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Saturday October 27 2012

Is that all Allegri's got?

Massimiliano Allegri said Milan’s win was a response to critics. In that case, argues Susy Campanale, it’s more a whimper than a roar.

So thanks to birthday boy Stephan El Shaarawy, Max Allegri’s Milan get to fight another day. Football is about results and perhaps this can build some confidence to lift the team out of its deadly funk. However, my sympathy with the Coach fell apart when he declared: “This was a response to the critics.” If that performance was your show-stopping comeback, then you’d be better off keeping your mouth shut.

It was a terrible game against Genoa. The Rossoneri created even fewer opportunities than in recent defeats to Malaga and Lazio, when at least they looked to have some ideas, albeit ones that petered out as soon as they got near the opposition goal. Alexandre Pato seemed to realise he had more chance of falling over than actually beating defenders, while El Shaarawy was a lone desperate figure working harder than the other 10 players combined. How lacking in character and determination is this team when a boy who turned 20 this weekend shows more maturity and leadership than anyone else?

There was a moment on Saturday night that represented Milan’s campaign in a nutshell. Urby Emanuelson cut in from the flank with a deft first touch on the outside of his boot, dribbled past a defender to get the crowd on their feet... and then shanked it into Row Z. Watching the Diavolo this season is like being in a kinetic motion desk toy, except the little silver ball on either side is a perpetual clang of disappointment.

Only three players have scored in Serie A for Milan this season. Of those three, only El Shaarawy has found the net in more than a single game. It’s entirely evident where the problems lie and it feels as if they never found a Plan B after two years of just giving it to Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Where are the goals from midfield? Antonio Nocerino is constantly on the bench, Riccardo Montolivo plays too deep to threaten and Nigel De Jong only goes up for set pieces. Allegri said the 3-4-3 system was meant to put more crosses into the box, but repeatedly against Genoa nobody was there to get on the end of them.

I realise this is a new system and will take time to gel, but Allegri is doing nobody any favours by puffing out his chest and insisting this performance was “a response to the critics.” A lucky win at the end of a toothless performance is hardly going to convince doubters they were wrong about this shambles of a Milan side.

Have your say...

Zoli

Anonymous

Regarding the players, it all hinges on where you set the bar. I was fortunate enough to see the best this club offered in modern football history. If you consider the Sacchi/Capello era, even most of our beloved ambassadors that left this summer, would not make the cut.

At this point in time we should evaluate realistically. It is not about who is worthy of wearing what color jersey, but use all that we have for our goal to come out of this low. They all can help.
Team spirit :)

on the 4th November, 2012 at 2:35am

Anonymous

For me these players are not worthy of wearing the red and black:

Antonini (lack intelligence)
Mesbah (lack confidence )
Bonera (Not good enough)
Yepes (too old)
Acerbi (what is he good at?)
Emanualson (he's just not good enough)
Boatang (was doing well coz Ibra and co were doing most of the jobs)
Flamini (too late)
Pato (I hate him so much...overrated)

I am sorry I am a milan fan and I want a strong team. ohh one more thing we need a new owner

on the 31st October, 2012 at 2:59pm

Anonymous

I don't know what else Alegri can do? You strip him from his best players: Ibra, Thiago and Cassano and you expect him to win titles!!!come on be realstic.
Allegri made the biggest mistake when he said I don't pirlo only because he won scudeto when pirlo played half season due to injury but for me as a big Milan fan the problem is Berlescouni, the guy lost interest in football and he doesn't want to spend money no more nor they are developing young talent (like Barca).
Just sell the club!!!

on the 31st October, 2012 at 2:48pm

Daniel Giambrone

Marco, I have to disagree with you about Montolivo. I feel that he has been one of the bright spots, along with SES. One of the problems for Montolivo is the poor movement around him, another is that there is no other creative player in the team.

People criticizing Emanuelson are being a little harsh. You have to remember that he is a left wing-back; yet Allegri persists in playing him out of position. Urby clearly struggles on the right-hand-side and shouldn't be playing there.

on the 30th October, 2012 at 1:14pm

marco

I find it so strange that there is even a debate regarding Milan. it's very clear that they simply are not good enough. the players don't lack character they lack skill and quality. montolivo is clearly no pirlo in fact he is a massive pile of dog poo! pato is clearly the biggest flop ever the player dubbed to be the new Kaka/sheva is just not good enough doubled up with the fact he spends more time injured means he is one of the most useless players we have ever had. this whole team is crap!

on the 30th October, 2012 at 9:17am

Marc F

First off, anyone who lists a team they'd like to see fielded and includes Bonera needs to seriously get their heads checked. Keep playing Bonera Max. He's slow, can't defend, and constantly gives the ball away. He nearly coughed one up on Saturday. Wait he nearly does or does cough one up every game. This coach is the only coach on the planet that would play this guy at all let alone constantly. I'm sure Max is a really nice guy, but he's a garbage coach!!

