If Pirlo is flanked by Rino and Ambro his value is clear, but when Seedorf and soon Beckham are alongside him, his play will continue to decline, and the need for a true CM in the mold of Essien, Toure, or D’Agostino becomes even more imperative. This balance issue is also imperative on the flanks as well. If you use the left flank as an example, with Dinho, Seedorf, and Zambro, the natural tendency for these players is to attack, with Dinho it is a must, and Clarence can hold possession but he drifts centrally which could leave Zambro higher on the pitch than needed and balance is lost. Ultimately causing the team to become weak and susceptible on the flank. This not always the case on the right with Ambro checking in behind Oddo, or Oddo tracking back (which he does do), putting the RCB under less pressure than the opposite side, which rings even more praise for Silva who has dealt with this in-balance week in and week out.

Due to personnel there is no real easy fix. You can argue that Clarence can play central with Flamini and Ambro on his sides, or even Abate, but again Pirlo is once again the odd man out; a sacrifice that after Sunday many of us are willing to make. In the attack Borriello’s balance was worth its weight in gold as he dragged defenders in and out of the box, especially Astori, who looked a man lost, and showed the pitfalls of a youthfully exuberant CB. Pippo does not offer this same type of work rate and style and the offense sputters around him, even though he is still capable of scoring the big goal; balance again becomes the issue, with Pippo being the target, instead of a cog in the three man offensive line.

So with Marseille coming to San Siro this week for the second game in four days it is hard to say what Leo’s gameplan will be. Conventional wisdom says a guarded defensive approach will be taken due to the possible knee injury of Borriello, but Leo has rebuffed conventional wisdom time and again, to his credit, so it may be more of the same, with the same personnel. Let’s just hope they can keep this heavy game pace up as the season wears on…

This may be the breaking point for Leonardo who should have used this International break to reassess and revaluate the direction of this club on the pitch. In terms of players his options are limited and the never ending questions surrounding whether Ronaldinho should play or shouldn’t, start or shouldn’t, will most definitely continue. Evidence for or against is completely inclusive; we suck with him we suck without him! So his playing time will most likely be a game time decision.

In the midfield expect to see Pirlo flanked by his country mates Ambro and Rino, with Nesta hopefully returning in defense, and Silva still trying to find fitness to return to the starting lineup. Abate should get the start at RB and Zambro most likely on the left, which will probably open the flood gates for Roma to attack Zambro. Vucinic is always dangerous at the San Siro and this match will be no exception, he is a on a goal drought and will be hungry to beat Storari a feat that is harder than we all expected.

I would almost push for Milan to play defensively and counter a weak defense that has the potential for leaking goals, but we all know it takes pace to counter and it will be funny to watch Abate tear up the right with Pato in tow while Dinho and Seedorf hoof it up the park. Ideally Leo will play Dinho up top with Seedorf behind the two strikers and let the other seven players sort it out defensively with Seedorf applying pressure in the attacking third…at this point there is little left to lose and anything is better than the status quo.

So here we are, at home, underdogs to a team that arguably is worse off than we are economically and personnel wise, with little or no chance to win…oh how we have fallen…

Today Leo was quoted as follows,

“Rather than focusing on the training sessions, it’s the discussions between us that count the most towards our improvement. With those discussions complete, we are now thinking about how we can play better in the next game rather than looking at what didn’t work in the last.”

I am personally of the mind that some good old fashioned hard work never hurt anyone, especially a group of over paid complacent old men, but it looks as though Leo prefers the hand holding discussion based session that is paying dividends on the pitch.

If it was my call I would use the old dogs on CL matches: Zambro, Nesta, Oddo, Seedorf, Pippo, Pirlo and so on. Rely on their experience and gamesmanship to lead the squad on European nights. Then begin the so called youth movement in Serie A, with the use of Ronaldinho, who may find some motivation with youthful exuberance running all over the pitch around him. At this point I don’t even know if I can find a negative in this assessment, if we are going to lose in Serie A and play hard in the CL why not get some experience for a handful players. Leo’s current recipe will probably spell the end of Pirlo and Seedorf by Christmas.

