PALERMO1-0MILAN(WEEK 30) MATCH REVIEW IN THE MILAN PLAYERS' PERSPECTIVE.

Palermo 1 - 0 Milan Goian 9 (P)

Palermo: Sirigu; Munoz, Goian, Migliaccio; Darmian, Bacinovic (Acquah 69), Nocerino, Balzaretti; Pastore (Miccoli 73); Pinilla (Hernandez 88), IlicicMilan: Abbiati; Abate, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Jankulovski (Antonini 16); Gattuso, Van Bommel (Boateng 53), Flamini; Seedorf; Pato (Robinho 63), CassanoAbbiati:Did reasonably well for the duration of the match and made a couple of good saves to keep the score at 1-0. Shown that he is the most consistent of keepers that we have. Fully deserving of his place in the starting lineup.

Nesta and Silva: Both did well throughout the duration of the match. Did their best to keep the Palermo attackers from not inflicting further damage. More credit goes to Silva though for his strong play both defensively and attackingly. Solid play I must say from the Brazilian centre back.

Jankulovski: Had to leave the pitch prematurely due to injury. Didn't see much of him due to this injury. He did well though for the duration of time he spent on the pitch.

Antonini: Came in for Jankulovski. Almost completely neglected his defensive duties by constantly attacking down the left flank. Unbelievably missed a great chance to equalise in such bad manner. Surely not Milan class.

Abate: Made good use of the right flank without neglecting his defensive duties. Floated too many crosses into the box of the opposing team without really getting a Milan player. Should have stopped when it became obvious that his crossses were of no good to the Milan team. Good performance though by him.

Van Bommel: Was the main culprit in the Palermo goal as he spent too much time protesting for an offside call without dedicating any time to close up the unmarked scorer. Should have done much better as he had 'all the time in the world' to stop the scorer. Couple of misplaced passes by him but was hardworking as usual.

Gattuso: Was as 'Gattuso' as ever and gave in his best for the Milan team. An integral part of this Milan squad he is.

Flamini: Was hardworking as usual but his contribution overall to the cause was low. His constant shots were terrible! He had ONE sensible shot though which drew a great save from Sirigu. Aside from that, I'm beginning to think that he is not Milan class.

Seedorf: Gave in the best he could. Shouln't be starting anymore for Milan.

Cassano: I liked him for his good movements with the ball and his hardwork. His shots just like those of Flamini were not up to standard but not as frequent as the French man's. Missed a great chance to equalise For Milan when sent free by a Seeedorf through ball. Not a bad performance by the former Sampdoria man.

Pato and Robinho: Tried the best he could considering the circumstances as Palermo's centrebacks were out for him. Closed the young Brazilian down in any chance they could. His sizzling runs though caused a lot of problems for the Palermo defence. Was forced out of the pitch due to injury problems.His replacement, Robinho was an idle figre on the pitch compared to what we know him for. Lost the ball easily and gave a couple of misplaced passes in crucial positions. Bad performance I must say from the Brazilian. He has shown himself to be very inconsistent.

HOW IBRA'S DISMISSAL AGAINST BARI COULD BE A BLESSING IN DISGUISE FOR MILAN

To cap off a dismal display against Bari, Ibrahimovic received a straight red card following a lunge on a Bari player. After his dismissal, i noticed that the Milan game really improved. There was no more a 'Henry'(Thierry Henry in his days at Arsenal) figure on the pitch in which all the play was directed at. The Milan players worked for each other a lot more and finally a goal arrived. Another two might even have been added if not for the persistence of bad luck.
    Ibra has certainly attained a 'Henry' status at Milan in which all his team mates have that 'instinct' or better still, tendency to pass to him than to other team mates. When with the ball now Ibra is slow to think and loses the ball easily while trying to do some virtually 'impossible' moves with the ball. His 'Henry' status has not made things easier as he is most times with the ball in counterattack situations in which he eventually terminates the effort of his team mates.   
    His offside statistics now is something that worries me. He is always offside one way or the other as he is easily beaten by the opposing defenders in the offside trap.A three match break will once again, give him that rest he is always clamouring for.
     The final part of this hidden blessing could come out of the fact that once back, we could see the Ibra that we knew in the first half of the season, ready to spearhead Milan's quest for the scudetto! GO IBRA! FORZAMILAN!

