Emanuele GiaccheriniCesena 2 Milan 0
When I read that a speedy winger called Emanuele Giaccherini made Ranieri sweat at the Olimpicio, I thought to myself. 'This must be among those one game wonders. Cesena's team valuation isn't as much as Zlatan's annual salary! Zlatan would single handedly devour this tiny side.' How wrong was I.
There was a level of expectancy on the Milanese players after the demolition of Lecce the previous week. Allegri must have been under pressure to travel to Cesena and stamp his authority upon another minnow. Perhaps this was the reason AC Milan were rushing into the inviting Cesena defense, only to be exposed at the back. There was no rationale whatsoever to Milan's attacking ploy. Cesena did what was asked of them. They put 9 men behind the ball and played a 4-3-3 matching Milan, man for man. Ronaldinho made one contribution in the entire game and that was to force Antonioli into making a save in the opening minutes of the game. Ibrahimovic was making a positive impression as the target man and also played the trequartista at times. He was a sight to sore eyes as he brushed past defenders and laying the ball to others, reading even Gattuso's runs. Gattuso was given the role of making the surging runs from midfield. Evidently, that didn't suit him. He neither has the legs nor the footballing intelligence required for this role as it was clear for the time that he lasted. Contrary to the flow of play, it was Cesena who took the lead. This move was largely controlled by Giaccherini and finished by a much improved Bogdani. Sokratis did a Kaladze on this goal. He wasn't marking the target man in the box and tried to clear hysterically. Those who are critics of this kid will have been given enough ammunition for a few weeks at least. Our defense was rather shaky. Silva and Papa continued to make mistakes that would account for a season in any other top club. Pato was easily the liveliest player in the first half. His attitude remains in question. He tries to finish whenever he gets close to the box; sometimes his efforts spectacularly ridiculous. There might be other players in the box who need to considered, now more than ever before. Bogdani was bossing Papa around. This isn't encouraging as Papa's game revolves around his physical strength. If players like Bogdani can shove him about like a stick, we have a problem. Cesena continued to threaten and finally hit us again. The format was no different as it was a counter-attacking move. Giaccherini was found on the left and he outran the defense to slot the goal past Abbiati. 2-0 to the home side with the crowd of a few thousands roaring like they were a million. It must be duly noted that Sokratis was at fault, again.
In the second half, Allegri brought on Robinho to provide more fluidity in attack. However Robinho was forced to play deep by the full back and the right sided midfielder. Players on the wing started to stifle our wingers and Ibrahimovic had to deal with the central players. He was often boxed and found it hard to locate players. He still held the ball superbly. We lost the game in the midfield and this was surely because of the choice of our midfield. Ambrosini, Pirlo and Gattuso are clearly past their expiry date and can't cut the cake against even the bottom tier teams. Inzaghi was introduced in an all out attack. Ibrahmovic found more space and his link up with Pippo was entertaining. The effects of this partnership was beginning to bear fruit and culminated in a penalty as Inzaghi was brought down in the box. Zlatan hit the bar with his penalty, breaking his record of scoring on his debut with every club that he has played for. Abbiati was involved in a goal-line clearance. That would have been rubbing salt on injury. Cesena have waited 19 years to return to the Serie A. Their return has been nothing short of impressive.
Auxerre next. Allegri's first Champions League experience. After the humbling experience at the weekend, he and his boys would have had a reality check. There legs firmly grounded, they would take no prisoners midweek. Here's hoping for an enthralling clash.
Cesena - Bogdani 31', Giaccherini 44'
Milan -/
There was a level of expectancy on the Milanese players after the demolition of Lecce the previous week. Allegri must have been under pressure to travel to Cesena and stamp his authority upon another minnow. Perhaps this was the reason AC Milan were rushing into the inviting Cesena defense, only to be exposed at the back. There was no rationale whatsoever to Milan's attacking ploy. Cesena did what was asked of them. They put 9 men behind the ball and played a 4-3-3 matching Milan, man for man. Ronaldinho made one contribution in the entire game and that was to force Antonioli into making a save in the opening minutes of the game. Ibrahimovic was making a positive impression as the target man and also played the trequartista at times. He was a sight to sore eyes as he brushed past defenders and laying the ball to others, reading even Gattuso's runs. Gattuso was given the role of making the surging runs from midfield. Evidently, that didn't suit him. He neither has the legs nor the footballing intelligence required for this role as it was clear for the time that he lasted. Contrary to the flow of play, it was Cesena who took the lead. This move was largely controlled by Giaccherini and finished by a much improved Bogdani. Sokratis did a Kaladze on this goal. He wasn't marking the target man in the box and tried to clear hysterically. Those who are critics of this kid will have been given enough ammunition for a few weeks at least. Our defense was rather shaky. Silva and Papa continued to make mistakes that would account for a season in any other top club. Pato was easily the liveliest player in the first half. His attitude remains in question. He tries to finish whenever he gets close to the box; sometimes his efforts spectacularly ridiculous. There might be other players in the box who need to considered, now more than ever before. Bogdani was bossing Papa around. This isn't encouraging as Papa's game revolves around his physical strength. If players like Bogdani can shove him about like a stick, we have a problem. Cesena continued to threaten and finally hit us again. The format was no different as it was a counter-attacking move. Giaccherini was found on the left and he outran the defense to slot the goal past Abbiati. 2-0 to the home side with the crowd of a few thousands roaring like they were a million. It must be duly noted that Sokratis was at fault, again.
In the second half, Allegri brought on Robinho to provide more fluidity in attack. However Robinho was forced to play deep by the full back and the right sided midfielder. Players on the wing started to stifle our wingers and Ibrahimovic had to deal with the central players. He was often boxed and found it hard to locate players. He still held the ball superbly. We lost the game in the midfield and this was surely because of the choice of our midfield. Ambrosini, Pirlo and Gattuso are clearly past their expiry date and can't cut the cake against even the bottom tier teams. Inzaghi was introduced in an all out attack. Ibrahmovic found more space and his link up with Pippo was entertaining. The effects of this partnership was beginning to bear fruit and culminated in a penalty as Inzaghi was brought down in the box. Zlatan hit the bar with his penalty, breaking his record of scoring on his debut with every club that he has played for. Abbiati was involved in a goal-line clearance. That would have been rubbing salt on injury. Cesena have waited 19 years to return to the Serie A. Their return has been nothing short of impressive.
Auxerre next. Allegri's first Champions League experience. After the humbling experience at the weekend, he and his boys would have had a reality check. There legs firmly grounded, they would take no prisoners midweek. Here's hoping for an enthralling clash.
Cesena - Bogdani 31', Giaccherini 44'
Milan -/
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