UEFA Champions League: AC Milan Defense and Midfield Must Be Better Against Ajax
AC Milan travel to the Netherlands on Tuesday to square off with Ajax Amsterdam in a historic UEFA Champions League clash.
Two of the most successful European clubs of all time will be on the pitch together in a rematch of the 1995 Final, which Ajax won 1-0 in the dying minutes of the second half on a goal from 18-year old Patrick Kluivert to give Milan no hope of repeating as champions. It was Ajax's fourth title and they have not won since. AC Milan have gone on to win two more titles in 2003 and 2007.
Of course, Tuesday's match is not about the past, but the present and the future. A victory for Milan will put them on six points and in prime position to advance as Ajax would be left on no points following a 2-0 loss to Real Madrid.
AC Milan needed two strikes from Zlatan Ibrahimovic in four minutes to cap off a less than impressive 2-0 victory over Auxerre.
Milan should be favorites for this game, but it will be important for the defense and the midfield to be better than they have been of late. Too often they have been caught out and nearly punished on counterattacks. In fact, they were caught out like this in Rome on Wednesday when they lost a 1-0 lead to Lazio in the 81st minute in what ended as a 1-1 draw.
Part of the blame should fall to Massimiliano Allegri, who has made some bizarre and questionable changes to the lineup in recent matches. He will need to think very hard about his lineup for this Champions League clash.
Milan will be most worried about Uruguayan star Luis Suarez, the 23-year old captain of Ajax who has six goals in five games in Eredivisie this season. The Dutch were unable to get anything going without him in the lineup against Real Madrid, but expect him to be present and the center of attention for Ajax on Tuesday.
Milan cannot go with the strange lineup choices they have been, such as relying on Ignazio Abate in the back. They need to look to their most talented, fastest, and most in shape players in the midfield and defense.
Here, I introduce both the squads for Ajax and Milan that have been called up and assess what should be Milan's lineup against the Dutch side.
Ajax Amsterdam: The 18 Man Squad
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Manager: Martin Jol
Goalkeepers:
Maarten Stekelenburg
Jeroen Verhoeven
Defenders:
Gregory van der Wiel
Toby Alderweireld
Jan Vertonghen
Vurnon Anita
Andre Ooijer
Oleguer Presas
Midfielders:
Eyong Enoh
Christian Eriksen
Siem de Jong
Urby Emanuelson
Rasmus Lindgren
Demy de Zeeuw
Forwards:
Miralem Sulejmani
Mounir El Hamdaoui
Luis Suarez
Florian Jozefzoon
AC Milan: The 21 Man Squad
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Manager: Massimiliano Allegri
Goalkeepers:
Christian Abbiati
Marco Amelia
Flavio Roma
Defenders:
Luca Antonini
Daniele Bonera
Marek Jankulovski
Alessandro Nesta
Sokratis Papastathopoulos
Thiago Silva
Gianluca Zambrotta
Mario Yepes
Midfielders:
Ignazio Abate
Kevin-Prince Boateng
Mathieu Flamini
Gennaro Gattuso
Andrea Pirlo
Clarence Seedorf
Forwards:
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Filippo Inzaghi
Robinho
Ronaldinho
Injured: Massimo Ambrosini, Alexandre Pato
Not Called Up: Massimo Oddo, Rodney Strasser
Possible Ajax Lineup
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GK: Maarten Stekelenburg
DF: Gregory van der Wiel, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen
MF: Demy de Zeeuw, Urby Emanuelson, Vurnon Anita, Eyong Enoh, Simen de Jong
FW: Luis Suarez, Mounir El Hamdaoul
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Possible AC Milan Lineup
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GK: Christian Abbiati
DF: Daniele Bonera, Thiago Silva, Alessandro Nesta, Luca Antonini
MF: Kevin-Prince Boateng, Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso
FW: Robinho, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ronaldinho
Now, a brief look at the potential Milan starting XI and we will also look at the bench, as Allegri can only have seven of the other ten players he has chosen in uniform on Tuesday.
