ESPN Soccernet - Correspondents - AC MILAN

Posted by Matteo Bonetti on 04/24/2011

After nearly ten years of drawing a blank in Serie A, Milan are closer than ever to a Scudetto trophy that is seen as the bread and butter of success for Italian teams. The last time Milan lifted the trophy, HD T.V. did not exist, (not to be confused with Rai International, which still has no clue about the existence of HD in the year 2011) Shevchenko was still alive, and Favalli was only 49 years old.

A 1-0 win over Brescia, made possible by the improbably finish of Robinho, who made good on one of his 4,391 chances throughout the past few weeks, and basically sealed the scudetto as Milan are now +8 over Inter. (+9 actually considering we'd win in a tiebreaker.)

So, the party in Milano is about to erupt. As Milanisti all over the world prepare to spark up their victory cigars, Galliani urges everybody to stay calm, as four more points are needed for a mathematical certainty. While I've never been one for arithmetic, I'd say this Scudetto is about as decided as La Liga.

Milan vs. Brescia Recap

- Without Ibrahimovic and Pato, Milan were forced to field the Brazilian Samba dancer and Nutella king together in attack. With neither being real strikers to begin with, the missing gap up top was evident against Brescia. Robinho and Cassano drifted to the wings, with Cassano even moving to midfield to play a Pirlo role (where I think he'd actually be more efficient). Seedorf and Boateng moved to the middle of the box to provide some sort of focal point for the crosses. Anytime you have a player in his mid thirties who can't jump or move, and runs with sandals on being the target man, you know the attack is in dire straits.

- A Brescia defender managed to remove the shirt of Boateng during the match. Whether he was trying to get a glimpse of the Ghanaian's body or not, it will remain a mystery.

- Throughout the game, Brescia attacked as well as the relegation threatened side could have. With Diamanti hitting the crossbar from a free kick, it seemed like one of those stereotypical doomed games that Milan have trouble closing out vs. lowly sides. I'll be honest; I didn't see enough conviction on the field from the Rossoneri for a team that could have sealed the Scudetto. At times the players looked lethargic, lackadaisical, and seemed to have run out of ideas. But as we all know, Champions win you these games. While Cassano hasn't really won anything throughout his inconsistent career, other than a hot dog food challenge, he provided one moment of brilliance to a streaking Robinho who managed to slide the ball under the legs of Brescia's GK Arcari for the most triumphant three points of the season.

©AP

Random Notes

- Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a domestic title machine. He has now won a league cup in eight consecutive seasons. Staggering numbers. A coincidence, or is he truly a player who can piggyback a team to success? Remember Inter's strategy when he was on the team? Long ball to the big Swede and let him create magic out of nothing. Without Zlatan on our side, we wouldn't have sniffed the sweet aroma of another Scudetto. Even though fatigue and suspensions have caught up to him in recent months, Ibra was the focal point of the attack for much of the season. We were Ibra-dependent until Pato woke up from his slumber and took on the reigns of the attack.

Actual excerpt from European T.V. commercial:
"Sufferin' from a league cup drought? Fans growing restless after another year without any silverware? Quench their thirst for success with our fool proof plan for domestic triumph! It's simple! Buy an Ibrahimovic today and he'll guarantee a league trophy in the following years. But wait, there's more! Can't afford the real Kaka? Call within the next thirty minutes and we'll throw in DIGAO (a €3.99 value + tax) absolutely free!! Shipping and handling not included. Too good to be true? You betcha'!"

Fun Facts:

- Milan will have won 18 Scudetto's if they're able to seal this one in the following weeks.

- Milan is still in contention for the Coppa Italia, drawing 2-2 with Palermo at home. The second leg in Barbera promises to be a scintillating fixture, and the prospect of facing the horde of Intergentina starring Cpt. Yellowtooth and Leonardo Non Vinci once more in the Coppa Italia final has Viagra like effects for Milan nation. A Coppa Italia win would mean #6 for the Rossoneri.

