Allegri treat Ronnie like a baby

Luciano Moggi, former Juventus sport director, said that Massimiliano Allegri not treating Ronaldinho as a star player as he should be. Moggi said that Milan coach, Allegri, did not help building the confidence and improving his performance by just keeping Ronnie on the bench.

"Milan are the most technically equipped team of the league, but I cannot understand why Ronaldinho came on for just three minutes," he told Gold Sport.

Milan, Chelsea And Manchester City Continue To Track Benfica's David Luiz - Report

Benfica defender David Luiz has once more been touted around in the media, with Milan, Chelsea and Manchester City the most likely destinations for the young Brazilian in January, according to reports.

Ilmilanista.it believes the 23-year-old could be persuaded by fellow international centre-back Thiago Silva to join the Rossoneri, having played alongside Silva in the last few games for the Selecao.

However, Chelsea and Manchester City are monitoring the situation after a statement from the Portuguese club.

A source at Benfica has said to British newspaper The Sun: "Going out of the Champions League affected our financial plans. We want to re-evaluate the situation."

Manchester City attempted to persuade Benfica to part with Luiz by offering huge sums of money during the summer and the player was said to be disgruntled about not being allowed to further his career.

Benfica are rumoured to be willing to let both Luiz and Portuguese full-back Fabio Coentrao leave after failing to progress to the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League.

The excellent relations between ex-Rossonero Rui Costa and his former club is also said to be swinging in Milan's favour with Inter also apparently interested.

Great news if it's true...


Source: Goal.com

Ronaldino not a First Team Player

As stated in Sportmediaset.it, Allegri defended his decision not to play R80 as a starter as long as he's not making any effort for it. Furthermore, he added that Ronnie could cause damage to team balance.

Well, I'm sorry Mr. Allegri, but I don't quite agree with you on this one..
I still believe that R80 have the quality as a team player, not some kind of selfish player that can cause damage the team. Actually, we won several time with Ronnie playing, am I rite?

And considering goal drought and being Zlatan dependent, I guess the question is whether you can bring the most of him out on the field..

Passage

Thiago Silva

Auxerre 0 Milan 2

Struggle has been a fore value for the club this season. A mechanical, methodical system has resulted in favorable results and therefore acceptable results. Just about, almost. That was not going to change in France. A result was absolutely essential at the Stade Abbe. So come how may, a win would be enjoyed from the top to the bottom at the Milanello.

A win we did achieve. Two wonder-strikes from two wonderful players settled the game. Ibrahimovic scored from distance and Ronaldinho struck the decisive second from a tight angle. However, it can be argued that Auxerre were hard done by this result. They attacked Milan relentlessly shooting twelve times at target with only three troubling Abbiati. Milan had eight shots at target and scored the two times they had the ball directed on target. It was a fairly even game with Milan holding the ball better than Auxerre. Auxerre however tried to do more with the ball at their feet while Milan played safe by building up slowly, carefully. Robinho's movement is getting better and better in every game and the centre backs are enjoying another wonderful season at the heart of defense. Also, Abate is quickly developing into Milan's best full back. He gallops forward without fear and tracks back to clear up the occasional mess. This facet of his game has developed under Allegri who has successfully enforced some positive changes across the squad. Ambrosini has been reinvented as the holding midfielder, a position he has donned very well since his return to the first team. However, Allegri opted to rotate the squad in this game and slotted Gattuso into that position. But Gattuso tends to venture up every now and then which was exploited by Auxerre on the counters as they attacked through the centre. Silva is in the form of his life and has been a wall in front of Abbiati. His timing on tackles and closing down of forwards has been top notch thus far this season and is rapidly transpiring into the world's best centre back.

Milan's movement and game play has been frighteningly similar over the last few games. This system might work against the mid-table sides but the better coaches and the better teams will find loopholes in this team, which are evidently visible. We have found the passage into the knock-out stages but having finished second in the group, it's perhaps recommended that fans of Milan brace themselves for elimination.

Auxerre - /

Milan - Ibrahimovic 64', Ronaldinho 90'

Sampdoria 1-1 Milan

Okay, this match at some point showed what class is the coach at. The team dominated possession, shots on goal, and generally dictated play but you go home with one point. On this day; however, Allegri need not look any further than himself. His choice to send out an already fatigued lineup and wait for the length of the match to freshen up the team cost us two points valuable points in a fortress where few teams go and achieve victory.

Ambro, Seedorf, and Rino all looked worse for wear as the match progressed and while Allegri could have gone to a 4-4-2 with a one goal lead to close up shop and give Ronaldinho a chance with Robinho later on while still maintaining balance. I am not going to sit here and say making substitutions would have prevented Pazzini’s excellent goal, it is unlikely, but making those changes would have at least given the team fresh legs to maintain some temp in the match instead of the lethargic half hour of the second half.

