Monday Milan Musings

- Looks like Allegri found some time out of his busy schedule to get his haircut and take a nice photo, what can't the man do!?

- Cesare Prandelli is looking to field a starting eleven against Malta comprising of Milan and Juventus players! Cesare, newsflash, this is not the first time, nor will it be the last. For fans of team's outside of the Devil and the Old Lady, this is most likely painful, but take notice our 2006 World Cup Winning team had a crucial Palermo player...here is the Milan /Juventus potential winning eleven:

Buffon; Abate, Barzagli, Bonucci, De Sciglio; Marchisio, Pirlo, Montolivo; Giaccherini; Balotelli, El Shaarawy

-Mario Balotelli has been labeled many things, even here he is often called a rotten apple. I find this odd, simply because when he opens his mouth he comes across as thoughtful, fairly intelligent, and rather humble. Read this interview and you will see what I mean. If you can't find the team to read it, this is why he will become a true Rossoneri hero...humility!

“I’m happy to be Stephan El Shaarawy’s friend and teammate, as we’re together almost all the time. I’m glad to have him in my life and will try to help him with anything he’ll need.”

- A few weeks back Genoa's Portanova sent in a hard challenge on Pazzo. Our striker was injured but he got the last laugh scoring immediately after and then coming off. The funny thing is Portanova says Pazzini is weak and scared on the pitch, this is funny to me, considering the guy soldiered on to score a goal. The reason I share this little tidbit is to give a glimpse of Italian culture in Seria A, and the toughness expected and required. Some people ponder on the likes of Messi in Serie A, Mr. Portanova would take pride in breaking him in half, and he is not the only one. Welcome to Serie A...

- Having only played 11 times this season Bonera seems to have time to wax lyrical about all things Milan. Hard to believe he has been at Milan 7 years now, but his time may be drawing to a close, but like most player's this season he is both realistic and understands the challenge ahead. He has caught a lot of flack and been the brunt of many a joke, but he has been a loyal servant and often times above average. Sure his presence was a direct equation to dropping points a few seasons ago, then ago so was Pato, so put things into perspective for you.

-Speaking of strikers, Milan face Chievo next Saturday, the home of former Milan striker Alberto Paloschi. Paloschi seems to like Milan's new youth direction and his prospect of return, but the question becomes can Paloschi be what Pazzini is and make Pazzo expendable, or will he never return?

-A must read on DeSciglio, his progress and comparison to Maldini and how being the next big thing is not always a positive!