Dancing To The Scudetto

Kevin Prince Boatang dancing with the stars

AC MILAN 4 CAGLIARI 1

Many believed this to be the last night for some of Milan's old warriors at their beloved fortress. Seedorf, Gattuso, Ambrosini, Inzaghi and Pirlo made the squad with the latter two starting from the bench. Seedorf played behind Robinho and Pato, a position he has dearly coveted ever since losing the spot to Boatang. Several Cagliari players were playing for contracts. Unlike the home side, Donadoni's men had an objective heading into this game. Expecting Cagliari to fight is not beyond the realms of reality but the Sardinian team collapsed like a wrecked ship afloat the Pacific. Milan demolished the visitors by executing the attacks superbly. Had the forwards of Milan not stepped off the gas, the board might have read a cricket score.

Robinho drew first blood with an exquisite solo goal. The crafty forward possesses several tricks up in his boots but is clearly afraid to unleash them. Having spent most of the season endlessly running across the breadth of the pitch and impressing Allegri with his baffling work ethic, Robinho managed to cement his position in the first team. However, 21 million euros were not spent on a machine that can cover the turf but for a dribbling expert who can turn on the style. With Robinho enjoying his football, Milan carved open Cagliari's defense repeatedly like a slab of delicious beef stake, tormenting the back four. Aggazi tried uncommonly hard to stand tall but he is no 'Neuer'. Robinho's double brought him level with Pato and Ibrahimovic scoring 14 goals in the league this season. With the forwards mocking the back four of Cagliari, Zambrotta turned in a comical performance of his own. He bombed forward on several occasions at the cost of plonking on the sidelines due to sheer exhaustion for the next 20 minutes. Yepes being vested with the additional responsibility of covering for Zambrotta's athletic stamina demonstrated why he never made it to the list of greatest centre halves in the Italian game. The Colombian slides on the ground in desperate attempts to win the ball when faced with pace or skill. He did it against Lennon, he repeated the foolish act against Cossu as well. If I possessed the memory of a quad 4 processor, I would have cited more examples. Rest assured, the 34 year old's sliding fiascos are a regular feature of his game.

Pirlo replaced Ambrosini at the break. The ten year reign of the elegant midfielder in red and black stripes would end tonight. Serie A games usually demand high levels of professionalism and sincerity. Both these facets were blatantly absent. The fans were witnessing a friendly and uninhibitedly expressed their dissatisfaction ignoring the proceedings at times. Abate poured in the crosses but the absence of a big man rendered them harmless. On the opposite flank, Zambrotta's plonking sessions increased in length. The full back's invisibility became rather obvious in the second half. Cagliari were continually nailed down the centre and Milan capitalised on this weakness. All the goals Milan scored were right through the heart of defense, a cause for concern for the likes of Cannini and Astori, a much respected duo in the Serie A. With the game in the bag, Allegri nodded to Inzaghi who was met with a deafening cheer.

Milan were presented with the trophy on this night. Four Italian models smoked television screens the world over by walking on the red carpet which accounted for unnecessary distraction at the presentation ceremony. But when Boatang wore the black hat and made the moves, the beauties dimmed into the darkness. Boatang set the stage alight with his impersonation of Michael Jackson followed by an explosive party to celebrate Milan's eighteenth Scudetto.

Milan - Robinho 22', 35', Gattuso 23', Seedorf 77'

Cagliari - Cossu 38'