Despite the disappointment of the draw and the poor substitutions there were some bright spots in the match. Robinho continues to do the hard work and hard running to put himself into positions to score. His finishing is not as clinical as Zlatan, but on a day where Samp limited Zlatan’s chances in the 18 yard box, Robinho was able to capitalize. This team is finally finding the legs to shoot from distance when not presented with a better option. I am actually all for shooting, good things happen when you put the ball on net, and eventually some of those shots will find the back of net.

Source: acmilan.theoffside.com

The big question is, why in the world Allegri play Ronaldinho on minute 90++ ??

Real Madrid Coach Jose Mourinho Is Good At Insulting People & Uses Sunday League Tactics - Milan Coach Massimiliano Allegri

Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho's uncouth ways has caused Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri to pull the trigger as he takes a shot at the Real Madrid coach.

Mourinho often used his tongue to sting the opposition when he was at Inter. His famous rants such as the "Zero Tituli" attack caused friction among Serie A coaches.

The Special One's style represented a new and unknown chapter in Italy, one that has made for some traumatic reading for Allegri who questioned his management skills as he continues to cause controversy at Madrid.

"He sets a bad example and insulted everybody in Italy," Allegri told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "He was here for two years and insulted everybody."

Allegri showed concern for Mourinho's tactics in the Champions League.

The Madrid coach is under scrutiny by UEFA and stands accused of ordering Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos to get sent off against Ajax so Madrid could enjoy a clean disciplinary slate for the last 16.

The coach feels Mourinho is a cheater and used the oldest trick in the book - Sunday league style.

"Would I do that? No. I wouldn’t do what he did to us at San Siro either. With Andrea Pirlo on the ground with his head cracked open, my players put the ball out," he added.

"Real gave it back, but on the throw-in there was already a full-back pressing us. He sets a bad example.

"You can do some things with nobody noticing if you play down the local park, but not when the world is watching on television."

Source: Goal.com 


Ummm... Mr Allegri, try to focus on your own team, please? Ronnie not playing full match? Team relying too much on Zlatan?

Sampdoria - Milan Preview

Milan will face another challenge as they visiting Samporia on this weekend. The victory over the Viola at San Siro was the former Italian and European champions' fourth league win in a row and eighth in nine games. Massimiliano Allegri's side stretched their imperious league form to Europe too in midweek as they qualified for the first knockout stage of the Champions League with an easy 2-0 win against Auxerre in France, with Ibrahimovic and Ronaldinho etching their respective names on the scoresheet.

Yet there still a growing concerns of Milan's attack for Milan was judged by many to be relying too much on Zlatan Ibrahimovic. This weekend, again, alongside Robinho, Zlatan may start from kick off despite he stated that he's getting tired of too much playing. Eventhough recently scored a goal against Auxerre on Champion League, Ronaldinho might start from the bench as Allegri still not fully convinced that Ronnie will be fit enought to play full time.


Suggested Lineups:
Abbiati - Abate - Nesta - Silva - Bonera - Flamini - Gattuso - Ambrosini - Seedorf - Robinho - Ibrahimovic

Moggi : It's Okay to Rely on Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Despite growing criticism of Milan dependability on Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Luciano Moggi stated that Allegri has made the right decision by relying on him.

Moggi said, "I want to compliment Allegri in the sense that he has put aside his own tactical ideas and spectacular football to put all his faith in the player that makes the difference - Ibrahimovic"

Okay Mr. Moggi, Allegri decision maybe right. But now even Ibra himself stated that he's getting tired. Don't want him to get injured, do we?

Milan Coach Massimiliano Allegri Wants Unstoppable Energy Against Sampdoria

Milan have been told to show their power as coach Massimiliano Allegri narrates his pre-Sampdoria prophecy.

"It will be a delicate game as we have played every three days with a great expenditure of energy," he told the press.

"Saturday will be our final push of this every period of playing every three days and then we will be able to prepare games once a week.

"There is no rush to get a result early in the game. We have to be careful and patient as we are tired physically and mentally."

Antonio Cassano is absent for Sampdoria, but it will give them a portal to be even more fired up for the fight.

The Italian has been crucial for the functioning of his team, but a feud with Riccardo Garrone is keeping him far from the pitch.

"Antonio is an extraordinary player and he can decide a game any minute," Allegri said.

"But without him they will be careful, they will be compact, more of a stimulus."



Source: http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2010/11/26/2232740/milan-coach-massimiliano-allegri-wants-unstoppable-energy

Paolo Maldini Uncovered Gourcuff Poor Performance

Milan's legend Paolo Maldini stated that Yoann Gourcuff miserable season with Milan caused by his own action that was not giving 100% of himself to Milan.

