ESPN Soccernet - Correspondents - AC MILAN

Posted by Matteo Bonetti on 03/03/2011

Perhaps one of the greatest emotions about following a sport so closely is that you get to witness players grow up right in front of your eyes. What was once just a scrawny little pimply faced Brazilian with a bad haircut, developed into an athletic phenom, minus the pimples, but still with the atrocious haircut.

Alexander Pato turned into a man against Napoli.

Many Milan fans have different perceptions about our favourite duck. Most are frustrated by the injuries that have claimed half of his Milan career so far, claiming that a healthy Pato would undoubtedly score 20+ each year in the Serie A. One has to wonder how such an elite player with world class capabilities hasn't exactly won over the hearts of all the fans, nor his teammates. Gattuso appeared in an interview last week on the popular Italian television show Le Iene. The reporter asked Rino where Pato was during the fight at the end of the Tottenham game. Gattuso's response was said with a sly sarcastic dig, but one still must wonder:

"Pato ran away as soon as he saw the drama. He hid in the bathroom. Poor guy was terrorized."

Gattuso is not one to shy away from controversy. His headbutt level had reached a 98% charge rate during the Napoli game when Andrea Dossena inexplicably grabbed him by his barbaric mane. But when one of the toughest guys in the Milan dressing room is talking about a star player in this manner, it's still apparent that Pato doesn't have the full respect of his teammates. Half the time he's playing alongside Ibrahimovic, you see the Big Swede verbally attacking the poor Duck.

Fast forward to the Napoli game. After the world class strike Pato scored against Chievo, Allegri finally decides to start the Brazilian up front from the first minute. The first half was relatively uneventful for Milan (an unsavoury pattern this season) until around the 40th minute when Pato is shoved to the ground by Aronica. Now, we've all seen Pato since he arrived from Internacional. He epitomizes toughness in the same way that Kevin Constant epitomizes beauty. We all expected Pato to just get up gingerly, with his jet-black afro bouncing up and down as he walked away from the violent push. Right? Wrong. For the first time since he stole an apple juice from a friend in elementary school, Pato showed a mean streak. He stood up fiercely and lunged towards Aronica, sending the Neapolitan crashing to the floor. Teammates of both sides bewildered, no one really knew how to react. On to the second half..

The New Era Pato
©AP

If you haven't seen highlights from Milan-Napoli, watch them here. The second half of this game became a lesson in football for poor Napoli. Unfortunately their midfield's combined weight was roughly the equivalent to one of Adriano's thighs, so that also helped our three dogs in the midfield take over. You see, the Allegri's game plan for this game was relatively simple. He urged the three midfielders to play simple short passes to the attackers, and let them dance their way into the net.

I ran out of words to describe Pato's performance. Unbelievable how confidence can completely change a player into an unrecognizable figure at times. He gifted 1 assist (should've been 2 if De Sanctis didn't make a miracle save on Robinho) and scored a world class goal on his one, taking on two defenders, and NOT deferring to Ibrahimovic like he has all season. Anyone else notice that? If this was any other game, Pato would've passed it to Ibra on both occasions since the Swede was in a good position.

Random Notes:

- Kevin Prince Boateng became the turning point for Milan. Adds another dimension to the midfield. Makes clever runs into the box, where he has scored three identical goals this season, and presses the opposition constantly. We need to see him in the line-up against Tottenham.

- Isn't it bizarre to say we live in a world where the rotting corpse of Marek Jankulovski, who hasn't started a game since 1953, can be placed in the most important Serie A game of the season and actually impress? For some inexplicable reason, he had more swagger than Usher during this game - defending well and crossing to perfection. Who would've thought?

Milan - Tottenham Notes:

- Round #2 of this tantalizing fixture comes to us next Wednesday. While many have written off the Rossoneri as doomed, I've been smirking in the shadows. A tingling feeling inside my gut tells me we'll win by a landslide. Tottenham won't have the luck of playing against Seedorf, Antonini, and Mario Yepes anymore. From the first minute you can plan to see the usual world class defensive pairing of Thiago Silva and Nesta. Zambrotta will hopefully take over the reins from the woeful Antonini, who looked horridly out of place in the first round. And finally, The Duck Alexander Pato will most likely start in Seedorf's place, pairing up with Ibrahimovic and Robinho up front. (Unless the Pato Corollary rears its ugly head again.) Let me tell you, Pato terrorizes opposing coaches with his scintillating pace and finishing. This match will have little in common with the first one. Mark my words.

