allegri's dilemma

Massimiliano Allegri

Robinho. Ibrahimovic. Pato. Ronaldinho. Inzaghi. Pedro Leon? Very few clubs in the world would have options aplenty on the roster like Milan do. And this could be a daunting task for a newbie like Allegri, who for all his credible achievements, arguably faces his toughest management task of his career. The challenge before him isn't to help Milan win, but to accommodate so many superstars in one team. Ibrahimovic has shown that he can't be dropped. There are fears that Milan are becoming uni dimensional and maybe we are. Interesque perhaps. But I don't complain because we all know how that went for him at Inter. Not that Pato, Ronaldinho and Robinho can't step up to the task when Ibrahimovic misfires. So there is arguably more creative depth here than there was at Inter Milan. I am yet to mention Seedorf and Pirlo's contribution to this team. Such is the depth of this magnanimous squad.

Allegri has been trying different formations to find the team's identity. From 4-3-3 to 4-3-1-2, Allegri is going by the book to find the winning formula. But I think the solution isn't the book, it's in his mind. We have a weak and miserable midfield and any alterations there can have a decisive impact on our team. We need a minimum of 3 midfielders to match the opposition. Pirlo's form has been consistent this season and he is integral to any attack that flows from the midfield. Seedorf has been re-invented as a central midfielder that has re-invigorated him as a creative force. Boatang has given us muscle and energy to this midfield and Gattuso has flapped the pages of history to find his form this season which has kept Flamini off the pitch. Allegri, contrary to many people's thinking, has a job that is harder to that of Leonardo.

I am not going to dwell on the defense because though there are concerns, Allegri will have it covered, even if I think that Papastathopolous should start at right-back. Now, how do we accommodate 5 top quality attackers in the attack without distorting the midfield? The simple solution is rotation. Pedro Leon will be an unnecessary addition to this squad even though some might argue that our wingers aren't consistently fit. But I would love to see Verdi and Abate given a run in the absence of our stars. I do like Allegri's system of playing narrow. I also like his ability to switch to wing-play when required. This has taken some time, but we finally have a dynamic manager who is not afraid to change tactics depending on situation. Arguably Pato and Ibrahimovic must start. Ronaldinho and Robinho have question marks hovering over their form. It's the rivalry for the the third spot in attack that interests me. This rivalry would enhance their quality and output and push them to outperform each other at training and in the games. Robinho's recent performances have been nothing short of revolting. But he has a history of taking time to settle into new environments. Inzaghi is a fantastic option to come off the bench as I see no reason why Ibrahimovic must play 90 minutes of every game. The guile and intelligence that Inzaghi possesses, Ibrahimovic can only crave for. Having said this, the side effects of rotation is that it compromises team chemistry and players will require a longer duration to become compatible and read each other's game. What does Allegri do then?

Our midfield requires more tact and muscle though. Ideally, Boatang-Pirlo-Flamini would make a rock solid yet dynamic midfield. Boatang and Flamini can provide muscle and energy whilst assisting in attack. Pirlo requires a 'bodyguard' to play his glorious passes with magical accuracy and Flamini will give him just that. To have players like Ambrosini, Gattuso and Seedorf to come off the bench would add further value to this midfield as neither of the three have the legs for 90 minute games anymore. However these veterans have an ego the size of Jupiter. They are unlikely to accept bench roles. How is Allegri going to strike a balance? Rotation, again?

This team will win, with or without Allegri. The duration of victories depend on several variables. And these variables remain Allegri's biggest challenge at AC Milan.