Pirlo was our best

The wheels have well and truly fallen off. Our great run that reached its peak at the beginning of this year when it seemed like we were scoring goals for fun has all but ended. We now look more like the Milan that limped through the first few rounds of the season.

Against Bologna we simply had no cutting edge in the final third. Our forwards seemed lost for ideas at times. Though we controlled possession for much of the game, launching attack after attack, we never really seemed like finding a breakthrough as we struggled to properly test Bologna’s keeper.

The team as a whole lacked guile and fluidity and one wonders, is it the players or the coach? Or both? Well, firstly, the players especially our forwards were dreadfully off colour in this match.

Ronaldinho failed to make an impact for the second week running. Ronaldinho’s sole contribution to the game was one great long ball to Mancini and one dummy past Raggi in the second half but that was about it from the Brazilian. Ronaldinho failed to find space for himself and on too many occasions received the ball with his back to goal. Unlike a few weeks ago when Ronaldinho was actually beating his first marker, against Bologna at times he failed to keep possession of the ball let alone hold onto it and skip by his marker.

Ronaldinho’s performance was a real disappointment. Milan had just started to rely on Ronaldinho as his performances improved over December and January as he quickly established himself as our new talisman. But against Bologna, our talisman was dreadfully under par and this is one reason why we struggled to break down a stubborn Bologna defense.

Another reason why we were toothless against Bologna was because of Mancini. He was completely ineffective playing as our right sided attacker. Aside from his one good move in the first half where he laid the ball off for Seedorf who made a hash of a good opportunity, Mancini did little of note throughout the entire ninety minutes.

Why we bought Mancini is beyond me. Just because he had a couple of good seasons at Roma does not make him a star of the game and I very much doubt his quality at all. Furthermore, we have Pato and Beckham along with Adiyiah who can all play in either our left or right attacking roles.

In addition, Mancini’s presence in the team was at the cost of starting Beckham on the bench. Beckham has not been spectacular in this second loan spell for him at the club, but he has been effective. He has chipped in with a couple of assists and from set pieces he is always a real threat, corners and free kicks alike. When he came on, Beckham did more in twenty minutes than what Mancini, the player that put him on the bench, did in ninety minutes.

Playing in just behind our offensive trio, Seedorf was, like Mancini, also completely ineffective. Seedorf failed to get into the game at all and when he did get into the game he on more than one occassion was completely wasteful with possession. For a player that is charged with the duty of being our creative force, the Dutchman, yet again, was a huge disappointment. But, such a performance from Seedorf comes as no surprise to us Milan fans anymore.

Seedorf’s role at the club really needs to be evaluated. He passed his prime some years ago and it is high time that a new, young and gifted player comes in to take his place.

Despite Leo’s lack of experience, given the poor displays of three of our four attackers, one has to lay the responsibility for such a poor performance on the shoulders Ronaldinho, Mancini and Seedorf. Much more was expected of our new talisman in Ronaldinho. Much more was expected from our new signing, Mancini. And much much more is expected from Seedorf if he is to continue playing as our trequartista.

On a more positive note and for all the lack of cutting edge displayed by our under par attackers in Ronaldinho, Mancini and Seedorf, I have to commend Borriello who fought so hard for the full ninety minutes. Marco really does seem intent on getting into Lippi’s thoughts for the world cup and though he did not score against Bologna, his committment was highly commendable. Marco saw plenty of time on the ball, did his best to make something happen and even got in with a couple of half chances. The fact that he did not get one good chance in the game was more because of the poor displays by the players around him than a reflection of his own performance.

Keeping on the positive note, I was impressed again by Abate who continues to grow into a better player every week. Antonini’s performance was also worthy of note though he was given a fairly easy ride by Busce.

In fact, apart from our under par attacking quartet (Borriello the exemption) the rest of the side played rather well. I was relieved and happy to see Bonera line up alongside Thiago at centre back and even more pleased that Bonera put in a solid if not spectacular display. And in midfield, Ambrosini and Pirlo completely controlled the game. Pirlo was definitely our best player. He was involved in nearly every Milan move as he controlled the game comfortably alongside Ambrosini who was back to his best again.

but much improvement has to be made in the next ten days before we meet Manchester United, especially in our attacking third. Ronaldinho really needs to find his form again. If he can then along with the returns of Nesta and Pato, we have a chance against United. However, like I said, much improvement needs to be made by our attacking quartet. And as for our Scudetto hopes, well with Inter’s win it is a hope that is fast becoming a pipe dream. Barring a downturn in Inter’s form and a coincidental up turn in our form, the Scudetto dream appears to be fading as we now find ourselves in third place.