Marco Borriello AC Milan 0 AS Roma 1
Stopping the league leaders might not be the easiest of tasks, especially not when you are on their playground. Ranieri was aware of that and would do his homework before arriving in Milan. Cassetti was injured and Burdisso was given a start in the right back slot. I think this has to do with more than just mere co-incidence. Zlatan loves to drift wide and Casseti, even if he was fit would have been licking the Swede's heels. The Tinkerman did surprise with his selection up front. He dropped Totti to the bench and Adriano was given a rare start. This would be one of those days where Ranieri got it all right.
Milan looked every bit of their winter champions tag. They drove ahead in the game with immense drive and determination, their forwards dancing around the defenders from Rome. It took 13' for Roma to take their first shot at goal. Even this was blatantly down to frustration. Pirlo was relishing his role as a left midfielder and was also dribbling past midfielders with relative ease. Unfortunately for Milan, he limped off with injury on the 21'. This would be the turning point in the game. He was replaced by the slowest man in the Serie A, Clarence Seedorf. No, that is not backed by fact. Menez continued to play handball as the referee turned a blind eye to all of Menez's infringements. How the Frenchman played 90' without being sent off for numerous handballs is baffling to say the least. Roma's functional midfield was having trouble settling down in the first half. Pizzaro did not feature in this game. Roma were missing his expertise and his passes resulting in Borriello's increased work rate. He didn't receive sufficient service and had to drop deep. Adriano was simply out-muscling the opposition and he did a terrific job of that. Of the three centre backs of Roma, Mexes got skinned and taunted the most by the Milan front line. Identifying him as the weak link, the forwards constantly targeted him. Robinho beat him for pace, Zlatan beat him for strength. Chances were coming thick and fast for Milan. Zlatan was gifted a one-on-one chance and his decision making was horrible on that occasion. He consistently failed to beat the offside trap and his performances in the big games leads me to question the inevitable. Is he a big game choker?
The break arrived at the right time for the visitors. Milan's momentum got distorted and Roma were beginning to feel more comfortable on the ball. They defended very deep and sometimes the defense pushed up to catch the forwards offside. This was done with immaculate accuracy. Nesta had a splendid game. With a liability beside him in Bonera, Nesta stood tall and read the game superbly. Roma eventually broke the deadlock. Menez smoked Antonini on the left to send in a cross that was somewhat fortunately turned in by Borriello in the 69'. The left back position is one of great need in the Milan camp. Antonini lacks the skill, speed or defensive knowledge to own that spot for the club and is not a threat going forward either. Another player who got run down by De Rossi and Co. was Ambrosini. He arrived late in every challenge and got bullied in the middle of the park. The midfield trio of Roma were relishing their dominance in the second half. Gattuso worked overtime to mark Menez and succeeded to a fair extent. However he lacked the legs to keep up with the trequartista. Seedorf's atrocious form continued. He moves in slow motion when he gets the ball and is hopeless when not in possession. His name appearing on the team sheet is a mystery for Scotland Yard. At the end of the day, Roma's performance was utterly professional if not mind blowing and they did what they had to to win the game. Well, at least that is how things work in Italy.
Milan - /
Roma - Borriello 69'
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