Bring back Robinho, rest Seedorf and 5 things AC Milan need to do to retain the Scudetto

As Milan flustered and floundered last Sunday, overran by a hungrier, fitter, younger Juventus side, many wondered what happened to the Rossoneri of last season, Masimilliano Allegri’s men showing little to no signs of the fight and verve that accentuated the Milanese side’s ascent last term, looking stretched and contorted as Antonio Conte’s side pressed constantly, winning the balll high up the pitch and utilising pace and width to hurt the visitors.

Milan are missing a lot of key names, this is true – Mathieu Flamini, Robinho, Pato, Philipe Mexes and Rino Gattuso are all players that would have contested for a starting place for the game last weekend, and would have aided the ailed Scudetto holders. However, this is the closest Milan side we have seen to a first team XI since the belated opener against Lazio, the likes of Kevin Prince Boateng and Zlatan Ibrahimovic returning for the holders. So what are the Rossoneri missing? Forza Italian Football have put together 5 things that Allegri’s side need to do to retain the league title they sauntered to in May.

1. Get back Robinho, and fast

Of all the missing pieces in the Rossoneri jigsaw, the Brazilian is the one that is missed the most. The former Manchester City forward’s pace, energy and ability to link up with the forwards from a striking position or in the “hole” at CAM in Allegri’s 4-3-1-2 is a massive part of the Milan machine. Against Juventus, Milan’s forwards, specifically Ibrahimovic, looked lost and isolated in Turin, and desperately lacked a link between midfield and up front. When Robinho plays, Milan look sharper, with more variation in attack. Without him, we see something similar to the sluggishness that evoked Milan’s performance last weekend.

2. Give Clarence Seedorf a rest

A consummate professional, and capable of the silky touches and playmaking abilities that keep Milan ticking, the veteran Dutchman has remained a key figure for the Rossoneri, in particular this campaign, the 35 year old seeing much more action that many predicted due to the lengthy injury list that plagues Allegri’s men. However, in Turin the former Real Madrid man looked out of sorts, uncomfortable with the dogged pressing that the home side employed, struggling to maintain possession and keep up with the tempo that Juve had imposed on the fixture. As a fantastic a player Seedorf is, at 35 he cannot expected to control play for 90 minutes every 3 days. If every so often Allegri rests his number 10, then the former Oranje man’s performances will remain consistent.

3.  Play Aquilani, and in the position he is best at

The former Roma playmaker was heralded as the creative influence that Milan needed, the Italians ability to create from deep potentially being an important part of Milan’s attacking movements in the coming season. However, the man on loan from Liverpool didn’t see a minute at the weekend, seeing the more defensively minded Massimo Ambrosini come on instead, interpreted as a negative move from Allegri, and one that doesn’t bode well for the midfielder’s confidence. When Aquilani has seen minutes, he sees them playing at the top of a diamond, rather than the left side, the mezz’ala role that many expected him to play. Not having the pace or agility to pull off the attacking midfield position, the 27 year old looks out of place and anonymous.  If Aquilani is given a berth left of Van Bommel, allowing him space to run into, and showcase his excellent long range passing ability, then he may look the man that Liverpool once paid £2om for.

4. Rotate the Senatores

Massimo Ambrosini, Clarence Seedorf, Mark Van Bommel. That was the 3 man midfield line that ended the Juventus match, and despite having more experience than any midfield still playing the game, it lacks the injection of pace, verve, and stamina that would have been required to counteract Conte’s tactics. Allegri knows that his ageing players are the most trusted, and deservedly so, but if Milan are to move forward and push for trophies consistently, then the older members of the squad cannot see regular football every three days. If Allegri were to introduce a rotational system to Via Turati, keeping the processionals happy but allowing the team to be more flexible, then Milan could see the benefits.

5.  Make the most of El Shaarawy

Young, quick, and talented, the Italo – Egyptian has a wonderful opportunity to prove his worth to Allegri in light of all the injuries, but only if Il Mister chooses to play him. Milan have lacked pace recently, and the youngster has that in abundance, and while throwing him at the deep end against Juventus wouldn’t be the greatest idea, blooding him against other sides could be. The prospect could be the key to unlocking the defences all around Italy, but we’ll never know if he doesn’t get a game.

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We are always looking for new writers, so if you think you know Calcio, email us: forzaitalianfootball@snack-media.com