Winning Championships and the Management Factor: AC Milan 3-0 Inter

Again we saw the significance of management in the derby spectacle of A.C. Milan v Inter Milan. Leonardo has done a decent job with Inter Milan since the club fired Rafael Benitez. Both Allegri, the A.C. Milan manager and Leonardo, the Inter Milan manager are “young Turks” as head coaches in the world of soccer. Leonardo still has a lot to learn as a tactician. Allegri seems to be learning fast as a manager. He is beginning to recognize that mid-field cannot be comprised of runners and has brought in the aging but still formidable Seedorf in mid-field. He played the indefatigable Prince Boateng right behind strikers Pato and Robinho. It might have been a blessing for Allegri and A.C. Milan that Ibrahimovic missed the game as a result of a prior red card.
Allegri has been skillful in putting together the A.C. Milan team. Van Bommel at defensive mid-field has made quite a difference and the pace and creativity of Pato and Robinho make quite a dynamic strike force.
The Inter-Milan team revolves around Sneidjer’s playmaking but the team lacks the combination of youth and experience that is the case with A.C. Milan. A.C. Milan won 3-0 and the title is now within their grasp and that will be a remarkable achievement for the young manager, Allegri.

A manager’s job is to make a collection of players into a “well-oiled” machine. To achieve greatness, great teams need the guidance of great managers. Sir Alex Ferguson and Allegri have shown that the critical role of the conductor of the symphony is to ensure that everyone plays from the same musical score.

Arsenal and the Mountain Top

By Bagga Wilks



Arsenal entered the game against Sunderland with their three scoring machines, Fabregas, Van Persie and Walcott, out of commission. Bendtner and Rosicky were expected to provide some punch in the offense and Arshavin in recent games is back to being an explosive player.
Unsurprisingly, without their three guns, Arsenal outplayed Sunderland as the team on the pitch adhered to the ball possession system that Wenger has instilled but for most of the game, no one had the creativity to step out of the system and unleash the unexpected.

The Sunderland game highlights that Wenger is an exceptional coach and an unexceptional tactician. Since Fabregas is hurt, it means someone has to step into the role as the playmaker. Wenger keeps hoping that Rosicky will rise to the occasion but Rosicky in the last two years has been a goal-less wonder and a non-playmaker.

Why wouldn’t the Arsenal coach give that responsibility to the creative and in-form Nasri? Nasri has been scoring goals, beating defenders in the last third and providing numerous assists. That responsibility was not given to Nasri until the second half when Nasri was brought in from the right wing position. He immediately began to work his magic and were it not for bad refereeing his through ball to Arshavin would have meant victory for Arsenal. Arshavin and Nasri combined well and if Nasri had a ninety-minutes crack as the playmaker, the outcome would have been different.

Arsenal faces Barcelona devoid of their scoring machine and if Arsenal is going to go forward in the UEFA Cup, Nasri has to start as the offensive mid-field playmaker.

The danger Arsenal faces, as was obvious in the Sunderland game, is that the two Polish players, Szczesny and Koscielny, seem to have a language problem. That failure to communicate cost Arsenal the Carling Cup. The persistence of that failure to communicate could result in Arsenal making an early exit from the UEFA Cup.



MANCHESTER UNITED FALL FROM GRACE

Sir Alex Ferguson went with his old reliable senior citizens in the match against Liverpool. He started Scholes, Giggs, and the younger crowd of Berbatov and Rooney. In the absence of the suspended Vidic, he brought back Wes Brown to anchor the defense with young Smalling.

As the season enters the final months, Scholes and Giggs are looking like heavyweight pugilists who have discovered that the punch and the reflexes are no longer what they used to be. Rooney, despite scoring a spectacular bicycle kick a few games back, was missing in action against archrivals, Liverpool.

Suarez was the impact player even though Kuyt was the Liverpool player who scored all three goals. Torres is yet to find himself since transferring to Chelsea while Suarez and Carroll have bolstered the Liverpool team offensive capabilities. Dalglish, the new Liverpool coach, who took over from Hodgson, has really made a difference. But if Liverpool is to re-emerge as a powerhouse in the English Premier League, at the end of the season, management has to go shopping for some central defenders and a creative mid-field player.




A.C. MILAN AND INTER MILAN

The race in Serie A is virtually over. Both Milan teams are rolling along like unstoppable juggernauts. Leonardo has managed to turn around Inter Milan’s season and Allegri has done a fine job with A.C. Milan. A.C. Milan squeezed a 1-0 victory over the lackluster Juventus and got a goal from of all persons, Gattuso.

Leonardo and Allegri have different coaching styles. Leonardo emphasizes finesse whereas Allegri places great emphasis on hard non-stop running. Pato had a slight injury and did not play against Juventus but if they are going to have a chance to turn around their 1-0 deficit playing against Tottenham at home in the UEFA league, Pato, Ibrahimovic and Robinho will have to convert and not squander opportunities. Tottenham showed on Sunday against Wolves that they can score spectacular goals but also give up a lot of goals.

