// you’re reading...

AC Milan Match Previews

Milan: A Force Once Again

There is a saying that one week in football is a long time. Such a saying could not hold truer for Milan in a week that will undoubtedly change the clubs future, at the least in the short term.

Despite the improbability of such a transfer at the start of the transfer campaign, the seemingly impossible became a reality earlier in the week when Zlatan Ibrahimovic was officially named a Milan player.

On Sunday night, which saw Milan sweep to a fantastic four nil victory over Lecce, the Swede was unveiled in front of the home crowd and his arrival has reigned in a sense of great optimism about the club the club’s future and for the season ahead.

Ibrahmovic is a player of world class talent. He is player that for a couple of years now Milan have needed. His presence in the team solves one critical problem for the Rossoneri as he is a striker that will guarantee goals. But, in addition, like he is with scoring goals Zlatan is also adapt at making them for his team.

If Milan are a club that is serious about challenging for major honours than Ibrahimovic is the kind of striker that is needed.

It was fitting to the occasion at the San Siro on Sunday night that Milan ran home convincing winners because along with the sense of renewed optimism that Ibrahimovic’s arrival has brought, the optimism that came with the appointment of Max Allegri was well justified as Milan played an almost perfect game.

There was enthusiasm and energy about the team that has not been seen in a long time. The players seemed highly motivated, especially Ronaldinho who really was back to his best on the night.

Though tactically Allegri may have simply adopted what Leonardo started, there can be no criticism of this. This is because Ronaldinho, a player of incredible ability and one that can win games single-handedly, is best deployed on the left flank.

It is the coaches job to get the best out of his players and when a player like Ronaldinho is in your team it would be simply crazy not to build your team around his phenomenal talents.

This week has been one of great change. Ibrahimovic’s arrival has made Milan credible title contenders again. Max Allegri lived up to his billing as one of the best managers around and Ronaldinho was back to his incredible best again.

If this was not enough to appease Milan fans and make the Rossoneri a force to be reckoned with again, then only yesterday Berlusconi landed another transfer coup in the signing of Robinho.

Perhaps a transfer that is less well understood. After all, Robinho is perhaps not exactly the type of player Milan really need unlike Ibrahimovic. He plays a similar role to Ronaldinho and it is hard to see where he will fit in the side.

Nonetheless, there is no denying Robinho is a player of real quality. Though he has had his troubles in his career, most recently at Manchester City, he still is a player that will significantly strengthen Milan and help the club in its attempt to rise again.

It has been an amazing week for Milan and one in which has left the fans wondering whether this is all true.

From now on Milan can boast easily one of the best, if not best, forward lineups in the world. It is one that brings memories of the famous four at Barcelona a few years back when Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto’o, Thierry Henry and, of course, Ronaldinho all were waltzing around the Nou Camp.

With such talent in attack and after seeing Milan play a beautiful attacking game on Sunday night in a side that did not even include Ibrahimovic or Robinho, then it can only get better from here on.

This season may just be the season that sees Milan retain its spot at the top. Both in the Champions League and in the Serie A Milan will, finally, be a force once again.

Share on TwitterShare on TumblrDigg ThisSubmit to redditShare via email

Discussion

15 comments for “Milan: A Force Once Again”

  • michael

    finally milan can challenge for trophies. this year we shud win all three without a doubt only if the players play with determination. thanks B&G for showing ur commitment to milan once again!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  • pigmund

    Everything you said is true. All I would add is that Milan’s younger talent in the form of Pato and Thiago Silva were on fire as well. I may not be a true believer in Milan at all times, but I am true believer in the talent of these two. With Nesta looking fit and Thiago Silva looking confident, the back line should be much more reliable this season, and allow our offense to run roughshod over most any opponents.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  • Ezhil

    What did Allegri do? I mean he used the same formation as leonardo but the team played with such a pace which was not seen before. Is it because lecce gave so much space for milan? I was dumbfounded by Allegri how did he do that? I am so happy to see milan playing like this

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  • Frank

    Well said Michael. Milan can now challenge for major titles, though I am a little concerned about the midfield.

    After such a long time of frustration, credit does need to be given to B and G who have done some fine work in the last week.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  • Frank

    Me too. It is a great moment for Milan. Optimism is in the air and the club seem determined to win trophies.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  • http://pragathish-ed.blogspot.com/ pragathish

    Kept the faith,Forza Milan!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  • http://zulexs.blogspot.com zulendinugraha

    the dream team..
    has come..
    theree..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  • Ezhil

    Hey Frank

    What you think is the difference between Leo’s 4-3-3 and Allegri 4-3-3?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  • aurelio

    Hi Guys, I can’t but share your enthusiasm !
    Rational wise, perhaps we needed more a midfielder than robinho but how to blame B&G for that? Just thank you B&G for what you have done!
    As for the midfield, apparently the weakest link, we can field (in alphabetic order): abate-ambro-boateng-flamini-gattuso-merkel-pirlo-seedorf-strasser. Is that so bad?
    And, most of all, we have Max Allegri…
    LET’S THE SHOW BEGIN !

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  • Frank

    Just quickly, I think the main difference is that Allegri’s 433 is much more compact.

    Against Lecce Ronaldinho was seen coming in to the centre many times and Pato did the same.

    Such a system makes it harder for the other team to play, as it is harder to penetrate a team that are more close together whilst in attack, it bodes well for a team that like to pass and attack as the players are more readily able to support each other and keep the attack going.

    From what we have seen, Allegri’s 433 is like an improved version of Leo’s and thus Leo still deserves some credit for how the team plays.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  • http://acmilan-shqip.org/ AC Milan Lajme Shqip

    Great signings.
    I just hope we sign a RB and a Box-to-box Midfielder as soon as possible.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  • milanista_#7

    I think Gianfranco at Offside got it right about the difference between the two 433s. Leo’s 433 is the classic 433 with wide wing strikers, whereas Allegri’s 433 is more of a Xmas tree which is much more compact. The whole team played with much more structure. I say it is a difference between a make shift coach and a real coach (not taking anything away from Leo, he deserves tons of credit for last season).

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  • milanista_#7

    I thought Robinho singing was not too hard to understand. He is going to be a real backup for Dinho and Pato instead of make shift backups like Abate, Becks and Seedorf last season. Robinho can also be more of a future plan signing as someone who can replace Dinho once he leaves. I think Allegri will use the Brazilian trio in rotation so that all 3 can get rest and stay injury free. Maybe even Ibra can get rest with Pippo filling in or Pato moving to the center.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  • milanista_#7

    You are right, with the strike force that strong, our midfield doesnt look bad at all. Especially since Allegri has stressed so much on fitness, we do have good depth in the midfield not just one Flamini like last season.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  • aurelio

    I believe the FOUR FABS can play together with two midfielders behind. Exactly like Barcellona (Xavi-Busquet) ManU (Carrig-Scholes) RealM (Alonso-Diarra) Chelsea (Mikel-Essien) along with 4 ALL FANTASY trequartistas/forwarders. It implies of course the Four Fabs to help the midfielders.
    It’s a challenge worthy to try and, most of all, fascinating.
    Let’s see how our coach will play next game in Cesena (my home town…)

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0

Entries (RSS)

SUBSCRIBE

Polls

Who has been Milan's best player so far this season?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...
All the Best Soccer Blogs - BlogCatalog Blog Directory TopOfBlogs