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Comments

Posted by Curtis Zuend on 03/03/2011

Excellent article as always. I agree with everything! Pato was unbelievable against Napoli. Can't wait for the 2nd leg with Tottenham! Will he outshine Ibrahimovic again?! Lets hope so!

Posted by ACMilanMaestro on 03/03/2011

Hey Matteo, as always nice read.

The only thing I see as a weakness in the away leg against Tottenham is the midfield.

Pirlo - Out
Ambro - Out
Rino - Suspended
Seedorf - Out (i hope =P)
Boateng
Flamini
Merkel
Strasser - Out or just back from injury
van Bommel - N/A
Emmanuelson - N/A

We are forced to play one of Merkel, Strasser (if he's fit), or Seedorf. That doesn't bode well for us.

Posted by Anon Ymous on 03/03/2011

Ha ha .. duck sauceeeeee

Posted by nazreen on 03/03/2011

great post as always Matteo..
truly agree with u.. 1st half against Napoli, in my opinion Pato looked lack of confident.. 2nd half he was like a different man.. Really hope he stays fit for the rest of the season as we need him so that at least we get the scudetto..

Forza milan

Posted by D on 03/03/2011

As one of the more frequent proponents of cashing in on Pato I will be the first to say if he's able to consistently play the way he did against Napoli then I'd hang on to him for the next 6 years. I'm still concerned with the disconnect between Pato and the rest of his team, but am hopeful this will work itself out (anyone else notice Pato was the first to congratulate Ibra after the PK and that Ibra immediately threw his arms out in celebration as Pato's strike curled into the net).
As a believer that Balotelli would be a great addition to the squad it was also interesting to see him score again today in MC's win.
I agree the 2nd leg will not be a repeat of the first. Having the starting central defense and a faster lineup as a whole should make a difference.
Boatang has been great this campaign and I think he will also make a difference next Wednesday.
Couldn't agree more with Jank. Who would've guessed.
Robinho continues to impress all over the field. Should be a good one.

Posted by Eva Tarida on 03/03/2011

NICE! I agree with this statement: "Alexander Pato turned into a man against Napoli"
Though there was a bit tension in 1st half with Pato, but He did a great job.
We can barely saw it that Pato played with confident and calm against Napoli.
Also, all the players were well improved at that match.
Hope the best for next match in Turin! :)

Posted by Pato fan. on 03/03/2011

No way you talk about Balotelli. He's not even achieved anything and has a worse attitude than Ibra and cassano combined. Honestly, he's played more football on paper and tv than in reality.
Pato is the real deal. The most dangerous striker when through on goal.
Bring it on, Tottenham!!

Posted by a on 03/03/2011

Great article, as per usual!
I agree with you about the second leg - I have a feeling Milan's going to destroy the Spurs. I hope Allegri will make KPB play dal primo minuto; he's come back in full force from a two month absence. Definitely wanna see him play!

Posted by AJ on 03/03/2011

Matteo you are the voice of the fans, if not how come you always say it the way it is? love the way you write, the fact that you put signature ideas of yours into it and the fact that you made me imagine Pato starting for Seedorf in the second leg made my day :)

Posted by Aarontheyoung on 03/03/2011

Honestly acmilan maestro the mid could be prince flamini and janku. He played well this last game and he could be subbed off with merkel or vice versa.

Posted by D on 03/03/2011

@Pato fan - not sure what u're saying about playing more football on paper but ok. We're all entitled to our opinions so it's cool.

The Pato from the 2nd half of Napoli compares to the top strikers in the world. No doubt. It was a world class performance.

For me the knock on the duck has always been:
1. Inability to stay healthy (only more than 20 domestic appearances once in his first 3 seasons) and
2. Not putting the effort in to maximizing his talent. Under Leo he was horrible with this.

