Milan vs. Genoa Preview: Only a Win Will Suffice

Tonight Milan face Genoa at home in a game that they simply must win. If coach Max Allegri fails to find a way to lead his side to a win, then alarm bells will start to ring at the San Siro.

Captain Massimo Ambrosini is still out injured, which makes it possible that again Gennaro Gattuso will start. This is something that cannot happen. Gattuso is completely finished as a player and Rino particularly struggles playing in the 4-3-3 system.

Kevin Prince Boateng will probably get the nod to start again, but where Allegri plays him is not entirely clear. Hopefully after seeing Boateng's inability to make a difference as the right sided attacker against Lazio, Allegri will do the obvious thing and put him back into midfield where his fighting qualities are much more needed.

After all, in Robinho Milan have the perfect alternative to Pato as the right-sided attacker. There is no need to play Boateng out of position when Robinho is still waiting for a first-team chance. Against Genoa tonight, Robinho must start for leaving him on the bench again may start to make him unsettled, something which the club simply cannot afford to happen.

Choosing the right personnel is paramount. However, Allegri must also start thinking of possibly changing the Milan system. The current 4-3-3 system that Milan plays was started by Leonardo last season and continued by Allegri this season, as this is the one system that enables Ronaldinho to play in his preferred role on the left side of the attack.

However, no one player is bigger than the team. Simply playing this system and relying on Ronaldinho to make it worthwhile to continue in such a way is a dangerous tactic. Opposing teams know that by stopping Ronaldinho they can effectively stop the Milan attack because when Ronaldinho is marked out, it leaves only Pirlo and his helpless lofted balls as the way forward for Milan.

A change of system is perhaps what is required. Last season Leonardo recognised this after a poor start and he was able to change Milan's fortunes greatly. Allegri may have to do the same and sooner rather than later.