For more Milan/Serie A related news, make sure to check out my new website! Make sure to visit the 'current players' page. I guarantee a laugh or two.

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Comments

Posted by Pragathish on 04/24/2011

Imma dancin',Imma Imma dancin' !!

Posted by Kat0711 on 04/24/2011

Lol love ur writing! Ur analysis is spot on and I can't stop laughing!

Posted by BOSTON-MIAMI-ROADTRIP on 04/24/2011

Great article. I agree: Milan has this title locked down. Let's see if they can also win a double with Coppa Italia. Next year they must concentrate on building a team that can compete for the Champions Legue Cup as well.

Posted by Eduardo on 04/24/2011

Finally, Milan will win a scudetto!!! :D Even though they didn't played so well against Brescia we secured the 3 points. I think Allegri should now focus everything on Coppa Italia so we can face Inter again and humilliate them once more this season :)
By the way does anyone know how the Boateng negotiations are going? :S Is he staying, are Genoa gonna ask a lot of money for him or how's the deal?...

Posted by Anon Ymous on 04/24/2011

Genoa get six Milan players in exchange for Boateng

Posted by Ryan Walsh on 04/24/2011

Nice article, really do hope we can challenge for the champions league next season. If we get Mexes and Ganso, keep Ibracadabra and Boateng, I think we will have a chance! FORZA MILAN!!!!

Posted by Simon on 04/24/2011

Not much to say, just Forza Milan and let's win il Scudetto!

...However for the sake of conversation, is the general consensus that we have signed Ganso? Because on review I do think that perhaps Neymar would be a more effective target as I get the impression Ganso lacks in the pace department compared to 2007 Kaka. I personally wouldn't mind flogging off Cassano to the highest bidder; I'm sure Man City would love another star...

Posted by Jose Villadiego on 04/24/2011

At one moment I though we were gonna draw yesterday. Our second half was a disaster if it wouldnt be for Robinhos rete. Why Allegri takes all the time in the world for make changes? I was screaming at my laptop at one point swearing at him! I was stress and we need it those points to secure half scudetto in our bags and it seemed to me that he was in another match. I wanted to see Beretta playing and I wanted him to replace Robo. Good thing it didnt happend but we will never know if Beretta will miss that goal..

Regards from Colombia and we are allready celebreating the scudetto here LOL

FORZAMILAN!

@PokerVilladiego

Posted by Mjay on 04/24/2011

Happy Happy happy. Didn`t see the match but celebrated big when I saw the result. Great stuff guys, all rossoneri across the world are very proud. If we manage to keep Boa and Ibra, sign Ganso, Mexes and Taiwo we will be a force to reckon with in the champions league next season. Remember we will have both Cassano and Emanuelson available for CL. FORZAAAAAA Milan

Posted by David on 04/24/2011

Awesome stuff, Matteo!

Even though it isn't the main focus of your article, the point about Cassano not being a true striker is spot on.
In January, when we brought in the man with the hazelnut perma-scent, Allegri said he was going to be played as a second striker. Needless to say this baffled me. Cassano has always been, especially his time in Italy, known as a trequartista - the man through which the attack is run. I'd love to see him there behind a couple strikers or as an AM in a 4-2-3-1. Anyway, it's no time to dream of new tactics and formations as the season's end draws near but that decision by Allegri has always confused me.

Regardless, next week we are all Cesena fans. Maybe even Davide Santon can find space in the always competitive, champion-riddled Cesena starting XI to scorch his old club.

Posted by max on 04/25/2011

Robinho makes things happen!! You joke that Robinho has had 4391 chances, and has trouble finishing them. More important, it seems to me, is that he is the one having those chances. Do you imagine if he were able to convert them all?
But don't take this lightly. Robinho has been a major force for Milan this year. When he is on the field, chances happen. It's not a coincidence. During the game agains Palermo, Allegri didn't field him until late in the second half. What was he waiting for? And this was after the game against Sampdoria (3x0) when Robinho and Cassano combined effectively and scored. And don't forget the game against Inter (3x0) when, without Ibra, Robinho was a major presence during the entire game and (despite missing a hat-trick of real chances) was involved in the articulation that led up to the two goals scored by Pato. Against Fiorentina, a difficult 2x1, Allegri kept him in the bench. Why?
I'm glad that during this last game, Allegri wised up and did not replace him.

