Scudetto. The primary objective of the club at the beginning of the season. 3rd place. The primary objective at the end of the season. That is how the story of Milan was written over the course of the season. The reasons - poor purchases, dependence on players who are constantly injured, inefficient medical staff, obscure tactical decisions, and an extraordinarily poor defense. There are other reasons, but these in my opinion are primary.
Milan shelled out money to rebuild, brought in players to cover for every department. Unfortunately most of them were not good enough. Quantity was there, but there wasn't any quality. Flamini was constantly benched, and so was Ronaldinho. Seedorf and Ambrosini, sometimes even Emerson were given chances to play. Shevchenko was barely fielded, Inzaghi being made a regular. No confidence was shown in Pato. Our midfield was supposed to be the strongest in Europe but it barely displayed its true strength. Against the tougher teams, we were always found wanting. Our central defense was usually comprising of Maldini, Favalli and Senderos. That should give a picture of how strong we were defensively. Also our wings would have hags in Zambrotta and Jankulovski, who have clearly lost their legs with age. Maximum danger was when a high ball would be played into the box, the probability of a goal being 9/10. Quick teams and quick players would get past us like we were mannequins. Nesta was deeply missed throughout the season. Borrielo got injured and kept Milan labs busy for the duration of the season. We missed a hard man in the front and quite often Pato and Inzaghi would struggle against the gigantic defenders. Gattuso, who started off with a bang was later found on crutches, and our defensive midfield position was exposed far too often in every game. To make matters worse, Kaka never really found himself. He kept paying the medics regular visits that prevented him from settling down. Ancelloti made things real hard by giving Seedorf countless chances to perform. The Dutchman simply refused to. Pirlo also wasn't at his creative best. At the back, Abbiati marshaled the posts like the world's finest. If not for the keeper, we wouldn't really have survived the onslaughts in every game. Ancelloti rejected the idea of changing his formation, and stuck with the 'Christmas Tree' that made Milan extremely predictable for their oppositions. We couldn't kill-off games, and dropped crucial points in the last minutes of many matches. Against the minnows, we would run into '11 men behind the ball' syndrome and easily accept that as an excuse. In Europe, we were a total disaster, much like we were domestically. Being knocked out of the second tier cup in the round of 32, finishing 2nd in the group is so uncharacteristic of AC Milan. In the Coppa Italia, we put up an arrogant attitude, and crashed out barely after the tournament started.
I will now rate the players who played often during the course of the season :-
Abbiati (8.5) - Howlers weren't a part of Abbiati's game. Many questioned his selection into the main team, but he saved the day on a number of occasions, came up with some world-class saves, some even out of the world in nature. Considering the shoddy defense in front of him, he guarded the net like a lion would guard her den.
Dida (6.5) - Dida of the usual, called into action during European nights, and post Abbiati's injury. Mixed howlers and top class saves in his outings, did decently well.
Maldini (8) - The best defender of the club and amongst the best in the league, even at the age of 40. He wasn't quick, he wasn't sharp, he wasn't physical. He was effective. Placed in a mediocre defense, his performances were soaked in authority.
Senderos (6.5) - Couldn't have expected more, did the best he could. Clownish, clumsy mistakes were constantly a part of his game. However, he did put in some sound performances.
Favalli (7) - I couldn't quite believe his ability to defend. Dint think he had any. But he managed to form a good understanding with Maldini
Zambrotta (6.5) - Started well and did so till mid-season. After which, spotting him on the field would have been a tedious job. He went missing, was lost in attack and defensively inept. I predicted him to be a poor buy, and I am not surprised that he wasn't anything else.
Jankulovski (5.5) - Time for the Czech to leave the club. Old enough to start a retirement club and have Seedorf preside over it, not to mention have David Beckham as speaker. He couldn't defend, couldn't attack, just made up the numbers.
Bonera (5) - Never a good defender, never will be. Best at RB and at CB has the ability to score own goals and also give away penalties. Makes rash tackles like its a hobby. Exit doors should be looming, but ironically awarded a new contract.
Antonini (5) - Effective, nothing more. Has nothing special about his game, and dint show anything out of the ordinary during the course of the season. Wasn't played much even when fit, otherwise would have given him a higher rating.
