Parma defeat at San Siro, first time in 17 years
A football club in ‘crisis’ of whom wear red and black is being banded around a lot lately, however it’s not the borough of Manchester I’m referring to, but the province of Milan.
The Rossoneri slumped to a fourth straight defeat earlier today at home to Parma, the first time in 17 years ‘the crusaders’ have claimed victory at the San Siro.
Fans protested on mass before the game at how the club is being run, Chief Executive Adriano Galliani has come in for major criticism over recent signings, while Mario Balotelli has been among the targets of protest.
Post game a number of ‘Ultra’ fans engaged in a private meeting to voice their concerns with Galliani, Seedorf and players such as Balotelli and Kaka.
“It was a very peaceful meeting,” Seedorf told Sky Sport Italia. “After two years of suffering, they wanted to express their feelings.
“There is great respect for the Milan shirt on the part of everyone. Sometimes it helps just to listen and give the fans a voice, so they know we hear them.”
But I’m far from being a glass half empty kind of guy, so lets be realistic.
The previous three defeats came against Serie A leaders Juventus, Udinese who have lost only once in there last six games and away to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
Think we are all aware of Atletico’s capabilities both in La Liga and Europe this season.
So it’s been a tough run in to say the least for Clarence Seedorf and his band of not so merry men of Milan.
However, there’s a far bigger issue at work here than just last four games.
Therefore, I find the criticism from some sections of the Italian press as misguided, vindictive and naïve.
Don’t get me wrong - I understand their frustrations, it’s been a campaign to forget and far from what one would constitute a ‘Milan’ type performance over the course of a season. But this isn’t necessarily a Milan type squad.
Milan didn’t do themselves any favours against Parma, true, if your goalkeeper is sent off within the first five minutes you’ll naturally be on the back foot, it’s a game changing circumstance.
The referee had no choice of course, Abbiati was left floundering, and his positioning made bringing down Ezequiel Schelotto unavoidable.
Former Milanese striker Antonio Cassano netted the resulting spotkick.
Thereafter, Milan’s defensive frailties this season became immediately magnified and despite Balotelli striking the woodwork, the Rossoneri found themselves 0-2 down six minutes into the 2nd half. A hint of déjà vu and the game looked over.
Not so, Milan to their credit showed some real fighting spirit, substitute Adil Rami, arguably the clubs best player this season, pulled one back five minutes later.
The vilified Balotelli levelled from the penalty spot on 76 minutes.
Cancelling out the 2-goal deficit with 10 men, no one can pick holes in the teams desire and determination. They want to play for Seedorf, that’s very apparent.
Nevertheless, within 90 seconds of Balotelli’s leveller from 12 yards, striker Amauri went up the other end making it 2-3 to Parma, a killer blow.
With the wind out of Milan’s sails; former Inter academy product Jonathon Biabiany ended any hopes of a successful Milan fight back with a fortuitous diving header in the 90th minute.
Parma move up to fifth in Serie A, while Milan, languish uncharacteristically in eleventh.
Milan are a team low on confidence, that’s clear to see, but the off field protests and front office upheaval coupled with staff and player ins and outs haven’t exactly had a positive impact on this season.
The squad lacks identity and cohesion; values I feel can only flourish in the close season.
Seedorf needs time to mould the squad into how he wants them to play, to implement his philosophy, these things don’t happen overnight.
The Rossoneri slumped to a fourth straight defeat earlier today at home to Parma, the first time in 17 years ‘the crusaders’ have claimed victory at the San Siro.
Fans protested on mass before the game at how the club is being run, Chief Executive Adriano Galliani has come in for major criticism over recent signings, while Mario Balotelli has been among the targets of protest.
Post game a number of ‘Ultra’ fans engaged in a private meeting to voice their concerns with Galliani, Seedorf and players such as Balotelli and Kaka.
“There is great respect for the Milan shirt on the part of everyone. Sometimes it helps just to listen and give the fans a voice, so they know we hear them.”
But I’m far from being a glass half empty kind of guy, so lets be realistic.
The previous three defeats came against Serie A leaders Juventus, Udinese who have lost only once in there last six games and away to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
Think we are all aware of Atletico’s capabilities both in La Liga and Europe this season.
So it’s been a tough run in to say the least for Clarence Seedorf and his band of not so merry men of Milan.
However, there’s a far bigger issue at work here than just last four games.
Therefore, I find the criticism from some sections of the Italian press as misguided, vindictive and naïve.
Don’t get me wrong - I understand their frustrations, it’s been a campaign to forget and far from what one would constitute a ‘Milan’ type performance over the course of a season. But this isn’t necessarily a Milan type squad.
Milan didn’t do themselves any favours against Parma, true, if your goalkeeper is sent off within the first five minutes you’ll naturally be on the back foot, it’s a game changing circumstance.
The referee had no choice of course, Abbiati was left floundering, and his positioning made bringing down Ezequiel Schelotto unavoidable.
Former Milanese striker Antonio Cassano netted the resulting spotkick.
Thereafter, Milan’s defensive frailties this season became immediately magnified and despite Balotelli striking the woodwork, the Rossoneri found themselves 0-2 down six minutes into the 2nd half. A hint of déjà vu and the game looked over.
Not so, Milan to their credit showed some real fighting spirit, substitute Adil Rami, arguably the clubs best player this season, pulled one back five minutes later.
The vilified Balotelli levelled from the penalty spot on 76 minutes.
Cancelling out the 2-goal deficit with 10 men, no one can pick holes in the teams desire and determination. They want to play for Seedorf, that’s very apparent.
Nevertheless, within 90 seconds of Balotelli’s leveller from 12 yards, striker Amauri went up the other end making it 2-3 to Parma, a killer blow.
With the wind out of Milan’s sails; former Inter academy product Jonathon Biabiany ended any hopes of a successful Milan fight back with a fortuitous diving header in the 90th minute.
Parma move up to fifth in Serie A, while Milan, languish uncharacteristically in eleventh.
Milan are a team low on confidence, that’s clear to see, but the off field protests and front office upheaval coupled with staff and player ins and outs haven’t exactly had a positive impact on this season.
The squad lacks identity and cohesion; values I feel can only flourish in the close season.
Seedorf needs time to mould the squad into how he wants them to play, to implement his philosophy, these things don’t happen overnight.
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