Time for Trip to the Motherland
By: Gianfranco | May 9th, 2008
This weekend the Rossoneri travel to an old time foe, which still holds a place in my heart, after all I am Napolitano. Place in my heart or not, I don’t care about anything but a Milan victory this weekend, because with the way the table stands six points punches Milan’s ticket to the Champions League. Wish is that easy.
Only one team have taken a points from the Stadio San Paolo this season and that is Roma, but who can remember what happened when Napoli visited the San Siro. Pato anyone?
It was a great game with tons of fireworks, but I do remember that Milan pulled away late but was twice put back on their heels by Napoli’s new Argentine, Lavezzi. The defense will have its hands full, no doubt. But it is the midfield that really worries me. Pirlo is out with yellow card suspension and more than few Milan players; Ambro and Rino, are one away from a suspension in the last game of the season. This puts Carletto in a bit of a predicament because of the lack of a creative player in the midfield, this really makes you contemplate where the reinforcements are needed, and also makes you wonder what is Carletto going to do? My vote, as it has been most of the season is on Gourcuff, with Seedorf in the Pirlo role. But Carletto never heeds my advice, instead he will most likely slot Brocchi alongside Rino and Ambro, or worse he will defrost old man Emerson and throw him in the mix. I do believe that like the rest of the Brazilians on the team, Emerson is injured in some way or another.
The usual suspects will line up on defense with Il Capitano still out injured with very little news on his return or his next season. Bonera will be the man to watch as he was on good form before the Juve match and really hopes to regain that in the closing matches of the season. He seems to play well in the first 60 minutes or so but then falls apart in the last 30. Carletto, if you are subbing a defender in the second half maybe he is your man.
With the Pirlo out Carletto can always opt for two strikers and who better than Pippo and Pato or even Gila. It really doesn’t matter who, it only matters that Pippo is on fire and will do his best to keep scoring goals at will. It is hard to believe Milan can’t take three points if Pippo can bag a brace, then again most teams don’t lost if anyone bags a brace, but Milan have been in worse positions as of late.
The bottom line as I stated earlier is a win, it is a must here to stay in the top four and finish this season strong. A lot depends on Milan’s qualification including transfers, Serie A’s success in UEFA (more on this later), and IL Capitano’s future. This is not just three points anymore, it’s the season.
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The question on my mind most at the moment is regarding one incredible Andrea Pirlo. He is the key to any decent formation we have. What happens when he is injured or suspended? We play like crap. The end. I seriously can’t remember any match in recent history when we’ve played without Pirlo and won. Correct me if I’m wrong.
As a result, Sleepy just doesn’t catch a break unless it’s because he’s injured or suspended. Which is ridiculous and leads to his insane burnout that we’ve seen this season. I’m not saying that not having him in the match today was the only reason we lost, because it sure isn’t, but I think it was one of the major contributers…especially because we had no creativity and no link to our striker(s).
There’s only one Andrea, but keeping his burnout in mind, isn’t it logical to invest in another playmaker so that he’ll be fresh (and oh my, can actually have a decent sub for once!) next season, especially after the ordeal that is Euros? I’m really interested to hear your thoughts on this and on possible solutions, including possible players, other formations, etc. Because really, this has been a huge issue this season, especially in the second half. Watching his deterioration during the second half of this season has not been a fun ride for any of us.
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United States
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I totally agree about Pirlo. Our reliance on him is stupid. The moment I realized we were going to have no Pirlo for this game, I knew we were doomed. We’re turning into AC Pirlo. No matter how badly Milan is when Pirlo is having a bad game, we’re about a million times worse without him. No creativity, no flow, no rhythm, shambolic in both attack and defense.
