Three firts for Paloschi wins Milan, Milan 1 - Siena 0

It is so unfortunate condition for Milan right now. Having most of their important players down injured and banned with tight schedule in front of them forcing play twice a week (imagine if they manage to continue in Copa).For tonight game they play with 4-4-2 formation minus Kaka & Pato (injured), Gilardino (banned) and Seedorf (benched) in their starting lineup. Without Kaka and Seedorf as trequartista player, Milan put Ronaldo (looks like not 100% fit tonight) and Inzaghi as strikers. Due to fitness factor it looks like Ronaldo really struggling in playing his duty tonight. In first half he looked like almost invisible.
Overall Milan was struggling in the first half without second player to control the game aside of Pirlo. Usually Kaka or Seedorf with their creativity will be able to cover up Pirlo duty in creating chances for the team. But without them it really looks like Pirlo having a bad time to perform well tonight.
In the 2nd half Carletto substituted Ronaldo and Nesta for Seedorf and Bonera. I do not know what happened to Nesta so he was substituted in the 2nd half. I did not see anything wrong with him in the 1st half. I just hope Carletto substituted him so he can take a rest for the next game. Anyway the substitution worked well. With Seedorf in the pitch, Milan able to create more chances. Tough I still worried about Bonera because he made couple of mistakes in the first 10 minute in the pitch.
The surprise came in in 60mins when Alberto Paloschi, promoted youngster who already played 2 games in Copa Italia (and scored in each game) this season came to the picth replacing Serginho. Paloschi age 18 the same as Pato then made his fist official debut in Serie A. And after Seedorf realesed quick lob pass to the back of Siena defense, without controlling and dribbling the ball, Paloschi just hit the ball with powerfull and precise first time volley kick that went to the right bottom corner of Siena goal.
And again Milan was saved by 18 years old player! I just hope that this goal make Milan management realized that we should depend to a more younger potential player rather than "has been" & "over the hill" players.

Man of the match: Paloschi
Good appreciation should be given to Kalac too. His consisten performance with Milan recently that award him 1st choice goal keeper ahead of veteran Dida really showed up tonight. He made some of very important stop tonight that couple of them I could describe it as "a 90% goal". But the three firsts from Paloschi: first time appearance in Serie A, first touch of the ball in the game and his first goal in the first game in Serie A, is something that is a man of the match material and Milan should be thankful to him for his goal tonight. We just came closer to the 4th position tonight.

Pato scored, pato injured. Fiorentina 0 - Milan 1

It was a dull 1sty half i watched with my eyes half asleep. The 2nd half started with the same attitude with Fiorentina really explioted our left flank where Maldini is. The break came when Carletto made a change putting in Pato for Seedorf who looked very angry being subsituted at that time. Leaving from the other side of the field and refusing shakehand with Pato.

With this substitution Milan now played with 2 forwards (Gila & Pato). And then Emerson came in to replace Brochi. Emerson play in deep midfield replacing Pirlo original position while Pirlo move to the right midfield. This change worked well and Pato scored and become Milan saver of the game with his goal.

And the disaster struck. Pato injured his ankle while try shooting a ball. It looks worried as Pato really looked in agony and has to be stretched out of the game. I really hope nothing serious although I kind of doubt it. Looks like we are gonna lost another striker perhaps for another couple of months. It really sadden me.

Man of the match:

Kalac played well tonight. One golden opportunity for Fiorentina to level the score has been succesfully denied by him at injury time. I would say that man of the match will be Pato if he able to finish the game. But he did not. So I will say Kalac because his performance to denies Fiorentina chances.

Pato steal the show. Milan 2 - Genoa 0

It was a good result after disappointing previous game against Atlanta!

The game (1st half):
Milan came with 4-4-1-1 formation with Pato as a lone striker. First I was a little bit dissapointed with this formation as I remember when Milan play with Catania in Copa Italia that ended with a draw. I was afraid Milan will play to defensive with practically 4 midfield player and only 1 striker up front. This became reality in the first half where Milan was not easy to develop the game as they want it. This worsen with Genoa play closely defensive with all their players most of the time stayed on their half and Rubinho (Genoa GK) played very well.

The game (2nd half):
Milan open the 2nd half with fast game and hard pressure on Genoa's players. I was thinking that Pato will be replaced by Gilardino on the 2nd half. Pato have been struggling on the first half with some chances went away. To be surprised Carletto did not make any change at all. What is really surprised me was that Ambrosini playing very well on the 2nd half running wide and creating chances. This is the different between the game against Catania and tonight game. The 4 midfield players on the 2nd half played better and performed very well on the 4-4-1-1 scheme.
I was mistaken that thinking about replacing Pato. The first Milan goal from him was really the game opener. And the key for winning the game for Milan tonight is Milan consistency after scoring goal and lead the game. If you read my previous post, Milan has tendencies to play defensively and become clumsy after leading a game and in the end loosing it. But tonight after Pato's 1st goal Milan, Milan able to maintains their pressure. And this pressure that in the end resulting in Rubinho (Genoa's GK) being sent off for handsball outside the penalty box. After this incident practically Milan control the game and Pato adding another goal after superb pass from Ambrosini.

