As Edinson Cavani volleyed the ball into the net for his, and Napoli’s third goal of the evening against the defending Champions, it capped off a great night for the Partonepei, the Neopolitans counter attacking football causing the Rossoneri all sorts of problems, exposing the lack of pace in Masimiliano Allegri’s 4 man back line.
It sent a message throughout the peninsula: Napoli mean business. And nowhere should heed that warning more carefully than the red and black clad boys from the North. Despite being blessed with a stunning array of attacking talent and experience, Milan’s achilles heel is the occasionally lackadaisical attitude towards keeping the opposition out, especially when faced with pace and width, the likes of Daniele Bonera, Gianluca Zambrotta and even the calm head of Sandro Nesta losing composure when faced with the three pronged Neopolitan forward threat.
The backline were the Rossoneri’s foundation last season, the Silva – Nesta partnership proving too formidable for the best attacks this side of France, and allowed Allegri to free his attackers, the knowledge that a safety net was permanently on watch providing near indestructibility, thus allowing Milan to focus on breaking down sides without fear of being caught out.
However, as Napoli proved on Sunday, if Milan are faced with organised, intense attacking motions – there are chinks in the Rossoneri armour.
If Milan are to retain their Serie A crown, then once again the defence must be impervious, or sides will soon wise up to the tactical element surrounding the weakness and the Rossoneri will face not just one side, but 19 different teams employing absorb – and counter style play, attempting to breach the Milanese fortress.
With Inter currently in a 1990’s flashback, and Roma still suffering some teething problems(on, and off the pitch) the main contenders for challenger in chief is in all likelihood to be contested between the aforementioned Napoli and Juventus, attempting to usher in a new era under the old face Antonio Conte, and looking pretty good with it too. The Bianconeri, blessed with potentially world class wide men in Milos Krasic and Eljero Elia, supported by the master craftsmen Andrea Pirlo and professional Chilean bulldozer Arturo Vidal, present a very real, deliciously unpredictable threat to the current Italian Champions.
Milan must adhere very close attention to their new rivals, as complacency can be dangerous, but ignorance is lethal. Too many times on Sunday were Milan full backs left wide open to attack because of midfielders not tracking back, leaving the defence too vulnerable to attacks at pace, not allowing Il Diavolo to reposition, to prepare, resulting in the confused defensive state shown at times in Naples, a far cry from the military organisation displayed in Catalunya days before.
New additions Philippe Mexes and Taye Taiwo will also be vital to the continued success of the Milan back four, both players providing not just strength in depth and a tonic to ageing legs, but a level of experience coupled with enough youth and verve to add grit and athleticism to shore up what could be a problematic situation.
Milan travel to Udine on Wednesday, a side full of pace and youth, desperate to stretch, test and torture the Champions like they did in the 4-4 thriller at the Guiseppe Meazza last term. The Rossoneri will be looking for a win, their first of the season, and the first port of call will be the defence, which must be immaculate to keep out Di Natale and co.
Napoli mean business. Juventus mean business. And when Inter turn their fortunes around and Luis Enriques front three begin to click, Milan will be the forefront of a 5 horse Scudetto race. The road is long, and we are nowhere near being able to accurately predict the outcome, but if one old Italian adage is true, then in Serie A, a good defence makes a good offence. Milan need to bear that in mind if they are to retain their crown.
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