That said I'll repeat - if he can consistently perform the way he did against Napoli I'm right there with you cheering him on.

Before you knock Balotelli consider this. Under Mancini (both at Inter and at MC) he has a greater goals/game ratio than Pato. (Pato - 1 every 2 games. Mario - 1 every 1.7 games).
The dude is also a dead ball ace and would help us not miss Pirlo as much from set pieces.
...

Posted by D on 03/03/2011

...continued:

At 6'-2" he's a beast and has great pace. He's also a year younger than Pato so, like Pato, he's still maturing.
How many of us have stopped to consider the Murinho factor with regards to a lot of the problems we saw from Balotelli at Inter.
How ever you look at it it would be foolish to say Super Mario wouldn't be a good addition.

But let's not get caught up in that right now - celebrate the Napoli victory and look forward to next week's CL clash.

(btw - plz don't bring Mexes in. At thois point we should bring Astori back. He's been very consistent this season and had a good weekend. He might be turning into the CB we're all hoping for)

Posted by Milan 1963 on 03/03/2011

Well said Mastro Matteo,
the ugly duckling is turning into a beautiful swan. I mean he has one of the most impressive goal scoring ratio in the world and the stories about him and Ibra are just for the press. As D mentioned above they both hugged with the other players in occasion of all goals which shows that there is no problem in Milan's locker room and the team spirit seems very high. Even Cassano who was benched ran to congratulate Pato on the 3rd goal, that says it all.
Allegri must have a secret for keeping all players motivated, because when he calls upon them, like it was the case of semi retired Oddo and Janku, they gave great performances.
For the return leg a white hart lane I would not say anything...first we have to play la Juve and then un po di scaramanzia non fa male :-)

Posted by Froggy676 on 03/03/2011

Pato is indeed growing up and he proved to Allegri that he doesnt deserve to be on the bench for any longer with superb form and an amazing solo effort.
Boateng was phenomenal in that match , dont forget he's also coming back from an injury and in the 2nd goal he made a sprint that robinho could never make through his entire life , he pushed through the defense from the mid ground till he miraculously appeared infront of goal with precise timing. With Boateng's return i think robinho will have to work harder on his form to secure his place.

Posted by Michael Davids on 03/03/2011

The usual back line is fine by... Abate, Nesta, Silva, Hopefully Zambro

Mid I think is going to rely on the younger players... like flamini as a holding boateng and merkel although I would much rather have boateng playing as an attacking mid... And robinho behind ibra and pato... But hopefully there someone else for robinho because he is just so damn in consistant... Hand hopefully Abbiati doesn't get another brain Tumor well he is paying

Posted by Aafrican on 03/03/2011

Nice work again. I really don't think our number 77 anto should start for deffence. He got danced around on in first leg.
So someone else please. And for mid it's really too bad we don't have van bommel. Maybe merkel would be better. We can honestly only hope for our forwards to get the job done. And yes prince is our only hope in the 2nd leg.

Posted by Giustino on 03/03/2011

the duck becomes a man!, never have i been more impressed with pato. I see a good future with him IF HE DOES NOT INJURE HIMSELF. i have so much faith we can destroy tottenham even if they have the milan wrecking ball bale on their flank. KPB is an animal.

Posted by Sam on 03/03/2011

Still, despite all the great work they did, it took another dodgy penalty for Milan to get anything out of this game.

Posted by TedF on 03/03/2011

Matteo - I notice your predilection for hair styles in many of your comments, so I was expecting to read your thoughts on Nesta's new doo. Perhaps he reads your blog as well???
What a great return for Pato. Let's hope he retains his starting role and continues to deliver. I didn't read much else about the moments after the final whistle when the match announcers noted the shouting match between Pato and Ibra. They'll need to resolve their differences if they want to succeed together. Perhaps Pato's new-found boldness will gain him some respect from the team.

Posted by ar_milan on 03/03/2011

I agree with Aarontheyoung in that Jankulovski could be a valid alternative for the midfield. However, I'm afraid Allegri could set up Thiago Silva in the center of the midfield, yet again. Personally I'd play the Merkel card from the start, since he's more dynamic than Jankulovski and I can see him creating more goal chances.

