Milan without a #9

WITH THE decline of Pippo Inzaghi, Milan no longer have a #9 striker, but have adapted admirably. 

Milan’s attack is currently the best through 7 matches, scoring 12 goals for an average of 1.71 goals/game. Unfortunately for our side, we have also conceded 11 goals, 1.57 goals/game. Having the best defense last season in Serie A, I believe that our defense just needs more time to sort themselves out. Milan’s offense, on the other hand, remains as potent as it was last year. Last season we scored 65 goals in 38 games, a 1.71 goals/game average.

One of the reasons for our success last year was due to a distribution of goals amongst our players, most notably, among our front three. Ibrahimovic, Robinho, and Pato all tied for 8th on the Serie A scoring charts, scoring 14 league goals apiece. Last season differed from our previous successful campaigns due to the fact that we had three equal threats on goal, as opposed to one, out and out, scorer who soars above his compatriots. In 06/07 it was Kaka with 17 goals in all competitions (Inzaghi with 14, then Seedorf, Pato and Gilardino with 9) In 03/04 it was Shevchenko with 28 (Kaka 14, Tomasson 12).

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The difference between these two previously mentioned seasons and last season, tactically, is the absence of a true #9. The absence of a #9 has caused teams to play differently against us. In 03/04 our point of the attack, Shevchenko, made his living scoring in the box. Also, doing the same throughout his career is the master of tap-ins: Phillipo Inzaghi. Both of these strikers made a name for themselves on their predatory instincts inside the box, and their ability to turn loose balls in the box into goals for Milan.

In today’s Milan, we do not have such a player on our squad (he is 38 and often cut from the team). Upon his arrival, Zlatan Ibrahimovic was supposed to be that player for us, as he often was for Inter. That being said, Zlatan has not performed that role for Milan, as he likes to bring the ball up the pitch himself. I suspect it is his need for perfection that drives it, but in any event, Zlatan likes to have the ball, whenever, where ever. This usually ends up being outside the box. From here, he often takes on the role of creator. This sometimes means that Ibrahimovic has to drive into the box himself and unleash a shot, this sometimes means he has to pass and look for a give and go, and sometimes, it means he has to pass and stay stationary and wait for movement to develop. This slows down our attack, and allows our midfielders to come forward, which is when Milan does their most damage.

It is my personal observation that many of Milan’s best attacks start from the edge of the box, either on the right side or the left. Abate’s crosses, Cassano’s lobbed crosses, Ibra’s dribbling moves, and KPB’s forward pushing runs all ensure that the most dangerous area for Milan is between the sides of the 18 and the sides of the 6.

It is from this position that Milan are able to do their most damage. Aquilani is able to hit long shots in from outside the box, as is Zlatan and more recently Kevin Prince-Boateng.  All of these players can dart into the box, and be targets for headballs (see goals against Lazio and Lecce), they can wait and continue to pass the ball around the box and hold possession, or they can make themselves available for deflections, redirections, and shots on the one-touch.

This method has been effective thus far. Milan only failed to score in 6 matches last season. This was second to only Napoli in the league last season. This year, we also seem to show the same sort of diversity of attack, as 9 different players have already found the back of the net. To put that in perspective, last season, 13 players found the back of the net. We’re well on our way to another successful season, number 9 or not.

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