TONY SCERRA has learned a few things from Milan’s surprise defeat to Hellas Verona on Week 1 of Serie A.
Milan dropped their Serie A opener today to newcomer Hellas Verona, 2-1. Andrea Poli opened up the scoring in the 14th minute on a brilliant through ball from Mario Balotelli. Luca Toni, defying his age and proving that he still has something left in the tank, then gave Verona the equalizer in the 30th minute when he broke away to head in a corner.
8 minutes into the second half, Toni scored the game winner off a cross from Bosko Jankovic to give Hellas Verona a huge upset victory.
Hellas Verona-Milan: Official line-ups
Hellas Verona-Milan: Probable formations
Max Allegri is not the man to lead Milan: I came to this conclusion long ago, but its time his loyal minions start seeing logic. Most of the points defending Max are valid points, such as leading the team into the CL after a mass exodus of class players last summer. He has dealt well with the many big egos on the team and wrestled away the Scudetto from the hands of the evil twin brother (who shall remain unnamed). But he is not the man to lead this team. Milan have looked absolutely dreadful this preseason and through the start of this season. How did we tie PSV? Yes they are young and vibrant, but we are Milan. That 7 on the sleeve of our shirt means that we do not accept “good enough.” Max Allegri is good enough, if you are happy for settling ala Arsenal.
Milan still can’t defend set pieces. The tactics today were abysmal. They stopped after the goal. There was an unbelievable amount of standing around. I did not see much heart today. And you say that Allegri is the right man? When watching the game today, I wonder what Milan is working on in training. They are underachieving due to the same reason that has plagued them since Max took over. The playing style is reprehensible, pass to your best player and hope for the best. The lack of combination, movement, and in general an overall plan today is not Milan. Any good coach will work on his team’s weaknesses. Has ours? Doesn’t look like it. We should have dominated from start to finish. We made Hellas Verona look like Real Madrid (taking nothing away from Verona’s performance today). I don’t care if this is between CL qualifiers. These games count. By how many points did we edge Fiorentina out last season? Do you think Alex Ferguson would put up with a performance like that today?
Despite all these factors, I have one closing point about Allegri. Milan has always been defined by their Champion’s League success (despite Max’s attempts to change that). Now answer this: can you see Milan winning a Champion’s League title with Max at the helm? If you’re answer is yes, you’re more lost than Kevin Constant trying to win that header over Luca Toni on Luca’s first goal today.
Jorginho and Michelangelo Albertazzi: Albertazzi is currently co-owned by Milan and Verona, and got to the chance to play against the team of his youth. Albertazzi was a promising youngster as a CB for Milan youth teams and was a member of the 2010 Primavera Coppa Italia winning team. This was right around the time that Milan started their new emphasis on youth and it was hotly debated where Albertazzi’s career would go. Then he starts what can seem like the never-ending downward spiraling of loans: Getafe in 2011, Varese in 2012, and now Hellas Verona. Albertazzi played an impressive game today at LB against Milan. He made a great case for Milan to bring him back to the San Siro. If you are a former youth player that wants to come back to Milan a good place to start is to play well against Milan (off point, but I believe this is a reason why Milan have not bought Davide Astori, he has been terrible against Milan. He’s not good at making impressions). With Michelangelo still only 22 and the dearth of quality CBs at Milan, he is one to keep an eye on during this season.
Jorginho was a player that has been linked with Milan throughout this past season and at the beginning of the summer. For whatever reason, the move never materialized for the 21-year-old midfielder. I wish it had. Jorginho show class in midfield today. Touch on the ball, creativity, coolness under pressure, and an attitude of attacking the opponent was clearly evident as a part of his repertoire. I hope that Milan snap this guy up soon.
Mario Balotelli: He has got to keep his head on the field. In his defense, the referee was completely inept today and did not give Mario any calls based on his reputation (which is a problem throughout calcio). He was denied 2 clear penalties. However as a professional, he cannot keep getting yellow cards every game. We need him. I love seeing his passion that was lacking at Inter and Man City. He is our best players and one of the best strikers in the world. I don’t want to make a bigger deal than what it is. He is only 23, remember, and he will improve.
What do you think? Have any thoughts on my 3 thoughts?
