Rino's days at Milan are numbered

We face Catania later today and though it is a game in which we should win comfortably, it is a match that will be very interesting for us Milanisti. Interesting because Pirlo is suspended and in his place will be the more defensive minded Flamini. There has been much debate recently regarding the importance of Pirlo, or declining of, to the side. I for one am of the opinion that Pirlo is no longer as important to our new 4-2-fantasia system as he once was under Ancelotti’s xmas tree as most of you will know from my previous post.

There will be much to learn from the team’s performance against Catania as to whether a more defensive minded player, like Flamini, may be better suited to our system.

In addition, it will also be an interesting encounter to see whether Borriello can again show the kind of form that made him man of the match against Cagliari. I am not betting on it, though Catania are a weak side and it is against these lesser opponents that Borriello generally does better. But even if he does better, scores a goal or two, the fact is that against good opposition, like Inter and Real Madrid, Marco has and will continue to struggle and it is for this reason that a replacement needs to be sort after or maybe even hand Huntelaar a chance to play. For Huntelaar should be given a chance to prove himself now that the side is doing better for the Dutchman’s only previous chances to make an impression was in the side that struggled early in the campaign and quite frankly many strikers would have struggled to make an impact in that side given that chances then were few and far between.

Now in third position in the table this Catania match is a great opportunity for the side to consolidate their position and push for second place. It is a must that against weaker sides, such as Catania, maximum points are gained.

Turning the focus to Gattuso and there has been much speculation that he will leave in January. It seems that indeed that it is the beginning of the end in the relationship between Milan and Gattuso. For Gattuso has struggled for form of late and even last season was showing signs of decline. This season has been worse for Rino and he thus has seen little action have being relegated to the bench. It has also been documented that he does not share a healthy relationship with Leo and it is therefore expected that if he does not leave in January he will most likely leave in the summer.

Like many of our players who have been with us for sometime now, Gattuso will be missed even if for more sentimental reasons amongst the Milanisti. For Gattuso has helped the club to much success in the last decade and his aggressive, rugged approach along with the determination and passion he has shown to the club endeared him to the Milan faithful.

But he is no longer the player he once was and with the side only fielding two midfielders and with Pirlo, Flamini and Ambrosini all above him in the pecking order, it may be in his best interest to leave in order to find more playing time.

Rino also does not need to be replaced for we have two defensive midfielders already in Flamini and Ambrosini. We do though need an understudy to Pirlo, who is more of a complete midfielder who is both offensively and defensively capable. So losing Gattuso will not be any great loss and though I am a Calabrian myself, and for this I do have a soft spot for him, he really is no longer necessary.