Posted by Jay Vagh on 04/25/2011

The scudetto is within kissing distance, and the coppa italia is like the hot chick at the bar who is eying us down.

The next few weeks are going to be the most exciting all of us have seen in years!

Posted by Milan 1987 on 04/25/2011

Milan created a lot of chances but the wastefulness of Robinho&Cassano nearly cost us the points.They are both 2nd strikers and can't be relied upon to score goals at any consistent rate.However,we got the job done and the Scudetto is very close,however there is still plenty of work to do.Let's all hope that we clinch the title as soon an possible so that when the 2nd leg of the Coppa Italia versus Palermo(11th May I believe) we can play our FIRST TEAM and make the final.It might just be a Derby della Madonnina for the final versus Inter Merda and the double can be achieved.

Posted by RobStyles on 04/25/2011

I can't imagine this team slipping up and losing it's grip on the Scudetto at this point of the season, I too believe it is safe to claim it as ours. I believe that there should be no question as to whether or not we keep Cassano next year, Milan can certainly use a player of his skill and likely will NEED him. While many say he is not a true striker (I agree) he can play up top if needed and gives Allegri a versatile player who can slot in at striker, 2nd striker, trequartista, AM, and wing; and play all of them very well! How can you not want him on this squad? His attitude has changed all while he has been mostly a role player thus far. Keeping him will provide much depth next season when we plan to challenge on 3 fronts (CL, Serie A and Coppa).

Robi was solid yesterday, again creating many chances but converting on the most important one. He is another versatile player that I love to see on the pitch....

----CONTINUED----

Posted by RobStyles on 04/25/2011

----CONTINUED----

Another season in Milan and his confidence will surely grow whereas his conversion rate will increase from the current 1.8% ratio. If Ganso comes aboard, along with Pato the 3 of them will wreak havoc on Europe.

Ibra is the most questionable player up top in regards to what we do next season. He is undoubtedly most responsible for Milan's transformation this year, one in which most analyst and fans alike had Milan finishing no higher than 4th place, never mind challenging for the Scudetto. That being said, as the season wore on the entire squad grew more confident and formed a beautiful chemistry that has been displayed these past few weeks without him. While he is an amazing talent, I prefer the style we have been playing without him more and believe it will provide far more consistent results. And I can do without all of the faces of disgust he shows Pato when he does not get the perfect ball.

Forza Milan!

Posted by Milan 1963 on 04/25/2011

Robinho was the best player on the pitch creating goal chances and scoring deservedly. Unlike other games he did not miss easy chances and Brescia goal keeper Arcari did a mini miracle deflecting one of his shot early in the second half. Cassano missed the unmissable a couple of time and the game should have been berried at half time. However we suffered too much in the second half, but winning this kind of tough game is the sign of champions.
Random notes: Nesta,Silva, Cassano, Binho, Seedorf, Pato, Ibra, Pirlo are CLASS...Boateng, Yepes, Flamini, Gattuso, Ambrosini, Van Bommel, Abate are GLADIATORS and we need all of the above to become a great team!!!!
Forza Grande Milan nuovo campione d'Italia...alla faccia della scaramanzia :-)

Posted by Luan on 04/25/2011

absolutely fantastic article, definitely i'm gonna come back for more :), keep up the brilliant work mate...

Posted by rmomongan on 04/25/2011

hahahaha, nice article

i love the section about Brescia's defender pulling Boateng's shirt!

my opinion, despite being the league leaders and soon to be this year champion, sometimes Milan play without tactics and struggle to find the net, eventhough we have a world class combination of attackers..