Posted by Soto on 03/03/2011

@Matteo
A great article as always!!I have a question for you ..In your opinion which is the best formation for the match against Tottenham?I like Merkel but do you think that he has enough experience for such a match?

Posted by Milan 1987 on 03/03/2011

I will repeat again what I said recently:Anybody who wants us to sell Pato is a FAKE Milan fan.What do you guys expect from someone who is 21,to score a hattrick every game?People need to be patient and give Pato time to mature and STOP being so short-sighted.Pato has been with Milan for almost 4 years now and even in 10 years time he will be ONLY 31 and STILL in his prime,do you guys want to give up a player who could be as great as Nordahl,Altafini,Van Basten? I am a realist and I know that in modern football,players don't stay with clubs for more than 5 years,but Milan fans NEEDS to start appreciate what we have in this guy.

Posted by Dave on 03/03/2011

Good work, Matteo! Another great article, another front page link. They're gonna have to start paying you for these things.

Also, just food for thought. I think we all agree Antonini got worked around in the first leg of the CL against Spurs. People close to Didac's situation have cited adjustments to the Italian game as the reason he has not been playing. Maybe that's just what we need though. Someone not necessarily fixed in the Italian style of play, for the Tottenham game.
Now, I believe he's not included in our CL squad list and Allegri would never do anything that drastic, but just something to think about. He could be a good option for a game like the one against Tottenham. Too bad it'll never happen.

Posted by olaseni on 03/03/2011

For our sake I hope you're right about the Spurs game as you seem to have more faith in Allegri than I do. Having said that, Forza Milan.

Posted by punditguy on 03/03/2011

Its games like the one against Napoli which makes me put my foot in my mouth...Pato, you sure did that!

Agreed with D. If Pato can consistently stay healthy theirs no way we should sell him. And i always said i would love to see Pato and Balotelli up front. But we dont need him now. If i were to choose a striker i would say take some one like Falcao, a fox in the box player.

Anyways enough about that. On to Tottenham. With Prince back in the picture and Pato putting in a performance like that I have a lot more confidence. Prince and Flamini in the centre with whom......? God i hope they dont play seedorf! Would much rather see Merkel. Even if he loses the ball at least he would have enough pace to track back. I would start Abate on the right and after that balls dropping, shocking performance from Janko i would start him on the left. But lets see how he plays against Juve 1st.

I am still cautious as to the game against Tottenham, because MVB will not be their......................

Posted by punditguy on 03/03/2011

MVB was part of that great performance we displayed against Napoli. BTW......Did any one found it funny to see MVB celebrating with Ibra when he scored? Considering they have been enemies for so long. Good to see tho!

Gattuso is a jerk, time for him to shut up and leave. He's already in enough crap so i dont know why is he still running his mouth. When fools like Gattuso leave things will be a lot more cohesive with the squad. Maybe he is going through menopause or something, i dont know....

Pato's performance was due to his hard work over the weeks. I read on Milan's web page that he has been training every single day since he came back, even on his days off he has been training. And its clearly showing. Im really proud of him tho and im even prouder to say he is ours!

FORZA MILAN!!!!

BTW MATTEO....in my country we have something call CURRY DUCK! If your a fan of spicy food you will eat your fingers out!!!!!!

Posted by Milan_Fan on 03/03/2011

As usual Great Article Matteo.
The one thing that troubles me about the spurs game is, even though i do believe that a win is probable, i do have that uneasy feeling that either Flamini or Boateng will see a red card. This is a game where patience is key, so is keeping a cool head. Obviously Flamini never learned how not be vicious when tackling and Boateng can be rough. Not sure if flamini is available for the spurs game after the yellow card, but if he plays, he WILL be booed everytime he touches the ball. And that worries me.
Thats just a feeling, and i really really hope i am wrong. What do you think?
Anyways before that though, lets hope this saturday, the OLD LADY is as easy as first grade math.
God bless the all mighty Milan.

