Serie A Week 14: Palermo Surprise AC Milan With 3-1 Victory
December 3rd 2008 04:24
To any casual follower of the game, AC Milan's defeat at the hands of Palermo on Sunday was the result of a piss-poor performance by the Rossoneri who didn't look particularly interested in the outcome of the game. To a certain extent, it's true. For once in a long while, the defensive brigade led by Paolo Maldini lacked discipline in their own zone, leading to panicked sequences where they looked like an amateur club trying to keep its head above the water. In front, both Ronaldinho and Pirlo were completely invisible. The Brazilian in particular didn't put any effort in his play until it was already too late. But one has to also commend Palermo's coach, Davide Ballardini, for having a solid gameplan which contained Milan's dangerous midfield.
First, Milan's architect, Andrea Pirlo, had someone shadowing him for the entire game, forcing the Milan defenders to turn to either Ambrosini or Flamini to build the attack. Unfortunately, neither of those two players are reputed playmakers. Ronaldinho constantly had two men on his back, but that was just a waste as he returned to his early season passivity. He even missed a penalty at the 26th minute with a pathetic shot that didn't have any emotion nor strength. At the other end, Palermo took advantage of an unstable Milan defense with three goals in the second half (Miccoli at the 49th, Cavani at the 58th, and Simplicio at the 79th). Most of Milan's defensive woes came from bad positioning by Flamini who often got in the way of Zambrotta and Bonera. It wasn't a great game for the French midfielder who looked a bit lost on the field. Milan finally scored at 82nd minute when Ronaldinho put more effort into his second penalty kick. But it was too little too late for the Rossoneri.
AC Milan's line-up: Christian Abbiati; Gianluca Zambrotta, Daniele Bonera, Paolo Maldini, Maek Jankulovski; Mathieu Flamini (Emerson, 56th), Andrea Pirlo, Massimo Ambrosini (Andrei Shevchenko, 56th); Clarence Seedorf, Ronaldinho; Alexandre Pato (Filippo Inzaghi (28th).
First, Milan's architect, Andrea Pirlo, had someone shadowing him for the entire game, forcing the Milan defenders to turn to either Ambrosini or Flamini to build the attack. Unfortunately, neither of those two players are reputed playmakers. Ronaldinho constantly had two men on his back, but that was just a waste as he returned to his early season passivity. He even missed a penalty at the 26th minute with a pathetic shot that didn't have any emotion nor strength. At the other end, Palermo took advantage of an unstable Milan defense with three goals in the second half (Miccoli at the 49th, Cavani at the 58th, and Simplicio at the 79th). Most of Milan's defensive woes came from bad positioning by Flamini who often got in the way of Zambrotta and Bonera. It wasn't a great game for the French midfielder who looked a bit lost on the field. Milan finally scored at 82nd minute when Ronaldinho put more effort into his second penalty kick. But it was too little too late for the Rossoneri.
AC Milan's line-up: Christian Abbiati; Gianluca Zambrotta, Daniele Bonera, Paolo Maldini, Maek Jankulovski; Mathieu Flamini (Emerson, 56th), Andrea Pirlo, Massimo Ambrosini (Andrei Shevchenko, 56th); Clarence Seedorf, Ronaldinho; Alexandre Pato (Filippo Inzaghi (28th).
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