Leo deserves some praise

It is a great relief and a source of real pride that despite all the well documented troubles that plagued Milan over the summer and early in the season, that as December has come around we are sitting pretty in second place. In fact, I cannot remember the last time we were in second place but it is spot that seldom in the last couple of seasons have we occupied.

After all the trouble and the drama of the off-season, we are in a great position to fight for the Scudetto and qualify for the knock out phase of the UCL. Who would of thought? We went into this season without Maldini, Kaka, Ancelotti and without any suitable replacements other than the players already at our disposal. Then there was the appointment of Leo which raised a few eyebrows and had many people doubting his ability, myself included. Yet, despite an appalling start to the campaign, Leo has somehow how rejuvenated his players, has motivated them and made them once again united and along with a few astute tactical changes results have been delivered. Spectacular results also and none greater than that classic encounter at the Bernabeu.

The attacking brand of football that Leo has the team playing is once again setting our club apart from the rest, in particular from our relatively boring and defensive Italian rivals. Attacking football has become synomynous with the red and black and Leo’s adaption has only added to the ongoing commitment of the club in the modern era to attacking football. It makes me, as a Milanisti, most proud as I myself believe that attacking football is the best approach to the game. Long gone are the days when defensive teams, mostly Italian, have conquered the world playing with such an approach. The modern game is all about attacking football, as the successes of Spain and Barcelona have highlighted in recent times. Indeed, our own Milan have proven that attacking football delivers success as our two Champions League’s triumphs in seven years shows.

It has to be said that Leo is doing a terrific job. With the events of the summer, there was every reason why he could fail. Our start to the campaign had many believing that he would not survive till January. But he has survived and has done exceptionally well. Even his substitutions are proving masterstrokes as Huntelaar’s late brace against Catania proved.

But will the good times roll on? I could be sceptical, as I usually am, and scrutinize our problems and why they will inhibit us from achieving success. Read some of my previous posts where I am not short on opinions on our current issues.

But As far as things have gone so far, the only thing we now know is that we dont know. Anything seems possible now. Sure we have some problems in our side, lack of depth, quality especially at the back and in midfield we have the case of Pirlo. But so far such problems have not stopped us from impressing in the UCL and climbing up the table all the way from 10th position to second. It would be a fool that doubts Milan and Leo now. And as a true Milanisti, from what I have seen so far this season, I am upbeat and optimistic about the rest of the season. I believe we can win both the UCL and/or the Serie A. Of course, our current problems will be an obstacle to achieving such a feat, but so far such problems have not stopped us from getting to where we are now.

Our success is because of Leo. He has done great and in the face of adversity, with limited resources, with a team in tranisition, a team that is still too old, he has found a way to get results and in addition play attractive football.

So with a little more perspective than we fans usually care for, I think it is right that we give praise to the man that has really given us so much to cheer about this season already.

Below is a little flash back to the days when Leo played for us. Perhaps not our greatest ever player but a wonderful talent he was nonetheless.

Hail Leo!