[acid911]

The brave world of AC Milan
Derby comments

1. Milan’s fullbacks lost the derby

Jankulovski and Zambrotta. Both made a mediocre game, nothing so obviously terrible, but still, a certain feeling stays that both should have done better to close-up the free space, created by Santon, Cambiasso, Adriano and especially Maicon. Jankulovski did provide the excellent cross for our 1-2 cut, but defensively did poorly. The Stankovic goal also lays partially on his shoulders, as his positioning and reaction was inadequate.

2. The midfield’s Pir victory

Ambrosini-Pirlo-Ronaldinho-Beckham-Seedorf. A line-up to remember and enjoy. No Kaka in play, but the 5 stars played extraordinary good considering Milan lost. Ronaldinho’s passing, Seedorf’s dynamic movement, Pirlo’s thinking, Ambrosini’s passion and Beckham’s touch made it all look more then just good. Only problem was, they didn’t stretch the passing enough and their passes were too exact, so Milan lacked of more (in-active) ball-possession.

3. The aerial difficulty

Mourinho’s calculation was simple. Two aerially strong forwards who provide each other with balls they easily put to ground and provide up front. Maicon’s crossing came as a bonus blessing that made the system work even easier. Milan’s answer? Maybe it lied on Senderos? Questionable. Ever since Stam left, Milan has that aerie not covered well.

4. The central defenders

Maldini’s presence and greatness put aside, he made and excellent match. Some errors and miscalculations, never then less it’s a usual defender’s quota. The other defender, namely Kaka Kaladze, had a terrible comeback. His lack of anticipation, intelligence and positioning came up even in a situation when Inter’s offensive game-plan was more then easy. Ancelotti can’t be blamed for not fixing this problem in second half, but can be blamed overall, for not reacting adequate to the obvious thread. A big problem opens up after this seasons end. Nesta’s comeback is still doubtful, while Bonera, Senderos, Kaladze and Favalli all bear their own problems that make them just very good subs. Is Thiago Silva, a young Brazilian Fluminense star the answer? Next season will tell. But fact is, Milan needs at least one more. Counting on the rationality the board shown, a simple calculation will be enough – Milan - (minus)Senderos -Maldini +Silva = 1 more space opened up.

5. The magic moments that shouldn’t leave a bad taste in our memory

Seeing Maldini tackle on Andriano, seeing Pippo score a beautiful offside-goal, seeing Zambrotta jump up and down, Ambrosini dwell over the ball…it all makes you think, but not with your mind, with your heart. Reason could as well come from the heart – and it comes. Many of us are not aware how close we are of never ever seeing Inzaghi score and celebrate his goal, Maldini make his tackle and stop a in-progress-goal. Once the decide it’s over, all we will have left is our own collection of memories selected by our heart, and stories to tell. Not living in the past may as well hold you back, and make you not live in the future after all, at least for that short while you’ll still have the privilege and honor of seeing a number 3 in Milan’s game, and a passionate offside-goal celebration.

6. The scudetto-derby-loss chance

While it’s indisputable Milan lost pace and left Inter’s scudetto chance wide open, the magic moments of 5. linger. In fact, now that place 2 or 3 look secured, and Scudetto only a miracle away, it helps us to loosen-up, de-rationalize, let our heart win – and enjoy not the result, but the simple moment in time, and that very subjectively. Everyone’s left to his own taste, depending on character and preferences – one can enjoy the small trick’s and latest samba inventions, as much as the intelligence of movement and space-time mastering. The reflexes of Milan’s last men on watch, or the agility and virtue of the guys upfront. Not to forget, the little imperfections that makes them all near enough to think they are human.

I guess it won't hurt to agree with you once in a while, Simone. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/king.gif) Excellent post!

[Fillipo Simone]

@ Fillipo

Are those writings yours?

They are, last time I checked.. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[kurtsimonw]

Pretty much agree with everything Fillipo said. Only disagreement I have is that I thought Maldini was very poor, but that's it.

[MizNelson]

Julio Cesar is suspended for Inert's next match after he was booked today. Might be the opportunity for us to chip away at their lead next week.

[Zed.D]

They are, last time I checked.. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Man, you're fast!

[acid911]

Only disagreement I have is that I thought Maldini was very poor, but that's it.