The Serie A and the EPL have come down to a two-horse race respectively. In the Serie A, it is Milan and Milan. In the EPL, it is Manchester United and Arsenal. Dortmund seems a runaway in the Bundesliga as Bayern Munich lost again. With Ronaldo out with a hamstring for at least a fortnight, Barcelona is on track to win La Liga. Real Madrid trails and by the time Ronaldo returns to the starting line-up, Barcelona may very well be unreachable. Yet it is only March and spring could be replete with surprises.

The Championships and Champions

By Bagga Wilks

Robben showed his class as one of the premier players of the world when he unleashed a shot at Inter Milan’s Julio Cesar, who fumbled the shot and allowed the strategically placed Gomez, Bayern Munich’s prolific striker, to place the ball in the back of the net and to give Bayern a 1-0 victory over Inter Milan, the defending champions. In the second leg of the knockout round of the Championship League, Inter Milan will have to travel to Munich, Germany trailing by one goal.

What was interesting about Julio Cesar’s error is that a similar error in the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup was instrumental in Brazil being knocked out and Holland going forward.

Robben showed in the World Cup 2010 that he is one of the more difficult forwards to mark and one with the most deadly and accurate kickers in the game. In fact, if Robben had finished the chances that he created, it would have been the Netherlands celebrating at the end of the final and not Spain.

Sneijder, the Inter Milan playmaker and also for Holland, was a big factor in Holland getting to the final and sending Dunga’s ‘pigmy-giants’ to an early end to the 2010 World Cup. Sneijder has been plagued with an injury for most of the season and has struggled to regain his touch and his form. Inter against Bayern Munich was back to full force with the exception of their exceptional central defender, Samuel, who is out for the season. But Leonardo’s Inter Milan has not been the same team that they were under Mourinho. Nonetheless, Sneijder featured in Inter Milan’s victory over Sampdoria which is an indication he may be returning to form which should make Inter more competitive going down the stretch.

Robben’s Bayern Munich, after defeating Inter Milan in mid-week, had to face Dortmund the leader in the Bundesliga on the weekend. Every time Robben received the ball, he was surrounded by three Dortmund players. Dortmund whipped Bayern Munich and increased their lead and enhanced their chances of winning the German League.

No Walcott, No Fabregas, No Carling Cup


Arsenal demonstrated to the football world that when they are at full strength, they can beat the best teams in the world. Against lowly placed Birmingham, Arsenal was expected to end their drought of not winning any silverware since 2005. The tragedy of Arsenal is for them to be spectacular, they need the artistry of Walcott, Fabaregas and Van Persie and all three are incredibly fragile. Fabregas is plagued with
perennial hamstrings and Van Persie and Walcott suffer from recurring ankle injuries.

Arsenal fought back from being one goal down and a combination of Arshavin and Van Persie ended with the latter scoring a spectacular goal. But it was a defensive lapse that gave Birmingham the Carling Cup. Koscielny was about to clear a lose ball and at the last minute left it to his keeper, Sezechney and Martins who had just been injected into the game accepted the sitter. Koscielny has improved his level of play and Sezechney has been superb in goal since the Polish youngster has been appointed Arsenal’s first string goalkeeper. Birmingham played above their pay grade and perhaps their taste of victory will help them to avoid relegation.

Arsenal is still in the European Championship Cup and is still in the hunt for winning the English Premier League. Their acquisition of silverware will depend heavily on the recovery and sustained fitness of Walcott, Fabregas and Van Persie. Arsenal should not panic, they have many years ahead to refill the cabinet with silverware.

The Pato show


Allegri has not favored Pato in his starting eleven but even off the bench Pato has displayed his goal-scoring prowess. Allegri had no choice but to start him against Napoli on a wet Monday evening at the San Siro where the two leading contenders for the Serie A clashed.

Pato put on a show for the fans and his coach must realize that Pato is the key to winning the championship. The offensive potency of Ibrahimouvic, Robinho and Pato is the best in the league. Allegri is too preoccupied with runners like Flamini and Gattuso. Neither should be playing over Boateng and it is counter-productive to substitute Boateng for Robinho when the individual coming off should have been Flamini or Gattuso.

A.C. Milan has now increased their lead in the Seri A by 5 points. Their hometown rivals, Inter Milan, are runners-up with 53 points. Allegri is still learning his craft and he needs to know the game is about finesse, not brawn.

Serie A leaders AC Milan beat #3 Napoli 3-0 in a huge statement game

AC Milan with a convincing victory over Napoli at the San Siro. The Rossoneri beat there opponents with three goals without reply.

Beginning with the execution of Zlatan Ibrahimovic penalty early in the second half round, Milan then scored two quick goals through Kevin Prince Boateng and Alexandre Pato at minutes 77 and 79.

