Milan Destroyed!

As anticipation grew, the media focused on whether or not Jose Mourinho could overcome a Milan side that were assured and impressive in the first round of games. Milan, it seemed had turned a corner, Ronaldinho finally found his range of passing and regained the creativity which had been lacking in the previous campaign, Pato looked ever the world class centre forward and with Nesta returning to shore up the rearguard, the Diavolowere having a wonderful time of it.

Inter though, plugged the creative gap in their team with the signing of Wesley Sniedjer who slotted into the Nerazzurri midfield as the trequartista, just behind Samuel Eto’o and Gabriel Milito. Christian Chivu and Walter Samuel made the starting line up with Javier Zanetti moving to the right side of midfield. Inter looked a formidable unit, and so it proved.

Milan coach Leonardo’s face told a million stories, the lack of creativity going forward, an ineffectual Ronaldinho and complete lack of physical imputes. All the optimism the Rossoneri had going into the 271^stDerby della Madoninna had dissipated within the first thirty minutes. Inter had clearly moved up a number of levels from the previous weekends disappointing draw with Bari. Milan were well and truly destroyed.

Marco Boriello managed to keep his place in the Milan first eleven; I personally want an explanation for that. He did not justify his inclusion; he was poor against Siena and invisible on Saturday night. Maicon ruined Marek Jankulovski throughout the evening, with the Czech at fault for a couple Inter’s goals. Gattuso has definitely lost some of the physical prowess that was the foundation of his game, perhaps this led to his sending off, as he could not compete with the Inter midfield and alongside Pirlo, who again looks well past his best, Milan were well off the pace all night.

One glimmer of hope was Alexandre Pato, the young Brazilian terrorised the Inter defence, especially when drifting to both flanks, he is truly a world superstar in the making, but this alone is not enough for the Rossoneri.

The team were shown up by a far superior side, Silvio Berlusconi is kidding himself if he thinks this squad has the quality to challenge for the Scudetto never mind the Champions League, as said in the summer, a complete overhaul is needed badly. As mentioned previously, Milan Coach, Leonardo did not seem to have any answer to the Jose juggernaught, his face told of a coach void of ideas and with no clear direction in his tactics of team selection. My early season optimism has evaporated.

This was a sore defeat and one that will ring loud on the ears of the Milan faithful, one that will surely make the AC Milan hierarchy realise, this team needs to be changed. Not only were they beaten by a superlative Internazionale side, they were beaten by their own inadequacies. Problems that have surfaced over and over, finally led to a humiliating capitulation and rout. Milan may overcome the smaller teams in Serie A but when it comes to the stronger teams, I’m afraid the flaws, which are already there, will be exposed time and time again.