You and I were watching the same match? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) The first goal wasn't that much a mistake from Paolo, the second one from Kaladze was far more fatal lapse in concentration. And I'll just say this: If Paolo wasn't playing today, we'd have returned the favor of 6-0 to inter. We were that bad in the first (and part of) second half, that I feared a humiliation was the flavor of the day. Paolo marked Ibra out of the game more often than not, he stopped Adriano in face of near certain goal, and overall stopped the inter players from taking direct shots at our goal.

I'd be willing to wager my farmhouse on this, but we'd been very lost without him today. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif) And I'm not saying this as a fan. Just go and see the extended highlights again once they come up. Do me a favor and watch them, so will I. I can point out 3-4 near certain chances that Maldini stopped. Yes, you can argue that he was very poor (compared to the standard of the best defender of all time, that he set), but it's not like we had half a dozen better options in the line, now, did we? A combo of Kaladze+Sanderos or Kaladze+Bonera would have meant disaster, surely.

[MizNelson]

Cue Carlo's usual Scudetto-is-gone commentary:

Ancelotti: Title ambitions are over
Sunday 15 February, 2009
Carlo Ancelotti believes the referee penalised Milan, but is ready to concede the Scudetto is no longer an objective.

“We should've had two penalties, not just one. As for Adriano's goal, I'd say his header was certainly not going into the net,” he said of the Brazilian's opener, which bounced in off an arm.

“The hand was decisive for the goal. Whether it's voluntary, I cannot say, but the ball was clearly not going on target.

“I would call that a fairly clear incident. The player is totally clear to jump and under no pressure. It's easy to judge.”

The 2-1 derby defeat leaves Milan 11 points adrift of the leaders and Ancelotti admits the title race is over as far as they are concerned.

“We can't think about that right now, as we are 11 points behind. Our objective is to finish in the top three and we are playing well, but we have to be careful, as this will be a long season right to the end.”

“11 points is a great deal, so we have to focus on the other objective, which is qualifying directly for the Champions League and then of course the UEFA Cup. I think the team is in good shape right now and we have to keep going.”

Alexandre Pato scored late on to set up a very tense finale, but the Rossoneri were unable to equalise.

“He has to keep playing like this and is destined to become one of the best strikers in the world.

“It was a game we started fairly well and suffered under Inter's strength and long ball, but we knew that would happen. We ran the risk of going 3-0 down, but the latter stages were all Milan and we deserved a draw.

Ronaldinho was particularly inspired in Kaka's absence, ending a run of poor performances and spells on the bench.

“He is back to his usual levels, the way he was playing in the first half of the season, and was always in the thick of the action.”

“[Clarence] Seedorf was perhaps the most consistent on the field. We played well and only really had problems in terms of physique with Ibrahimovic and Adriano.”

Some have said this will be Ancelotti's final derby, as the failure to win the title and interest from Chelsea could see him quit San Siro at the end of the season.

“I already answered this. It was not my last derby and nothing has changed since yesterday.”

[acid911]

They are, last time I checked..

Oh, I'd check again now, if I were you. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) I've just bought the exclusive rights to that article!

[RinoIlCapitano]

Santon.. Santon... why isn't he in Milan (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Because he don't like the seating in the stands like albetrazzi, Darmiani etc.

[Zed.D]

Because he don't like the seating in the stands like albetrazzi, Darmiani etc.

Good point (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) I wonder, what does Kaladze do that Darmian can't? somebody answer me this!

[elcordobez]

Good point (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) I wonder, what does Kaladze do that Darmian can't? somebody answer me this!

nuffing,Darmian's technique is heads and shoulders above Kaladze

[Zed.D]

nuffing,Darmian's technique is heads and shoulders above Kaladze

Yeah I thought so (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[dst]

So sad. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[MizNelson]

Good point (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) I wonder, what does Kaladze do that Darmian can't? somebody answer me this!

Continue to start because he's one of Carlo's pet projects despite the fact that he's almost consistently played lousy from this way to Wednesday. That's something Darmian needs to work on.

This post has been edited by MizNelson: Feb 16 2009, 12:03 AM

[elcordobez]

Well how about that first time volley from Inzaghi LOL!!...

I was fully expecting him to send it to row Z but man that was an impressive volley.

Trying to find a good replay of it.

This post has been edited by elcordobez: Feb 16 2009, 12:14 AM