Can we beat Zurich? Sure we can, in the same way we could have beat Bari and Livorno, so nothing is a sure fire bet. At this point or goal or two would be fantastic to prove that we can still find the net, and any semblance of work ethic and tactics would be a small victory as well. My optimism is not totally gone, but as you can see it is guarded, and a win in this match is almost a must if Milan wants any chance of knockout football. History says it will be our night, but with the current state affairs even history is no longer an ally.

The diamond, by nature also pushes the midfielders a tad wider and gives Leo flexibility to employ DM types or use wingers in the form of Abate or Janks. Want More offensive, use wingers, more defensive use DM’s, rather simple when you think about it! The midfield diamond also spreads the field a bit width wise and doesn’t not put so much onus on wingbacks, they can and should still attack but they are not forced into deep positions in the corner because that is an area that can now be exploited by a player like Ambro as he did Sunday against Bologna, or by the any other player willing to claim the space on the attack.

Based on personnel, this system flat out works for our Milan, and the results have shown it with two wins on the trot, and hopefully another against the underperforming Udinese tomorrow. The question that arises out of this discussion is why can’t Dinho play the same role that Seedorf does in the diamond? It is a fair question, and commonly asked, but the answer lies in their individual style of play. Ronaldinho is an offensive threat at heart, almost a striker, and his first step is always toward the goal. Seedorf on the other hand is an attack minded midfielder who does not always press play forward. They are both talented players who can recognize when to attack, but only one offers that steely style of play in and around the center circle. The downfall of a lone CAM, as Dinho plays, in between the strike and mid line is the amount of running and movement that is required. Diego is a perfect example of this player as he can move laterally very well, but also benefits from versatile midfielders behind him, something that Milan lacks. Leo can not afford to push this issue with the personnel at hand.

It is going to be a long season and with the midweek tie, we need Ronaldinho to contribute, while still resting some of the players who have worked hard in the last week. Leo needs to evaluate and see if there is a way for him to employ the diamond while finding time on the pitch for Ronaldinho maybe in a more advanced position, but Wednesday will reflect how Leo handles this. As I stated earlier in the week this game is a must win, nine points out of these next three home games will go a long way and step one was a success, hopefully we can say the same for step two against Udinese.

1. Seedorf or Dinho against Bologna, why?
2. Would you be upset if Pippo and Seedorf were used exclusively in CL play while Dinho and KJH were used only in Serie A?
3. Should Abate get the start?
4. How long before we try Abate at RB?

I do want to add that with the dropped points at Livorno the next three home games are most certainly must wins. Is it early, of course it is, but with a three game home stretch against average competition nine points now will go a long way in making this season one above the Mason Dixon Line of Serie A Clubs.

Here is Calcio-Italia’s Preview…

Milan will be out to settle a score when they invite Bologna to San Siro this weekend. Cast your mind back to August 2008 and the corresponding Week 1 encounter last term. The Rossoblu caused a massive shock as they upstaged Ronaldinho’s Rossoneri debut. Marco Di Vaio and Francesco Valiani netted the goals to secure a surprise 2-1 victory.

Granted the Diavolo did earn a quantum of vengeance in January when they thumped Bologna 4-1 at the Dall’Ara. However, they were affronted on their home turf by the Bolognese outfit and need to avenge that slip-up.

In truth though Milan just need a win, regardless of scores they may want to settle. Since their opening day win at Siena they have suffered the indignity of a crushing by rivals Inter and an underwhelming draw against Livorno. If ever a confidence boosting League win was needed it is now.

With just two goals from their first three Serie A games there needs to be more clinical finishing, and when you have just brought in a highly-rated new striker you can feel justified in expecting him to deliver.

New boy Klaas-Jan Huntelaar needs to break his duck. With veteran attacker Pippo Inzaghi netting a brace midweek against Marseille, will he get a chance against the Rossoblu?