"Gourcuff in Milan was wrong 100 per cent," he revealed to L’Equipe. "His problem here was his behaviour. He did not show an intelligent way to manage himself. When he played here, he did not want to make himself available to the squad."


Mystery about who's to blame of Gourcuff poor performance during his spell on Milan is finally revealed. He maybe a talented player, but if he could not play for the team then he did not belong in Milan.

Ambrosini: Now Is The Time For Scudetto!

Milan midfielder Massimo Ambrosini has claimed that the 2-0 defeat against Real Madrid back in October in the Champions League taught his side an important lesson and they are now ready to win the Scudetto.

"The title has been missing since 2004 and now we really want to win it. The defeat against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu taught us something, so maybe it was a good thing to lose like that," he told Sky.

"It made us realise that to compete at the highest level, it takes many different components."

Coach Massimiliano Allegri has now changed to 4-3-1-2, with the '3' often being a defensive minded midfielder behind a playmaker and without Andrea Pirlo and Ronaldinho in the line-up.

"In order to win and advance far in competitions, a team must have the ability to change and to understand what is needed in a given moment. This is a solution that is delivering results right now, but may not be the definitive one," he continued.

"We all expect a lot from Pirlo, who is a crucial player for us, when he returns. During certain phases of the season the characteristics of the squad can be exploited. The problem with formations, beyond the tactics, is the spirit in which the squad interprets the instructions.

"To win, it takes a certain kind of mentality, the formation can change, but the spirit must remain the same from the first to the last day of the season."

source: Goal.com

Franco Baresi: I Can't Imagine Milan Without Alessandro Nesta

Legendary Milan defender Franco Baresi can't imagine the Rossoneri without Alessandro Nesta...

25 Nov, 2010
enclosure: image/jpeg

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Source: http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2010/11/25/2231585/franco-baresi-i-cant-imagine-milan-without-alessandro-nesta
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Benching Ronaldinho

Ronaldinho

Milan 1 Fiorentina 0

Benching Ronaldinho isn't an easy choice. Managers rather have him sold than warm the bench during games and rock the clubs at night. For Mister Allegri to show Ronaldinho the bench is indicative of the man's guts. He is no pushover. He demonstrated that yet again when he decided to start Ronaldinho in his jump suit for perhaps the fourth time in succession.

The new Milan side has come to be recognized as a team that hits the ball running from the start and Fiorentina experienced just that while they played catch up in the initial stages of the game. Milan played wide with a lot of the attack coming down the channels. Robinho played off Ibrahimovic but positioned himself on the left side-line. Fiorentina maintained a deep line which was sensible from Mihajlovic. His defenders weren't the fastest and wouldn't be able to keep up with the pace of our forwards. The deep line successfully stifled our forwards for space. Seedorf and Co. could not find the killer ball due to the congestion in the Fiorentina half. As mentioned earlier, our attack was running down the flanks and one man in particular had enough opportunity and time to thrive on the room provided. That was Daniele Bonera. But the full-back's crosses were awful and reflective of the fact that he is a centre half and not a wide-man. Robinho's movement was splendid throughout, even if he did precious little otherwise. He has demonstrated some rather surprising intelligence when off the ball and Ibrahimovic has thrived from this partnership. If the Brazilian improves with his final ball and shooting, he could be lethal. After knocking for 45 minutes, Ibrahimovic finally blasted open the door. The goal arrived from a splendid overhead kick. Such was Ibrahimovic's jubilation that he injured his elbow while celebrating.

After having faded towards the latter part of the first half, Milan returned in the second looking a lot sharper. The midfield three were working very hard, running up and down the pitch to assist the defense. This new functional midfield has given Milan great steel in the centre of the park making it very hard for teams to penetrate. Our attack began to flow from the back with both our centre backs taking shots at target. The confidence was beginning to ooze from this side. The shape of the team started to shift to a 4-3-2-1 in the second half. Robinho dropped deeper to from a line with Seedorf leaving Ibrahimovic alone up front. Though Viola played a wide 4-2-3-1, they attacked mainly through the centre. The wide-men were receiving the ball and cutting in instead of running down the flanks and crossing into the box. If they had adopted a crossing game, they would have exploited Milan's biggest weakness and tapped into their biggest strength. Allegri spotted the wide-men's movement and dropped Robinho deeper to close the spaces that Fiorentina were finding, thereby hindering any fluidity in their movement. Gilardino was being eaten alive by a two headed monster called Silva-Nesta which urged the striker to drop deep to collect the ball. This enabled his wingers to get into the game and make the runs into the box. Ljajic was quiet for most of the game by being boxed in midfield and with Gilardino dropping deeper, he got more space and room to charge up front. He was released on one particular occasion in the 83' and if not for Abbiati's block, Mihajlovic side would have leveled. Milan played out the rest of the game in a no nonsense fashion to close the game and bag the three points to go 3 clear at the top.