Man of the match.
Ambrosini surprisingly playing very well tonight even better than Pirlo. Kaka still dangerous although still could be better for his high standard. Oddo playing as a starting lineup and playing better than the previous game I have seen. But I think everybody will agree that Pato really steal the show tonight. Struggling on the first half, he was able to maximize chances he got on the 2nd half and keep the Genoa defense on their foot all the time.
I just hope he will be able to keep up with everybody's expectation and help Milan reach top 4 position.

Milan 1 - Catania 1 (Coppa Italia)

As suspected, Milan play with their reserves team. The only regular player only Pirlo who was wearing the captain's armband. Catania played well and deserve the outcome by stopping Milan advance to the next round (aggregate 2-2 but Catania win by away goal).
There are nothing much I can say about the game, by putting most of their reserves players on the field, it was hard for them to find the rhythm and control the game. I'm a fan of offensive play, so when Carletto decided to play with one striker and fill the midfield with 5 players I shortly began to feel that this was not the game they will win. By placing Gilardino in front alone, I feel a little bit sorry for him as he was practically work alone. The midfield is too cramped with so many players that they didn't know what to to. Emerson and Brocchi play in deep, Cafu (a natural right back) played in wide right with Pirlo and Gourcuff try to support Gilardino up front. This scheme is suck.
Milan has tradition not playing with wide midfielder (pure winger). And now they doesn't have it on the team too today. So I think when you play with one striker, you should utilize the wide of the field as much as you can. This is when you need a winger. Cafu might be a good options even tough he is a natural right back, but he is too old to run and distribute ball as a winger supposed to do. So in addition of having a midfielder to replace Seedorf (read my last post), Milan should find player for wide midfield position.

Here are some players that worth to be noted:

Massimo Oddo
When Milan decided to brought him in, I feel that was a good choice. He already played in national team, been captain of Lazio and so far that time was one of the best player in right back position. But it is rather disappointing performance he has been since wearing Milan's shirt. Not too much impressive for his standard.

Yoan Gourcuff
He might be the next Zidane, but not now. Milan should loan him to other clubs and let him develop. It wastes of talent if he keeps play as a regular substitute. Let him play for other club in one or two season and see what he become. Just do not sell him right now.

Alberto Gilardino
After tonight game, I come to a conclusion that for the good of Milan and him, he should be out of Milan. Sell him while the price is still acceptable. He is a good player but I think he just don't fit in with Milan. I know Carletto is a big fan of him since the day they together at Parma but looks like things are not going to well for Gilardino if he stuck with current condition at Milan. I will not be too surprised if then he will play exceptional with other club after quitting Milan.

Milan 5 - Napoli 2

It was aired live in 2.30 AM Monday and so here I am feeling sleepy at the office today. But it was a well worthed game to watch. After long suffering home record, my AC Milan finally bring the crowd what it feels to win a home match.
Thanks to what I like to call it a promising performance as I seen better performance before. So here are what I thought about the game this morning:

Goalkeeper:
Dida has been suffered for a lack of quality performance before. Based on this morning match I can not say too much about him as he was barely make any crucial saves. About those 2 goals, those are practically not his fault (more about it below...). Nevertheless I still think Dida has been over his peak performance and Milan should bring a new goalie to the team. There has been a rumour about some other Brazillian goalkeeper in Milan's list but I think we should bring home Abbiati instead. Milan has a habit of wasting promising talents so please get Abbiati back to the team.

Defender:
Milan start with Nesta & Kaladze in the middle with Maldini on the left and Bonera on the right. The first 10 minutes is working well with both flank were not hesitate to support the attack. Until the first goal came up and Maldini's age can not keep up with his gameplay. Shortly it became obvious that our left back become vulnerable. I don't know why but the same thing happen on our right side. Tough it is not about the age factor but Bonera keep loosing position every time Napoli made an attack.
I noticed from Milan every time they play their game, whenever they score first usually they become careless and change the game to be a bit more defensive. And this is exactly what happened on the game, they become careless and from a quick counterattack Napoli drew the score. And again it was happened when Milan lead 2-1 and Kaladze made an unnecessary tackle wich lead to the penalty and brought Napoli back on level term.
I always think Milan's primary concern is on their defense line. Majority Milan's defender is over 30 years old. In modern football today where fast paced and cunning attacker rule the scoreboard, a fast paced and cunning defender is a must have for every team. And we don't have it on our team. The only players that imho should stay with the team are: Nesta (the most experienced and playable for 90 minutes player we have), Bonera (not as good as he was in Parma days but he can be better) and Kaladze (on and off performance but sometime he played well as left back). The other players including Maldini should stay on the bench.
So please Milan get some new (and young) defenders soon. We need left and right back player for covering our flanks and tough center defender. There are a lot of name to be mentioned here but I read that Milan's top list on the summer include Zambrotta and Sergio Ramos. Both players I think could be a useful addition the team.