If the Milan tactician had any thoughts of turning his plans back to the aging Inzaghi he need only observe the visitor’s top target man – Di Vaio. After making his first start of the season in the loss to Chievo last week he will be eager to remind one of the big guns that he is still a threat.

And you would not bet against Bologna causing an upset. Not only did they win at San Siro last year but they also won the meeting before that in 2004-05. Consequently they are looking for a hat-trick of wins over Milan at the Scala del Calcio. However, they shouldn’t forget that back in 1990-91 the Rossoneri hammered them 6-0.

Milan’s injured list contains goalkeeper Christian Abbiati, midfielder Gennaro Gattuso and homegrown strikers Marco Borriello and Davide Di Gennaro. Bologna miss Greek defender Vangelis Moras for this fixture due to injury.

Keep an eye on: Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Milan) – No debut heroics from Huntelaar, to match that of strike partner Pato. No second game goal either, or even third. If he fails to net against Bologna questions will start to be asked of the Rossoneri’s new Dutch bomber.

Last five in Serie A: Milan (- – W L D) Bologna (- – D D L)

Oh and one more thing, a little revenge never hurt anyone!

The cheap shots didn’t stop there. Soon thereafter Franck Ribery decided to let us all know that losing Gourcuff was like losing the next Zidane. Thanks Franck for your awesome input, really appreciates it. Maybe you should focus on getting Bayern back to good and best of luck in the WC playoff…but alas that was not the only cheap shot thrown by a player. Sometime good Brazilian striker Luis Fabiano said Milan embarrassed him and he would consider a move to Italy, but never to Milan, Juventus would be a place he would consider…hear that Alessio and Roberto…good luck with Luis, I say we made out OK on this one.

Fabiano was not the only striker with diarrhea of the mouth this week. Milan’s own new man KJH decided to get in on the act and ramble on about how Leo should start him against Livorno. Personally I hate players that run their mouth about playing time, having that player on my team only makes it more frustrating. I am sure the Dutchmen will earn his place, but do it on the training field and not with your mouth, if I was Leo KJH would see the bench yet again because of these antics, but an lower back injurty to Borriello may grant KJH his wish, nothing like reinforcing bad behavior!

As if all this banter and bambling was not enough to turn your stomach, someone got the bright idea to invoke Juande Ramos. The man who found some success in a soft La Liga, subsequently ran Tottenham into the ground and couldn’t stay on at Madrid for Galactico’s was suddenly mentioned as a successor for Leo if the Brazilian can’t get his act together…TERRIBLE. The guy is tactically incapable of adjustment and his transfer policy is abysmal, with guys like Spalletti and Zaccheroni out of work couldn’t a better link be brought about!? Who knows they may even consider Steve McLaren next…

All kidding aside, Leo and Company really have to get their game in gear. With a must win match on Saturday and two more home games after that nine points is almost a must to continue to be taken seriously this season. We have seen two Milan’s this season, the question is what are we going to get come Saturday? Rino is out with a red, Borriello is injured, and the rest is really a crapshoot!

With that attitude in check this game will certainly not be a display of the “beautiful game” in fact this game will probably resemble a turf war in the midfield with the team’s battling it out for space to allow the likes of Ronaldinho and Milito to operate and feed the ball to the strikers or score goals on their own. A classic 4-4-2 vs a similar 4-3-1-2 with Inter bringing the muscle and Milan hopefully bringing the flair with some muscle to match, with the key being to gain space to operate and capitalize on chances. That’s why I am all for the same lineup as Siena, it worked right?! So push it again and see what happens. Rino and Flamini cleanup and Pirlo can feed to Dinho with Pato lurking. Lucio looked stuck in the Bundesliga last weekend and Pato can surely make him pay with the proper service and pace through the defense.

Leo’s press conference today did hint at the possibility of KJH making his debut which may drop Pato into a more Kaka-esque role and turn us into the dreaded XMAS tree, I don’t mind this all that much but both Pato and Dinho will have to be strong on the ball while KJH finds space in the box. Not sure if I would do this against a bull nosed team like Inter, but that seems like the most logistical change for Leo to make at this point. If he wants to maintain a support striker dynamic, as he did last week, then Borriello should stay in the game with Pippo and KJH waiting in the wings if needed, and based on the opposition and cagey style of play this may be the safer option.