Milan - Ibrahimovic 45'

Fiorentina - /

Alessandro Nesta Will Leave Milan, said Silva

Bad news coming from the mouth of Thiago Silva as he stated that Alessandro Nesta will be leaving Milan at the end of this season.


"I am sorry for Nesta because I think this will be his last season here," said Thiago Silva.

"I will be very sorry if he leaves us."



Nesta's contract will be expire on June 30, and still no sign for him to extend his contract.

Now that's what I call a bad news. Nesta's performance maybe not at his best, but it's widely known that Milan defense were struggling without Nesta as Bonera proven incapable to play in CB position, covering Nesta.

Searching for striker continues, and now add CD to the list...

Ronaldinho Could Start Against Sampdoria

Ronaldinho's goal against Auxerre on Tuesday Champion League match could convince Allegri to start him from kick off as Milan desperately need new ammunition to reduce their dependability to Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The final decision is still in Allegri's but many would said that Ibra need to take a rest for a match or two.
Ronnie never play full match since he was caught going out clubbing at night, and Allegri still not convinced whether he's fit enough to play from the start, despite Milan's worsening attacking condition.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic: I Have No Problem Playing With Ronaldinho At Milan

Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic insists he has no trouble playing with Ronaldinho...

25 Nov, 2010
enclosure: image/jpeg

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Source: http://www.goal.com/en/news/1716/champions-league/2010/11/25/2230963/zlatan-ibrahimovic-i-have-no-problem-playing-with-ronaldinho
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Josip Ilicic Almost Joined Milan Instead Of Palermo - Agent

From Goal.com

Josip Ilicic could have joined Milan instead of Palermo in the summer, the player's agent revealed.

The 22-year-old Slovenian has been in sensational form since joining the Sicilian outfit as his playmaking skills have complemented those of Javier Pastore to great effect.

Ilicic's agent, though, says that his client could have easily joined Milan if the Rossoneri had made more concrete moves.

“I offered Ilicic to many Italian clubs and Milan also seemed tempted. Many clubs had the DVD with his games on it but Palermo believed in him the most and beat everyone to him.

“I have thought about how many teams now regret not signing him.

“The Slovenian League is full of good players and there is already a preferential relationship with Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini.”


Great.. after Pastore, now Josip Ilicic...

Milan's €12 Million Bid for Alessandro Matri Rejected

The search for new striker replacing injured Filippo Inzaghi still continued as Milan's €12 Million for Alessandro Matri were rejected by Cagliari.

Matri's contract in Cagliari will expire on June 30, 2011, and still no sign of contract extension. Still unsure whether Matri would be the perfect replacement as I still prefer Alberto Paloschi over him.

Yet, we need new striker ASAP!

Allegri: Zlatan-dependent is a Dilemma

Mr. Allegri admits their reliance on Zlatan Ibrahimovic is becoming a dilemma.

The Swede was again on the scoresheet in their Champions League victory over Auxerre.

“It would be tricky without Ibrahimovic, as we don’t have someone of the same characteristics, ” confessed Allegri. “We could play Ronaldinho and Robinho together for a side with great technique, but less physical presence.

“This qualification gives us strength and it is an important night for us. I am also very glad that we kept a clean sheet for the third time.

“We are solid, don’t allow our opponents much and create at least four or five clear-cut chances per game. ”.

Source: Tribalfootball

Zlatan is in good performance. Way too good. Let just hope nothing bad happened to him Mr. Allegri!
Meanwhile, how about give him some rest and try Ronaldo - Robinho pair?

We Can Beat Milan Without Antonio Cassano - Sampdoria's Fernando Tissone

Fernando Tissone is convincing Sampdoria they can beat Milan on Saturday.

And he is building the path to success on an act of faith should his team-mates agree they can slip past league leaders Milan.

Tissone believes it's time to honour Sampdoria's qualities and he has circulated his feelings.

"We are talking about a team with champion players. It will not be easy to beat them, but we know we can do," he told the club's official website.

"We are good and are improving game after game and now we need to continue along this road.

"Milan are strong, a great team and are first in the league deservedly. We have to be careful and focussed and know we can make it."

Antonio Cassano has been denounced by the club, but 'Doria's worth is still intact, even without the value of the hitman.

"We can win or lose against everybody and we have to prepare this game to the best of our ability."

source: Goal.com

 Oh, okay... let the winning streak continues then..