JUVENTUS0-1MILAN MATCH REVIEW(WEEK 28) IN THE MILAN PLAYERS' PERSPECTIVE

Juventus 0 - 1 Milan

Gattuso 68 (M)

Stadio Olimpico

Milan defeated Juventus away 1-0 to further increase the gap at the top of the table at least temporarily depending on Sunday's results. 
Abbiati: Was solid throughout the match. Made a couple of great saves. Really consistent this term.

Nesta and Silva: Both created an impenetrable wall for the Juventus attackers. It must be said that their patnership has been the best I have seen for a club this season. Can you tell me who has been better than Silva this season?

Jankulovski: Really impressed me with his constant runs down the left flank and his defensive work. Did very well. His real test though, will come in Milan's Uefa Champions league 2nd leg tie against Tottenham.

Abate: Played with such class and solidity typical of a World class right wing back. He has really, really, really improved. Defensively he was simply outstanding! Has the potential to become the next Cafu!

Van Bommel:Once again showed great defensive work and commanding presence in the Milan midfield.He Has become an important figure in this Milan team.I reiterate the fact that he will continue to be missed in the uefa champions league.

Gattuso: Scored his first goal in three years in such a great fashion. He really is a Legendary football figure due to his unique style. That's why I repeat that he once again, gave a typical "gattuso" performance! No one like Gattuso!

Flamini:Was a replica of the Flamini who played in Milan's 3-0 defeat of Napoli. Not so impressive but hardworking. Once again showed the poor state of his shots!

Boateng: An all round midfielder. Did very well before he was forced out of the match due to injury.I just pray he makes the squad to White Hart Lane.

Ibrahimovic: Was slow in thinking, lost the ball too easily, his passing was poor, I can go on and on! Back to the Ibra of Barca! The cause of this, I do not know!

Cassano: Did considerably well but continuously gave long balls that were not useful. Lost a one on one chance with the keeper.

Robinho: Made little impact when brought into the pitch! He once again, tried to do many fancy skills that didn't work.

Seedorf: Just like Cassano, he did considerably well during his time on the pitch. Though, the sight of me seeing him play again against Tottenham is frightening!

MILAN3-0NAPOLI(WEEK 27) MATCH REVIEW IN THE MILAN PLAYERS' PERSPECTIVE

Ibrahimovic pen 48 (M), Boateng 77 (M), Pato 79 (M)

      MILAN3-0NAPOLI MATCH REVIEW IN THE MILAN PLAYERS' PERSPECTIVE
Milan defeated Napoli by three goals to nothing in the San Siro to send out a clear message to other title contenders: They are not willing to lose the scudetto title to any team now after a six year wait! just like the previous article, I am going to comment on each player's performance.

Abbiati: Didn't get to save many strikes as he was once again, rarely tested due to the superb work done by his defenders. Some of his goal kicks weren't something to write home about though.

Nesta: Was as solid as ever, together with Silva, neutralized any threat posed by the Napoli attackers. Surely a legend!

Silva: WAS SUPERB!

Abate: He should be given a call-up to the National team. Another great performance by the once improvised right back. Gave in good attacking runs down the right flank "coupled" with solid defending. He is slowly getting to a world class right back.

Jankulovski: Considering the fact that he has only played as little as one can think this season, he gave in a good performance. A performance of experience. Threatened the Napoli goal with a couple of shots that were a little off target. Once again, a good performance by the Czech.

Van Bommel: Was a wall in the Milan midfield. Recovered possession frequently for The Milan team. I reiterate that his contract should be extended for a year.

Gattuso: Gave in a typical "gattuso" performance. I guess you all know what that means by now.

Flamini: Didn't really play well as he could have done far better. Couple of very poor shots and bad passing.

Robinho: Tried to do many fancy flicks, dribbles and skills in positions where they were not needed. An average performance by the Samba star. Just like Flamini, he could have done far better

Ibrahimovic: Has lost form of recent. He took too long to make decisions when with the ball. I just don't understand why. Scored a goal through the penalty spot though.

Pato: Glad this dude has finally shown signs of maturity in his game play. Gave an assist and scored a wonderful goal. His electrifying pace and sudden passing ability gave the Napoli defence hell! Has the potential to become the World's best player.

Prince Boateng: Came in to score a goal from a Pato assist. Never gave the ball away and was a threat to Napoli both in an attacking and defensive perspective.