There were also hints that Flamini could play RB which could open a place for Ambrosini or Seedorf, but the more dirty work that can be done out there the better. Tinkering in a game like this may not be the best option and Leo will have to learn this the hard way. Nesta and Silva look poised for game two of their partnership and Storari will start again in the sticks. I do believe Milito is a great player and Motta is a versatile and capable midfielder but Inter lack a creative edge so if the defense can bottle up the strikers, easier said than done with Samuel Eto around, then Inter may struggle to find chances on goal as they did against Bari. Granted this a fleeting problem for the black and blues with addition of Sneijder so let’s take the points now!

Can Dinho duplicate last week’s performance? Can Nesta shut down Eto as he has done with so many other strikers? Will Silva be up to his first real derby? Can Pirlo wake up? Will Pato be the same beast of player he was last week? Can Maicon be kept home at the back by Ronaldinho? The questions are endless, but the bottom line is if Leo can get these guys to come out swinging and get the early goal Inter will struggle to gain momentum and get forward and Milan will have five points in hand to carry them through the season!

If all goes well we can add to the amazing…

My preseason scudetto pick is once again Juventus, and though they let me down last season, the addition of Diego to help link workman midfield with some potent stirkers may pay dividends in the long run. Ferrara looks poised to lead a team with some veteran leaders and young faces to create a balance that may prove difficult to beat. Though they do not look capable to compete on all fronts, much like ourselves, they do look capable to fend off Inter as well as the newly minted teams like Napoli and Palermo who looked poised to push their way up the table.

Inter is infatuated with a CL title that looks farther out of reach even with the addition of Milito and Motta, and without a real playmaker this team may flounder at times when it needs to be strong. My real CL back is nod back to our old coach Carletto as Chelsea look to have depth, pace, and skillset to push the Galaticos and Barca for old big ears. I wouldn’t bet against our old friend in the CL, and that competition looks to be a true spectacle of talent yet again.

OK my European walkabout and Chelsea envy is over, it is time to focus on Siena. Avia jokingly mentioned that even a draw will be a better start than last season, but anything short of win will be a disappointment. Milan has not lost Siena since 2005, and last season’s 5-1 drubbing is a keen memory as we travel back to the fortified city. Leonardo will be without his new toy KJH, but Borriello and Pato will look to solidify a budding partnership that was built up nicely last season until Marco suffered a season ending knee injury. Expect Ronaldinho to play in the “hole” behind the strikers and with Leo calling him out today I would hope he was near enough to the papers to see that his manager expects just as much as I do from the former superstar. I am not asking for the World tomorrow, but only that Pirlo to Dinho to strikers is a constant passing triangle that leads to chances on net.

The midfield is a bit more unsettled with Pirlo being the only sure bet. He will be flanked by two workers and it is up to Leo to decide on Rino, Flamini, or Ambro. Any of the two is OK with me, and personally I would have the bench man ready to spell the mid who works the hardest. A fixture last season Clarence Seedorf looks to be the odd man out, but with a rather full slate of games I would expect him to see playing time as the only true backup for Ronaldinho on the squad. Defensively Nesta will most likely be paired with Silva while Zambro and Janks hold down the flanks. Storari seems to have the keeper job which is fine by me as we await the return of Abbiati to net. He played well in the preseason and will be welcome sight after the likes of Kalac, and Dida who filled in admirably to end last season but continues on the decline.

It’s funny how many of us clamored for a youth movement and the starting lineup looks far more similar to last season than some of you would like to admit. Adding Silva is a start, but new blood like Abate, Onyewu, Zigoni, DiGennaro, Osuji, and a host of others do not look to feature, with a few not even making the bench. I hope Leo does use these players at some point to start the transition and transformation of the aging squad. With this said, I do hope for a solid start for the squad and a semblance of chemistry that was not present at all in the preseason. The summer is history and tomorrow begins the journey that we have all been waiting for.