Milan lacks creative player to build the game, a playmaker! this should be our main target next season. Pirlo is not the same as before, Seedorf is slow-dorf, while Cassano need more time to be on top of his game

it's time for us to dominate serie A and europe again. great transfer activities by Galliani! can't wait for his activities this summer!

always nice to read about your comments..that's why i've been following ur tweets

Posted by kofi brookman-amissah on 04/25/2011

great article as always.keep up brilliant work buddy!

Posted by Davide on 04/25/2011

Entertaining read..this season has not been a simple one lane ride to the Top...
There is no doubt that Ibra was the difference in keeping the top atop and winning crucial matches which Inter/Napoli failed to do but his absence since the Derby has forced this team to re-group and find its stride ..not an easy task when they faced Inter who had come off huge wins and Milan was in a mini slump. Add the Tottenham CL disappointment...this team overcame a huge hurdle..what some even considered undoable.

I vividly remember the last 2004 scudetto..who can forget Pancaro's last minute header..last minute goals in extra time to stay atop. This last game against Brescia brought back memories...hopefully next week will bring new ones.

Forza Milan

Posted by RizzoSports on 04/25/2011

Now if they can only make the right moves in the summer, they could have dynasty.

Posted by matthew on 04/25/2011

i love ur article. i want 2 say dat am the happiest milan fan, men i just cant wait for us 2hold that cup nd kiss it nd pls up date me with our transfer players we want 2get next season i realy need 2 kwn tanks milan 4life.

Posted by Adeniran on 04/25/2011

Guys what is the lattest news about transfers in milan, what is milan doing about Taiwo? How congratulation to all Milano all over the world, i did not watch the game against Bracia but i was relieved of my tension when i saw the score line after the game, UP Milan.

Posted by arnab mandal on 04/26/2011

no talking......will celebrate after the high udiness match

Posted by D on 04/26/2011

@Milan '63: as usual, wholeheartedly agree.

Posted by Milan 1963 on 04/26/2011

@ D,
Thanks mate, we will pop the Prosecco (better than champagne) when this Scudetto is official.
cheers.

Posted by Matteo Bonetti on 04/26/2011

@D/Milan 1963

Quality information from both you guys as always. Pop the prosecco already Fulvio, the scudetto is ours.

Posted by JulianBond on 04/26/2011

awesome article as always!

but don't criticize binho! yes he's been horrible in front of goal, which has infuriated me just as much as the rest of you, but he's a great asset to our team. always a great second striker. and while he does miss a lot, he's scored 12 this season. that's 2 less than ibra and pato...

anyway he's still only 26 and is adapting to the Serie A, i think next season he will be more confident and score more. but his runs and sacrificing himself for the team are great, but not quite as apparent as scoring would be.

and to cassano, we should definitely keep him! he's a great playmaker, giving assists here and there! not a starting XI player, that's sure, but as we learned this season, we always need our bench players, and he's fine with that as well.

neither of them should be sold as both are great coming off the bench to save games that we are losing.

however antonini, jankulovski, bonera, oddo, seedorf and maybe some other midfielders need to be replaced.

Posted by Bobo on 04/26/2011

All has been said bet once again fozzaa Milan ganso/pato n ibra.lv u guys.

Posted by David W. Drake on 04/26/2011

Milan 63--I agree about Ibra. No doubt he's a great talent, but the team seem somewhat disjointed with him on the pitch. I don't think he'll move after this season but if he did, it wouldn't break my heart.

Bobo- re your last paragraph. I agree about all but Seedorf. He's kept Milan in it over the last several matches. Yes, he's old and slower, but he's also a very dangerous player and has a year or two left. Hope he stays.

Posted by ayein on 04/26/2011

great article as always sir Matteo..
another hard fought win and i honestly felt that we would throw that Brescia game away.. thankfully Robinho got us that goal.. winning a game where we didn't play that well especially in the 2nd half is a sign of champions.. a bit disappointed that Pato is injured again but what can u expect right.. i've never been an Ibra fan but i do agree we were Ibra-dependent for most of this season.. hats of to him.. If u want to win a domestic league, get Ibra.. but what about CL??i think he is bad omen for CL.. even the great Barca cant win a CL with him haha.. hope he proves me wrong next season..
enjoy this coming moment Milanisti the scudetto is almost ours!!Forza Milan!!

