Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Milan's newest Red Devils



Once again, Silvio Berlusconi and Adriano Galliani have delivered.  Just as it seemed Milan would start the new campaign with the same old toys, Milanista’s notorious uncles have come up with surprise gifts.

Brazilian forward Robinho and Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic have been signed to add ballast and verve to a weak and stale Milan side.  While the latter, despite three stints at continental giants, is still only 28 and at the top of his striking game, Robinho, when in the mood, can be the creative catalyst that the club so require in the attacking third of the pitch.

Since their Champions’ League win in 2007, Milan have fallen of the pace both locally and in Europe.  Inter’s prominence, coupled with a strange reluctance to spend, have seen the Rossoneri fall victim to the twin evils of age and staleness.  The team has struggled to create much on the pitch, as it has been left behind by both Inter and Roma.  With Fiorentina and Sampdoria both at large; the former, having edged out Milan to a Champions’ League place in 2008, while the latter are the new rising stars of the domestic game; Milan can afford little rest in their pursuit of the Serie A title while cementing their place at the top.  Finally, with Juventus slowly rediscovering their hunger of old, as they reawaken from their slumber post Calgiogate, the gauntlet has been thrown down.  Milan had to respond, and respond they have.

The twin signings of Robinho and Ibrahimovic are just the tonic the side needed as it seeks to rebuild with youth and rediscover its free scoring legacy.  Although notoriously mercurial, with a tendency to go missing in big games, Ibrahimovic is a proven talent at this level having scored for fun, while notching 80 goals in just over 150 games, for both Inter and Juve.  Although deemed a failure at Barcelona, he still found the net 16 times in 29 games and has a real eye for goal with a penchant for finishing.  With his move being a loan, Milan are set to lose little if he fails this season, with his purchase price of 24 million euros only kicking in during an outright purchase in 2011.  Fans will be licking their lips in anticipation of Ibra’s third Italian act.

Robinho, deployed a bit behind and on the wing, is a tantalizing option, who can drift in from the touchline, set up players and drill home spectacular blockbusters.  Often criticized for not working for the team or tracking back, Milan can afford to field an attacking tearaway like Robinho, with defensive steel present in the likes of Mathieu Flamini, Gennaro Gattuso and Massimo Ambrosini.  Already possessing fellow Brazilians Alexandre Pato and Ronaldinho, Milan will hope Robinho dovetails to some effect with his counterparts to get the Rossoneri attack firing on all cylinders.  With Pato, Ibrahimovic and Filippo Inzaghi the other strikers, Robinho completes the quartet upfront while presenting an option as an attacking midfielder on the wing.  However, having never played in Italy, he may take some time to bed in.

Ominously, both players’ debuts were muted as Milan lost their second Serie A game, 2-0 to Cesena, newly promoted from Serie B.  But, with both age and talent on their side, both players should eventually deliver as the season progresses.  New Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has to tinker somewhat to discover his best team.  Playing all four of Pato, Ibrahimovic, Robinho and Ronaldinho, although exciting, reeks of imbalance.  Moreover, with continental games notorious for being defensive cat and mouse affairs, Allegri may be forced to start just two of the aforementioned quartet.

Both new players however, come with well published defects, which, Milanese fans hope, will not develop into a prolonged malaise.  Ibrahimovic’s mettle for a fight is questionable, as this is his first stint for a club that is not at the top of the footballing pyramid.  Moreover his petulance and lack of respect for coaching instruction are both well documented.  Robinho, too, often reserves his best for low pressure situations and is unlikely to fight when the going gets tough.  Again, his lack of respect for experienced managerial advice is a well known trait.  Expect both heads to drop on cold evenings away from home if both game and scoreline are against Milan.  But, with no player perfect, and the flipside so much more promising, both players will be welcomed with open arms by the Milanese tifosi.

Internazionale are still the biggest threat to the title in addition to being the hated cross town derby rivals.  Milan’s fans however, will expect the pendulum to swing back to the red half of Giuseppe Meazza after 6 years of Nerazzurri dominance.  And if it does, expect both Robinho and Ibrahimovic to be at the forefront, come May 2011.



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