Kaladze (3) - AC Milan finally want him out. He can't deal with pace, he can't deal with high balls, and he can't deal with attackers. It was a blessing in disguise, his injury.
Gattuso (9) - Potent, hard, dynamic. Quite fantastic as long as he lasted. Had he been available throughout the season, he would have been the best midfielder in the country. Thank heavens that he dint go to Munich last summer.
Andrea Pirlo (7) - Blew hot, blew cold. We got glimpses of his true class in a few games. Isn't anywhere near his best, but it was nice to see him going in for tackles and also having a better work rate than before. Can be awfully poor, at the same time can be the world's best.
Ambrosini (7) - Typical work dog, box to box. He might have been Milan's player of the season last year, but he wasn't as good this year. Effective, did the job when asked. But brings nothing to the table, that is special or unique. Can score the odd goals and therefore essential to keep him in the side as back-up for next season.
Seedorf (3.5) - There are questions that demand an answer, and you still can't find one. Same is the case with Seedorf. What is he doing in the squad, how is he a first team player? Questions where answers are hard to come by. His performances are distasteful. He doesn't play like an attacking footballer. Can't pass, can't run, can't score. The story of the season for Clarence Seedorf. AC Milan's worst player and the anger of the trifosi is justified.
Flamini (7.5) - Can become the world's best fullback when played at right back position. He was incredibly difficult to get by. In midfield, it was a totally different story, as he couldn't replicate his Arsenal performances and wasn't even remotely the person he has been brought to replace - Gattuso. But his performances show promise. He goes into challenges without fear, never say die attitude and his skill, certainly commendable.
Beckham (7.5) - Thought he would be a brand and not a player. He was both. His passes, his runs, his crosses were delightful. Not quite the player he was, but the creativity he brings to the team is admirable. Save a couple of bad performances, his adventure with Milan so far has been a good one.
Ronaldinho (7) - Started off with a bang. Scored goals, and nothing else. Work ethic wasn't part of his dictionary. His passing was good, integrated play well with strikers. But he needs to run more than he is running now. Needs to improve his fitness ahead of the next season considering the responsibilities he has on his shoulders. Scored some vital goals, and also was instrumental in the sacking of Ancelloti.
Kaka (7.5) - Good, but not good enough. He wasn't fit to play over large periods, and was a shadow of the player that once ruled Europe. He might have wanted his last season with Milan to be better than what it was. His stats are impressive, but a chunk of the goals he scored were from the spot. Needs to be a lot better at Madrid.
Inzaghi (8) - Rating purely based on the buckets of goals he scored. But he misses much more than he scores. Slow, constantly offside, and can't read passes like before. But can score, and barely any better finisher in the club than "Pippo".
Pato (8.5) - 36 games played, 15 goals scored and 9 assists. Its quite an impressive record. But what makes it even more impressive is the time he actually got to play. Very rarely did he play a full game. He was quick, deceptive and clever. A bit juvenile in front of goal, but he is young and will learn with time. Has the making of a player, who can be world's best in 3 seasons. Very consistent, but towards the end of the season, went through a few rough patches.
Borrielo (8.5) - Played a handful of games, but showed great ability. He can score, has a lethal left foot, a strong head, can hold, can pass, can create, can shoot. A fascinating player to watch and a beast upfront. If only he can stay fit. If only.
Shevchenko (3) - Era of The Shevchenko is over. Its official. Played 18 games, and save 1 assist, dint do anything in attack. He couldn't carry his friendly and international form to competitive games in the club. This in-turn reflected on the gaffer's confidence in the player. Returns to the Bridge, quite the same player.
This season hasn't been a catastrophe, but what has happened after is certainly so. We should have won a title, any title, with the crop of players available. But our performance in each competitive tournament was below par and appalling. Change is definitely needed. And we are already witnessing it.
Coming to my player of the season, his name is Christian Abbiati. He has played enough games, to be given this honor. His consistency was unmatched, and considering the pathetic defense that was assisting him, he managed to pull out some fantastic performances, being pivotal in many wins and helping us get several points. The Azzuri beckons for the goalkeeper, and a more competitive season awaits him.
