AC Milan
Preview
UCL/ECC wins : 6
AC Milan went from the preliminary qualifier to European glory in a matter of 10 months. The team got stronger from that European victory campaign but then crashed out in the most unbelievable manner on a forgettable night for the Rossoneri where RC Deportivo La Coruna proved again for the umpteenth time that they don't have it to go all the way. It is customary for Super Depor to get rid of a favourite and then follow them shortly.
Milan however did win the Scudetto after a gap of five years in record breaking style bringing home a win that was wanted by many. Milan didn't show that league form in the UCL apart from two games (Sparta at home and Depor at home) Now that the Scudetto has been won Milan as always like Real will focus on the Big Kahuna. The current Milan side is well balanced in all areas so much so that it is close to perfection. It may sound good but it is also a dangerous thing as the best team on the field wins not the best team on paper. This competition is unforgiving. It is ruthless. The world's best side could win game after game but then a single goal is enough for elimination from this competition. One mistake and you're out!
That is why the league form cannot be compared to the UCL form. In the league coming back from 2 goals down to win 4-2 is something brilliant but in the UCL that means the opposition has two PRECIOUS away goals to take back with them which can haunt you big time!
Milan has to be careful. The team is extraordinarily well balanced and strong and there is ample backup for every position not affecting the overall performance but this can only give Milan a favourites tag. Living up to it is another thing entirely.
Offence
-> Shevchenko
-> Tomasson
-> Inzaghi
-> Crespo
Milan was lacking a striker and they got a good deal to get hold of Hernan Crespo on loan. There are rumours that Gilardino might come in January considering the injury situation in this department but Inzaghi resuming training is a positive sign so that rumour might be put in the shelf till next Summer. Milan has good mix of strikers and Shevchenko is once again in hot form carrying it over to this season. In his absence there can be trouble as Inzaghi and Crespo don't have enough mins under their belt. Tomasson is the silent performer who keeps doing his job effectively when called upon.
Big things are expected of Crespo as he has been brought here on special request of Ancelotti. Ancelotti has gained respect of the Milan management as he has won three main trophies in two full seasons in charge. Crespo has a chance to resurrect his sagging career so he will be motivated enough.
Milan's quartet is pretty good. Apart from Inzaghi who is over 30 now the others are all at a good age for a striker so the goals should be there.
Midfield
-> Pirlo
-> Kaka
-> Seedorf
-> Gattuso
-> Rui Costa
-> Ambrosini
-> Dhorasoo
-> Brocchi
-> Serginho
It is a world class midfield that has won the UCL and Scudetto in two seasons. There are replacements / back-ups for every position and the starting midfield is composed of players who are yet to hit their peak considering their age. It is an improving group of players who play very well as a UNIT.
The midfield has goalscorers, visionaries, tacklers and good passers. IMO nobody in the midfield stands out as superior. All of them are very good and that is the reason the absence of one from the group doesn't hurt the side that much as the reliance on any one player does not exist.
I hope Ambrosini and Rui Costa get more minutes in this campaign with good rotation to not tire out the players. That would be the only concern.
Defence
-> Maldini
-> Nesta
-> Stam
-> Cafu
-> Costacurta
-> Pancaro
-> Kaladze
-> Simic
-> Colloccini
It is the best defence in this competition at least on paper. Three of the world's best defenders are lined up at Milan. The difference between Real's defenders and Milan's defenders here is that the players are backed up at every position at Milan whereas they are not at Real. Saying that the left side seems to be stacked with one too many players as my gut feeling suggests that in a big game and if the conditions of the players are optimum then Maldini will play at left back. IF that happens then Kaladze and Pancaro are going to be on the bench. However I also feel that we will see Kaladze playing left midfield in this campaign from time to time.
Cafu and Pancaro's age becomes a concern as they will have to run up and down the flank like crazy. Left side is covered for that and for the right there is not much back up except that Dhorasoo can play there or Stam can shift there to share the games with Cafu. Cafu is an important player for the squad as he gives depth but his services have to be utilized carefully to gain maximum benefit.
Goalkeeper
-> Dida
No problems here.
Starting Line-Up
4-1-2-1-2
---------------------Dida--------------------------
-
--Cafu-------Nesta-------Stam-----------Maldini--
-
---------------------Pirlo-------------------------
-
------Gattuso---------------------Seedorf--------
-
---------------------Kaka------------------------
-
-----------Tomasson------Shevchenko------------
I would think this would be the line-up that Milan would play in the big game. The big question mark will obviously be whether Maldini sticks to that flank or not. I don't think Maldini will play most games in that position leaving it open for Pancaro / Kaladze depending on the situation but when we can afford to field the ideal line-up the above 11 will walk on to the pitch.
IMO Shev and Tommo work brilliantly together so the season should start with them starting and then slowly Crespo and Inzaghi can make the transition into the 11 and see how it goes from there.
Strong and solid starting 11, backups for every position and class players present on the pitch. Only concern of mine would be rotation in defence. That is not a good idea. Rotation in defence is not good ... it never is. The shape of the defence is changed only when necessary. It isn't like the midfield or attack where it can be changed frequently.
Other than that the team looks set to make a serious challenge for the UCL title. Bring it on!