Posted by Zio Domenico on 03/03/2011

The midfield is an issue for this spurs game. I'd keep Silva paired with Nesta. 100% that Boateng starts. The other 2 spots are tricky. I personally would push Abate up to midfield and slot in Zambrotta behind him. This gives a nice mix of speed and experience to deal with their wingers. The other side is tricky. I would put Jankuloski in the left back role (experience) and then someone with some speed in front (Merkel? Flamini? Push up Antonini?). The left and right backs would stay more defensive and quash any spurs attack. The speed in midfield can push forward and also keep their wingers pressed back. In the end if the Strikers really work hard, Milan will be all over them.

Posted by rivend on 03/03/2011

= =! gattuso is nv a jerk. pls. hes one of the most loyal guys in the team and a real teammate that plays for the team. describing him as a fool after serving for 12 years always giving his 100% really makes me feel shitty. esp from a fellow milan fan.

Posted by dave on 03/03/2011

"He epitomizes toughness in the same way that Kevin Constant epitomizes beauty. We all expected Pato to just get up gingerly, with his jet-black afro bouncing up and down as he walked away from the violent push. Right? Wrong. For the first time since he stole an apple juice from a friend in elementary school, Pato showed a mean streak. He stood up fiercely and lunged towards Aronica, sending the Neapolitan crashing to the floor. Teammates of both sides bewildered, no one really knew how to react."

HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA. Where do i even begin to start on this one? all the lines here are funny lol.

Posted by ACMFTW on 03/03/2011

@Zio Domenico
I love the idea man, a combination of both speed and experience is the solution

I mean Janko is great even when pushing forward but having Merkel infront of him will add great creativety to our midfield, the kid is great playing wide and sure is able to track even if he loses the ball,

Zambo will also make a great pair with Abate in midfield, look at it this way, Abate is an awesome sprint and is a world class marking man, not equally good at offense but can dfeinitely hold his own.

Boa as centre dynamo behind Pato, who will make a difference if played with the same level of calmness against Napoli, can do alot more with the ball than Robinho.

But Binho can be more useful if rotating around Ibra.

A simple 4-3-1-2 Formation with an offensive mid-line which will have us open for attacks but I wont worry about counters much.

Apart from that, its all or nothing so we have to push the limit and go all out.

Forza Milan !!

@Matteo
Never seize to amaze me
Keep It Up

Posted by dave on 03/03/2011

great article, one thing i would say is that whilst silva and nesta are undoubtedly our best pairing, mario yepes was probably our best player on the whole against spurs - definitely our most dangerous!

Posted by j on 03/04/2011

Gotta say I love the new Pato, if he can remain uninjured for awhile I may regret wishing milan would sell him

Posted by Eduardo on 03/04/2011

I wish we could see Vila play, he's probably better than Antonini -_-
And if midfield's not complete for Tottenham, I hope for all of us that Allegri plays Merkel over Seedorf...

Posted by Anonymous on 03/04/2011

@Zio Domenico,
I too like your suggestion and think it make sense. The funny thing here is that nobody wants to see the decaying corps of Slowdorf in the starting line up. Even though it is a tough game I agree that Merkel should be given the nod ahead of him. The other option would be to have the 3 midfielders composed of Flamini, Abate and Merkel and put Boa behind Pato and Ibra with Bihno coming for any of the 3 in the second half. In defense I would start with Nesta, Silva, Zambro if fit otherwise Oddo and Janku.

Posted by ac_scrimizzi on 03/04/2011

Merkel in the midfield against spurs and it wasnt a dodgy penalty against napoli a clear handball. We can beat spurs with boateng and pato playing.

Posted by kelon on 03/04/2011

nice artical matteo
im hoping with u curtis zuend,also agree with milan 1987 ease up off of PATO at 21 an that boy has a better scoring ratio than all of those so-called big names ,in which only PIPPO has better and stop talk about madatelli like we need him ,see at 21 a legend in the making agree with u anonymous most likely janka after how he played against napoli.

thk u matteo for the comfidence ahead of the tottenham clash

Posted by Soto on 03/04/2011

@Zio Domenico,Your idea is great,but i doubt Allegri would do something like that.. -_-
Our best formation would be:
Abbiati
Zambrota Nesta Thiago Silva Antonini
Abate Flamini Boateng
Robinho
Pato Ibrahimovich

I know that we all want to see Merkel play,but i do not know if he has what it takes to play in such a game(unfortunately)
All we can do now is wait and see(hope) Allegri makes the right choices... Forza Milan !!!

