Crumbling Midfield

Mathieu Flamini

When I tell people who my favorite player at AC Milan is, people feel stupefied. Do you know who my favorite AC Milan player is? Mathieu Flamini. Stupefied? Or atleast surprised?

Flamini was said to be the heir to Gattuso's boots when he arrived on a free transfer in 2008. He was one of the most promising defensive midfielders in the world at that time. Ever since, he has seen a change of management thrice. So he has had to impress 3 different footballing philosophies. I understand that to be a very hard task. Flamini has looked a bit out of shape since he has arrived. But that is because he hasn't seen enough of the ball with Gattuso whining in the background. The club policy of adhering to seniority is ridiculous and retarded, especially when everyone talks about the start of a new cycle. Well, if a new cycle is starting at the club, why are Gattuso and Seedorf still starting with Boatang and Flamini warming the bench? Flamini has a higher value proposition than Gattuso because the Frenchman is not only solid in defense, but he also makes darting runs into the opposition box. He also possesses the fantastic ability to drive shots from distance. His tactical awareness is low, but having said that, it's not high for Gattuso either. The 'pitbull' usualy sees yellow in the first half and performs tamely then on. Flamini might pick up a card but rarely slows the tempo. Gattuso's performances this season have been spirited but he lacks the legs for the big games. Therefore, the former Rangers man is a liability.

Boatang has looked decisive whenever he has played for Milan. The dynamism that he brings to the midfield is unparelled by any in the team. Yet he starts behind Seedorf and Ambrosini. Allegri has started to show his weakenesses as a manager, particularly his inability to stamp his authority. This was politely put across by Ibrahimovic in an interview recently and is fairly evident from his team selection.

Lets look at Boatang. He is another player who contributes in defense although he is an attack minded player. Kevin always gives his 100% and that really counts since he is not Christian Brocchi. He makes those drifting runs in the opposition third which draws defenders away, providing our illustrous forwards with oodles of space. His physical presence in midfield makes him a bully, the sort of player we have lacked for a very long time. However with Seedorf, we have a man who confuses the viewers with his pace and static approach to the game. Sometimes I feel that I might have hit 'pause' on the remote when I watch Clarence on the ball. He is slow, has a poor work rate and can't play at a consistent level on a bi-weekly basis. With Ambrosini, Milan have an average midfielder who simply runs from one end of the pitch to the other, assisting neither in attack nor to defense.

Ask me who my second favorite player at the club is and I would respond by saying Aleksander Merkel. The German is a spectacular talent and is being wasted in the Primevera. The few times that I watched him play in the friendlies, he impressed me greatly. Why isn't he in the main team? Why isn't he being given a chance to gain some experience at the top level? Even Chelsea with their midfield power find occasions to accomodate Josh McEachran. Merkel is as good and if given a chance could probably turn out to be better!

Milan's midfield would easily get mauled by several top sides in Europe. The current first choice midfield has neither the guile, the creativity, the bite or the strength to be able to withstand a top side. Allegri is heavily relying on the front three to win games. But in football, games are won in midfield. Milan do posses the talent and the quality to succeed. And if the younger boys are given a run-in the midfield would also find the drive and desire. The players he is currently using bi-weekly are at best impact players. It's only down to Allegri's risk appetite and his ability to stand by tough choices. The blame currenly lies squarely on the manager.

A dream called Kaka

Kaka with Robinho

Many years ago, when I saw a young Brazilian glide through the midfield with magical pace and divine elegance, I realized that football is truly the beautiful game. Kaka is one of those forwards who makes attacking football a joy to behold. No tricks, no flips, no crossovers. Nothing fancy. Just sheer pace, finesse and class.

Kaka possesses a demi-god status at Milan, a cult icon. Tears were shed, hearts broken and windows were smashed when he nearly boarded the plane to Manchester. And now we hear of his return just a season after he left for the Madrid life. This is exciting news for a chap like me who would love to see his favorite player combine once again with his favorite team. But with experience comes maturity and maturity dictates that football's practicality often kills the spirit of romance.