Midfielder:
Milan's midfield are Ambrosini, Pirlo, Seedorf and Kaka. Gattuso was left behind because of injury. The midfield played well generally. We know Carletto like to play with deep midfielder to control how the team play. This role we know is Pirlo's. Then usually Seedorf and Gattuso covering wider field with Kaka in front of them behind the attackers. But because there was no Gattuso, Carletto bring Ambrossini to the match. This create a little bit of change in the game.
I think Ambrossini is best played as defensive midlfielder to stop the opponents attack before it reach the defender. Usually he substituted Pirlo when Carletto want Milan to play more defensive play. But in this match Ambrossini has to play Gattuso's role wich is a more mobile roles then he usually play as defensive midfielder and Ambrossini was not doing it very well at the 1st half of the game. The first goal from Napoli was a good example of this. There should be someone stopping the counterattack at the first time. I think Pirlo thought Ambrossini will be there and vice versa. After he was replaced by Emerson in 69 minutes, Milan midfield become more stable and it contribute very well to how Milan play for the rest of the game.
For midfield players, Milan should try to invest of some younger players too. Seedorf soon will become to slow. And so far Seedorf has been a very important player for Milan. Whenever Seedorf playing well almost guaranteed that Milan will win the game. This is because Seedorf can play the role of Kaka (attacking midfield) as good as he can play the role of Pirlo (deep playmaker). So everytime Milan's opponent manage to contained Kaka or Pirlo, Seedorf is the one that can save the game for Milan.
There was a substitution on 78 minutes where Gourcuff came in to replace Ronaldo while Milan already lead the game by 5-2. Gourcuff is a promosing young talented player, but looks like he prefer to play in wider position. Beside, as long as Milan have Kaka, Pirlo, Gattuso and Seedorf, it was unlikely he will play as reguler player. So we still have to wait for him. So what Milan need is a midfield player who can distribute ball and create chances. Someone that Milan can look in to when Kaka or Pirlo play below par.

Attacker:
The long waited duo finally came to play: Ronaldo and Pato. Ronaldo altough I think still a little bit slow made up for it with his instinct by doing positioning very well on the game. Two goals from him showed it very well. I think we should give him a chance and at least we can squash a little bit more of him before the age factor come.
And finally Pato "the Duck". His performance on the game really remind me of Sheva. He is quick and explosive with incredible individual skill just like Sheva in his prime time. Yes he score only one goal instead of two as he promised before, but that one goal is incredible. Show how good his skill is by controlling ball like that and with a good attacker instinct manage to put the ball in to Napoli goal.
Yet I think his performance is not yet reach in the level of superb or even good performance. I would say his performance is in category of very promising. Milan should let him play regularly, let him taste what it feels like playing in Serie A. Let him feel what is like being tackled and guarded here. That way he can improve and adapt his style to the game. If things going well, I have no doubt he will be the next Sheva.
Do wee need another attacker? Not as important as we need new defender or midfield but Milan should get one more new player. Inzaghi and Ronaldo is not Milan's future. That left Gilardino and Pato (with Aubameyang in reserve). Pato definetly play, but Gilardino keep dispalying an on and off performance from the first time he joined Milan. He is a good player. I remember him from the time he played for Parma and he was superb. But he can not show the same performance with Milan, I guess his style not yet matched with how Milan play. So even there is still room for improvement for him, I think Milan should get one main attacker. What we need is an executioner and opportunistic type of player. A predator in penalty box. Much like Pipo Inzaghi and George Weah in his prime time. The rumor about Drogba in Milan's top list is really exciting. I really like Drogba style and I really believe he can be very useful for Milan.
So with Drogba and Pato up front I think Milan will have the most fearsome attacante. While Gilardino will provide the best backup for Milan to make it complete.
How about Ronaldinho? He is a great player and I like his style of play. But at the moment Milan does not need his type of play as Kaka already play the same position and roughly the same style of play. I do not mind if eventually Dinho join Milan but with that money we could bring several quality player for defense and midfield. So if Milan has money for all, then buy them all. But if doesn't, be wise and invest on the top priority first which is good defender.

Conclusion:
Milan get lucky this morning. They face Napoli even tough they fast but they not supported by quality players. But that was enough to put 2 goals in Milan's face in San Siro. What will happen if Milan has to face the like of Inter, Roma or MU and Barca? Defense is the most crucial factor to be consider and do something about it fast. Find younger defender and also goalkeeper before terrible things happen.
Pato is definetly Milan's future. Alongside with Kaka, Milan should do anything they can do to keep both players as long as possible.

Player of the game:


Milan did very well to play as a team. I think no one is more stand out above everyone else in term of performance. Kaka playing very well to made him always dangerous with the ball, Ronaldo's 2 goals was something for player thats has not been play for sometime, and Pato performance is very promising and this 18 years old score goal and create chances in his 1st time performance with the team. From those 3 I choose Pato as player of the game, but not based on his contribution for the team's winning but for his promising performance. He successfully made a statement from that game that he will be "something" in Serie A.

*All images from Acmilan.com