Posted by hoggy on 03/04/2011

milan r really doin well for mow but they just v to watch their back becos inter are really cashing them
i no we can lift the league but we just v to be very careful
as for the champion league, am so sure we will bit spurs at home because that is the only option for now.
froza milan

Posted by Izzy on 03/04/2011

and to think you wanted to sell Pato for Balo....lol

Posted by cesar lezama on 03/04/2011

well pato would be the best of the forwards in Milan or even the world but he just has to try his best in being healthy and not injuring himself if he did that he would play 10 times better than his amazing performance against Napoli hahah 3-0 and i am pretty sure that if pato play that same against Tottenham Milan will destroy them at white hart lane PATO is the best Forza Milan. number 1 pato fan

Posted by Anonymous on 03/04/2011

Brilliant article as usual. I have always been a fan of Pato and it is good to see him sauce Napoli!
I hope you are right about Spurs.

Posted by savage07 on 03/05/2011

I remember Ronaldinho's wow gesture with his hands when Pirlo scored that amazing 40 yard goal, that's exactly the same gesture i made when Pato scored against napoli.
Utmost respect for the duck.
With that kind of performance i don't see why the next game against the old lady should be anything but a walk in the park for us. As for the Spurs clash i have my money on the red and blacks, and we should just go out there and dictate ourselves infront of the white heart lane fans, and show them why we are milan.
FORZA MILAN...

Posted by maxx heavenson on 03/05/2011

he is indeed a man now.....

Posted by Dave on 03/05/2011

HAHA Duck Sauce

Posted by Jose P on 03/05/2011

just hope that a certain spanish club, clad in white, moves in and sweeps away your CF. hmmm...you know, like what happened to another dark haired brazilian with an unusual nickname.

Posted by Edders on 03/05/2011

On another note, Gattuso scores his first goal in 3 years. Ac beats Juve, at Olympic Stadium and Milan are now 8 points clear of Inter. Trying not to get ahead of myself here, but we're looking the goods this season.

As for Pato, he's been good for a while, it just all came out against Napoli, I hope he does the same against Totenham. Why was he rested against Juve though?

Posted by Carlos on 03/06/2011

What happened to pato? Is he injured again? He was not even in the bench against juventus

Posted by Jack on 03/06/2011

I heard Pato caught the flu. Hopefully he can be ready to play against Spurs.

Posted by Jerrod on 03/07/2011

No one is a bigger Pato than me and he is the soon to be Ballon D'Or winner. The best player in the world. Still has so much unreached potential too. Anyone else notice how Ibra is celebrates the most when the hot heads on the team score? I.E. Boateng, MvB, Gattuso hahaha

Posted by Jydough on 03/07/2011

Superb article Matteo... As usual! Its refreshing seeing how you balance a lil bit of comedy and reality in ur articles! I agree wiv milan 1987, anyone who has ever thought of Milan selling pato is not a milanista... I mean he's still just 21 and undoubtedly our best striker. He has played far less games than Ibra, doesnt take our PK's and still has just 3goals less than him. And y'all should remember that Messi at 21 was also very injury prone... wonder what'll have happened if Barca had sold him same goes to arsenals van persie! And to those milan fans out there criticizing Gattuso, i have to say i'm hugely dissapointed in y'all! he has served and still serves milan whole heartedly and i dont think theres been a better midfielder in milan than him this season apart from KPB. I'm sure his goal against juve will shut y'all up! My ideal formation against Tott"ham will be... Abbiati, Zambro, Nesta, T.silva, Janku(surprise surprise), Abate, flamini, Merkel, KPB, Ibra and Pato!

Posted by D on 03/08/2011

It's pretty weak when readers come out and call other readers "FAKE Milan fan(s)", and even weaker to have others jump on that band wagon after one great match. A few of us that read/comment on this blog regularly have commented on a certain perspective of Pato. If you don't agree with it that's your preragotive, but to back up your position by emphatically stating those that disagree aren't fans?