Berlusconi intended to replace Kaka with a bunny named Ronaldinho. The latter has performed admirably well since Leonardo but he is nowhere near the standard Kaka once stood at. We didn't get a chance to miss Kaka as Ronaldinho stepped up to the challenge of the creative force in attack, settling in comfortably. Crafty as he might be, he isn't nearly as elegant as the Sao Paolo star. Kaka hasn't quite cut it at Madrid with the mercurial Ronaldo predictably steering the limelight in his direction. Madrid have complained that Milan sold them an injured Kaka. Hello, medical tests aren't a formality. Aly Cissokho will testify to that. Perez intends to gift wrap the Brazilian and send him packing back to Italy with Galliani dwelling on the possibility. Is this a move for the better?

Ronaldinho runs out of contract end of this season and he is refusing to take a pay-cut. MLS is knocking on the door with bags of money which Ronaldinho is already sniffing, albeit pretentiously. He has avoided talk of contract extensions in the media. If he leaves, we need a world class trequartista to replace him. Frankly, few are better than Kaka. There are a couple of other options though who I would love in Rossoneri colors. Yoann Gourcuff, Antonio Cassano and Diego. None of these will come cheap but will provide us with greater endurance and assurance than Kaka will. Kaka's dodgy knees have him shackled and has pretty much stamped him out of returning to his previous lofty standards. Then is it worth it?

Kaka will inject pace in the attack, but he won't possess the vision and creativity or the guile of Ronaldinho. Moreover, Pato and Kaka are similar in many ways and will inevitably run into each other. There are also questions of how Ibrahimovic would combine with Kaka. All these forwards love the ball at their feet. Kaka also brings with him injury concerns. Milan already have their hands full with Pato. Kaka will become an additional liability. The likes of Cassano and Gourcuff are likely to demand lesser wages which would please Galliani, who is trying to tighten the purse strings. That being said, Kaka will win Berlusconi the brownie points with the Curva Sud and the Ultras. This signing will also act as the cherry on the cake called Ibrahimovic, given the elections are just around the corner.

But as much as it is a dream to see him don the legendary red and black again, this move hampers us on the pitch and in the bank. Kaka continues to be vulnerable to the odd injury and its in games like these where we would need depth. There are other areas, particularly in defense that need immediate attention. Also Ronaldinho brings with him an element of consistency. This page is missing in Kaka's book currently. Thus, it appears that Kaka to Milan under current circumstances is not favorable to the Indian population. Allegri need not be bothered in attack for sometime now. I wish Kaka the very best and wish he succeeds at the clubs he goes to. But facts, stats and intuition indicate that the club isn't AC Milan.

constant constantly

Alexander Pato

Milan 3 Chievo 1

One of the things that is hard to understand is Allegri's obsession with Ibrahimovic. Why does he play the Swede even when the latter complains of physical deterioration? Especially when Madrid are preparing a nightmarish welcome at the Bernebau? Ronaldinho was handed the trequartista role once again. His media statements of 'I don't need to run because I can do what I do without running' weren't yet met with criticism. It feels like I am the only one awaiting criticism for such retarded statements.

Chievo are known to be a team that soak in the pressure before hitting the opposition with a speedy counter. This tactic has worked wonderfully for them, you may to ask Genoa and Napoli. And so they stuck to that tactic, only for it to be turned around after Pato's volley from Ibrahimovic's cross. It's finishing like this that is going to keep Robinho's shorts firmly attached to the bench. Another player who is going to be giving Robinho company is Amelia. Abbiati produced a stunning double save in the first half that would only further cement Allegri's trust in him. Pato quickly doubled his tally after some intelligent thinking from Ibrahimovic. Ibrahimovic had left his shooting boots at home but had his thinking cap on. Pato's awareness needs to be praised on this goal as he spotted Ibrahimovic's idea and made the run. Chievo decided to attack Milan and Milan comfortably sat back to hit the visitors on the counter. Ironically, Abbiati was having a busier night than Sorrentino.