This victory strengthens AC Milan at the top of Serie A standings with 58 points with distance of Inter Milan, who now sits in second position with 53 points.

Napoli remains in third place with 52 points.

Milan Sputters, Arsenal Sizzles Belatedly

By Bagga Wilks

Milan got clobbered in the Championship League by Mourinho’s Real Madrid and it is clear if Allegri continues to play 4-3-3 against the top teams of the world, they will suffer a similar fate.

Against Juventus, Milan was instrumental in rejuvenating Juventus’ season. Juventus showed on Saturday, October 30, 2010, the porous nature of Milan’s mid-field and defense. In the early minutes of the contest, Milan’s offense was potent. Ibrahimovic and Pato stormed the Juventus keeper but as the game settled, Milan’s weakness in mid-field and in the last four became apparent. As a formation 4-3-3 is anachronistic and the outstanding coaches play with essentially one striker and pack the mid-field with capable defensive players.

Wednesday Champions League Round Up

AC Milan's Pato 2 goals shocks Real Madrid

The Brazilian scored in the 88th minute of a match that was strewn with goalkeeping errors, including two uncharacteristic mistakes from Real's Iker Casillas on his 100th appearance in Europe.

Madrid skipper Raul capitalised on an early howler from Milan keeper Dida to open the scoring and equal Gerd Müller's record of 66 European goals before Andrea Pirlo equalised with a 35-yard strike that caught Casillas napping.

Then on 66 minutes the Real keeper rushed out of his area and missed the ball to gift Pato with his first goal. Royston Drenthe equalised for the home side in the 76th minute before Pato struck again late on.


Salomon Kalou scored twice as Chelsea virtually secured their place in the knockout phase with a 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid at Stamford Bridge. With striker Didier Drogba sitting out the final game of his three-match UEFA ban, his Ivory Coast team mate Kalou scored either side of halftime to put his side in charge.

Frank Lampard then ended his lean spell in front of goal with Chelsea's third and Atletico's miserable night was complete when Luis Perea scored an own goal in stoppage time.

A late strike by winger Antonio Valencia gave Manchester United a 1-0 win over CSKA Moscow at the Luzhniki Stadium.

The £18 million summer signing, who scored his first goal for the Red Devils against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, hit the crossbar in the 81st minute and then netted from close-range five minutes later. The win extended United's unbeaten run away from home to 14 matches.

Bordeaux defender Michael Ciani turned from villain to hero as Les Girondins secured a 2-1 home win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday. Ciani scored an own goal after only six minutes but made amends on the half-hour with a superb goal, scoring with his right heel with his back to the goal.

Bayern had playmaker Thomas Muller sent off for a second booking and five minutes from the break defender Marc Planus scored the winner for Bordeaux from close range. The French club then missed two penalties and Bayern had another player sent off in defender Daniel van Buyten.

Juventus ended a run of five games without a win when Giorgio Chiellini's header sealed a 1-0 victory over Maccabi Haifa. The Italy centre back nodded in Diego's free kick from close range just after the break to give the hosts five points from their opening three games.

Maccabi, bottom of the group, had substitute Tiago Silva sent off midway through the second half for a studs-up tackle on Chiellini.

Brazilian forward Hulk scored twice to help Porto come back from a goal down and beat APOEL Nicosia 2-1. Porto dominated the first half but APOEL stunned the home side when they scored with their first attack on 22 minutes when Alvaro Pereira deflected the ball into his own net.

The Portuguese champions took 11 minutes to react and equalised when irrepressible Colombian striker Falcao stole the ball on the edge of the Cypriot box and passed to Hulk who scored with a well-placed left-footed drive on 33 minutes.

In the first minute of the second half, Elias handled the ball in the box and Hulk converted from the spot to give the hosts a deserved win.

VfL Wolfsburg missed a series of chances and hit the woodwork before having to settle for a 0-0 draw with Beskitas. The Germans, who dominated the game until striker Grafite was sent off for hitting an opponent, could have taken the lead through an early Edin Dzeko header.

A rare moment of quality from Gabriel Heinze settled a poor game between FC Zurich and Marseille as the French club won 1-0 in Switzerland. The former Manchester United centre back volleyed home after 69 minutes to settle the match.

BECKHAM HELPS AC MILAN THRASH LAZIO

David Beckham created two goals as AC Milan thrashed Lazio 3-0 at Rome's Stadio Olimpico on Sunday to move into second place in Serie A. The victory cut Inter Milan's lead at the top to six points after their bitter city rivals were held to a 1-1 draw at home to lowly Torino.

Beckham was chief orchestrator with pin-point crosses to create the first two goals before Kaka rounded off the scoring late on. Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said the difference between the two teams was merely quality. "Lazio had a lot of pressure and maybe the only thing they lacked was a clinical finish but we held onto the ball well," he said.