Siem De JongMilan 0 Ajax 2
Being a dead rubber, this game promised no enthusiasm or will from Milan's perspective. A formality it would be and the attitude didn't change even after going down by two goals. An important feeling called shame has not been taught at the Milanello, it seems.
It has been characteristic of Milan's style of play to dominate possession and dictate the early stages of the game through energetic bursts into the opposition's third. This has bottled up several teams resulting in them becoming very intimidated by the Milan juggernaut. Ajax however, thought of giving Milan a taste of their own medicine. Using pace to run at Milan's aging legs and adopting a physical approach against the creative midfielders put the home side on the back foot from the word go. Not only were the men in red and black struggling to hold up the fort at the back, they failed to conjure anything in attack. To make matters worse, Flamini injured his ligaments in the first half and with his substitution we lost bundles of energy in the middle of the park. Ajax were playing with immense passion and pride allowing Milan to take their first shot on the thirty eight minute. The Dutch giants had taken five shots by then. Seedorf is known to be a highly decisive player but against quick oppositions, his brain works at pace much slower than the legs of the opponents. He gets caught in possession and doesn't care a dime to track back to defend because he is already bending over, giving his thirty four year old lungs some rest. We had two second strikers in attack and we don't seem to have the understanding of passing the ball on the ground after being accustomed to years of direct football. Direct football was never going to adhere to the strengths of Ronaldinho or Robinho which rendered both of them ineffective. Ronaldinho was working extra hard on the pitch by flinging himself into tackles. All this, presumably, to impress the gaffer.
Going into the break, we were very fortunate to be on level terms. The players took it for granted and were justly embarrassed in the second half. Pirlo was reintroduced into the starting line up in this game. He was quite content in loosing possession and cooling his heels when he did so. He was making no effort to create because De Jong had him shackled nor was he defensively solid. He made the midfield less combative and more cumbersome. Ajax continued to knock the ball around before De Zeeuw scored the opener. Allegri quickly brought on his 'go-to-guy', Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Milan shifted to a 4-3-3 with Robinho moving on to the right and Ronaldinho to the left. The change in formation didn't change the attitude of the midfield, who collectively were miserable. The three midfielders were busy chasing shadows for ninety odd minutes. And soon enough, the second goal arrived. Game. Set. Match. When Merkel was brought on for Robinho in the seventy sixth minute, it was a sign of acceptance of defeat from Allegri. To make matters worse, Silva was played in this game and ended up being substituted with injury. Reports are now suggesting that he could be out till January. Legs won over craft on this night, which has become the story of modern day football.
Milan might be running away with the league at home but are utterly rubbish in Europe. The change in 'DNA' has been radical and sudden. The two wins that Milan picked up in the group were against Auxerre, the weakest team in the group. Even those wins were not convincing and required Ibrahimovic's genius to settle them. A host of top clubs are awaiting the draws. I am strongly insulted that many teams would be hoping to be drawn against us.
Milan -
Ajax - De Zeeuw 60', Alderweireld 67'
