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SempreInter · 01-12-2008, 06:28 PM

Goal.com - Editorial - Calcio Debate: Is Pirlo A Hindrance To Milan?

Milan’s title challenge has taken a turn for the worse over the past month, particularly since the return from injury of Andrea Pirlo. Carlo Garganese asks whether the World Cup winner is a hindrance to the Rossoneri, and whether he can co-exist in the same team as Clarence Seedorf and Ronaldinho…

Andrea Pirlo has played four Serie A games this season, from which Milan have obtained just a single point. One draw, three defeats, and a whopping nine goals conceded. Compare this to the Rossoneri’s league record when Pirlo has not been playing: Played 10, Won Eight, Drawn Two, Lost None.

Coincidence? It seems not.

Milan were touted by many experts as Inter’s most realistic challenger for the Scudetto during the summer, but successive defeats against Bologna and Genoa at the start of the season dampened such expectations. Pirlo then suffered a thigh injury in training in the penultimate week of September, which would rule him out of action for two months.

Without Pirlo, and one must also take into account their excellent UEFA Cup form, Milan excelled. Only a few weeks ago, they had roared to the top of Serie A, and prior to the trip to Torino on November 23, the Diavoli trailed leaders Inter, who they also beat in the derby, by just a solitary point. A 2-2 draw with the Granata, followed by yesterday’s 3-1 reverse at Palermo, has suddenly seen this gap alarmingly increase to six points.

There can be no denying the genius of Pirlo. Old-school players like him are rare in today’s game and, when on form, which he clearly isn’t just yet, there isn’t a better deep-lying playmaker in the world. However, Milan certainly have a problem at the moment trying to tactically fit Pirlo into their line-up.

I personally have my doubts whether the 29-year-old can co-exist in the same team as Clarence Seedorf and Ronaldinho – two players who can also be considered as luxuries. With all three in the same starting XI, do Milan have enough defensive cover? Are they protected at set-pieces? Is there enough pace or athletic efficiency in the team?

Yesterday, Ronaldinho was the only Milan player on the pitch to shine. In fact, despite earlier missing a costly penalty, he was quite sensational in the second half, particularly in the last 20 minutes where he was beating opponents like he used to at Barcelona. It would be impossible to drop Ronnie based on his current form, but surely one of the three has to make way?

This may prove problematic though, as all three players are modern legends who are not going to take kindly to sitting on the bench. At San Siro, Milan can certainly get away with fielding the trio. Away from home, when they need to be more compact and show more resolve, there is always the danger of capitulating just like last night.

Carlo Ancelotti has a tough choice to make.

01-12-2008, 06:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
SempreInter Forum Guru Join Date: Jul 2008 Gender: Male Posts: 1,695	Calcio Debate: Is Pirlo A Hindrance To Milan? Goal.com - Editorial - Calcio Debate: Is Pirlo A Hindrance To Milan? Milan’s title challenge has taken a turn for the worse over the past month, particularly since the return from injury of Andrea Pirlo. Carlo Garganese asks whether the World Cup winner is a hindrance to the Rossoneri, and whether he can co-exist in the same team as Clarence Seedorf and Ronaldinho… Andrea Pirlo has played four Serie A games this season, from which Milan have obtained just a single point. One draw, three defeats, and a whopping nine goals conceded. Compare this to the Rossoneri’s league record when Pirlo has not been playing: Played 10, Won Eight, Drawn Two, Lost None. Coincidence? It seems not. Milan were touted by many experts as Inter’s most realistic challenger for the Scudetto during the summer, but successive defeats against Bologna and Genoa at the start of the season dampened such expectations. Pirlo then suffered a thigh injury in training in the penultimate week of September, which would rule him out of action for two months. Without Pirlo, and one must also take into account their excellent UEFA Cup form, Milan excelled. Only a few weeks ago, they had roared to the top of Serie A, and prior to the trip to Torino on November 23, the Diavoli trailed leaders Inter, who they also beat in the derby, by just a solitary point. A 2-2 draw with the Granata, followed by yesterday’s 3-1 reverse at Palermo, has suddenly seen this gap alarmingly increase to six points. There can be no denying the genius of Pirlo. Old-school players like him are rare in today’s game and, when on form, which he clearly isn’t just yet, there isn’t a better deep-lying playmaker in the world. However, Milan certainly have a problem at the moment trying to tactically fit Pirlo into their line-up. I personally have my doubts whether the 29-year-old can co-exist in the same team as Clarence Seedorf and Ronaldinho – two players who can also be considered as luxuries. With all three in the same starting XI, do Milan have enough defensive cover? Are they protected at set-pieces? Is there enough pace or athletic efficiency in the team? Yesterday, Ronaldinho was the only Milan player on the pitch to shine. In fact, despite earlier missing a costly penalty, he was quite sensational in the second half, particularly in the last 20 minutes where he was beating opponents like he used to at Barcelona. It would be impossible to drop Ronnie based on his current form, but surely one of the three has to make way? This may prove problematic though, as all three players are modern legends who are not going to take kindly to sitting on the bench. At San Siro, Milan can certainly get away with fielding the trio. Away from home, when they need to be more compact and show more resolve, there is always the danger of capitulating just like last night. Carlo Ancelotti has a tough choice to make.