Kevin Constant has been one of Chievo's standout players this season. He shined bright in yellow as he darted past a failing Gattuso many a time, constantly troubling our back-line. Antonini was having his second bad game in two weeks for Milan. He is wasteful in possession and often found himself feeling the grass when he should have been closing down wingers. Milan dropped the tempo in the second half. Perhaps, the players were saving the energy for the big game in Spain. That very reason seemed enough for the fans to digest the disgusting indifference that was being displayed on the pitch. Just when Chievo were beginning to lose hope, Silva got stretchered off and Bonera replaced him. Such is called 'sight for sore eyes'. Chievo suddenly appeared charged and inspired. And it eventually happened. The home side conceded a goal from a corner to abysmal marking. The disinterest was duly paid. Antonini was clearly responsible for marking the player who got his head on the ball. I needn't say more about him. Pato had just been replaced with Robinho and there was an urge within the Milan camp to score the third and wrap up the game. And surprise surprise, Robinho seals the deal by turning the keeper and coolly slotting home his first in Rossoneri colors. Boatang had come on for the final thirteen minutes or so and the midfield looked mobile and dynamic and less static.

There is cause for concern though. Silva would be missing for the Madrid game and we have Bonera or Yepes to face Ozil, Di Maria, Ronaldo and Higuain. The very thought is inspirational for an Oscar winning horror script. We are two days away from the clash. Mourinho's men blew Malaga away. Let's hope that we aren't a similar prospect.

Milan - Pato 18', 30', Robinho 90'
Chievo - Ibrahimovic O.G. 70'

youtube it!

Andrea Pirlo

Parma 0 Milan 1

With Ibrahimovic being played almost on a daily basis, the Swede was beginning to complain of physical deterioration. Hernia and other physical issues were beginning to bother him even though it didn't hamper his potency in front of goal. Parma played wide, attacking from the wings as they took advantage of the fullbacks' poor positional sense. Nesta's steady fall from grace is gradually gaining pace. He brought down Crespo in the box with the referee turning a blind eye to the challenge. Gattuso was running around like a mad man plunging into challenges with his eyes focused solely on the bones and not the ball. This crass style of football was abruptly silenced with Pirlo's screamer. The shot had class written all over it and went on to become the most watched video on YouTube! Pirlo rarely shoots from distance. This is a facet of his game that he specifically requires to work on. He has the shot, he only requires the drive. Luca Antonini was having a horrid game. He was poor in possession and his passing was predictable. He also wasted a glorious chance when set up by Pirlo. Parma had a few impressive players as well. Marques was constantly skinning Gattuso on the left as Mirante continued to frustrate Ibrahimovic. He produced a stunning triple save on Zlatan which has me amazed till date. Robinho might not be scoring, but he tracks back when he doesn't have the possession. He was the most hard-working of the forwards.

Antonini showed signs of improvement in the 2nd half. Ronaldinho tried settling into the new role of the trequartista. It didn't require him to run a lot but needed him to set up the forwards, which he did a fair number of times. Abate replaced Antonini and he looked a lot more solid than Luca. He pace made him hard to get by as he closed down wingers comfortably. The game was won by a wonder goal though the forwards had enough chances to put the game to bed a lot earlier. Marino had pointed out that Pirlo would be the main threat and the elegant midfielder didn't let his foe down. We need to be more clinical in front of goal as we enter a period of facing some big boys in the football world. Chievo aside, Madrid, Juventus and Napoli will pose questions and these will have to be answered. Time for Robinho to stop shaking in front of the goal.

Parma - /
Milan - Pirlo 25'

'the hole'

Thiago Silva

Ajax 1 Milan 1

I love 'the hole'. Always have. From the days of Rui Costa till Kaka inherited that position behind Crespo and Shevchenko. And beyond. Even in the day when Gourcuff played behind Chamakh and Cavenaghi at Bordeaux. Its a position that is fancy, creative, intriguing. Players often lose their character in that position. Kaka did, often being misunderstood for a second striker. Allegri has brought the 'hole' back to Milan. This time, Seedorf was being employed in that role. Allegri started with a 4-3-1-2 with Ibrahimovic and Robinho playing as outright forwards. Gattuso was handed a start and he did justice by constantly snarling at the heels of the Dutch. Jol started with 3 midfielders too. Those three were not only combative, but also creative.

