MOTM FOR THE UPTEEMPTH TIME
With the 3-4-3 seemingly here to stay, Allegri lined that way, with little Ducky getting his first Milan start in forever. Zapata, Bonera, and Yepes were tasked with protecting Amelia whilst Abate and Antonini were wingbacks. De Jong and Montolivo shielded the defence whilst upfront we had Shaarawy, Pato, and Emmanuelson. I have many issues with us lining up this way but it seemed that there was a particular pattern to our play and everyone seemed clear on what they were supposed to be doing. A welcome change from what was our early season form, but still not good enough with the same old problems plaguing the side.
The sheer number of times a player seemed lost and had to look for the back pass was immeasurable, the wing backs advanced well but still there was barely a dangerous ball floated into the box. Antonini seemed to think he was a second striker with Yepes oft times the one with the ball at the left. El Shaarawy certainly continues to be the biggest threat this team posseses and its not just his attacking threat but the strength and purpose with which he hassles opposing players when they are on the ball; at a point I was afraid the kid’s lungs would burst, such was the runs he made and made and continued making. That heart and grinta is what the entire team needs and a lot of the others could do worse than emulate this talented 20 year old.
So what does this win bring us? First off we are certainly out of the drop zone, regardless of results tomorrow which is a good start. A timely morale boosting shot of confidence through the entire squad which could well propel us to string some results together which is what a team in crisis needs more than anything else. Above all consistency is the key word, and continuing to grab results is the most important thing. Whilst it’s all rosy now, all it takes is another bad result and this fragile band of misfits could plunge further into the deep mire we are trying to climb out of.
Obviously Allegri sees the 3-4-3 as the way forward, and while I disagree if he settles on it and spends ALL his time working out the kinks, I’d be more appreciative of that than the constant chipping and chopping; not just of formation but of personnel as well. Zapata-Bonera-Yepes acquitted themselves well and whilst there was little to no threat from the Borriello-less Rossoblu, it was still a clean sheet from a season where those seem to be at a premium. Give them time to gel together, work on their routines and movements and build them into one fluid machine. The 3 at the back requires a lot of the center backs and constantly reinventing your backline just muddies the water a bit more.
PETTY FRAGILE GOODS; HANDLE WITH CARE
70 odd minutes of football from Pato without any side effects, a minor miracle if you ask anyone; the issue with Pato is you are scared when he’s playing, not when he isn't so every game he gets through unscathed is a bonus. Whilst he’s been out long enough to earn some slack, Pato often times tries to do too much which more often than not leads his to his being dispossessed. Sometimes the simpler option is indeed the best option and his Brazilian tricks are not going to get him anywhere when not on form. He also needs to improve on his runs when anticipating passes but aside that this was a satisfying return for a player who could be the answer this side’s been looking for. Staying injury free and regaining his form should be priorities now because regaining the Pato of old would be a huge boost to this ailing team.
This was not a pretty win but a win nonetheless, since for the first time this season we seemed to grab something from a game we dominated. The problems remain though, the lack of ideas, creativity, and invention is worrying and the supply from the flanks is mediocre. De Sciglio’s return might help a bit in this regard but Abate REALLY needs to work on his crossing. Constant looked good on the other flank when he came on turning in a much better performance than from midweek; he could make that position his as he’s quite a decent player and naturally left footed, with a few bag of tricks of his own when he decides to employ them. Montolivo spread the play well, and remains one of our most important players; and whilst Urby does well on the right he should curb his Arjen Robben impersonation a little down.
TAKE THAT!!!!, CRITICS
Allegri was reportedly in bullish mood after the game stating to the press that this win was an answer to the critics; not trying to rain on your parade here but that answered nobody. We should concentrate on working out the kinks from this new system whilst trying to figure out which square pegs to put in which square holes. Because this win, Massimilano, was less of a reprieve but more of a welcome relief; and you only need mess up in midweek to have the wolves back on your case; so let’s concentrate more on getting out of this quagmire than empty acts of defiance.
FORZA MILAN!!!!
Nii Smiley Byte
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