AC Milan Shows Problems Again in 1-1 Draw with Catania

Already things are not going to plan for Milan. Despite the arrival of two megastars in Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho, Milan's fortunes have not changed as the team continues to struggle.

The arrival of Max Allegri as Milan's new coach was met with much optimism and many Milan fans were hopeful that this young bright Italian tactician would bring about a new winning cycle for the Rossoneri.

Instead, matters have turned out similar to how they were this time last season when the team struggled under the guidance of Leonardo. Last year, however, things did get better eventually, but it remains to be seen whether this will be the case again this year.

Despite the summer transfer campaign, the Milan squad is still largely lacking in depth and quality. With limited options on the bench, Allegri is being forced to make the same decisions his predecessor was also forced to make.

Allegri, like Leonardo, knows that the one player capable of leading the Milan attack, Ronaldinho, is best utilised when used on the left side of a trident attack line. Though a player of phenomenal talent, Allegri's preference in keeping the Brazilian in this position, like Leonardo last year, makes the team less flexible tactically.

Utilising a 4-3-3 formation in order to cater for Ronaldinho puts more responsibility on the midfield trio, especially when the likes of Ibrahimovic, Ronaldinho, and Inzaghi or Pato as it is usually, simply refuse to track back and help out in defense.

When the midfield is lead by Andrea Pirlo, a player drastically off-form and one never know for his defensive qualities, alongside Clarence Seedorf, who is now 35 and is terribly inconsistent, then there is a problem.

The addition of Kevin Prince Boateng is a source of relief for Milan fans. His commitment, hunger and passion shown in his first full outing in the Serie A made his team mates look like they have an attitude problem. But Boateng's presence is not enough.

With the little depth in the squad, particularly in midfield, when the ageing legs of Pirlo, Seedorf, and Ambrosini get tired, as inevitably they will, there really is only Boateng or Flamini to call on. The former has shown some promise but the latter in his two years at Milan, has not. Gattuso should no longer even be an option.

To cater for this problem, it was hoped that Allegri would make the brave decisions his predecessor failed to make and give a chance to some of Milan's youth players. Alexander Merkel is one youth player who showed some promise in preseason, yet so far Allegri has failed to make use of him or any other youth product.

Allegri is fast appearing like Leonardo V.2, by being both tactically inflexible and unwilling to blood any of Milan's youth prospects.

Robinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic will certainly help Milan's cause this season, even in the worst case scenario. Yet, other issues are still paramount if Milan are to move forward and become genuine title contenders.

Personnel changes have to still be made. For too long has the club relied on Seedorf, Pirlo, Gattuso, and Ambrosini. It is almost 10 years now that these four players have formed the core of the Milan midfield. Surely, this is a few years too long.

In addition, Max Allegri needs to start showing Milan fans why he was brought in at the expense of Leonardo.