Ok..ok…everybody just breathe!

Sigh, well it’s been a heck of a summer folks, one long ass summer and I have to admit there have been few seasons which I have awaited the start so anxiously

From memory it all started with the loss of our venerable Captain. Regardless of whether you have followed Milan for the last 5, 10 or 15+ yrs we will ALL find it strange to watch Milan play and not see Maldini out there solidifying the backline

His retirement was made worse by the manner of his send off from the Ultras. Even here in the UK there was some headshaking at the fact that such a loyal servant was badly slighted on what was a historic & emotional event. To so publicly insult the figure who has given so much to your team is a complete lack of appreciation of the man and all his achievements in our colours. I for one STILL harbour resentment towards the Ultras responsible (the Brigate Rossonere for those who are interested) and still find it hard to comprehend their actions. Shame!

I’m sure after the loss of Carlo that there is a sense of impending doom enveloping many a Milanista (he did have his fans let’s not forget!). I for one didn’t have Leo at the top of my wish list for replacing Carlo and recent results have only been reinforcing the belief that we should have gone for a Hiddink, Rijkaard or Van Basten calibre candidate. As things stand Gian is currently more qualified to run the show at Milanello! I for one wish Carlo well at Chelsea and would like to see him spank the EPL, God knows, he has the squad capable of bulldozing its way to the right results

Again, his undoing imo may be the inability to get the right performance & results out of a squad who are more than capable of winning both a league and a CL final. Something else Carlo will now have to contend with is that his Chelsea squad is massive and player power has a lot on influence in the boardrooms in the Blue parts of London. It will be interesting to see if Carlo implements/drops his favourites regime at Chelsea as he attempts to juggle a squad of such quality with genuine contenders for every position

One reason why I won’t be missing Carlo is summed easily………..GOURCUFF. The whole manner leading up to and eventual loss of one of Europe’s most promising talents neatly packaged together some of Carlo’s lesser attributes for me, his stubbornness and inability to sometimes think out of the box. Remember how badly players like Pirlo, I-Cant-Believe-They-Havnt-Kicked-Me-Out-Yet-Dorf, and even to a point Kaka played last season? Meanwhile, over in France, Mr Cuffy was setting everything he touched alight. He should have never been loaned out in the 1st place and just as we struggled in the sharp end of our midfield last season and we look set to struggle again, AAAGGGH!

On one side we had a shrewd but self serving manager and on the other a kid with some natural talent that simply needed nurturing. Some may, and no doubt will, argue that by staying at Bordeaux the kid is showing signs of limited ambition but I say he is simply doing what is best for himself (just like Carlo!) but I’d be surprised to find anyone on this blog who doesn’t feel deep down that we could really use Gourcuff right at this moment and feel free to mark my words, in around 2/3 seasons time one of the bigger teams will snap up Cuffy and we will all see what could have been

Ah yes, then there was the selling of Jesus Boy! We may have seen the best out of him and it’s maybe even true that the last two seasons had seen him in decline but boy would I give anything to see him tearing down the field in Red & Black right now. His recent trip to Milanello on the eve of the Trofeo Berlusconi made me feel worse when the following words were attributed to him “We hope to beat Juventus,” he said to the fans. “We have to get the victory”

Damn those words are such a kick in the stones as he quite clearly still see’s himself as one of us. I’m an admitted Dinho fan boy but there is NO WAY the samba king can fill the boots of our former choir boy in so many ways

All I can say is GOD BLESS YOU RICKY! Again, I hope to see him do well in Spain (just not against us!)

Now if all this wasn’t enough to make you turn to whatever vice helps you deal with trauma we then had the Mercato to help heal our wounds…..

Cissokho, if we had simply included a dental facility as part of the medical setup at Milanello we wouldn’t have made total asses out of ourselves. I mean WTF, in the end the player ended up at Lyon for the same 15Mill Milan had originally said yes to!

