They tried to resist the forces of nature but, in the end, Milan succumbed to Arsenal in the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday night. In the end, disappointed as you might be, the better team over the two legs went through.
The Rossoneri had their chances in the San Siro but it was a bad time for Ricky Kaka to have an off night. Andrea Pirlo was also ensnared well by the Gunners midfield which left the playmaking role all too often in the hands of Rino Gattuso and Massimo Ambrosini. How we wished the warmly-wrapped Clarence Seedorf could have come down from the stands and played his part.
Now is a time for stock-taking in Milan. The team needs an overhaul - maybe not as drastic as some people suggest - but an overhaul nonetheless. A striking target man would be useful, another creative midfielder to take pressure off Pirlo and - toughest of all - a replacement for Paolo Maldini.
You have to wonder if it might be the end of Carlo Ancelotti too. Not that he has done badly but failure to get to the last eight will be seen as disaster. If the Rossoneri should finish outside the top four that would be unforgivable. Do you think Mr Mourinho will have his phone switched on?
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6 comments:
Ach all the best sides go out at the last 16 :0( . Good luck to the Viola, it's going to be tricky.
As long as Liverpool don't I really don't care who wins the CL. My tips were Inter & Man Utd, and for now they still hold. Just.
The way I see it, Milan look broken from goal to mid-field and then dislocated from mid-field to strikers. There are far to many players past their sell buy date.
If I were Mr Mourinho I'd certainly be keeping my phone fully charged and ready to hand. There will be a change of management at the end of the season.
Brian
It is going to be a tough one right enough. However, I am still hopeful - at least for now.
Trent
Milan can still have their moments but they did look disjointed last night. They failed to hold onto the ball for long enough when they won it and that put them under intense pressure. Still, a good team could be built around the spine of Nesta, Pirlo and Kaka...
I agree that this might just see the end of Ancelotti but do you think it would be Rijkaard they would go for rather than Jose?
I guess Frankie does have the Milan credentials right enough but maybe if they go down that road Van Basten will be free come the summer...
I think they have a good enough playing roster, although you can always be improving, right?
I think their biggest problem is a cultural one. They need a new manager who will come and create more competition within the team by giving fringe players more of a go. Gourcuffs lack of playing time is disgraceful and what happened to Paloschi? he was scoring more goals per game than anyone except maybe Pato.
I think Mourinho's the best man if they want to create that culture, although the special one does come with a lot of special baggage and im not sure he fits the image that Berlusconi wants. It will probably be a former Milan player or an Italian and Im still backing Lippi to get the job after Ancelotti finishes out the season.
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