 successive defeats to English oppositions in Europe cry out for a reason. Is it the mentality, is it the pace or is it the physicality of the Poms? I am afraid the answer is yet to be completely revealed.

Spurs are a talented side but definitely not talented enough to oust Milan purely on merit. Unfortunately, they did just that. English clubs’ thunder and lightening style of play often undermines their solidity and organizational ability that isn't often witnessed in the Barclays Premier League. Harry Redknapp showed the world that a team built to attack can defend for 90 minutes against one of the most formidable front lines in Europe and better still get away with a clean sheet. True, Redknapp had lady luck sitting beside him at the Lane. But it wasn’t purely luck.

Of all the players in the Spurs squad, Peter Crouch wouldn’t be the player fancied to trouble Milan’s defense. The big man proved to be a thorn over both legs and won the aerial battle consistently. The second leg proved to be an improvement for Alesandro Nesta and Thiago Silva. The home defeat taught both of them that contending for the lofted ball with Crouch is futile. The alternative would be to back into him and play ‘dirty’ in typical Italian fashion while also winning the free kick. The pair did just that to near perfection in the return leg. Milan’s forwards were very closely marked by William Gallas and Michael Dawson. The latter overshadowed Zlatan Ibrahimovic throughout the game without putting a foot wrong. AC Milan’s front three weren’t given any breathing space and Sandro hounded the visiting midfield ceaselessly. He enjoyed a blinder of a game catching the attention of the Milan scouts. To make matters worse, Milan’s build up play was pedestrian providing Spurs sufficient time to organize themselves and close down spaces. Robinho added another game to his now long list of woeful performances in a Rossoneri jersey. His passing and movement were the highlights of his game in the first half the season but these facets have dramatically disappeared post the winter break. The hefty price tag appears to be the only reason that justifies his place on the first team.

The impotency of Milan’s forwards continued in the second half of the match. Mathieu Flamini didn’t make matters any better for him or the club. His brainless tackles always threatened the visitors to go a man down making him a constant liability. Redknapp unleashed Gareth Bale on the 66’ by bringing off Van Der Vaart. The Welshman didn’t run riot but he definitely reduced Ignazio Abate’s forward runs. Abate stayed back to keep an eye and a foot on Bale thereby eliminating the much needed width he provided in the first half. Max Allegri introduced Luca Antonini on the 69’ which effectively killed the width factor. Alex Merkel and Rodney Strasser were two players thrown into the mix, possibly to acquire some European experience and taste club football at its highest level. When players like Antonini, Merkel and Strasser come on for a club, you just know that club isn’t ready to play in the quarter finals of Europe’s premier club competition. One man played with his heart on his sleeve. He goes by the name of Clarence Seedorf. Many think he played his last game for AC Milan at White Hart Lane on that day. Probably the sight of him crying added fuel to the speculative rumour but that isn’t a farfetched idea. Sitting in front of the defense, he put his soul into every challenge and ran down opponents who are a little more than half his age. Allegri’s men lacked the level of determination and drive that Seedorf played with. Had it been truly present in the hearts of those who came to the Lane needing a win, Milan would be facing Real Madrid in the quarter finals.

Giant No More?

Del Neri - getting it wrong?

Juventus 0 Milan 1

Juventus’ fall from grace is remarkably alarming to say the least. The most decorated club in Italy being reduced to a contemptible team with inadequate talent lacking the once famous Juventus spirit is painful viewing for any Calcio fan. Yes, Milan were playing Juventus. Yes, I wanted to see us win. But watching Juventus perform like a team bound for relegation removes the spark out of the rivalry.

Allegri’s report card isn’t impressive against the big teams. The Inter scalp aside, his decision making and tactical choices have been criticised and mocked on several forums. He simply had to get this one right. He started well by opting for Cassano. A massive problem with this Milan side is the undeniable fact of it being too functional. With Pirlo resting on the side lines for most of the season, Milan have lacked a creative midfielder who possesses the keys to unlock many teams. Milan’s men in the middle therefore went about unlocking teams by battering them. However, when you come across a physically stronger side, trying to out-muscle them would be folly and the magical wand needs to be brought out of the closet. Cassano possesses that wand. Flamini owned the left flank on the night. He was sending in the crosses like a world class left-winger which Ibrahimovic failed to convert. Bommel enjoyed the anchor-man role. His interceptions reflected bucket loads of experience while he also demonstrated meritorious passing abilities which by the way are severely underrated. Toni knew he lacked the quality to get past Nesta-Silva. He used his frame to win the free-kicks by going down with shocking ease. Chiellini is one of the few defenders in Europe with the complete knowledge of shackling Ibrahimovic. Chiellini bossed Zlatan for much of the match, as usual. Juventus’ front men didn’t receive much service, rendering them useless in front of goal. Both the wide men cut into the centre instead of attacking the full backs and exploiting the space behind the defense. That being said, Milan’s full backs sat deep in their own half. Neither Abate nor Jankulovski ventured forward. Jankulovski being told to sit deep is understandable because Krasic could burn him with pace. However, Abate should have attacked Juventus keeping in mind their weakness down the left.