Finally, you. Thank you folks for having followed this blog over the course of the season. Its been a privilege to write for you and to cover the various aspects of this magnificent club. I hope reading this blog has been entertaining and enlightening for a good number of you.I shall ponder on the developments of the new season, new coach, Kaka's departure, transfers, etc in my new blog. Farewell.
Milan shelled out money to rebuild, brought in players to cover for every department. Unfortunately most of them were not good enough. Quantity was there, but there wasn't any quality. Flamini was constantly benched, and so was Ronaldinho. Seedorf and Ambrosini, sometimes even Emerson were given chances to play. Shevchenko was barely fielded, Inzaghi being made a regular. No confidence was shown in Pato. Our midfield was supposed to be the strongest in Europe but it barely displayed its true strength. Against the tougher teams, we were always found wanting. Our central defense was usually comprising of Maldini, Favalli and Senderos. That should give a picture of how strong we were defensively. Also our wings would have hags in Zambrotta and Jankulovski, who have clearly lost their legs with age. Maximum danger was when a high ball would be played into the box, the probability of a goal being 9/10. Quick teams and quick players would get past us like we were mannequins. Nesta was deeply missed throughout the season. Borrielo got injured and kept Milan labs busy for the duration of the season. We missed a hard man in the front and quite often Pato and Inzaghi would struggle against the gigantic defenders. Gattuso, who started off with a bang was later found on crutches, and our defensive midfield position was exposed far too often in every game. To make matters worse, Kaka never really found himself. He kept paying the medics regular visits that prevented him from settling down. Ancelloti made things real hard by giving Seedorf countless chances to perform. The Dutchman simply refused to. Pirlo also wasn't at his creative best. At the back, Abbiati marshaled the posts like the world's finest. If not for the keeper, we wouldn't really have survived the onslaughts in every game. Ancelloti rejected the idea of changing his formation, and stuck with the 'Christmas Tree' that made Milan extremely predictable for their oppositions. We couldn't kill-off games, and dropped crucial points in the last minutes of many matches. Against the minnows, we would run into '11 men behind the ball' syndrome and easily accept that as an excuse. In Europe, we were a total disaster, much like we were domestically. Being knocked out of the second tier cup in the round of 32, finishing 2nd in the group is so uncharacteristic of AC Milan. In the Coppa Italia, we put up an arrogant attitude, and crashed out barely after the tournament started.
I will now rate the players who played often during the course of the season :-
Abbiati (8.5) - Howlers weren't a part of Abbiati's game. Many questioned his selection into the main team, but he saved the day on a number of occasions, came up with some world-class saves, some even out of the world in nature. Considering the shoddy defense in front of him, he guarded the net like a lion would guard her den.
Dida (6.5) - Dida of the usual, called into action during European nights, and post Abbiati's injury. Mixed howlers and top class saves in his outings, did decently well.
Maldini (8) - The best defender of the club and amongst the best in the league, even at the age of 40. He wasn't quick, he wasn't sharp, he wasn't physical. He was effective. Placed in a mediocre defense, his performances were soaked in authority.
Senderos (6.5) - Couldn't have expected more, did the best he could. Clownish, clumsy mistakes were constantly a part of his game. However, he did put in some sound performances.
Favalli (7) - I couldn't quite believe his ability to defend. Dint think he had any. But he managed to form a good understanding with Maldini
Zambrotta (6.5) - Started well and did so till mid-season. After which, spotting him on the field would have been a tedious job. He went missing, was lost in attack and defensively inept. I predicted him to be a poor buy, and I am not surprised that he wasn't anything else.
Jankulovski (5.5) - Time for the Czech to leave the club. Old enough to start a retirement club and have Seedorf preside over it, not to mention have David Beckham as speaker. He couldn't defend, couldn't attack, just made up the numbers.
Bonera (5) - Never a good defender, never will be. Best at RB and at CB has the ability to score own goals and also give away penalties. Makes rash tackles like its a hobby. Exit doors should be looming, but ironically awarded a new contract.
Antonini (5) - Effective, nothing more. Has nothing special about his game, and dint show anything out of the ordinary during the course of the season. Wasn't played much even when fit, otherwise would have given him a higher rating.
Kaladze (3) - AC Milan finally want him out. He can't deal with pace, he can't deal with high balls, and he can't deal with attackers. It was a blessing in disguise, his injury.