I don’t know why we just didn’t throw some kinda exchange into the deal (Oddo, Favalli, Zigoni, Viudez etc) but regardless, it’s obviously a position the hierarchy felt needed reinforcing and as yet, has still to address

Then there was the Fabiano fiasco, fine, we didn’t get him but at one point there was possible talk of forcing a move through the courts? As much as I was glad not to see Milan get fleeced for (imo) a so-so striker, is THIS the approach Mighty Milan are taking nowadays with shady back alley shenanigans and envelopes of money changing hands?? This simply wont do Mr Berlusconi!

All this lead to me feeling that this Club is on its knees, and I’m sure that around this time some of you had either switched off, turned to booze, got yourself medicated (legally or otherwise) found another pastime to numb the pain that was killing the joy of following this great Club, but then there was the American friendlies by which time my depression had manifested itself as a stomach ulcer. I had to note that the tone on our beloved Milan Offside by this time had went south as there was a lot of infighting, personal vilification, general short temperedness with one another. Call me crazy, but I saw this as kinda understandable based on the summary of events you have just read but there is more

Full Backs: Janks was on the wane last season and it now looks like that maybe Zambro is likely to follow. Neither of these guys has been convincing in the matches played so far and even Abate’s crosses makes Janks look like he should be taking lessons from this kid during training. Antonini hasn’t been all out convincing yet and appears to be apprehensive in going forward maybe? Don’t get me wrong, he has been ok here and there but the overall impression i’m getting is what Shehan used to argue in that if he’s green he can’t be an automatic starter. Lets be honest Ants isn’t likely to be pushing for Santons place in the Azzurri anytime soon and still needs to clock up some match time as a sub before he can truly take that position for himself

I for one STILL hold out hope on landing at least one of the three Lazio “rebels” (De Silvestri, Ledesma, Pandev) before the mercato closes and I’m more than happy to ship over to Rome any of the following, ShitDorf, Oddo or Kaladze assuming Lazio will take them and we can get our player to agree as I’m sure we can get at least one of the wantaways relatively cheaply from Lazio

It’s easy to see it all as Doom & Gloom at the moment but lets not overlook a few silver linings in the clouds hanging over us.

Silva – Barring Maldini, most of last season was spent sticking pins in voodoo doll replicas of our defenders and highlighting each and every mistake they made, which is why I feel that Silva’s near constant solid performances in large have gone unnoticed. I went to the Rangers vs Milan friendly last year and even then he seemed cool and self assured. This was oh so different to the usual panic that seemed to hit our backline as everyone fell over each other in haphazard attempts to clear a simple ball. In the matches he has played so far Silva has shown himself to be a worthy teammate of…..

Nesta – He’s back damnit! From what I have witnessed so far Nesta is back and with a vengeance and not in the semi-skimmed variety, he has blown away any ides that he might not be the full product on his return. We just need to keep our fingers crossed that his back holds out (eek!) but he seemed to be happy to get stuck in against Amuari on Monday night

The above two guys teamed up with Abbiati look solid and I can (forgive me for saying this) see where Berlu is coming from with the recent praise. Yes, ok, we aren’t talking about the re-birth of the Baresi & Maldini era but the more I think about it, Nesta & Silva are pretty much one of the stronger CB combos in Serie A at the moment and will hopefully make Abbiatis life easier between the posts with Gooch and Bonera for back up

Pirlo – Pffft! Forget Dinho, if we need any one player to recapture past glories its Pirlo. I was a supporter of the notion of selling him to Chelsea as I honestly think he’s in decline but I noticed in the Benfica match that when he does manage to stay awake he is still worth rolling out onto the pitch (I just hope Leo keeps some adrenalin shots in his back pocket!) Pirlo with one or two deft touches can make an attack out of nothing and I’m kinda excited by the idea of Pirlo feeding balls through to newer players like Borriello and………