on the 29th October, 2012 at 10:42pm

Babu

It is very obvious that Milan the whole team is under a lot of pressure & are playing with fear & without confidence. Milan really need some attacking midfielders to penetrate into the box otherwise they won't be able to climb up the ladder. For sure it will become worst if Allegri continues to play Emanuelson, Abate & Antonini, its time for a wholesale change, he has got a lot of options on the bench, as NIKE says, JUST DO IT !

on the 29th October, 2012 at 9:47pm

Babu

Against Genoa, Milan played a lackluster game, worst than the one against Lazio, no penetration at all. Milan need to play Nocerino, Montolivo Boateng, Muntari, Ambrosini or Flamani in the middle more often, forget abt Emanuelson, Abate & Antonini, replaced them with De Sciglo & Acerbi, Robinho, Boja, Sharaawy should be playing constantly and this will deliver results. I know some are on the injury list but dun understand why Allegri like to stick with Emanuelson, he is not really a good player

on the 29th October, 2012 at 9:26pm

blue for you

it was like watching paint dry

on the 29th October, 2012 at 5:37pm

Daniel Giambrone

Re: the centre-back situation, this is where Allegri baffles me. Why does he keep playing Bonera? Why doesn't he just give Acerbi and Zapata a consistent run in the team. It is unfair on them, when they are only given cameo roles:how are they supposed to find any rhythm and consistency?

on the 29th October, 2012 at 11:39am

Daniel Giambrone

PART ONE. Calcio Pauly, The problem with the midfield isn't a lack of chemistry, it's a lack of creativity and potency. Acerbi and Di Sciglio are not too young-yours is, unfortunately, a very typical Italian mentality, one that holds us back and wastes time. Acerbi is what 22-23?! Whilst Di Sciglio is 19-20. I believe if you are good, then you are old enough. I would give Cristante an opportunity! look at Sterling at Liverpool, he is 17! You don't get people saying that he is too young!

on the 29th October, 2012 at 11:31am

Anonymous

THE 'GOAL' was OFFSIDE!! LOL, now the only way Milan can actually win a game at Home is by cheating and winning via offside goals. Why did'nt Allegri mention that? He seems to always have lots to say about refs on other occasions. Strange Coach.....

on the 29th October, 2012 at 2:51am

Sam De Martino

Again I am proved right. What a load of CRAP. Zeman can **** off and take this crap with him. 2-0 up and lose 3-2. Every week the same. We cant play with Zemans stupid tactics, you cant win with Zemans tactics. We cant defend, you could put an under 1o team in goal and they would do better. Get rid of Zeman his tactics are killing us. I cant take it anymore. 2-0 up with bologna and lose 3-2, 2-0 up with Udinese and lose 3-2 etc. PATHETIC PATHETIC PATHETIC. Sick to death of the same crap.

on the 28th October, 2012 at 10:39pm

Zoli

Good one Ferban, thanks, seems like we all need it :)

The first time I saw Milan was in the '89 final. Two beauties in the old onion-bag from each, Gullit and Van Basten - that game was enough, by far, to turn me into a life-long fan.
There have been lows since that majestic period but I couldn't imagine what we are witnessing now ... that being sad, there are positives and resources to keep focus on instead of saying our good-byes before the Milan coffin is lowered in the grave.

on the 28th October, 2012 at 8:09pm

Calcio Pauly

The midfield and forwards still need time to build chemistry, in my opinion. It's the defense that sucks. Acerbi and Di Sciglio are still too young, and Zapata, Yepes, Bonera and an aging Mexes are just not good enough. The LB situation is almost NON EXISTENT!

on the 28th October, 2012 at 7:22pm

BOSS

Milan need a new owner. Silvio working on keeping his behind out of jail, Milan is at the back of his mind. Until that happens Milan can forget about trophies and start getting used to life in the relegation zone and selling their half decent players to real teams like juve.

on the 28th October, 2012 at 2:02pm

FERBAN

KAKA - MALDINI - NESTA - SHEVCHENKO - PIRLO - GATTUSO - CAFU - INZAGHI - SEEDORF - BARESI - COSTACURTA - SILVA... ETC ETC ETC

Just thought I'd cheer everyone up.

