Milan have had yet another unsatisfying campaign so for as the team has failed to consistently get the results. But considering the fact that many labelled this Milan side as the worst in 25 years, Leonardo will be pleased with hi team
For the past few years I have watched Inter dominate Serie A while their city rivals Milan seem to be idling their time away. A sole Scudetto in the last ten years is just not good enough for a team which won five in the preceding decade.
Milan started off the campaign by making huge news in the transfer market but this time it was a departure which caught everyone's attention. Kaka after years of pledging loyalty to the club became the first member of the 'Nou Galacticos' at Real Madrid.
But Berlusconi had financial reasons for the sale and hence greedily kept aside all the money that was earned from it. In typical Milan fashion, the scouts went looking for old beat-up players and the likes of Oguchi Onyewu joined the side.
Milan's transfer dealings were probably the worst ever in my memory. The team made just one more notable purchase that of the good-for-nothing Huntelaar. In fact Berlusconi's pocket strings were so tight that one could see the outline of his tigh in the summer.
So quite predictably the season got off to a disastrous start as Milan were trashed 4-0 by Inter on Matchday 2. And quite frankly if it hadn't been for their keeper, Storari, it might have been six or seven.
The Grim Reaper soon started performing a frantic dance over coach Leonardo's head after the team registered just two wins in their first seven games. The already old Milan squad looked even older and the wrinkles kept increasing on everyone's faces.
The Turnaround
And then something miraculous happened. The oft-used cliche of every disaster movie actually came true as Milan found true strength in their worst moment. A loss to FC Zurich at the San Siro in the Champions League served to awake the team from its slumber.
In phoenix-like fashion the Rossoneri managed to somehow defeat Real Madrid away from home in Europe. The game was more exceptional because the team had produced nothing in the first half but still went on to win 3-2.
This period also marked the return of the error-prone Brazilian keeper Dida. But this was no usual return as in keeping up with the THIS IS NOT HAPPENING theme, he produced one brilliant performance after another.
The Grim Reaper was soon replaced by Cupid as everyone seemed to be happy and joyous at Milanello again. Ronaldinho was smiling and for once it was not just after a missed opportunity. The old squad had under gone some serious botox treatment.
Milan won 7 of their 8 games in the Serie A and climbed to within 4 points of leaders Inter. However, the honeymoon ended all of a sudden with an unexpected loss to Palermo at home.
That game would have scared Leonardo a bit as Milan's deficiencies were exposed in a way my cavities would be at a dentist's. Their final game of the campaign was called off as the pitch at Fiorentina was deemed more suitable for skiing than football.
Post Christmas
The break gives Milan's golden oldies a chance to recuperate their depleted energy stocks. Talking about golden reminds me that 'Golden Balls' David Beckham has rejoined Milan till the end of the season.
The former England captain should give the Rossoneri an option they previously lacked that of using the flanks. Alongwith him another Ghanian wonderkid, Dominic Adiyiah, is all set to join in the winter.
Almost the entire world would have heard of Beckham as well as not heard of Adiyiah. Adiyiah is basically this freakishly talented youngster who led Ghana to the U-20 World Cup. And he is not heard to be as arrogant as Balotelli.
However I believe that these additions are by no means enough for the team, particularly if they are to get past Manchester United. The right-back position is almost vacant in the lineup as the symbol of mediocrity, Massimo Oddo, occupies it.
Similarly even at left-back Zambrotta has lost all the pace he was once gifted with to make any impact for his side. It may be impossible to get two world class full backs but someone like Philipp Lahm will definitely be welcome.
To conclude I feel Leonardo can be pleased with the showing of his team thus far and hope things continue in the same vein in the new year.
For the past few years I have watched Inter dominate Serie A while their city rivals Milan seem to be idling their time away. A sole Scudetto in the last ten years is just not good enough for a team which won five in the preceding decade.
Milan started off the campaign by making huge news in the transfer market but this time it was a departure which caught everyone's attention. Kaka after years of pledging loyalty to the club became the first member of the 'Nou Galacticos' at Real Madrid.
But Berlusconi had financial reasons for the sale and hence greedily kept aside all the money that was earned from it. In typical Milan fashion, the scouts went looking for old beat-up players and the likes of Oguchi Onyewu joined the side.
Milan's transfer dealings were probably the worst ever in my memory. The team made just one more notable purchase that of the good-for-nothing Huntelaar. In fact Berlusconi's pocket strings were so tight that one could see the outline of his tigh in the summer.
So quite predictably the season got off to a disastrous start as Milan were trashed 4-0 by Inter on Matchday 2. And quite frankly if it hadn't been for their keeper, Storari, it might have been six or seven.
The Grim Reaper soon started performing a frantic dance over coach Leonardo's head after the team registered just two wins in their first seven games. The already old Milan squad looked even older and the wrinkles kept increasing on everyone's faces.
The Turnaround
And then something miraculous happened. The oft-used cliche of every disaster movie actually came true as Milan found true strength in their worst moment. A loss to FC Zurich at the San Siro in the Champions League served to awake the team from its slumber.
In phoenix-like fashion the Rossoneri managed to somehow defeat Real Madrid away from home in Europe. The game was more exceptional because the team had produced nothing in the first half but still went on to win 3-2.
This period also marked the return of the error-prone Brazilian keeper Dida. But this was no usual return as in keeping up with the THIS IS NOT HAPPENING theme, he produced one brilliant performance after another.
The Grim Reaper was soon replaced by Cupid as everyone seemed to be happy and joyous at Milanello again. Ronaldinho was smiling and for once it was not just after a missed opportunity. The old squad had under gone some serious botox treatment.
Milan won 7 of their 8 games in the Serie A and climbed to within 4 points of leaders Inter. However, the honeymoon ended all of a sudden with an unexpected loss to Palermo at home.
That game would have scared Leonardo a bit as Milan's deficiencies were exposed in a way my cavities would be at a dentist's. Their final game of the campaign was called off as the pitch at Fiorentina was deemed more suitable for skiing than football.
Post Christmas
The break gives Milan's golden oldies a chance to recuperate their depleted energy stocks. Talking about golden reminds me that 'Golden Balls' David Beckham has rejoined Milan till the end of the season.
The former England captain should give the Rossoneri an option they previously lacked that of using the flanks. Alongwith him another Ghanian wonderkid, Dominic Adiyiah, is all set to join in the winter.
Almost the entire world would have heard of Beckham as well as not heard of Adiyiah. Adiyiah is basically this freakishly talented youngster who led Ghana to the U-20 World Cup. And he is not heard to be as arrogant as Balotelli.
However I believe that these additions are by no means enough for the team, particularly if they are to get past Manchester United. The right-back position is almost vacant in the lineup as the symbol of mediocrity, Massimo Oddo, occupies it.
Similarly even at left-back Zambrotta has lost all the pace he was once gifted with to make any impact for his side. It may be impossible to get two world class full backs but someone like Philipp Lahm will definitely be welcome.
To conclude I feel Leonardo can be pleased with the showing of his team thus far and hope things continue in the same vein in the new year.
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