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'