AC Milan: A Force Once Again

There is a saying that one week in football is a long time. Such a saying could not hold truer for Milan in a week that will undoubtedly change the clubs future, at least in the short term.  

Despite the improbability of such a transfer at the start of the transfer campaign, the seemingly impossible became a reality earlier in the week when Zlatan Ibrahimovic was officially named a Milan player.

On Sunday night, which saw Milan sweep to a fantastic four nil victory over Lecce, the Swede was unveiled in front of the home crowd and his arrival has reigned in a sense of great optimism about the club the club's future and for the season ahead.

Ibrahmovic is a player of world class talent. He is player that for a couple of years now Milan have needed. His presence in the team solves one critical problem for the Rossoneri as he is a striker that will guarantee goals. But, in addition, like he is with scoring goals Zlatan is also adapt at making them for his team.

If Milan is a club that is serious about challenging for major honors than Ibrahimovic is the kind of striker that is needed.

It was fitting to the occasion at the San Siro on Sunday night that Milan ran home convincing winners because along with the sense of renewed optimism that Ibrahimovic's arrival has brought, the optimism that came with the appointment of Max Allegri was well justified as Milan played an almost perfect game.

There was enthusiasm and energy about the team that has not been seen in a long time. The players seemed highly motivated, especially Ronaldinho who really was back to his best on the night.

Though tactically Allegri may have simply adopted what Leonardo started, there can be no criticism of this. This is because Ronaldinho, a player of incredible ability and one that can win games single-handedly, is best deployed on the left flank.

It is the coaches job to get the best out of his players and when a player like Ronaldinho is in your team it would be simply crazy not to build your team around his phenomenal talents.

This week has been one of great change. Ibrahimovic's arrival has made Milan credible title contenders again. Max Allegri lived up to his billing as one of the best managers around and Ronaldinho was back to his incredible best again.

If this was not enough to appease Milan fans and make the Rossoneri a force to be reckoned with again, then only yesterday Berlusconi landed another transfer coup in the signing of Robinho.

Perhaps a transfer that is less well understood. After all, Robinho is perhaps not exactly the type of player Milan really need unlike Ibrahimovic. He plays a similar role to Ronaldinho and it is hard to see where he will fit in the side.

Nonetheless, there is no denying Robinho is a player of real quality. Though he has had his troubles in his career, most recently at Manchester City, he still is a player that will significantly strengthen Milan and help the club in its attempt to rise again.

It has been an amazing week for Milan and one in which has left the fans wondering whether this is all true.

From now on Milan can boast easily one of the best, if not best, forward lineups in the world. It is one that brings memories of the famous four at Barcelona a few years back when Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto'o, Thierry Henry and, of course, Ronaldinho all were waltzing around the Nou Camp.

With such talent in attack and after seeing Milan play a beautiful attacking game on Sunday night in a side that did not even include Ibrahimovic or Robinho, then it can only get better from here on.

This season may just be the season that sees Milan retain its spot at the top. Both in the Champions League and in the Serie A Milan will, finally, be a force once again.