PAZZO-HATTRICK HERO
As with any game though, the game highlighted many aspects of this new Milan; there were highs and lows, and I would attempt to look at them and what they mean as the season progresses. Despite the nature of the win, Milanisti can at least revel in the warm glow it brings. It promises to be a very long year, and moments like this might be few and far between.
THE GOOD
STARTING LINE-UP
One phemonemena which caught like wildfire on twitter after the announcement of the line-ups for Blogna-Milan was the fact that Milan had 10 Italians in the starting line-up. Though it's quite a stretch to call Bonera an Italian international, there were nevertheless a good sign for the club as they embark on this new chapter. Italian clubs, especially the big ones, are often guilty of buying big and buying foreign, and its nice to see Milan emulating the example set by especially Juventus in recent seasons.
THE NEW SIGNINGS
After a summer mercato which left much to be desired; Milan fans were hugely dissappointed and left feeling vulnerable entering the new season. A boatload of senatores left and the team's two biggest stars got shipped off to Paris. The new signings were certainly not on the same level as those departed, and fans were certainly waiting with trepidation for the sort of impact they could have. After the dissappointing opening day, it was the new signings who showed what they had to offer in this win. Despite Giampaolo Pazzini grabbing the hattrick, a few of the others also showed a few promising signs. Francesco Acerbi was immense at the back, making several well timed blocks and generally always being in the right place at the right time. Nigel de Jong replaced the injured Montolivo and showed his quality, suggesting that he could be the adequate van Bommel replacement. Bojan had a quiet run out, whilst M'Baye Niang got his Serie A debut. All in all a nice day's work for the new signings.
THE YOUTH MOVEMENT
After a summer of change in Milanello, it was announced that a youth movement was expected to sweep over the team. Most thought it an excuse for the lack of signings, but a close look shows that it's really taking hold. The norm last year was for the starting eleven to be stocked with over 30's, but that seems to be the exception this year. There were two teenagers in the starting line up on Saturday, Mattia De Sciglio had an exceptional game, whilst El Shaarawy had an indifferent game for the second game running.The important thing is that whilst bereft of Stars, this Milan has players who could all peak around the same time and that can only be good. The relative youth could also explain the urgency in their play instead of the ponderous play characterising much of last season.
THE BAD
NOCERINO
Antonio Nocerino turned out to be the breakout signing of last season. Acquired for just half a million Euros on deadline day last year; he went on to have a stellar season scoring ten league goals. With the mass exodus from the club this summer, he was expected to take the mantle and be one of the leaders of this team. So far Nocerino has had two very bad games, for much of which he's been totally anonymous save for non stop running. Much interest is on how he could cope in this team without Ibrahimovic, and Nocerino needs to step up and be counted this term.
CREATIVITY
Zlatan Ibrahimovic once again rears up his ugly head as the issue of lack of creativity in this team comes up. Boateng has never been the most creative player and thus his deployment at trequartista meant much of the teams creative play comes from upfront; and both Zlatan and FantAntonio are gone. For large stretches against Bologna the team looked toothless, and its very important that they build up play another way, such as more effective use of the sidebacks.
INJURIES
Once again the scepter of injuries which plagued this team throughout last season seems to have gone nowhere and seems ready for us this season too. After losing Abate and Ambrosini for the first game, Montolivo and Prince joined them after this game; adding to Pato, Strasser, Vila, and Muntari. With such a thin squad, this is something that should be arrested very soon or the season's going to turn out worse than anticipated. We couldn't cope with a better squad last season; and we sure as hell won't survive a similar injury plagued season this term.
THE UGLY
KEVIN PRINCE-BOATENG
The passion and industry of Boateng are two things you can never deny about the Ghanaian, yet his output over the first two games of the season have left a LOT to be desired. As mentioned above, he cannot be expected to shoulder the entire creative burden of the squad; yet as trequartista a lot depends on him and against Bologna he did little to lock down the spot. Despite possesing a very powerful and largely accurate shot, Boateng has in recent times just done nothing but take shots from ridiculous angles; sometimes to the detriment of team play. Boa is a very important aspect of this new Milan, and he needs to quickly integrate himself into the team's play.
DEFENCE AND MIDFIELD
In Allegri's first season, he built a side on defensive solidity which ultimately handed him the Scudetto. This side was not just about a strong defense but also a midfield three who helped out effectively when needed. Against Bologna, there was a noticeable gap between defence and midfield which Diamanti utilised effectively, and no one seemed able to bring him down. One does not need to be a soothsayer to realise better opposition would ruthlessly exploit this space.
FREE-KICKS
It was a noticeable flaw in the team's play against Bologna that no one seemed to quite know what to do with the free kicks we won. Prince took a few wild shots but nothing ever came out of those. Maybe a few training ground routines would better serve the team than just ballooning them over the bar.
No one is under any illusions regarding the task ahead of Monsieur Allegri; yet it is also not reasonable to call all doom and gloom as some would have you believe. The win over Bologna was very important morale wise, and the manner of its coming should be irrelevant. Truth is this squad should still best over 75% of Serie A; and if Allegri can improve upon last term's dismal record against the big teams; all hope is not lost yet. Most people are quick to point out the similarities within Allegri and Zaccheroni's reigns: and if he doesn't want his tenure to end the same way, Allegri has to show some big cojones to push this team to achieve above their capabilities.
moonbyte
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