on the 28th October, 2012 at 1:45pm

Disgruntled

Its the player's coach management and lack of a plan.
This is the worst Milan I have seen in my lifetime of following since 1991 , the defence is all over the place the midfield has some decent player's but they all seem to be good at the same thing ...RUNNING and running only , DeJong and Monty are about the best.Upfront if not for SES they'd be bottom of the table.Allegri can't this team back to winning , investment must but wont happen , free cheap or loan is no plan.And there is no end to it

on the 28th October, 2012 at 11:51am

Maldini's Heir

The midfield was far too isolated and when we play a proper team with a strong midfield we are going to be overrun. The strikers are also completely isolated and because Emanuelson does not have a position there is no connection with the midfield and the strikers are isolated. Milan are in real trouble the next time we play a decent team.

on the 28th October, 2012 at 11:34am

julian

I agree with you Susy, I am a milanisti but felt that yesterday win was a lucky win. Abate was clearly offside there. Also, Allegri seems couldn't make up his mind in defense where every match he always deploys different defender. We have Pazzini but no one supplies a decent cross/pass to him. No 1-2 touch in attack. A really lack of creativity clearly visible.

on the 28th October, 2012 at 11:10am

Majed

The only Milan about this group is the red and black they are wearing
With all due respect to these players they are not really worthy of wearing the rossoneri outfit with the exception of sharawy.

I find it really sad to see Milan struggle against teams like anderalcht and Malaga with al respect to both teams

The squad needs major renovation in all areas

And our friend Allegri, can't really make up his mind on what he wants to do, every game seems to be played differently.

on the 28th October, 2012 at 11:05am

Maldini's Heir

2/3 of the back 3 were changed again. We have failed to play the same defence in two consecutive games. As for the rest of the team, I have no idea what is going on further up the pitch with players playing out of position. Now that we have changed formation we do not have the players to fill the positions. It's a complete mess.

on the 28th October, 2012 at 11:04am

Daniel Giambrone

Milan were ok last night. SES & Montolivo impressed me with their skill and hunger-they always wanted to be involved. The new system looks a little better also. Many concerns still remain: lack of penetration, urgency, & creativity in the final third. And also the defence.
As for Genoa, they were awful, and showed no ambition whatsoever. At least, under De Canio, they attacked and entertained. Del Neri's teams are terrible to watch! I wish that Preziosi, & Zamperini would leave the game for good

on the 28th October, 2012 at 11:02am

Anonymous

Milan, what a joke club it has become. Once with the best players, it is now full with fodder, one small mentality coach. Yesterday was a horror to watch, Milan can consider themselves lucky because that was not a GOAL, but off-side. They are in a sad position to do anything to stay up, but dont act like hypocrites, at least have some respect.

on the 28th October, 2012 at 10:55am

enzo

Allegri can take a third of the blame, I think Galliani and the Milan management also have some explaining to do. It isn't easy to motivate a team when your CEO is crying poverty and then pays money and Cassano for the likes of Pazzini. It's a sad truth but the only time we buy decent players is when Berlusconi steps in. Galliani may be a decent diplomat,but he doesn't know how to build a squad. Since Leonardo left as a director and Berlusconi stepped back, Uncle Fester has been quite useless!

on the 28th October, 2012 at 10:35am

Anonymous

Milan were screaming during the derby that when the ball went into the Inter net after the ref blew the whistle and the score didn't count. Demands for truth and justice followed despite the favoritism Milan benefited from during both legs of last seasons derby matches. Football-Italia, predictably, followed suit.

Am I shocked at no self righteous comments about poor non-offside call? That Milan fans won't admit to getting another crucial call in their favor? That F-I won't report this ever?

on the 28th October, 2012 at 8:12am

henry453

i watched it on espn and at half time the commentator said something like, "im not going to lie to you, your not stupid at home, it hasn't being a good game to watch, but at least it can only get better"

haha. you know it was bad when the commentator says this!

i didn't watch the second half and im glad. i just played my old copy of fifa 12 and to remember a time when milan were good.

on the 28th October, 2012 at 7:51am

Gerry C

Allegri has got to go and the sooner the better. In 90 minutes against an average Genoa only one good action was created(at least it was put in the net!). No matter what formation he sends out the team always lack in every department , I hope he is fired. Lastly unless Galliani buys 2 technical midfielders , 1 left fullback and talented centre-back not much can be expected from this squad.

on the 28th October, 2012 at 7:50am

Mustafa

As they claimed: Milan under revolution, why not revolutionise the bench?

Allegri must leave. He cannot get anything out of the players, even if most of them have nothing to be gotten out.

So, bring a new one who, at least, can play some foot with these type players. I was thinking of Del Neri before he was hired by Genoa.

Allegri must leave, END OF DISCUSSION.

on the 28th October, 2012 at 4:42am

Anonymous

amelia zapate bonera yepez abate montolivo jong antonini urby pato shaarawy OR amelia zapate bonera mexes abate monti de jong emanuel pato pazzo shaarawi

on the 28th October, 2012 at 2:30am

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