Posted by JE on 04/27/2011

I absolutely love your blog and your ESPN contributions – you’re the funniest writer in ESPN by a long shot.

I’ve never been too staunch a follower of the Serie A (and when I do take a look, I normally support Roma ) but your blog nonetheless makes for comical yet insightful reading. Keep those posts coming, and congratulations on all but sealing the Scudetto!

Posted by punditguy on 04/28/2011

Its been 4 years since i've celebrated anything and im gonna make sure and celebrate to the max! Soo gonna take a week off work just to party! I'll take it when we make Ganso official. Because if i take it before that happens then i might wanna take another week!

Any how....Im just happy we pulled off that victory! For the 1st 80mins my ass was cringing...think i pulled something back their when Robinho scored. Just 4 more points again boys... get the fire works ready and let the champagne flow! Or wine or whatever they fancy in italy.

FORZA MILAN!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by Milan 1963 on 04/29/2011

@punditguy,
Ha ha ha your post made me lough, good one about your cringing "culetto"....

Put is this way, Champagne is like a Rolls Royce, Prosecco would be a Ferrari and Spumante a Lamborghini.....you choose as long as we win ;-)

Posted by MaldiniiiiiPowa on 04/29/2011

this is absolutely awesome, to be 8 pts away from inter after being dangerously 2 pts close. If Milan concentrate well enough with the current players, they could seal the scudetto in the next two games considering theres a highly difficult match in Udine at teh end of the season.

Posted by Milan 1963 on 05/01/2011

Damn it was hard to get those 3 points but we got them and now we are just about there. Great goal from our unsung hero frenchman Flamini a bit a la Boateng with a great insertion from behind. I was disappointed with our second half again like against Brescia and with Allegri for waiting too long to make changes. My wife thought I was a madman cursing in italian in the hall watching the game and imprecating for changes when the guys looked shattered. why not putting a dynamic Emmanuelson for Seedorf or Strasser to give more muscle in the middle where we suffered the over aggressiveness of Bologna thuds allowed to butcher our guys by a very indulgent ref, except for the red card which was very severe. We missed more than ever a strong front man as both Binho and Cassano were walking on the pitch, especially Cassano. Good to see Beretta playing with elbow although missing the killer shot a couple of times.
Forza Milan.

Posted by narrell on 05/01/2011

Soon gonna take a week off work just to party! im definitely gonna pop the "Prosecco" we are just two points from the glorious league mathematically and we have 9 points to grab the two. Milan4life, the league is already sealed because Roma, cagliari, and udinese who lost today aint gonna stop us. Palermo! its time to put you at your place. Seriously marek hamsik could be an intelligent buy rather than c ronaldo he is young and very good

Posted by Milan 1987 on 05/02/2011

The Scudetto is within reach.Praise to Flamini for his brilliant taken goal.

Posted by punditguy on 05/03/2011

@Milan1963

Hmmm....I think i'll have all three! lol.

Posted by David on 05/07/2011

Scudetto!!!!! T - 8 hours????

Posted by Carlos on 05/07/2011

Campione, Champions, Campeones!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by triftan on 05/08/2011

hey matteo im waiting for the next article, whats taking so long

Posted by Pagliuca on 05/09/2011

CAMPINOE!!!!!!

I think this season has been a rollar coaster to some degree, but once the winter mercato together with the summer one fused togehter. I think we were sailing after that. I think next year if get more depth in the full-backs, creative MF/AMF, and a true finisher. It would not surprise me at all if we went really far in the Champions League. Maybe even taking #8!

Forza Milan!!!!! Milano Siamo Noi!!!

Posted by Matteo Bonetti on 05/09/2011

I'm driving down from Boston - Miami. 24 hour drive. I haven't been able to go online. New article coming tomorrow.

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