Gattuso (9) - Potent, hard, dynamic. Quite fantastic as long as he lasted. Had he been available throughout the season, he would have been the best midfielder in the country. Thank heavens that he dint go to Munich last summer.
Andrea Pirlo (7) - Blew hot, blew cold. We got glimpses of his true class in a few games. Isn't anywhere near his best, but it was nice to see him going in for tackles and also having a better work rate than before. Can be awfully poor, at the same time can be the world's best.
Ambrosini (7) - Typical work dog, box to box. He might have been Milan's player of the season last year, but he wasn't as good this year. Effective, did the job when asked. But brings nothing to the table, that is special or unique. Can score the odd goals and therefore essential to keep him in the side as back-up for next season.
Seedorf (3.5) - There are questions that demand an answer, and you still can't find one. Same is the case with Seedorf. What is he doing in the squad, how is he a first team player? Questions where answers are hard to come by. His performances are distasteful. He doesn't play like an attacking footballer. Can't pass, can't run, can't score. The story of the season for Clarence Seedorf. AC Milan's worst player and the anger of the trifosi is justified.
Flamini (7.5) - Can become the world's best fullback when played at right back position. He was incredibly difficult to get by. In midfield, it was a totally different story, as he couldn't replicate his Arsenal performances and wasn't even remotely the person he has been brought to replace - Gattuso. But his performances show promise. He goes into challenges without fear, never say die attitude and his skill, certainly commendable.
Beckham (7.5) - Thought he would be a brand and not a player. He was both. His passes, his runs, his crosses were delightful. Not quite the player he was, but the creativity he brings to the team is admirable. Save a couple of bad performances, his adventure with Milan so far has been a good one.
Ronaldinho (7) - Started off with a bang. Scored goals, and nothing else. Work ethic wasn't part of his dictionary. His passing was good, integrated play well with strikers. But he needs to run more than he is running now. Needs to improve his fitness ahead of the next season considering the responsibilities he has on his shoulders. Scored some vital goals, and also was instrumental in the sacking of Ancelloti.
Kaka (7.5) - Good, but not good enough. He wasn't fit to play over large periods, and was a shadow of the player that once ruled Europe. He might have wanted his last season with Milan to be better than what it was. His stats are impressive, but a chunk of the goals he scored were from the spot. Needs to be a lot better at Madrid.
Inzaghi (8) - Rating purely based on the buckets of goals he scored. But he misses much more than he scores. Slow, constantly offside, and can't read passes like before. But can score, and barely any better finisher in the club than "Pippo".
Pato (8.5) - 36 games played, 15 goals scored and 9 assists. Its quite an impressive record. But what makes it even more impressive is the time he actually got to play. Very rarely did he play a full game. He was quick, deceptive and clever. A bit juvenile in front of goal, but he is young and will learn with time. Has the making of a player, who can be world's best in 3 seasons. Very consistent, but towards the end of the season, went through a few rough patches.
Borrielo (8.5) - Played a handful of games, but showed great ability. He can score, has a lethal left foot, a strong head, can hold, can pass, can create, can shoot. A fascinating player to watch and a beast upfront. If only he can stay fit. If only.
Shevchenko (3) - Era of The Shevchenko is over. Its official. Played 18 games, and save 1 assist, dint do anything in attack. He couldn't carry his friendly and international form to competitive games in the club. This in-turn reflected on the gaffer's confidence in the player. Returns to the Bridge, quite the same player.
This season hasn't been a catastrophe, but what has happened after is certainly so. We should have won a title, any title, with the crop of players available. But our performance in each competitive tournament was below par and appalling. Change is definitely needed. And we are already witnessing it.
Coming to my player of the season, his name is Christian Abbiati. He has played enough games, to be given this honor. His consistency was unmatched, and considering the pathetic defense that was assisting him, he managed to pull out some fantastic performances, being pivotal in many wins and helping us get several points. The Azzuri beckons for the goalkeeper, and a more competitive season awaits him.
Finally, you. Thank you folks for having followed this blog over the course of the season. Its been a privilege to write for you and to cover the various aspects of this magnificent club. I hope reading this blog has been entertaining and enlightening for a good number of you.I shall ponder on the developments of the new season, new coach, Kaka's departure, transfers, etc in my new blog. Farewell.
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