Highlights of Milan- Lecce match..watch out some sublime Ronnie passes..
You have to hand it to Silvio Berlusconi - he sure knows how to be the centre of attention. When Obama has just been elected United States president, it is not the new leader everyone is talking about but Silvio’s “tan” comments. When Inter win their first Scudetto for 18 years, Berlusconi gatecrashes the party by overseeing a Milan Champions League triumph. And on the opening day of a new Serie A season, the news is dominated solely by a Berlusconi super-signing of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The dazzling Adriano Galliani-inspired purchase of the Swedish superstar has provided the whole club such a massive boost that Milan have now, in many peoples eyes, overtaken Inter as the team to beat in Italy this season. Even with Ibrahimovic in the San Siro stands last night alongside Galliani and Berlusconi, it didn’t stop Milan from sending out an emphatic message to the whole of Serie A with a thumping 4-0 thrashing of newly-promoted Lecce.
The star of the show was undoubtedly Ronaldinho, who was back to his brilliant Barcelona best. In the first half, the 30-year-old was literally unplayable as he beat opponents at will and created chance after chance for his colleagues. Compatriot Alexandre Pato, who scored twice and cut a more muscular figure, was electrifying on the right.
With Ibrahimovic to take Marco Borriello’s position in the middle of the trident, put your money on Milan breaking the 100 goal mark in Serie A this season. Only Barcelona boast a stronger attack in Europe, although some would claim Milan’s is more complete. It possesses skill, creativity, pace, strength, height, a set-piece specialist – Italian defences will be unable to cope when Ronnie, Ibra and Pato click into gear.
Of course, there are still question marks both in the full back positions and with the age of Milan’s midfield, but with such a devastating attack the Rossoneri are certain Scudetto-contenders and a threat to the whole of the continent in the Champions League. Contrary to popular belief, Milan actually contain quite a deep squad. The strength of the forward line, which should now add Robinho, is well known but even in midfield coach Massimiliano Allegri has plenty of options via Pirlo, Seedorf, Ambrosini, Boateng, Flamini, Gattuso and Abate. In defence, neither Sokratis nor Zambrotta started yesterday. The bottom line is Milan will be able to cope with two games a week, unlike last season.
The positive vibes emanating from the red-and-black half of Milan are not emerging from the white-and-black side of Turin. The new Juventus of Gigi Del Neri, starting with six new summer signings, barely created a single chance as they lost 1-0 against a Bari side significantly handicapped by the summer sales of Andrea Ranocchia and Juve newboy Leonardo Bonucci.
While Del Neri refused to hit the panic button after week one, this is a Juventus side short of individual genius and in desperate need of a top class attacker. While 100 goals is possible for Milan, Juventus don’t look capable of scoring even half of that number. Fabio Quagliarella is talented but inconsistent and far from prolific, Alessandro Del Piero turns 36 in November and doesn’t have 90 minutes in his legs, Amauri and Vincenzo Iaquinta are also on the wrong side of 30 and regularly injured while David Trezeguet has departed.
Juventus MUST sign a big name forward if they realistically wish to enter the championship race. Robinho would have been perfect, and cheap, but the Manchester City man is on the verge of joining Milan. Emmanuel Adebayor would be a decent alternative, but there are few other realistic alternatives. Borriello is currently the favourite to fill the void, but he will do little to lift the fans. The fact that Juve tried to sign Antonio Di Natale last Wednesday, before turning to Quagliarella 24 hours later, illustrates their concern and desperation regarding the frontline. It is still too early to judge the defence and midfield, even if fielding Simone Pepe on the left wing doesn’t look like a winning card.
Milan were the big winners on week one – now it up to Inter tonight to rain on Berlusconi’s parade.