You can follow Tony on twitter at @TonyScerra.
in the past 10 years milan rarely won on matchday 1.. but losing is a disgrace to a team that just got promoted to serie a .. lets just hope we manage a win vs psv so we can get reenfocements like sakho or astori or maybe even vidic for cb, we need a creative midfielder please get honda, and ljajic for right foward
Season 2010/11: Nesta, Tiago Silva/ Van Bommel, Pirlo, Gattuso, Seedorf/Zlatan, Pato
Season 2013/14: Zapata, Mexes, Constant/ Muntari, Boateng, Nocerino, Traore, Urby
“When you pay peanuts, you buy monkeys”
Allegri has made mistakes, but most importantly the squad needs INVESTMENTS.
MIlan’s biggest problem is: MONEY!!! Youth policy is good, but it can’t provide all a team needs. You have to add some top players too. Barca has the best academy, but also bought Neymar, Cesk, Alexis, Song etc…
Silvio the teams needs MONEY!!!
Forza Milan anyway!!
And there goes our dreams! I’m not an Allegri hater like many who after each loss call for his head. Actually it was a good formation this time and the right players were on the pitch. Obviously it’s very hard for players like El Sha and Niang when the opponent close down the spaces with 10 and sometimes 11 players in and around their penalty box. They’re players who need space to use their pace and give their best. BUT, when it’s 75th minute and you’re a goal down and you’re the better team, then you have to press the… Read more »
Zapata played a good game? I guess you saw a different game then. Our weakest dept is by far defense (including GK), and not even one player has had a decent game in some time. We need a leader in the CB position which we have always had until now.
I wonder why ppl say opponents doesn’t give Milan space….Why cant we do the same to Opponents….dont give space to them and fight for every ball….In all the 3 official matches ( 2 against PSV and 1 against Verona) we are defending from deep….we are treating our opponents as if they are Bayern Munich / Barca or Madrid….This is not how Milan plays…We need to change style and dominate….When Juve, Napoli can play easily against these opponents we should play better than them.
Max Allegri is not the man to lead Milan i agree
Agreed on Allegri not being the guy to lead the club. I think youngsters in particular need a fiery manager to help them a long… someone with the attitude of Klopp or Super Pippo. There seems more often than not to be a disconnect between Max and the players – similar to the problem Arsenal has w/ Wenger. Albertazzi and Jorginho looked damn good today and would both be a great part of this so-called youth project. I thought Milan would have a bit more youth at each position (starters or not) on this year’s roster to allow them to… Read more »
instead of paying 9 mil for ligig is better milan buy Alfreð Finnbogason 5 mil they wont regret it
I forgot to mention, although Petagna had a very disappointing performance, it is absolutely not his fault. That was not the right condition for him to make his mark in his first important match. The pressure was too much and there was not enough space for players with the quality of Balotelli and Robinho. He is not ready to be introduced in such games. Robinho made a really decent cameo by the way. Also let’s not forget about Verona. Yes we played really bad but it was a great performance from Verona as well. After all, this is the beauty… Read more »
The team is very bad, reality check, no use blaming the coach or other person, only performance that was ridiculous, the players themselves admitted that they played badly, we can only wait to see what will happen, but one thing is certain we will not win the Scudetto.
stfup…..
Toni was playing in my country (UAE) last year and couldn’t manage to score more than one Goal in 10 games against average teams with defenders who plays football as hobby. He scored 2 today against AC Milan!!!! I’m so frustrated at almost everyone. Balo: he falls 99% of the times! EL 92: very average player today! Montolivio: not what we would expect from our new Captain! Mexes: not covering well! Nocerino: barely felt his game! Niang: sadly LOST on the pitch! Abbiati: I’m sure there are 55 better goal keepers than him! The team is very slow. No fighting… Read more »
Im totally with you especially for Balotelli he hopes to receive a free kick everytime he falls…
We need at least 5 new players…2-3 Defenders, an attacking midfielder, and a winder and maybe a striker
Allergri jxt hav to GO, 1st season= 1st, 2nd season = 2nd, 3rd season= 3rd, 4th season = ? 4th
Berlusconi please tell Allegri to sit down and let tassotti take over until the end of his contract. Only then will this team start bieng presentable.
what’s wrong with milan? I’m sad
Completley agree. Honestly, I knew the first day I saw Milan with allegri that this guy is just not that good unfortunately. even when Milan win they still play terrible non tactical football. I hate following this team I can’t stand how mediocre this guy is after so many years of striving for the best. I’m starting to wish I was never a milanista, it has been three years of shit football. Just get someone else on that bench that has personality and that has actually won something as a player too. Fuck you Galliani for keeping this non talented… Read more »
I won’t agree with Allegri is not the man to lead the team. Come think of it, which of the big team have more average players in their teams expect Arsenal? You expect the best when you have people like constant, nocerino, niang, abbiati e.t.c on the first team and expect good delivery. Why don’t you easily put blame on the management you want good players for just low price when the show desire to play for the team? Tevez, strootman, dzeko and many other end up playing for rival clubs now honda cases and lljaic is not sure for… Read more »
Thanks Milan for breaking our heart again . Hope we improve and knock PSV out
Milan is going from bad to worst …. Milan is nt a term again I think max should be sack by 2moro or we will lose to Psv just watch and I think milan youth that win 4-1 will win Hellas verona milan have good players that could have win 2day max is The problem ….
