Retirement Home Blues

Great promise hobbled by age and an over dependence on experience should be the mantra of AC Milan right now. AC Milan has become synonymous with a retirement home. It is a place where youthful talents are overlooked and sometimes killed in order for the older heads to keep their shine. On more than one occasion this season we have seen AC struggle to impose themselves on their opponents.

The game this weekend against Chievo showed AC at its potential best. The midfield trident of Seedorf, Gattuso and Pirlo might have sounded threatening 3 maybe 4 years ago, but today their effectiveness is at an all time low. Against Chievo the introduction of Kevin Prince Boateng and Robinho changed the entire complexion of the game. Real Madrid is no Chievo, this we know for sure. It would have been a huge ask for AC Milan to go to the Bernabeu and inflict the kind of damage that they did over the weekend. But the over reliance on experience over legs and lungs is a mystery to me.

AC Milan’s team is too slow to compete at this level anymore. Against a very youthful and skillful Real Madrid team, they were simply second best. Yes, I admit that they had the lion’s share of possession, but while in possession they were impotent. Every time that Real Madrid won the ball, you expected them to score. Seedorf had possibly his worst game ever in his illustrious career, maybe a sign that he should have quit while he was on top. Gattuso has been in steady decline for the past 3 or 4 seasons, and no longer strikes fear into opposition players. Pirlo’s vision is still exceptional, but Xabi Alonso’s mobility made him look pedestrian.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not blaming the players just stating facts. The players don’t pick themselves. Massimiliano Allegri has shown that he is not the person needed to lead this club to greatness. This one ‘stumble’ has shown up many flaws in his managerial style that won’t bring them any trophies if he continues. What makes great managers is his ability to adapt. His unwillingness to make changes when they are needed is most apparent. Seedorf played a full game while being the worst player on the pitch. Boateng and Robinho’s introduction late in the second half is a mystery. These two players both have the ability to change games. His over reliance on dead horses will drag AC Milan down. Where is Flamini? Zambrotta was embarrassed in that game on more than one occasion by a carefree and very energetic Marcelo. Allegri needs to shape up, because his replacement is now out of a job ala Rijkaard.

So what have we learnt? Seedorf-Gattuso-Pirlo doesn’t work. If AC are to compete for any honors this season, they need a total shake up. I am no AC Milan fan yet I was embarrassed by what I saw on Tuesday. I wait to see what they have learnt.