GATTUSO
For a couple of years now, A.C Milan have been holding their winter training camp in the Arab state of Dubai. Ever since the club struck the deal with Emirates Airlines, they travel to the Middle East during the Seria A winter break. For the duration of its existence, it’s been a fairly successful exercise, with the annual affair serving as a springboard to the Scudetto triumph last season.
It's therefore fair to say that this annual hiatus has become an important part of the Rossoneri schedule and contributes a lot to the season. Obviously a lot of expectations is therefore placed on the preparation and organization and that fans look forward to it and try to draw what positives exist out of it. Yet the highest point of this year's trip aren't the obvious ones you can easily call off your fingertips: it wasn't the opportunity to have a fortnight training away from the harsh European winter, nor was it the opportunity to elevate the profile of this historical club in a relatively new market. It wasn't even the satisfaction to be drawn out of getting one over on Leonardo by beating his P.S.G in the glamour match-up; the high point of the trip to Dubai was the return to action for the warrior; Gennaro Gattuso, in that very same friendly.
Gattuso sustained an eye injury earlier on in the season which led to him being sidelined from the game for an indefinite period. He was diagnosed with paralysis of the sixth cranial nerve, one of the muscles which control the movement of the eye,resulting in diplopia in his left eye. Rino's season was virtually over, with doctors not ready to put any definite time frame on the recovery process.
This news came as a big blow to not only the team, of which he is an intregal part; but to all Milan fans the world over. Gattuso is a revered figure amongst the Rossoneri faithful, the epitome of being a die hard Rossoneri. Officially the team's vice-captain, Gattuso oozes passion in everything he does, both on and off the field. His hot-headed, devil-may-care attributes has led to a very notorious reputation which sometimes masks the fact that he is a very good footballer; a master at the defensive midfield position. Gattuso is the type of player opponents dread taking on; his all action, gung-ho style often getting him in trouble with officials. The episode with Joe Jordan, I'm sure, is still fresh in the minds of football fans worldwide: the moment of madness immortalised in football folklore.
Yet it is for these very, over the top shenanigans which make him so beloved by Milan fans. If all employees, in all spheres of life; displayed the same passion for their profession that Gattuso does: things would get done much quicker in this world. Even when on the bench Rino does not back off; often vocally urging on his teammates whilst generally making a nuisance of himself on the touchline: a true leader on and off the pitch.
I am not in any way suggesting that Gattuso is being missed sorely because of his steely drive and leadership skills. The Calabria native was enjoying something of a revival under Allegri after a less than stellar 2009/2010. During that season, in which he had a few problems with Leonardo and didn't exactly set the world alight; he bounced back, together with the rest of the squad, under new manager Massimiliano Allegri. Deployed on the right of Allegri's midfield three, Gattuso was instrumental in the impressive defence Milan had last season. Whilst not offering much going forward, his defensive work was stellar, often teaming up with Abate to silence any marauding winger they were supposed to face;and who can forget that goal in Turin to silence the Olimpico.
The team has performed reasonably well in his absence, shaking off an early season slump to recapture top spot with a run of 10 victories from 12 games. Aquilani, the complete antithesis of Rino, now occupies the right midfield slot. An elegant player built more on finesse than brute force, offensively sound but defensively lacking. Seedorf has also filled in there, whilst Boateng returned to midfield during the weekend game in Bergamo. So options are not short in that area; though none of these guys offers the defensive solidity Gattuso does. Boateng, maybe, but it is an open secret Allegri prefers him as trequartista.
Seeing Gattuso get back on the pitch was heartwarming, if nothing as reward for all the hardwork he put into training even whilst still ill and not sure if he could play again. Even against life's obstacles, he is a true warrior; refusing to give up the fight and finally emerging victorious to enable him return to do what he loves most.
It would be sometime before we see the warrior back in a competitive fixture, whilst it is also far from assured that he would walk straight back into the team. What is assured, however, is that very soon we would have the opportunity to see Gattuso back in Red and Black: that rabid look in his eye as he bears down on another cowering opponent...
moonbyte.
This was first posted up on http://forzaitalianfootball.com/
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