AC Milan warmed up to their mid week Champions League fixture against Auxerre with a slim but deserved 1-0 victory over Fiorentina. Once again Ibrahimovic was the hero as his half time strike moved the Rossoneri 4 points clear at the top of the Serie A table.
A 2-0 win for Roma over Udinese also saw the Giallorossi move up to 3rd place in the table and eased the pressure on under fire coach Claudio Ranieri. So can Milan really mount up a strong challenge for the scudetto.?
It seems like Allegri has found his winning formula-at the expense of some very talented players and although Milan might be getting the results, a lot of fans will be very skeptical at the exclusion of players like Prince and Ronaldinho.
In spite of his epic performances for Brazil during their recent friendly match, Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri opted to play the inspirational play maker for only 4 minutes.
Having watched Dinho play for the Rossoneri since he arrived from Spanish giants Barcelona 2 years ago, the Brazilian has gone on to considerably improve against the expectations of the masses who thought that he was finished.
In his first season with Milan, Dinho’s relationship with the then coach Carlo Ancelotti was the reason for all his woes. The Italian tactician rarely played him leading to his lack of confidence and dip in form.
The arrival of fellow Brazilian Leonardo as coach and his subsequent belief in Ronaldinho re-ignited Gaucho’s desire to improve and play and with 14 goals and 12 assists to his name last season, the play maker was the main reason why Milan finished in 3rd place and qualified for the Champions League.
With the introduction of Allegri, and the arrival of Ibrahimovic and Robinho, Ronaldinho has now moved further down the pecking order. Allegri’s lack of belief in Dinho is the only thing that can see the play maker return to his uninspired form that can totaly throw Milan’s titles hopes of course.
I have to be honest and admit that the pressure of Milan relying on Dinho is a good thing, however, Ibrahimovic has taken the play maker’s place which again brings to light the Rossoneri’s over reliance on a couple of players. However, should the Rossoneri continue in such fashion, then the league will be theirs to lose.
Photo credit: from dj_hui
