Milan v Chievo

AC Milan followed up a midweek win against Fiorentina with a Kaka inspired 3-0 victory to take all 3 points in the San Siro against Chievo.

From the outset both sides were buoyed by midweek results, with Chievo claiming victory against relegation rivals Bologna.

However it was Milan who started the stronger at high tempo with a succession of short snappy passes.

The ‘flying donkeys’ barely got out of the traps before super Mario Balotelli got the Rossoneri off to a perfect start by netting inside 4 minutes from close range.

Adel Taarabt threatened soon after with a shot from just outside the area, parried by Michael Agazzi, his direct running proving a problem for Chievo.

After a fast paced start where Milan exercised home dominance, Chievo whose away record this season has been woeful, edged back into the game with a spell of better ball retention.

Nevertheless, Milan looked capable of unlocking the door to the visitor’s defence each time they ventured forward.

On 27 minutes, Kaka rolled back the years on his 300^th appearance for AC Milan with a goal, after some great team build up, the Brazilian chested the ball down from an exquisite pass by Keisuke Honda and slotted past the keeper from 5 yards.

Kaka continued his renaissance moments later with some trademark midfield work, despatching a through ball into the path of Balotelli who squared in the box for Honda to make it 3-0, only for the Japanese captain to blaze over the bar.

Before the game, Milan manager Clarence Seedorf talked about a need to show consistency and continuity in order to put a run of results together if they’re to salvage something from this torrid season.

The 18 times Serie A winners had clearly listened to the Dutchman, who picked up where they left off after the break.

A set piece from Kaka on 54 minutes found the head of Honda, who brought a reflex save out of Agazzi, however, the ball came back to Kaka who had time to compose himself, rifling a right foot curling shot beyond the Chievo goalkeeper.

From that point on Milan were comfortable, and continued to keep a stranglehold on the game.

Man of the moment Kaka would not complete his hat trick after being substituted for fellow countryman Robinho on 73 minutes but that by no means tainted a memorable performance and the fans let him know with a standing ovation.

Rumour has it Kaka may be leaving the Rossoneri at the end of the season, with a move to the MLS potentially on the cards.

On this performance, Seedorf and Chief Executive Adriano Galliani may look to offer the talismanic midfielder an improved contract to stay at the San Siro for at least another season.

The referee threatened to take the shine off the result by giving Chievo a penalty in added time, following Zaccardo’s challenge on Thereau. Replays showed it was nothing more than a 50/50 tackle.

Thereau hit the bar with his effort from 12 yards and the clean sheet along with the 3 points were Milan’s.

Club in Transition or Crisis?

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.