Here's a quote for you:

"I'd seriously consider selling Pato if the right offer came around. Here we are, another season, another injury. It's a very alarming sign when your young gem cannot stay healthy for longer than two weeks. This pattern is very frustrating not only for Pato, but for fans who are salivating at the thought of what il Papero could do if he remained healthy for an entire season."

Sorry Matteo - you know I love ya but I guess you're not a true Milan fan.

Seriously though - this blog has always been a great forum for us to discuss our team. Let's keep it that!

Posted by punditguy on 03/09/2011

@D....Sure right about that! Its starting to get really annoying with people who call us "FAKE MILAN FANS".

So let me try to understand this...so some of us here have pointed out certain weaknesses, important one's by the way and suddenly we have become "FAKE". So in a way...are you all ONLY supporting Milan because of Pato? When he leaves then what? Who are you goin to support next? Would that be the end of the world and Milan would be no more?!?!?!

Milan were GREAT long before Pato came! And they Will be great if he leaves tomorrow! Before he came we won 7CL titles and 17Serie A titles! Where was Pato? Was Pato a part of that? You really want me to tell u the answer??? Well the answer is NO!!!!!!!!!

One of the greatest players in history played for Milan, MVB! When he left did we crumble and disintegrate? NO! We won CL 3 times after that and SerieA a! When Shevchenko left Kaka stepped up and we won CL, CL Super cup and CWC!..............

Posted by punditguy on 03/09/2011

Everyone here has their own opinions and i respect that. But to come here and say we are "Fake" Milan fans is just plain absurd, pathetic and immature!!!!!!!!!

And our great master writer (MATTEO) of this Milan Blog has also stated the same facts we pointed out a couple of times. So is he a "FAKE" Milan fan as well? If so...maybe you should consider finding another Blog because we are all "FAKES" here!

Posted by punditguy on 03/10/2011

@Matteo

New blog soon? "End of the road, Return of the King". lol

Posted by Pagliuca on 03/11/2011

Matteo, (computer mess up will try again)

Good article about our Patorino. Sad loss to the Spurs. We beat them with free flowing football and we looked like Barca. We left WHL knowing we made these CL "darkhorses??" look like a mediocre Serie A team. However, our finishing was a war crime pure and simple. I'm starting to think that maybe there is some dissention between Pato and Ibra. Both have possession way to long at times and refuse to give it to the other. Or if they do, they always complain about it like Bugs and Daffy. In this game, Ibra held possession way to long and didn't even think where other's were located including Pato. I think this game was a disconnect from the attaking perspective and not the team as whole. However, Allegri is also to blame. Can the Clueless One ever make a right substitution? Strasser and Merkel should of came in right around the 60 mark. Yet he waits untill the end? Overall, this loss attributes to a lack of coordination up front......

Posted by Pagliuca on 03/11/2011

Part II....and a real punta. Even though all three can be Puntas, are they really? Look at everygame. Ibra, Robinho, and Pato are playing deep behind the attacking and are giving balls to Boeteng, Rino, or Flamini to score? Since when is Rino a punta(minus Juve game!)?? We need somebody like a Pippo up front not all the time. If we had Pippo for this game do you think those fools up at WHL would be parading around like they were? We have how many half-puntas? And our only one is done for the year and probably ever. So we need Balo from City pronto or some of the Prima vera talent. Aside from that I think Galliani will have a busy summer if we get who I think we are supposed to be getting. I heard Ramos (at RB), and Sissoko(LB-hopefully his teeth will be ok ), Ganso(could replace Seedorf), Erik Lamella(AMC-Kaka clone), Mexus at CB, Maybe Astori at CB. Lass Diarra(DMF). All things aside, the last puzzle is getting team corindation(Milan way). Once that happens. CL 8 is coming up.

Posted by Bill on 03/11/2011

"We beat them with free flowing football and we looked like Barca. We left WHL knowing we made these CL "darkhorses??" look like a mediocre Serie A team."