We need Money to buy quality players,75% of is team is garbage.You can not put any player in the Milan jersey and expect them to win,football is changing,we need a new direction.If we can not afford a player for 5m then you know we are in a huge problem.This was not AC Milan period!!!
I’m so glad Prince didn’t play today, so we didn’t have to crucify him! Its obvious that we’re up against bigger problems than Prince..
Am sick and tired of al this sheet.how can some one tel me why a team that have up to 5 to 6 player that plays at their national team should not be abl to win a new promoted club in their league?it obviously clear that fukin Max is our problem and he should be sack imediatly befor it wil be too late.as of me am tired of milan.it is high time i turn my interest to another club.
For those who think that the team is garbage, take each individual player who was on that field for Milan, and compare his quality with his opposite number for Verona and ask you’re self are we really inferior to Verona who just got promoted? If you think we are inferior then our team is garbage, if you think we are not then you’re wrong, our coach is garbage.
Gush!! I felt so down-hearted after d match.Mont was lacked d spirits to lead Milan 2 glory,Noce shldn’t b Milan player,Balo showed no desire 2 play competitv football,asides d pass 2 Poli,he simply didn’t want 2 play wit others.The team was lazy.Max is technically deficient 2 lead Milan.THEY SIMPLY DON’T KNW WAT IT TAKES 2 PLAY 4 MILAN!
Gush!! I felt so down-hearted after d match.Mont lack d spirits to lead Milan 2 glory,Noce shldn’t b a Milan player,Balo showed no desire 2 play competitv football,asides d pass 2 Poli,he simply didn’t want 2 play wit others.The team was lazy.Max is technically deficient 2 lead Milan.THEY SIMPLY DON’T KNW WAT IT TAKES 2 PLAY 4 MILAN!
I dont blame Allegri, he has got a mediocre team with a lot of mediocre players, and he has to cope with this dramatical situation of poor players Without new players not one coach in this world can make this poor Milan a competitive team…. Balotelli has to stop thinking that he is a star, the only thing he can do is fall and hope to receive a free kick, he loses 90% of the balls he receives…we need players We need players, 3 strong defenders (not mediocre Inter players or free players), 1 AMF , 1 fast winger and… Read more »
You had me at: Max Allegri is not the man to lead Milan
El Greco…I think u r ..umb.. I didnt read down the thread I only read ur comment had to RETORT..Boateng; Mutari; Traore were not on the pitch yesterday.. The writer ask a rheotorical question: What do they do in training .. Allegri has no tactics; dont tell me we need superstars to beat Verona.. or there players are better than ours right..Milan will keep under performing under Allegri!!! Mistake is an event, an occurence not a lifestyle..
I really hate it when people say Allegri isnt the problem..Abate, Montilivo, SES, Balotelli- all regulars for the Azzuris, Mexes Zapata- regulars for France and Columbia.. Poli was outstanding for Samp last season so where is the gabbage on the pitch yesterday?
Yes I blame the management for keeping such a gabbage on the sideline for 4 seasons, its so pitiful.
Martinho for Verona played well. Poli was the only Milan player who impressed me. Balotelli did not derserve any penalties he was a disgrace, if he put the same effort into recovering the ball and making 2nd and 3rd efforts instead of diving and complaining he would have pinched a goal. There was a total lack of motivation from Milan. Milan find it hard to penitrate opposition defences, a playmaker is needed. Niang had the chance to prove he should start ahead of Prince but he did not do this. Zapata was on Toni and lost him for the first… Read more »
FIRE ALLEGRI NOW!!!
AC Milan problem can be found in several places, starting with top management. Galliani consistently insists on buying mediocre players that are just not good enough at the top level. To make matters worst the club does not trust in our youth product to give them the chance to shine like teams like Barca, Arsenal, Burrusia Dortmund and Man United. This is often because we dont have a coach that can do that well. Milan need a coach that knows how to develop talented players and bring them into the squad at the right time. Allegri is incapable of that… Read more »