Looking good and wearing a smile

It has not been long since Carlo Ancelotti left Milan for London and already the teams were pitted against each other in the World Football Challenge.

In a highly entertaining affair with some great goals it was Carletto’s blues that claimed victory.

The early signs were not good with Chelsea dominating the opening exchanges. The blues even worked a few openings though fortunately they were unable to finish them off.

Massimo Oddo looked his usual shaky self in defence whilst up front Borriello was nowhere to be seen.

Chelsea were holding the ball in the early stages of the match and with confidence. They were rewarded on 14 minutes when Didier Drogba opened the scoring.

Drogba from a seemingly harmless position unleashed a powerful drive from distance. A simply wonderful strike from the Ivorian international and one that Kalac could really do nothing about.

Following the strike from Drogba, Milan eventually got into the game a bit more as did Ronaldinho.

With Pato the obvious target up front, Milan continually looked for the razor sharp Brazilian for the final ball however Pato was unable to forge an opening.

The Milan midfield began to dominate the game with an impressive passing game. Flamini, taking the role of Gattuso in the midfield, performed his duty once again with some tidy defensive work. Seedorf also looked in the mood but Ronaldinho was clearing the focal point for Milan with everything going through him.

Milan’s fine midfield passing interplay did break through the Chelsea rearguard after Seedorf put Borriello through on goal. However, the Italian on his unfavoured foot oddly stopped and turned when one on one with Cech to play the ball back to Seedorf. The Dutchman nearly opening the scoring for Milan with a deft lob over the Petr Cech.

Seedorf did however score soon after and in rather a thunderous fashion. And it was the Brazilian, Ronaldinho, who set the Dutchman up laying the ball off for him on the edge of the area. Seedorf then unleashed a first time strike smashing the ball into the back of the net pass Cech. The goal was well deserved for Milan.

The second half started much like the first half with both managers not making any changes. Milan continued to press and were unlucky not to go ahead early in the second half.

Seedorf had the first decent chance of the second half. Playing a one two with Ronaldinho who exquisitely flicked the ball back to the Dutchman who volleyed wide of goal.

Then it was Ronaldinho who came close. Pato turned Ivanovic on the half way line and headed towards goal only to be brought down by the Serbian international. From the resulting free kick Milan nearly went ahead after Ronaldinho hit a superb free kick only for it to rebound off the cross bar.

Massimo Oddo was then booked, unfairly I might say, for a tackle on Ashley Cole.

Chelsea were still very much in the game. Lampard from long range delivering a powerful drive in on goal but Kalac took care of it well.
Leonardo then made his first change of the game albeit forced as Seedorf limped off after picking up a knock to his knee.

Ignazio Abate took his place and immediately got into the game. Playing a slick one two with Oddo on the right, Abate flew down the wing and put in a dangerous cross however no Milan player was there to latch on to the ball.

Oneywu then replaced Nesta and Zigoni came on for the completely ineffective Borriello.

Abate continued to impress in the middle of the park however shortly after his arrival it was Chelsea who took the lead. The ball was played into Shevchenko who’s shot and shimmy was eventually driven home by Zhirkov after Kalac saved the initial shot.

Old friends

Andrea Pirlo was then replaced by Gattuso and Jankulovski took Zambrotta’s place at left back.

Up to this point the game had been a highly entertaining affair however as the substitutions began to increase the game lost it rhythm.

Milan almost had a new team on the field following the introduction of Di Gennaro for Ronaldinho and Inzaghi for Pato.

The game assumed the feeling of a training match by this time and the Rossoneri did not look like equalising.

As the game came to its conclusion, Milan then pressed for an equaliser and could have got one through Inzaghi. Abate lofted the ball to Pippo who’s header was spectacularly saved by Cech. Onyewu then came close for the resulting corner but it was not to be. Chelsea ran out winners by one goal in the end.

Overall it was a positive performance from Milan the result notwithstanding.

Ronaldinho is slowly getting back to form showing glimpses of his phenomenal best. The talent of this man is scary and if he can get back in form this season, then Milan might just be a force. The most encouraging thing to see from the Brazilian is that the smile is back on his face.

Another positive to take from this match was the performance of Abate. I have in a previous post said that Milan are in need of an attacking right sided player. Abate may just be the answer. Seemingly comfortable deep in midfield, Abate may also just be a more than able back up for Seedorf.

Milan definitely need more quality up front however. Borriello was completely out of his depth against Chelsea. It is all well and good having Ronaldinho in your side, but to capitalise on his strengths a star striker is needed.

Massimo Oddo again looked unassured at the back. Improving in the second half with some decent crosses it is his defensive work that is questionable.

All in all, Milan’s performance inspires optimism for the upcoming season. With the addition, hopefully, of a quality full back and striker, Milan will look even better.