The problem is….I don’t think it’ll be easy to replace him. Players who are good enough to be vice-Pirlos for us wouldn’t want to sit on the bench. I mean, do you really think players like Hamsik, Cigarini and Montolivo (my favorite options) would jeopardize their own development and future? I’d hate to say this, but our treatment of Yoann is going to screw us over. Lots of young players will be looking at his fate as a cautionary tale. I mean, we do give lots of young players chances - Pato, Paloschi, Kaka and Pirlo (back in the day), but for some reason, the Gourcuff case seems to erase all of that. o.O
Those who are ok with sitting on the bench probably aren’t good enough for us. Look at Brocchi - model professional who never complains about being benched. But he’s useless
Posted from
Canada -
nina, yea that works too.. he’s also our new captain.. so yea, i’d agree he should play instead of gattuso..
and agreed about pirlo.. i really like montolivo, but the thing is, i see him as a replacement for seedorf, not quite for pirlo, mainly b/c he’s more attacking minded from what i’ve seen.. it’s very very difficult to find a pirlo replacement.. hard to find a defensive-midfielder with as much creativity as him.. perhaps xavi or inniesta.. but those are impossible targets.. cigarini? from what i’ve seen he has a lot of potential.. wouldn’t mind getting him but not so sure he’ll reach pirlo’s level.. and don’t forget pirlo’s importance in set pieces..
for the azzurri, yea i admit i’m a bit worried too.. it’s in 27 days, i think.. but lets hope he’s at his best.. if he’s not, like andrea said, then the team is gonna struggle.. he contributed a lot in the wc..
gourcuff had so much potential when he first came.. touted as the new zidane and everything.. he does have potential.. but ancelottii doesn’t get that and we’re all particulary frustrated at that..
Posted from
United States -
*like nina said
Posted from
United States -
I’m not sure what happened with Gourcuff to be honest. It’s not like Ancelotti never had any confidence in him ever since the beginning. I remember Gourcuff’s debut was a START in a CL game. He also got quite a bit of playing time and started a few other important matches. Then for some mysterious reason, Ancelotti lost ALL trust in him, leading to Gourcuff’s lack of confidence and dismal performances. Now even Brocchi gets more playing time than he does. If things can somehow work out between Milan and Gourcuff, then I believe we have our vice-Pirlo.
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Canada -
moka, our beloved Pirlo did start off as an attacking mid and it wasnt until Carletto’s reign when the deep-lying playmaker position was created and Pirlo slotted to it. I’m sure we could do that with someone else too. The only question is can we get a good enough playmaker to replace Pirlo since the new guy (Cigarini, Montolivo etc.) wouldn’t get nearly as much responsibility as they do in their current clubs. Is someone as talented as they willing to be benched and to be “next in line” after Pirlo? I wish they would..
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United States -
We are AC Milan. That’s all I can say at the moment.
Posted from
Malaysia -
bonnie, dying to know why kaka was fighting? at least can salavage some ‘hot’ images from yday’s game, if nothing else.
moving to uefa cup is really going to screw up our chances of getting good players (and i know about toni and ribery last year but i dont think it’s going to hold good in this case) - we would need to splash more money than required to tempt the best guys to come play in the uefa and not in the cl and given the way berlu is tightening his grasp on the purse strings and that the club is in red, i dont see that happening.
BTW - what about essien? prising him away would be a challenge and again, getting him to sit on the bench?Posted from
Switzerland -
Well hopin dat milan win nxt week nd get the cl spot………
Milan widout cl is unthinkable……………
I’m 2 depressed rite nw 2 evn rite somethin………..Posted from
India -
Well I couldn’t get to see the game at all so I’m guessing that Carletto started with the same team as against Inter but for Brocchi in for Pirlo and Jank in for that ex Lazio left back whose name escapes me at the moment, right?
Did Milan create many chances? If so, who missed them?
Posted from
Australia -
Abishek, CL without Milan is unthinkable but it may be a neccesary evil to send this squad back in the right direction…
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United States -
Sam, if you bring in Essien he starts, plain and simple. The nice thing about Essien is one he is versatile, two he has the ability to play offensively and creatively.
