Milan’s grip on top spot is now under real threat. A second consecutive draw has seen Napoli climb to within three points whilst Inter are just five points behind with a game still in hand.
The Rossoneri have looked short of ideas in their last two matches and as a result have struggled to create chances let alone score goals. Incredibly, the team has recorded just four shots on target in their two matches played against Lazio and Genoa, despite dominating possession.
Last month in Milan’s tie with Bari in the Coppa Italia and in their Serie A encounter with Cesena, the team showed glimpses of the free flowing attacking brand of football that they are capable of. The match against Bari was arguably one of Milan’s best performances all season whilst against Cesena the team created a host of chances, ten shots on goal in total, and on another day they would have scored more than just the two goals they did.
But, Milan’s failure to recreate the same type of football in their last two matches leads one to ponder what is so different now from then.
One point of difference is that Antonio Cassano, despite being the one true creative genius in the team, has not been in the starting line up. How Cassano is being left out is mystifying. Admittedly, he does not look in great shape, but his early and impressive displays for Milan indicate that even though he may not be the fittest player when on the park, he can still be the most decisive.
Alexandre Pato has been preferred ahead of Cassano and though the young Brazilian can score goals, he contributes virtually nothing else to the team. It is great that Milan have a player that is so clinical in front of goal like Pato is, however, before a team can score a goal chances need to be created. When Pato plays, Milan always struggle to create chances as evident in their last two matches and consequently the team has only scored one goal.
But, Pato is not the only problem.
The midfield crisis that is still not over at Milan was actually a blessing in disguise. With the likes of Gattuso, Seedorf and Flamini, it forced Allegri to look at other options. One option was young Alexander Merkel.
In what was just his second start for the club, against Bari last month Merkel played a part in Milan’s first goal, scored the second and set up Robinho for the team’s third. It was a game where the Kazaksthan born German showcased his potential.
Merkel may only be 18 years of age, but, despite his tender years already is he able to fulfil a vital function for the side; that is, he helps link the midfield with the attack.
In Milan’s last two outings this is what exactly has been missing. The midfield has failed to link up effectively with the front three which has meant the entire onus for creating and scoring goals has been on rested on the shoulders of Ibrahimovic, Pato and Robinho.
It really is no surprise that when Allegri deploys a midfield three consisting of Mark van Bommel, Gennaro Gattuso and Mathieu Flamini, the team fails to create chances. The latter two are completely useless going forward, whilst van Bommel’s role is to dictate play from deep, not carve out openings for the front three.
Another issue that only adds to Milan’s problems up front is the lack of attacking options provided by the full backs.
Against Genoa, Allegri selected Oddo at right back and Bonera at left back. Whilst Oddo’s selection made sense with Abate still unavailable, why Bonera is played at left back when the club has just signed two much better players who can play this role is baffling.
Didac Vila or Urby Emmanuelson should have been selected instead of the completely hapless Bonera, who is not a left back by any stretch of the imagination and is a poor excuse even for a centre half.
Allegri’s lack of experience at a big club is being exposed like it was earlier in the season. Milan is the team to beat at the moment, they are top of the table and therefore should enter every game with a desire to score goals and win. The Scudetto is there for the taking.
Instead, Allegri is showing timidity by fielding such defensive minded midfielders along with full backs who struggle to get forward.
Allegri needs to give Vila and Emmanuelson more important roles in the team. Merkel needs to continue to see regular action. Gattuso and Flamini should not be fielded in the same team, one defensive midfielder is enough.
In short, Allegri needs to throw caution to the wind. He needs to set out his team with a much more attacking and determined attitude. A team that creates only a couple of shots on target in a whole match is not a team that will win a championship. Changes need to be made.
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