Monday, June 28, 2010

recent tidings


The man above is Massimiliano Allegri. More on him later. AC Milan completed a relatively successfully brand building tour in the United States. They was also a glamorous Real Madrid-AC Milan all stars game, which after watching I felt we should ask Rui Costa to reconsider his retirement. Electrifying performance from the Portuguese man. But our recent transfer strategy has been to target younger players, so I am not complaining. Berlusconi, who previously held his wallet dear to his life, has decided to splurge a bit in the transfer market. Something makes me think that Jose Mourinho's departure and arrival of a less assured Benitez has been the catalyst. Whatever the reason, we can look forward to having a satisfying period of mouthwatering transfers.

To start with, Dida, Favalli, Oddo and Jankulovski are being axed. Storari was sold for about €4.5 million to Juventus. Amelia was signed on a loan deal form Genoa with the possibility of making the move permanent. And the biggest transfer of all is the arrival of the new coach. The 42 year old Italian brings with him a lot of promise. He is known for his scintillating football and also has produced some exciting prospective talents in Marchetti, Lazzari and Astori and Matri. I am looking forward to the Allegri-Milan project. He is the reigning Serie A Coach of the Year. Not for long though because Mourinho is likely to receive that award soon. However, in the most tactical and arguably the toughest league in the world, this is an accomplishment that can't be taken lightly. His accolades might not be plenty, but his potential is massive. And he isn't a rookie like Leonardo and he most probably play Abate at right back. Such hysterical decisions might well be a thing of the past. But a lot more can be said only in August. Until then, its merely speculative thinking. The World Cup has currently taken people's attention off the Serie A and the new season. The top 3 clubs of Italy have had a change in coaching personal. This is a mark of a new beginning in the Italian league, perhaps even a new era. Everyone starts on a fresh page now, ready to write a successful future. Though I can't say the same of Inter with a noob like Benitez being crowned successor of the irreplaceable Mourinho.

Monday, May 31, 2010

start with us

Christian Brocchi

us is the US, just in case you are scratching your head wondering what I am talking about. Welcome to the new blog for the new season. United States tour is a very specific one. This is a strategic brand building exercise, though I am not sure if the results we are obtaining over there are necessarily helping our brand. We have our full strength squad save four names in particular; Pirlo, Huntelaar, Borriello and Silva. How any of these players made it to the World Cup squad is a mystery. But well, at least 4 players from our squad made it to the World Cup. This has had an impact on our performances in the United States. We aren't able to score and are conceding in typical Milan fashion. Even B-grade teams like DC United and Chicago Fire are putting us in trouble. The goals DC united scored would make a coach run into a trench and hide in shame. However, Tassoti has grown some tough skin having faced embarrassment around the world by being Leonardo's sidekick. Humiliation wouldn't be alien to this man anymore. One of the reasons I don't want him taking over for the new season.

We have had a few players recalled for this tour. Brocchi is one such player, we might end up signing. A tireless athlete, he runs endlessly on the pitch. This kind of a player would do a mid table team a world of good. But a top team requires every player to bring an element of quality with him, which Brocchi or for that matter even Abate doesn't bring. We are being linked with a host of names, but looking at the line of defense is so important. We need young players, fast players. When we play a quick team, those dressed in red and black appear like mannequins. Nesta is clearly past his prime and he is only surviving on adrenaline. AC Milan are a team that defy logic. Nesta is no different. However, reliance on him will only kill our chances of a top finish this season. We need top top defenders.

Dida has been alright. He can still pull a save. Storari has had an exemplary season with Sampdoria and should be the prime custodian. However, I would love to see Marchetti in the Milan camp, but that would take some effort as Cagliari are already playing hard ball. The next gaffer (Allegri maybe) would define the system and that is possibly why no purchases have been made. But with Cagliari making ridiculous demands (Paloschi+Astori=Allegri), Galliani and Berlusconi might need to bring out the guns. The friendlies aren't yet finished, but if this team is what is lined up for the coming season, we surely are. Galliani has made some promising statements and the news of late has brought some cheer. There is much to hope for in the coming few weeks.

DC United 3 AC Milan 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebsOJcNfi4I

Chicago Fire 0 AC Milan 1 - http://vodpod.com/watch/3739474-chicago-fire-0-ac-milan-1