Beat who???? Looked like Barca... the same Barca that won 3-1?
The whole point of the "darkhorse" is that bigger teams should beat them....Oh and if a team you made look mediocre beats you, does that mean the team you support is less then mediocre???
A moment of madness by Gomes and a shot from outside the area that went wide, aside Milan really didn't do anything with their possession. I have never felt so comfortable in the last 10 mins of a spurs game in my life.....
I didn't know it was possible for someone to cry more then Robinho and co, until I met Milan fans....

Posted by Michael on 03/12/2011

Mmm.. not quite the landslide you were anticipating.. and Seedorf was Milan's best player!

@Pagliuca.. Spurs won the tie fair and square.. they were better in the San Siro and scored a very nice goal.. in that game, Milan's best chances came from two headers from their centre-back.. ?!?.. at White Hart Lane, Milan played much better and were the stronger team over the 90 minutes.. Seedorf was magnificent.. but still they created only one clear cut chance (Gallas' clearance off the line) along with a few other half chances

The fact is Milan could not score in 2 games against Spurs.. and they looked nothing like Barca.. at least the Barca we saw against Arsenal

Posted by Paglicua on 03/12/2011

@Bill: Thanks a lot for talking my statement out of context. But I think you know very well what I meant. Let me put it to you simply so I won't confuse you anymore. We outplayed you at WHL! OK. The Barca comparison was just figurtive language. We played a free flowing game and you barely could get back and do anything. As to the Darkhorse comment, you beat us 1-0! Ok you won. But it was just 1-0. And not a 3-0, or 4-0(agg). We played like total crap in our stadium and still had chances to equalize but didn't. At WHL, it was again our attacking not having any finishes that's why that game didn't up 3-0 for us. So you felt real comfortable in the last 10. OK, and I felt frusterated and not being able put away in reality a small provincial club with nothing to offer.
@Micheal; fair enough, but I think you should re-watch the game and see we had more chances at WHL, and again see up top for my Barca comparsion. At the Siro we still played bad and still missed chances apart from Yepes.

Posted by Pagliuca on 03/12/2011

(cont). Also let me say this, to all you Spurs/EPL die hards. If this Milan is SO bad, and so much below your standards. Then why didn't you beat them in a 6-0 or 7-0 (agg)? Just out of couriosity? You go back to WHL and you're going to have every believe that you played for a tie knowing that they have three of the most lethal strikers up front(on paper at least). Actually, you can thank the 3 clowns for playing like they did because if they were on their game and finished it would have been another story.

Posted by D on 03/13/2011

I was going to congratulate the Tottenham fans on qualifying for the next leg by posting a comment on their ESPN blog but there were only like 5 of them.
It didn't seem to be due to a lack of quality from the blog's author. Odd ...

Since there are appparently 2 that read the Milan blog (bringing the world wide total to 7?) I'll post it here:

Congratulations on qualifying for the next round of the CL.

Posted by muno on 03/14/2011

pato should be sold to Barcelona in a player exchange deal plus cash for jeffrey,milan should sell robinho and buy talented midfielder with guile and pace, when will milan realize that they need pacy winger with lot of guile, ibra should be sold i exchange for baloteli,seedorf should be sold as well,boateng is just too average for milan status

Posted by Patrick on 03/15/2011

Spurs supporter here -- I'm a week late in doing so but I wanted to say full credit to Milan for a fantastic tie. Seedorf was brilliant and must have found the fountain of youth, and credit to Allegri for moving him into that role, though I must admit some of his other tactics were perplexing. The match wssn't at all what I expected from either side but was one I shan't soon forget either. Good luck to Milan in Serie A and the Copa, hope you win them both. Keep up the good work, Matteo. COYS!

Posted by Michael on 03/16/2011

@D.. the Spurs blogger doesn't seem to post comments so I don't bother with him.. it's probably the same with others.. thanks for the congrats anyway

@Pagliuca.. whoever said Milan was poor? they're one of the world's best clubs and I hope they'll win the Scudetto again this year.. but I don't think they should feel too aggrieved about losing out to Spurs.. Milan played very well in the second leg but in general they lacked incisiveness in attack.. a lot of that was also due to good defending.. you have to remember that Spurs have some very good players these days.. and a few of them could walk straight into the Milan team I am sure.. but anyway that's football.. no hard feelings.. forza Rossoneri

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