Arsenal End Milan’s Fairy Tale
Milan have threw away all the good work done at the Emirates Stadium. 0-0 at Emirates, they had the upper hand going into the second leg, but then, they threw it all away.
Both sides started the match nervously, and both sides had periods of domination but halfway through the first half something inexplicable happened. Milan suddenly lost it. It seemed as if the devil himself had descended upon San Siro and sapped the Milan players of their will to win. From then on, it was one-way traffic all the way.
As a Milanista, their performance was annoying, torturous and painful to watch. Save for Nesta and Maldini, the rest of the Milan team failed to show up. Kaka, World Player of the Year, was a ghost; Pato, deprived of service, didn’t know how to fall back deep to receive the ball; Ambrosini, vice-captain, was uninspired at best. But worst of all was the man who Milan rely so heavily on for stringing moves together, Pirlo. I have never seen Pirlo played so badly before, every time he got the ball, he lost it, and worse, made no real attempt to win it back.
Milan were simply woeful. In my 15 odd years of supporting the club, this is by far the worst I have ever seen them play. Also, they seemed disinterested, which is puzzling because the Champions League is all that is left for the club to play for, and you won’t be able to tell that looking at their performance last night. It seemed as if they were playing in a charity match with an overeager, psychotic Arsenal side.
For the past few seasons, people have been saying that Milan are far too old, yet time and time again, Milan have proved them wrong. But as sure as the sun is in its journey across the sky, so too must all good things come to an end, and I think this time, it finally has.
Not only did Milan not have an answer to Arsenal’s dogged running and youthful exuberance, but after winning everything there is, you can’t help but wonder if the hunger is still in them. Having enjoyed so much success, do they even want to win? Do they care if they lose?
If they didn’t, Arsenal sure did. Wenger’s youngsters, who haven’t tasted success to the degree Milan had, were desperate. You could tell. Not since South Korea in the 2002 World Cup have I seen a side that pressed and harried so relentlessly. And not since, my last kick about at a street soccer court have I seen a side like Milan, so clueless in coming up with a response.
The fairy tale has well and truly ended, I feel. Milan now have to face music and with only 4th place in the Serie A to play for, must undertake drastic steps to correct themselves and rebuild for the next season. I have been saying this many times, but this time, I want to see it happen!
Admittedly, Kaka hasn’t been at his best, with injuries and whatnot, but having signed on until 2013, Milan must now match Kaka’s loyalty to club by making some serious signings, thereby signaling their serious intentions to go back to winning ways.
Also, I would like to see a new man at the helm. Ancelotti has been great of course, without good old Carlo, Milan surely would not enjoyed so much success, but I think its finally time Milan bring in someone new to breath some life into the club. My wish is that they bring in Marcello Lippi, whom I have very great respect for, despite the fact that he had in the past, managed both Juventus and Internazionale.
So finally the time has come, for us to close a chapter of Milan’s history. It’s been one hell of ride, but now, we must look to the future and await the new dawn. Forza Milan!
Kenny, don’t be so down on AC. Yes, they have reached their sell-by date but many sides have given the Rossoneri too much respect, because of their history, and failed. Pirlo played the way he did because Arsenal were a superior team and gave him no time on the ball, no outlet for a pass and very little possession. Gatuso was almost anonymous because he couldn’t catch up with the play at any point – you cant tackle shadows! With midfield so dominated and Flamini policing Kaka effectively it was always going to end in one-way traffic the longer the game went on. Arsenal score about 50% of their goals in the last 15 minutes of games, not only are they as technical as mainland European teams they are very, very fit.
Ciao
Phil
I would support only Arsenal yesterday. But after seeing how gracious Milan is after the game, I sincerely hope they would conquer SerieA next season. Cheers..
Dont mean to sound arrogant, but the Gunners were all over the place. Milan started strong but strangely faded away quite fast and that little fact gives weight to the age factor. Still they were quick to fall back, except on Cesc’s fateful long run. Maldini was their best player and of the whole lot, he looks as if he could carry on for at least two more years. A well deserved victory(which was by no means easy) for us, THANK GOD…………..
Dont be too critical of Arsenal. They started off in the San Siro where they left off in the Emirates. Milan is a great team but to say something like “It seemed as if they were playing in a charity match with an overeager, psychotic Arsenal side.” is complete bullshit. Dont take anything away from Arsenal. They were the better team thru and thru.
The way Milan fans and player behaved after the game was admirable. That said, Arsenal were the better team on the whole night. I think that Kaka’ has met his match in Flamini who did not give him an inch of space and Pato is clearly not ready (psychologically) for big European nights as he has shown when he was one on one with Almunia.
Milan could take another two or three years before coming back to where they were last may, but without a new Maldini (does he have a son?
), Inzaghi or a goalkeeper, it might take even longer. In modern day football you cannot have a one-man team.
oh come on!!! expect probably the first half hour Arsenal were the better team thru and thru
Can somebody please answer me the this: Why is everyone saying a goalless draw was a good result for Milan at the Emirates?
That made a situation where all Arsenal needed was one goal in San Siro to be two up. Ok a 1-1 draw in North London would have been a great result for Milan but 0-0 is not.
Anyway that aside I feel the article is very one sided in its description of the game. Yes Milan is old and it is time for a change but they were also outplayed. Is that all pace and youth? I don’t think so. The above comment about Flamini stifling Kaka is right on. Kaka was practically invisible in the game.
Arsenal won a well fought game against a quality opponent and this win will pay off in more than a quarter final berth. Fabregas and Adebayor both scoring was huge for this team at this time. Cesc hasn’t been contributing like he did at the beginning of the season and Ade has had more open shots missed over the last four games than he has had all year.
Respect to Milan for the years of magnificence. But I think that the matchups that are going to occur now without them are the matchups of the best teams of this tournament.