Sunday, February 6, 2011

Allegri should stop using Seedorf and Bonera

Since the beginning of this season, I have not liked what I have seen in Seedorf and I believe any average Milan fan would agree with me. Seedorf's figure, as it turns out, has declined to a pitiable state that is "non football friendly." His buttocks have "pumped out" to a laughable state, his face has become too old that suggests he might even be older than what we know him as. He even looks older and "non athletic" than our coach Allegri! This has even manifested on the pitch as he is too slow, cannot hold the ball for a reasonable amount of time, finds it hard to dribble past players without losing the ball and his presence on the pitch is like the opposing team having a twelfth player. Forgive me for being blunt but the truth has to be said. It also turns out that he can't give decisive passes again as he does before. The only thing we see now and then are some flashes of brilliance that are fast fading away.We have seen virtually the worst and end of Seedorf. Once he is with the ball, he quickly turns, passes to any player he sees on the wings or loses the ball cheaply while trying to do some impossible moves. Against Udinese, we all saw the way he lost the ball cheaply in the midfield to gift Udinese a goal. Against Leece, we saw how his presence on the pitch was like a minus to the Milan team. Even a neutral observer that has watched Milan's games with will know that Seedorf isn't to start in any more Milan games.
       Bonera on the other hand, has shown hardworking signs on the pitch, but then again, the truth has to be said: he is not Milan class. I dont get to watch many Milan matches because of  what I am currently studying but the few ones I have watched this season, the writing is clear: Bonera has to leave. In the uefa champions league game against Manchester United last season, Bonera showed that he is clearly not Milan's class. He was easily beaten in the air and was easily outpaced. All in all, he gave a kind of lacklustre performance that wasnt to be gone unnoticed. Since then, Bonera has given quite a good number of performances for Milan but after the game against Udinese, once again, the question has been brought to the fold: Is he really Milan class? He singlehandedly made milan concede three goals. On 53 minutes, he was easily beaten by Sanchez to nod home, on 66 minutes, he was easily outwitted by Di Natale(much to my disgust) to give Udinese a 3-1 lead and finally, moments before injury time his poor positioning allowed  substitute Denis to slot home a pinpoint cross from Maurice Isla.  Milan have lost 5 games with him on the pitch(where he has started 4) this season as at Jan 9 2011. This is alarming when you consider that he is not a starter  for  Milan and Milan have actually lost 5 games this season.  Allegri has even used Bonera as a left back in a couple of matches this season when Antonini was fully fit. Can you imagine this?
       The coppa italia match against Bari has said it all. With a three man midfield of Gattuso, Ambrosini, Merkel and an attacking trio of Robinho, Cassano and Ibra, milan exhibited free flowing attacking football and gave an eye catching performance in a game which we won covincingly by three goals to nothing! 
       When Leonardo was sacked as Milan boss, I was totally against this decision. The reason was very simple: Leonardo had done very well enough last season considering the quality of players at his disposal. Last season, the Milan team was made up of an inconsistent Dida, never improving Antonini, an improvised Abate(though now doing well at his position), an injury prone Nesta, an over-aged midfield, a forever unserious Ronaldinho(though he put up great performances for Milan, he was sometimes too "playful"on the pitch as we saw in the first leg against Manchester United), "one legged" Borriello(could do virtually nothing with his right leg) out of sorts Huntelaar and an injury prone Pato. We also had inadequate back up on the bench. To add salt to these "injuries", when Leonardo asked for a striker, he was given a MANCINI! He was even given a 35 year old Beckham as a midfield reinforcement or what can I call that? Leonardo even had open problems with Berlusconi but still took us to a champions league spot which in the beginning of the season, strong  football pundits almost ruled us out. We were even title contenders at a time in the season! Aside from this, Leonardo is an intelligent man. He has employed great rapport with his players as the basis of his coaching which I believe any good coach should do.
      As a Milan fan, I may not like the fact that Leonardo is now Inter coach,
but the truth is bitter: Leonardo will almost surely do well at Inter. Allegri should stop using Seedorf and Bonera as starters. He should better lace his boots and get ready for an intense battle with Inter for this seasons Serie a Title. I rest my case.
   Follow Obasa Olalekan on twitter @obsylakeside. Thanks

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