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United States -
i have been hiding and reasonably so 3-1 i still cant believe it all i have to say is that well we didn’t play with heart and the napoli fans had a fantastic athmosphere that just killed off any hopes of a comeback well on to udinese i will pray! for the fourth. my duck you got so close well your only 18 though and you have done a great job on your first season. score two at udinese and that miss will all be forgoten and forgiven.
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United States -
oh to A. Milan had some good chances pato awfully missed form close range, kaka and seedorf had decent shots that the napoli goalkeeper stopped i think kaka smaked the crossbar and napoli also hit the crossbar also twice.
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United States -
A, Milan created a couple, I remember Pato should have scored and Gattuso forced a great save from the keeper, but that’s about it. Pretty poor.
The fight was at the other end so I couldn’t completely see, but I know Hamsik was involved. I think Ricky was pissed because he had just been fouled twice without a call and had just been booked. I knew we weren’t gonna win at that point because everyone had just let their nerves get the better of them.
And to be honest, I’m not worried about Pirlo in Euros at all. He always plays his best football for Italy.
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United States -
This goes to show us Milan Fans…that we shouldn’t count our chickens before they hatch. We had two games remaining and we blew it!!!
They played like they had already clinched 4th. Pathetic display by a team that has performed sub-par for the entire year except in short spurts.
It seems like when the game means most…our squad disappears.
Bring in the new young blood Galiani we’ve squeezed as much success as we could from this bunch.Posted from
Canada -
According to the Gazzetta dello Sport, Palermo have scrapped negotiations with Juventus to sell them Amauri, and the striker will now move to Milan instead.
Posted from
United States -
oh moka this must be true i just read the aumari article on goal.com also lets hope ts true i like amuari.
Posted from
United States -
kaka was booked? does that mean he misses the next match?
Posted from
Switzerland -
an amauri for gila swap might be attractive for both parties
Posted from
United States -
We get Amuari AND offload Gila?!
Thats a 2 for 1 right there folks!
Posted from
United Kingdom -
Ricky has only had something like 3 yellows this season. You get an automatic 1 match suspension for 5 yellows. (Haha, our dear Rino has had 11 so far.) I think he’s safe, sam.
As for Amauri, I’m going to be blunt: Who the hell knows? This man has been bouncing between the red/black and white/black stripes like a hyperactive toddler. His recent statement: “The Champions League is a crucial factor in my choice,” Amauri declared on Tgs Studio Sport. And who can forget his lovely “If I could I would play for Juventus for 6 months and Milan for 6 months”. I’m not going to believe a single word of his until he makes up his mind and actually follows through.
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United States -
Nina, I am going to disagree a bit on Amauri. Strikers are supposed to be arrogant because it is what makes them good, if you dont beleive in yourself it is almost impossible to score some of the goals these guys do. Pippo is and was just as arrogant at one point. Guys like Amauri and Drogba are raw, and thier emotion is what makes them special, what would Rino be without his heart? As for his Azzuri/Brazil comments he is just trying to rile up both sides so he can play on the interntaional stage, I admire this because there are guys who can still play for their country but quit. This is guy that just wants a shot, put yourself in his shoes, Adriano gets games in Brazil but he doesnt? Last time I check the Emperor sucks, while Amauri has produced for two years straight…
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United States -
100% agreed on experience Nina.
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United States -
I personally want Milan to win the serie A next year.. That’s where I would put my priorities b/c we’ve done so much in Europe the past 6 years, it’s about time we shift our focus to the league.. so personally, European experience is a definite plus, but I wouldn’t mind a player like say, Berbatov.. Excellent player, just lacks the European experience that the other strikers we want have..
If it boils down to Berbatov or Amauri.. I’m still undecided.. It’s worrying these days b/c a lot of world class players excelling in EPL, go to other teams, other leagues and end up not doing.. So it depends on many things, most importantly the coach..
Posted from
United States
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