Having only won 2 games out of the last 8 in all competitions, and boasting worldwide talents such as Kaka, Ronaldinho and Andrea Pirlo, why have Milan struggled somewhat this term? After last night's 4-2 defeat to Juventus, which leaves the Rossoneri 9pts behind city, rivals Inter. Have AC Milan's Scudetto hopes been extinguished and where will they go from here?Questions posed by every Milan fan around the globe. After a summer of high profile signings most notable being Ronaldinho, the Milanese were expectant, with no Champions League to ‘distract' them from the main goal, an 18th Scudetto.
Carlo Ancelotti's side made hard work of the early season, struggling to win games but these were wins nonetheless. Trouncing Lazio 4-1 and the derby day victory papered over the cracks somewhat. Milan have struggled against the so-called smaller teams, and a last minute Inzaghi equaliser against Portsmouth saving il Diavolo's blushes.
Ronaldinho has been roundly criticised for his lack of fitness and apparently is ‘not the player he once was.' This seemed to be an almost daily headline in Gazzetta dello Sport. He has answered his critics, while not being as athletic compared to a couple of years ago, he has contributed 7 goals in 12appearances. Not the form of a so-called has been.
Milan have also been in the firing line for having an aging squad and a decaying defence. With Maldini, Favalli, Zambrotta and Kaladze all the wrong side of 30 and some closer to 40, it has been suggested this is the reason for the secretion of goals. However, the ‘Milan Lab' is world-renowned and is widely known to be the best fitness and injury prevention centre in football. Real Madrid have tried and failed to copy this model.
Then we come to the enigma of Kaka, a truly dazzling player and arguably the world's best. He has not been on top form so far this term, but without him Milan are somewhat impotent in attack. He is their main threat and creative force. Rumblings in and around the fashion capital are that he will be sold in the summer to finance a complete rebuilding of that aging back-line. This, in my opinion would be a complete disaster for the Rossoneri, as in such as short time he has become synonymous with the Milan brand and integral to the football club.
With all these issues and a terrible recent run the winter break cannot come fast enough for Carletto and with the media spotlight going to shine ever brighter, will Ancelotti survive another trophy-less season. Rumours are rife, coupled with the glare of brand Beckham; there is unease developing around Milanello. I feel change is coming.
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