MASSIMILIANO ALLEGRI will make some changes, Meytar Zeevi writes.

It’s finally official. After a long month in which many of us have already abandoned hope in signing Allegri, one decisive day made the difference and now the 42-year-old is AC Milan new coach.

Allegri will replace Leonardo. The intelligent Brazilian Boss resigned from his post as Milan coach at the end of the last season by mutual contests and the Rossoneri picked former Cagliari Coach Allegri to be their new boss.

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Rossoneriblog.com’s Meytar Zeevi on the changes Allegri might make.

Young Players
One of Allegri’s best support in young players and he has always worked well with them. Leonardo did not give a lot of chances to youngsters, despite playing with Ignazio Abate in the starting line-up mostly, he has almost never gave Primavera players a chance, not to speak about Dominic Adiyiah. The Ghanaian arrived to Milan in January 2010 but he has not played even one single minute. Rodney Strasser, Simone Verdi, Gianmarco Zigoni and Andrea De Vito played only one time for last season under Leonardo, while the 40-year-old refused to play with Michelangelo Albertazzi in the defense, and opted to play with Massimo Ambrosini (midfielder).

Under Massimiliano Allegri, this will certainly be unlikely. Of course, players as De Vito and Zigoni won’t be playing on regular basis, as they are very young and Milan have better players for their roles, but they will be playing more than once next season for sure. Allegri has always given chances to youngsters during his two years at Cagliari: Davide Astori (23, 44 appearances), Robert Acquafresca (22, 36 appearances), Daniele Ragatzu (18, 14 appearances) and many more.

AC Milan top youngsters are Ignazio Abate and Alexandre Pato (expect for the newly promoted Primavera players). Abate is a right-winger, but he was convened into the right-back position – a role that certainly does not fit him. Abate is soon 24 and he has a bright future ahead of him also as a Nazionale player and Allegri might find him very useful next season as an extra power to attack due to his speed. On the other hand, everyone is waiting to see how Pato will work with Allegri. Pato is without a doubt, one of the most promising players in world football. Only in age of 20, the player has won many prizes and many clubs are willing to sign him. Allegri has told that he expects Pato will mature during their first year together: “I expect him to mature well this year.” “The Duck” has already said he’s waiting to work with Massimiliano. It would be fascinating to see if Allegri can get the best out of such a talented young man.

Allegri has done quite well job with the young players of Cagliari, and one of the reasons Milan have brought him is to help in the evolution of the youth teams.

Ronaldinho
It’s a wonder to see how much Ronaldinho has improved with Leonardo. Finally, he got a coach who understands him, a Brazilian like him, and gives him enough freedom on and off the pitch. Allegri on the other hand, looks more meticulous. Ronaldinho has had fantastic games, but also very poor ones during the 09/10 season, but Leo has barely subbed him out (maybe three times in the entire season).

‘Dinho is a free-role man who was convened into the left wing last season and did it on his very best. Allegri feels he can play everywhere: “Ronaldinho is a fantastic player and the club will not sell him. Together we will find new motivation that is not represented by his World Cup dream. He can play anywhere with that quality, out wide or behind the strikers.”

Ronaldinho of AC Milan celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Juventus FC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on May 15, 2010 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Massimo Cebrelli/Getty Images Europe)

Ronaldinho is not the classic No. 10. He’s a maestro when it comes to long balls and one-on-one. The attacking midfielder position might not fit him, and he would spend another season on the bench (like the one with Carlo Ancelotti), especially when Clarence Seedorf will do everything in order to play. There is no doubt ‘Ronie is a very creative man but it appears unknown whether he will fit to Allegri’s systems next term.

Formations
Last season Milan used 4-3-3 with an attack of Pato (on the right) – Borriello (in the middle) – Ronaldinho (on the left). However, Allegri is not a huge fan of that system. He plays a very attacking football but he also believes in order and not just throw strikers in when he needs a goal. It is most probable that Milan will use 4-3-1-2. The defense should look the same with Gianaluca Zambrotta or Ignazio Abate on the right – Alessandro Nesta – Thiago Silva in the middle – Luca Antonini on the left (That of course if Milan do not buy players).

Allegri has asked Milan to keep Mathieu Flamini in the team so the midfield would probably look like this: Andrea Pirlo – Mathieu Flamini – Massimo Ambrosini or Gennaro Gattuso, while Ronaldinho and Seedorf would compete for the attacking midfielder role. The attack will probably be Pato-Marco Borriello, though Allegri might find it right to start with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who according to his words, very similar to the other strikers: “He [Huntelaar] has similar characteristics to Pippo Inzaghi and Marco Borriello, even if he is a good player. We’ll see.” The other option is 4-4-2.

Former Head coach Massimiliano Allegri of Cagliari Calcio during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on March 14, 2010 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Massimo Cebrelli/Getty Images Europe)

Market
Milan have failed to land Davide Astori from Cagliari, however, Allegri looks keen to sign Andrea Lazzari. The 25-year-old Cagliari midfielder has been playing under Allegri for two years and the both have created good rapport. Lazzari could be an alternative in the middle as well as behind the strikers.

It also appears that he has asked Milan to get him a fullback. There have been some names linking with the Rossoneri such as Domenico Criscito and Martin Caceres, but have not made any move for any of them.

Based on recent rumors, Milan will also be looking the option to sign Luis Fabiano from Sevilla or Zlatan Ibrahimovic from FC Barcelona.

Allegri has already claimed he likes the challenge of becoming a Milan coach. He said: “I am not afraid. Do you know how many of my colleagues would like to be in my place right now? I like a challenge. This is a squad that has won a great deal, but still has a lot to give. People forget victories very quickly, so the only way to keep them on side is to keep winning.”

By Meytar Zeevi, Rossoneri Blog