Despite heavy investment, Milan still need to find a tactical balance.
Still smarting from a surprise 2-0 loss to Cesena, Milan host Auxerre at the San Siro in a compelling Group G encounter. Compelling not because of the parity between the two teams, but more because the game will offer another glimpse into how Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri will attempt to configure a star-studded team.
With just the addition of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho, Milan have gone from also-rans to Champions League contenders. Were such a reputation premised on results and a comprehensive team assessment, many would be forgiven for harbouring such high hope. However, Milan resemble a lopsided team that can offer the likes of Pato and Ibrahimovic in attack, but only Mario Yepes and Luca Antonini in defence. True, the defensive duo are not exactly dismal options, but when comparing them to the class of the attack one gets the feeling that Milan privileged spectacle over substance this summer.
When the euphoria of the Ibra-Robinho signings had settled, the pragmatic amongst the Rossoneri faithful must have felt a little apprehensive about how the team looked unbalanced. Cesena's win over Milan was an indictment of precisely Milan's imbalance. Both of Cesena's goals came courtesy of a blackout in the Milan defence. So much space was afforded to Bogdani and co. that it seemed that Milan's defenders had actually camped themselves in midfield. The ease with which Cesena carved open Milan was embarrassing at times.
Against Auxerre, Milan have the opportunity to atone for those lapses in concentration. They need maximum points against Auxerre, so that their encounters with Real Madrid and Ajax--theoretically the tougher opposition in the group--can be less tense.
Ibrahimovic is expected to start in a 4-3-3 formation that will see Ronaldinho providing for Pato and the Swede himself. Captain Massimo Ambrosini will start in midfield alongside Andrea Pirlo, and one of Kevin-Prince Boateng and Clarence Seedorf, who returns from injury, will be the third member in the middle of the park. Brazilian defender Thiago Silva is injured, so Alessandro Nesta will anchor the defence, and Christian Abbiati will get the nod in goal despite having looked slow against Cesena.
Auxerre are currently languishing in 17th place in Ligue 1, and their coach Jean Fernandez conceded that his team's main aim is not "to be ridiculed in the group." Such a sobering assessment of his team's quality speaks volumes about the confidence in Auxerre's camp. Yet, such self-deprecation can also be a ruse designed to take pressure off his players.
Though many expect Milan to run riot, a draw is not outside the realm of possibility. Milan are still looking to find a tactical balance, and that may prove to be the hindrance tomorrow. A 1-0 Milan win looks the most likely result.
With just the addition of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho, Milan have gone from also-rans to Champions League contenders. Were such a reputation premised on results and a comprehensive team assessment, many would be forgiven for harbouring such high hope. However, Milan resemble a lopsided team that can offer the likes of Pato and Ibrahimovic in attack, but only Mario Yepes and Luca Antonini in defence. True, the defensive duo are not exactly dismal options, but when comparing them to the class of the attack one gets the feeling that Milan privileged spectacle over substance this summer.
When the euphoria of the Ibra-Robinho signings had settled, the pragmatic amongst the Rossoneri faithful must have felt a little apprehensive about how the team looked unbalanced. Cesena's win over Milan was an indictment of precisely Milan's imbalance. Both of Cesena's goals came courtesy of a blackout in the Milan defence. So much space was afforded to Bogdani and co. that it seemed that Milan's defenders had actually camped themselves in midfield. The ease with which Cesena carved open Milan was embarrassing at times.
Against Auxerre, Milan have the opportunity to atone for those lapses in concentration. They need maximum points against Auxerre, so that their encounters with Real Madrid and Ajax--theoretically the tougher opposition in the group--can be less tense.
Ibrahimovic is expected to start in a 4-3-3 formation that will see Ronaldinho providing for Pato and the Swede himself. Captain Massimo Ambrosini will start in midfield alongside Andrea Pirlo, and one of Kevin-Prince Boateng and Clarence Seedorf, who returns from injury, will be the third member in the middle of the park. Brazilian defender Thiago Silva is injured, so Alessandro Nesta will anchor the defence, and Christian Abbiati will get the nod in goal despite having looked slow against Cesena.
Auxerre are currently languishing in 17th place in Ligue 1, and their coach Jean Fernandez conceded that his team's main aim is not "to be ridiculed in the group." Such a sobering assessment of his team's quality speaks volumes about the confidence in Auxerre's camp. Yet, such self-deprecation can also be a ruse designed to take pressure off his players.
Though many expect Milan to run riot, a draw is not outside the realm of possibility. Milan are still looking to find a tactical balance, and that may prove to be the hindrance tomorrow. A 1-0 Milan win looks the most likely result.
