Thursday Milan Musings

-Italy travel to Brazil to take on the Selecao. I still have nightmares of the 1994 World Cup loss, but times have changed. Joga Bonito is dead and Brazil is not what it once was. As for Italy, times have not changed that much when it comes to friendly matches and I fully expect Prandelli to tinker and care little about the result, that is what friendly matches are for after all. It is always nice to scalp Brazil, but Spain is the new Brazil, so take it for what is worth.

-Speaking of Italy, former Azzurri Dino Zoff, famously canned by Silvio Berlusconi following the 2000 Euro loss to France is tempering comparisons of our very own DeSciglio to the living Legend Paolo Maldini.

Meanwhile, Milan left-back De Sciglio is set to win his first appearance against Brazil in tonight’s international friendly in Geneva.

“He’s an excellent player, but you have to see how these youngsters do after their debut for the national side,” the 1982 World Cup winner added.

“There is talk of comparisons with Maldini, but it is far too soon to judge.”

Here is hoping for a cap for Matty, but only time will tell. If all goes well Milan may be feeding the National team for a few years to come with Abate, DeSciglio, El Sharaawy, Balotelli...mix in purchases of say Perin and Ogbonna and Prandelli will say who needs an Old Lady.

-Speaking of purchased Davide Santon says he will pack his bags if Milan come calling, I say it's time we bring him home! Yes we have Abate and DeSciglio, but Constant is not a LB, and depth in those positions remains an issue, as it does at CB. Milan was once home to four world class CB's, I am not asking for a return to the age of excess, but having three strong fullbacks who can interchange is a must for teams with CL and Domestic aspirations.

-Niang has quelled rumors of PSMilan, by saying only Milan for me. He has proved to be an asset this season and his progress exceeded expectation.

-Nocerino may be making a summer exit with Napolig interested. He is not happy about losing his first team shirt, and has not really been proven to be as versatile as a few of the players chosen before him of late. The thing about Nocerino is he is still young and should take a page out of Rino's book to keep working. If he wants to first team football I can't begrudge him though, would prefer he tried to earn it here.

-Lots of "PR talk" out of Milan with the "horrendous" Max Allegri being welded to the bench for next season despite not having a contract in place. The "Couch Coaches" have been hidden in the shadows ready to say I told you so when he does, and oddly I think Max may actually want to go? Can you blame him? You have people who play FIFA and FM talking about when to sub, you have an owner who won't spend money, and you have a GM who doesn't buy the players you want...talk about hostile work environment. What does he the guy do...umm win... thanks to Juan for the stats...

FIRST HALF OF THE 2010-2011 SEASON – 40 POINTS
12 wins – 4 draws – 3 defeats
34 goals for – 17 against

SECOND HALF OF THE 2010-2011 SEASON – 42 POINTS
12 wins – 6 draws – 1 defeat
31 goals for – 7 against

WON A SCUDETTO WITH 6 POINTS MARGIN.
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FIRST HALF OF THE 2011-2012 SEASON – 40 POINTS
12 wins – 4 draws – 3 defeats
40 goals for – 17 against

SECOND HALF OF THE 2011-2012 SEASON – 40 POINTS
12 wins – 4 draws – 3 defeats
34 goals for – 16 against

LOST A SCUDETTO BY A 4 POINTS MARGIN FOR A TEAM WHO WENT THE WHOLE SEASON UNBEATEN & DID NOT PLAY CL FOOTBALL.
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FIRST HALF OF THE 2012-2013 SEASON – 30 POINTS
9 wins – 3 draws – 7 defeats
36 goals for – 27 against

SECOND HALF OF THE 2012-2013 SEASON – 24 POINTS (29 match days)
7 wins – 3 draws – 0 defeats (10/19 matches)
16 goals for – 5 against
24/30 Points
5 clean-sheets