Robinho replaced Boatang in the break. Ibrahimovic failed to keep it simple, often resorting to over-elaboration. Milan dominated the game but lacked the cutting edge in the final third. Buffon had to bungle for Milan to breach the defense and he eventually did, by letting Gattuso’s weak shot get the better of him. Cassano still waits to clock ninety minutes in a Milan shirt. Seedorf came on for him in the 71’. Milan held onto possession quite beautifully or shall we say, professionally for the remainder of the game. Del Piero’s introduction in the 80’ was greeted well by the visiting fans. Del Neri surely made mistakes with his choices in this game. Juventus won free kicks in dangerous positions regularly but lacked a threat from set pieces because that threat was introduced only in the 80’. Why did Del Neri keep him on the bench for that long? Why did Del Neri use two primary strikers for nearly 90% of the game? Why did he organize his team defensively in order to obtain only a point having beaten Milan previously away from home?

This happens to be a big win for Allegri and his boys. Beating Juventus at Turin is morale boosting for any team irrespective of the Old Lady’s form. Milan’s walk towards the Scudetto continues but so does Ibrahimovic’s goal drought.

Juventus - /
Milan - Gattuso 68'

Scudetto Material?

Edinson Cavani - missing when needed

Milan 3 Napoli 0

People have believed for long that Napoli are in contention for the Scudetto. With three quarters of the season gone by, the club has managed to sustain it's challenge. This feat is highly commendable but one should not kid themselves by suggesting that the side from Naples can actually win the league. The match against Milan would be fundamentally important for Napoli's title ambitions. Mazzari had made no secret of that while he almost willfully sacrificed the Europe League to have his players best prepared for this game. Little would he have thought that his team would be on the receiving end of a 3-0 scoreline when they faced against the Mighty Milan.

Cassano started on the bench while Jankulovski took over from Antonini at left back. Lavezzi impatiently watched from the stands in his leather jacket. Napoli would sorely miss him in this game. Mark Van Bommel's passing and positioning is severely underrated. Sitting in the heart of midfield, he pulls the strings with such admirable authority, that one should wonder why is his footballing intelligence questioned all the time. He dictated this game from start to finish while Pato's pace was getting the better of Napoli's defense. With two naturally wide players at full back positions, Milan could afford the luxury of stretching the play. Flamini is another player at Milan who gets lesser credit than he deserves. His darting runs into the box when in attack are invaluable to the team which has lacked that spark from midfield for a few years now. He knows where to run and when to run, a quality less demonstrated in his tenure at Arsenal. Cavani continued to be starved of service through the night. Silva completely took him out of the game with his physicality and speed. The Brazilian bossed the Uruguayan through the night reducing him to a mere shadow. Milan's front men were woeful in the first half. They simply couldn't combine and kept misinterpreting runs and through balls. Ibrahimovic in particular endured a disappointing night.

The second half, Napoli self destructed. They had come to park the bus and hit Milan on the counter. They were given their chances but Milan's back-line held firm. Aronica was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box, which in my opinion was a fantastic call from Rocchi, the ref. Ibrahimovic stepped up and converted the penalty to give Milan the much deserved lead. Milan appeared a lot more confident after the goal, Pato in particular. Mascara couldn't replicate Lavezzi's influence on the game and was duly replaced by Zuniga as Boatang came on for Robinho. Jankulovski put in a more than credible performance for 72 minutes. His lack of match fitness called for a substitution and he shook hands with Emanuelson on his way out. Boatang is best in midfield but finds his goal scoring touch when playing behind the strikers. He scored the second for Milan by being at the right place at the right time. Game over for Napoli. Milan hit Napoli on the counter for the second goal while Napoli were pressing for the equalizer. The third goal wasn't very different because was born out of a counter move as well. Pato utilized his raw pace to full effect on the third combining it with a peach of a finish. Emanuelson stayed on the pitch for 20 minutes but he clearly shows why he isn't best suited at the back. He immediately became a weak link in the Milan defense but by then the damage was done.

The score flatters Milan. Napoli were out played yes, however it wasn't a master class performance from Milan. The second and third goals were born out of counter attacking moves with Napoli's players in the opposition half trying to level the scores. If Napoli had played their natural game the result could very well have been different. But they didn't approach it from the perspective of a Scudetto challenger and the inexperience of the side begs me to question their credentials to be winners come May end. Mazzari's mentality was horribly wrong and he will need his front men to come to his rescue if they want to make the most of the remainder of this season.