Huntelaar – All hail the new Van Basten! Well maybe not just yet, but the kid has an eye for goal and that puts him in my good books for now. My only worry is that when both he and Pato are on the pitch they appear to run into each others space (or is it just me?) Either way with his addition Milan actually has a strong line up in attack; Pato, Borriello, Huntelaar, Inzaghi, and hopefully we can ease some of the pressure off of Pato whilst giving Borriello the competition he maybe needs

Leo – He already knows he is on a steep learning curve but in both the matches against Chelsea and the win over Juve in the Trofeo Berlusconi we played some good tight pressing football. We appeared to have shed the inertia in our attacks and I honestly believe that all we currently lack is match fitness in some of our players

(Note to Mssrs Berlusconi & Galliani) Instead of jetting around the world making money in near pointless matches, a new manager should be left alone with his squad back in Milanello to train, train, train damnit!

I have painful memories of last season where I was just plain BORED with some of our performances but a new season awaits with a new guy at the helm, lets give him a chance to win us over or to darken our hearts!

I for one cant wait for the season to start

Forza Milan!

Avia

Tifosi di Roma will always cite their grand captain, but as he takes the pitch this Sunday on the day that the San Siro will say goodbye to the Greatest Captain to ever play the game, the Greatest defender to ever play the game, and ultimately one of the Greatest players to play the game, you can’t help but get sense of perspective as to how grandiose the career of Paolo Maldini has been. In fact the comparison is virtually nonexistent, and you are left with this highbrow feeling of is there even a comparison? I am sure Roma fans can argue, but Milan fans can smile and nod knowing where the truth lies.

I have been hard on Roma, I won’t deny it, I always have, but rightfully so. They had their chance this year to prove their ability, to hang with the big boys, and claim a stake in Serie A’s big four. Instead they did what any good little brother does when big brother is back town; cry, whine, and play themselves out of the CL. If you thought a year without the CL was devastating to AC Milan then for Roma it will be crippling. Transfers, prestige, and money all lost making next season all the more challenging, I would say I feel for them, but frankly I can’t and don’t, and though I could say I told you so, I find it easier to have pity.

I will stop there because this occasion is far to grand to bog down with my feelings toward AS Redcard I mean Roma. On Sunday the San Siro will be the stage for the final home game of Il Capitano. Granted I feel as though as I have prepared my whole life for this game, but never thought it would actually happen. Never thought I would have to come to grips with this match, this moment, and this reality. As I pour over stats: the matches, the victories, and even the losses, as I read the testimonials of teammates who see the importance and magnitude of this match, I ask myself what better motivation can anyone anywhere need to play this upcoming match. How can any Rossoneri player not want to give back a small fraction of what Paolo Maldini has given to them, the club, the city and calcio!? Frankly this game is a must win, Milan locks in second place and waves goodbye to Paolo Maldini with a victory and hopefully a lap of honor never before seen since the likes of Franco Baresi.


As for the match Milan are coming off a pitiful performance at the Fruilli. Arguably the worse performance of the New Year, and they will have to rebound. The ever burning question is always two strikers or one, and if it is one who will it be? We can’t forget the Pato show when we visited the Olimpico, but his form of late has left room for improvement. Roma’s defense last week was as leaky as they come, and two strikers may prove a problem for the “World Class” (on a side note, doesn’t one have to earn regular National teams caps to be World Class!? Just a thought.) Mexes and company. Pirlo will also need to be on form as his possession and passing will keep the ball away from the Rossoneri kryptonite man of Mirko Vucinic. I will admit the Balkan man does give me nightmares, always has, I can still see his goals against Milan, but one has to think that the atmosphere of this game should go a long way in helping Paolo keep both Vucinic and the “deity” of Rome under wraps. My old friend Danielle DeRedCard found a way to get booked and suspended for this match as well, despite his “World Class” schedule, to miss out on this match; it is all well and good for Milan though as it hopefully opens space for our boys to operate in the midfield.

As always no prediction here, but just the mere though that this match will be final time Maldini pulls on the Red and Black at the San Siro should be more than enough for teammates, coaches, and fans…

Forza Milan e per oggi, domani e per sempre FORZA PAOLO!!!