Ending on a high

It has been an odd week for Milan. From the low that last Sunday’s derby loss sank us to, the club’s fortunes rose steadily from one day to the next ending in triumphant fashion with a convincing 3-0 win over Novara.

The loss to the ‘Tinkerman’s’ Nerazzurri posed serious questions over Max Allegri’s men, from the lack of a genuine trequartista, to the ineffectiveness of Pato, to the team’s ever-too-slow build up play.

Then came a series of bad news regarding injuries. Kevin Prince Boateng was ruled out for four weeks. Surprise, surprise as Pato joined him on that list. Then the news that Antonio Cassano, whilst back in training, would not be playing again for some time still. Add to this Alberto Aquilani’s absence through injury and it is little wonder why Adriano Galliani quickly called his friend in Liguria to arrange the quick return of Alexander Merkel; a good move by the club the injury crisis aside.

But, the Coppa Italia match midweek saw matters take a turn for the better. A number of bench players were given some playing time and they did enough – just – to see past the Biancoazzurri. The positive result notwithstanding, what was the real highlight in this match was  Stephen El Shaarawy who capped a fine performance with a wonderfully struck goal.

The confidence he instilled in Allegri as a result saw to it that he was given another chance to show his worth when the teams battled again a few days later in the Serie A. Again, El Shaarawy was an injection of pace, vigour and class when he took to the artificial turf at Novara’s home ground. His link-up play with Ibrahimovic was encouraging too; it may be a partnership that possibly has some potential.

El Shaarawy’s performance also provided some perspective on Pato; a player with so much talent and potential of his own yet whose inability to play effectively alongside Ibrahimovic – and team-mates in general – has raised question marks about his all-round game. Many believe, and I am one of them, that aside from his scoring qualities, Pato severely lacks the nous to contribute to the team’s build-up play. When to pass, who to pass to and making the right pass are decisions Pato seldom gets right.

The introduction of our little ‘Pharaoah’ into Sunday’s match came at the expense of Luca Antonini, a player who has had his fair share of criticism. Normally there is good reason for this, he is a player of modest means and his featuring at left-back over the last couple of campaigns has been more to do with the lack of a better alternative than his own ability. But, against Novara Antonini actually did not play too bad. But, in my opinion, his replacement – Urby Emmanuelson – was distinctively better.

And it is about time that Urby was given proper opportunity to play at left back. After all, playing on the left is his natural position. The mind boggles when trying to understand why that since his arrival – almost one year ago to the day – Allegri has opted to try and transform him into a trequartista. It has not worked, it has not even come close to. I have repeatedly made mention of this fact and it was in the derby loss that this became absolutely, unequivocally, irrefutably and undeniably true.

Our stylish coach was slow to realise this, giving the Dutchman two more starts in this position in the space of seven days. But, how much more comfortable did Urby seem at left back? Much, is the answer. His pace and his wicked left foot is what we have needed in this area of the park since 2009. He may not be the greatest defensively, but, neither is Antonini. Zambrotta, Allegri’s ‘safe’ option who plays instead of Antonini when defending is needed barely has the pace of an ageing camel. One can only hope that Allegri sees this a little more clearly now.

It may have started off on the wrong foot, but what has eventuated this week will stand Milan in good stead for the remainder of the season. El Shaarawy has shown that he deserves more playing time. Urby showed that he is much more effective at left back and we have added Merkel to our ranks. From the bad has come some good. Not to mention that Ibrahimovic looks to be in fine form. What delightful back-heel goal that was against Novara, pure utter class.

Our lack of pace against Inter may have been a cause for concern and, by and large, it still is. However, if El Shaarawy and Merkel start to feature more, and this I really hope for, than this could go some way to solving this problem. Their youth, energy and pace will help Allegri’s men up the tempo on the field. In addition, if Urby continues at left back his speed will contribute to this too. In light of the February showdown with Arsenal, a team bristling with quick and young talents, the injection of Merkel, El Shaarawy and Urby (at left back) could prove useful, even critical in our attempt to avenge our loss to the Gunners in 2008 ala what we did to Liverpool five years ago.