Milan - Ibrahimovic pen 49', Boatang 77', Pato 80'
Napoli - /

25 years

Milan patron Silvio Berlusconi

Chievo 1 Milan 2

25 years ago, A man stepped out of a helicopter and changed the future for a club in distress. Riches, fame and honor followed this club which is now recognized as one of the most powerful footballing institutes in the world. The players stepped out on the pitch with special jerseys to acknowledge what this man has done for this club and for the love affair that has lasted 25 years. After a torrid showing at home against Spurs a few days ago, Milan would give their all to secure a result for the man, for Berlusconi.

Chievo very rarely get battered at home. But Milan did just that to them. This game marked the return of Boatang into the team who would be given a run in to find his fitness after a long injury lay-off. Sorrentino is one of those few keepers who consistently frustrates Milan. On this day, Ibrahimovic would feel just that for 90 minutes. The goals had to come from elsewhere and they were provided by the Brazilian pair of Robinho and Pato. The second especially from Pato was a peach of a goal. If someone maintained a scrap book of Pato's finest goals, this one would surely make it. Do google it, it's worth the effort. Ibrahimovic hasn't been finding the net but he sure is helping others find it. February was turning out to be a lean month for the Catalan loanee. But he still continues to set up his mates. And of course, he sets up Pato too.

Constant is a Chievo player who regularly performs for the 'Flying Donkeys' and it was he who made the left flank his while also setting up the equalizer. He is well and truly one of the finds of the Serie A this season. A fantastic young prospect with bundles of energy and with more than sufficient intelligence to read and understand the game. Of course he isn't the type to dance around defenses but graft and craft he does possess. Keep an eye out for him. He might not be wearing yellow come the summer.

Not a vintage performance by Milan, no. But just the sort of result needed to keep Eto'o frenzy alive and kicking in front of goal and Inter ticking. I would hate for the title race to end soon. Inter are notching up results too and remain two points adrift. But more than the race, this win is testament to one Silvio Berlusconi.

Chievo - Fernandes 63'
Milan - Robinho 25', Pato 82'

Dirty Milan

Aaron Lennon - flying winger

Milan 0 Tottenham 1

Milan weren't the inferior team. Allegri was the inferior manager. His obvious lack of experience at the European level has sometimes reduced Milan to appear like a fish out of water in a competition which over the last few years has symbolically become Milan's to keep. Losing to Spurs isn't embarrassing, the manner of loss is.

Redknapp lined up a 4-4-1-1 on the night, many expected a 4-5-1 in which he would clog up the midfield preventing Milan any room to play their free flowing football. Nesta handled the ball on the very first minute which sent jitters through the Meazza, the referee however chose to overlook the incident. Antonini had the responsibility of keeping Lennon quiet. In Bale absence, Lennon's was the main threat going forward and Allegri opted for Antonini's intervention to keep the flying winger dormant; one among many of Allegri's tactical gaffes that night. Abbiati suffered an injury on the 18' with Amelia arriving as his replacement. The first half would have made any Milan fan squirm in disgust. The team operated from fear, sitting back, trying to soak in the pressure. The reluctance of the players to move forward when the opportunity presented itself was shocking to witness. And whenever they did, the attack was through the middle. Sandro and Palacios handed Silva his biggest test in midfield which convinced me that he is best suited in defense. Milan were sluggish in their build up giving Spurs sufficient time to arrange their defensive shape.

Allegri had started Seedorf, a choice no journalist/fan could understand. The veteran couldn't stamp his authority and Pato marched in as his replacement at the break. A marked difference was noticed in Milan's performance then on. Yepes became Milan's biggest goal threat which brings me to Ibrahimovic. I have constantly shaken off doubts over his big game presence but this season has led me to believe that he is a big game choker. A defense such as Tottenham's should be mince meat to a player of his caliber and talent. He simply refused to get into the game taking lethargy to a new level. Flamini's had a poor outing, his luck was at it's brightest that night. His rash challenges were conveniently ignored by the referee. Modric replaced Van Der Vaart on the 62' which reflects on Harry's intentions. He wanted to go for the kill and rightly so. Ibrahimovic's horrific night turned worse when he gave the ball away in the middle of the park which was optimally utilized by the opposition who scored on a classic counter. Lennon's raw pace exposed the shocking lack of the same in Milan's defense. Crouch's finish was cool and level headed. The timing of the goal would have knocked the stuffing out of Milan who couldn't conjure an attack for the remaining 10 minutes. A historic win for the Londoners.

Defeat aside, Gattuso and Flamini's behavior lacked class. Gattuso's bust up with Jordon and Flamini's aggressive tackles on Corluka should be heavily punished. Yes they are hard men but they should know the difference between professional challenges and personal assaults. This isn't the Milan we have come to know in Europe and Allegri must crack the whip to keep things in check. The return leg isn't going to be easy and will need Tassoti's experience to cover for Allegri's naivety. If Allegri goes all out attacking, he is sure to be brutalized by the lightening feet of the wide men. A more conservative, yet assertive approach is recommended.

Milan - /
Spurs - Crouch 80'