During the course of the game, one question constantly bothered me. Why did Milan's full-backs play centrally? What was the logic behind that tactic? Or was it a result of deteriorating/average defenders being repeatedly caught out of position? Ajax grew in confidence by shooting from distance as Milan's defenders refused to close them down adequately. Milan's fullbacks were probably ordered to sit back in the first period as they soaked in the pressure and attempted to neutralize Suarez's influence. But the Uruguyan wasn't going to let a pretentious defense shackle him. He amazed the onlookers as he completed a nutmeg on Nesta before assisting the scorer - El Hamdoui. Flamini was completely lost on this goal and didn't offer enough protection to break down this attack. The naked eye might have missed it, but Allegri wouldn't have. Not much longer, Robinho was gifted with a one-one chance with Stekelenberg but his atrocious finishing let him down. His confidence sank a 1000 feet with that miss. Flamini perhaps rightly substituted at that halfway mark; his presence on the pitch made us look like we were playing with 10 men. Allegri had started with 2 of Milan's most defensive minded players in midfield. This backed with fullbacks not given the permission to move up in attack makes it obvious that he approached this game with unnecessary caution. Ibrahimovic began to fade in the game and I would understand that this is the case of fatigue setting in. However his class was simply too much for the young and inexperienced Dutch defense to handle. His goal was a combination of the experience of the striker and the lack of it in the defenders. Silva was clearly our best player that night as he exhibited pace and strength in abundance. He worked overtime to make up for Nesta's frailties. He played last man in order to leverage his pace against Ajax's speedy attack. After the equalizer, Ajax kept the ball, knocking it around to find an opening, but Milan shut shop and opted to defend instead.

Allegri's mentality in Europe is questionable. He entered this match with a defensive mindset when his team had more than enough quality in attack to return home with 3 points. His match-up with Mourinho should be tasty. Even though, on evidence, its fairly clear that the winner will be the Portuguese genius, it's still worth watching the class of the titans.

Ajax - El Hamadoui 23'
Milan - Ibrahimovic 37'

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.

learn the lesson

Gennaro Ivan Gattuso

Milan 1 Genoa 0

There was talk of Pirlo and Seedorf being mentally tired after playing a string of games. One of them was to be rested ahead of this game and that happened to be Seedorf. Robinho was handed his first start at the club. Rafinha being playing on the right hand side of the 3 man Genoa midfield was rather surprising because I had always thought of the Brazilian as a right back.

The home side started brightly. It appeared that the players were high on Red Bull. They were running after the ball frantically, with the forwards too covering yards of grass. The front three were rotating as Ibrahimovic was often spotted on the left and sometimes in the centre with Ronaldinho playing down the middle. Gattuso was bursting in from the midfield, often lending a 'leg' to the attack. His commitment and output is maddening given his age. When he is on the pitch, he gives a 100% with no questions asked. I have never seen Gattuso performing this role for Milan previously. Arguably, this is a refreshing change of the Allegri era. In the first half, there were disturbingly high amounts of solo play up front. There wasn't sufficient passing in the opposition box and the Genoa defense had no trouble stealing the ball. Ibrahimovic and Ronaldinho were very poor in the first half. They rarely got involved in the game and posed a minimal threat to the Genoa back-line.

Gattuso's inspirational performance carried into the second half. Ibrahimovic doesn't need to have a good game to score and he shows why again. Pirlo's splendid long ball was well read by the long Swede who finished in style to give the Rossoneri the lead. After scoring this goal, Milan sat back and invited Genoa into their half. This was a dangerous tactic to employ which has resulted in dropped points for Allegri over the last few games. Yet, the lesson hasn't been learned. A stupid move from Gasperini caught my eye as he hooked Veloso for Milanetto. Veloso was the crux of creativity for the away side and with him gone, Genoa went flat. Their midfield was redundant and there was no play-maker in the side. Gasperini has the squad but lacks the brains and should face the sack soon. Pirlo improved his performance in the second half. He was busy intercepting the passes and sending in the killer balls.Ibrahimovic performed his duties as a target man effectively for the rest of the game holding off defenders and earning free-kicks. Robinho was bright throughout the game and unfortunately missed out on opening his account for the club due to Criscito's goal line clearance.

We can't afford to score a goal, sit back and defend like the good ol' days. We don't have the midfield or the defense to compliment such a style. Our fullbacks were surprisingly competent today. But that wont be the case every week. Abate can't defend to save his life and there were times in the game where others had to clean up his mess. There is a strong need to score that second goal and finish the game. Bag the points and get going. Ajax at the Amsterdam Arena next. Learn the lesson boys, you got 3 days.

Milan - Ibrahimovic 49'
Genoa - /