Goalkeeper: Christian Abbiati
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Hard to argue against Abbiati being in the net for Milan on Tuesday. He has started every game this season in both Serie A and the lone Champions League match. He has been fantastic so far this season. He has allowed four goals in six games, with his only true mistake being the goal by Ciro Capuano for Catania, which he could have done much better on.
Other than that one blemish, Abbiati has been one of Milan's top performers this season, making many game saving stops in the net after the defense let him down or when the attack surprised everyone with a quick shot.
Milan have a promising backup in Marco Amelia, who was fantastic with Genoa and in the preseason this year, but Milan will need their established number one in the net as they prepare to face the attack of Ajax, meaning the great Luis Suarez.
Right Back: Daniele Bonera
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Ignazio Abate is not what Milan need at the back. He has struggled to make an impact in defense, much like last season.
Daniele Bonera is still a strong fullback. However, after the Catania match, he has not even been in the squad for the Lazio and Genoa contests.
Allegri should look to return to Bonera, who has done well when he has appeared this season. He has more fitness and pace than either Abate or Gianluca Zambrotta and could be much more helpful to Milan in the back.
Left Back: Luca Antonini
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We learned against Lazio that a Milan defense without Luca Antonini is weaker than normal.
Antonini is the best fullback Milan have and of course needs to be in the lineup against a team like Ajax.
This is not even a discussion that needs to be had. Antonini proved he was the top left back last season and continues to improve and impress.
Without Antonini, Milan would be in big trouble against the attack led by Luis Suarez.
Center Backs: Thiago Silva and Alessandro Nesta
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No discussion necessary on these two.
Nesta and Silva are in their second season as Milan's well known center back tandem that is one of the strongest in Italy and very good on the European level.
Both are talented, both are the best Milan have, both are leaders in the back, and both can come up big on either side of the ball.
Obviously these two will be starting on Tuesday in Amsterdam.
Right Midfielder: Kevin-Prince Boateng
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No one has been better in the midfield for Milan this season than Kevin-Prince Boateng.
Since joining Milan on a sign and loan from Genoa via Portsmouth, Boateng has established himself as a starter in the midfield and as a player to bring Milan into the future.
Boateng has been an asset to the defense and has been dangerous on the attack. Besides Zlatan Ibrahimovic, no one has been better this season for the Rossoneri.
The 23-year old has become a general in the midfield and an overall leader on the team and will be vital to Milan in their big game on Tuesday.
Center Midfielder: Andrea Pirlo
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The general of AC Milan will need to be on the field against Ajax.
Despite not having the greatest form of his life recently, Pirlo is still a great player and will bounce back.
He showed on Saturday that he is still capable of making big plays, as he set up Zlatan Ibrahimovic on a beautiful long lobbed ball that dropped right to the Swede's foot and he lobbed Eduardo in a 1-0 victory over Genoa at the San Siro.
Expect Pirlo to be important from set pieces, as usual, and to be an outlet for the defense to connect them to the attack with his slick passing.
If Pirlo regains the form he showed in earlier games this season, Milan will be fine.
Left Midfielder: Gennaro Gattuso
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I may have been against Gattuso's addition in recent matches, but after his performance against Genoa, Allegri is likely to keep with the veteran.
Gattuso was very impressive against Genoa and will likely retain his spot in the lineup.
Mathieu Flamini is back from injury, but having been practicing and playing regularly since the start of the season, Gattuso is likely to get action in a big game like this. Experience, form, and fitness are critical against a team like Ajax in the Champions League.
Look for Gattuso to be replaced in the second half though. He is no longer a full 90 player and is more suitable as a sub. Tuesday he will start, but I would expect Flamini or Seedorf to replace him late on. If the club need to hold a tight lead, it would be Flamini. If they need a goal, look for Seedorf.
Right Winger: Robinho
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With Pato out, Milan have only two options at right winger: Filippo Inzaghi and Robinho.
The logical choice of the two would be the Brazilian.
Despite not exploding onto the scene since joining Milan a month ago, Robinho has improved with every match he plays, be it in only ten minutes or the full 90 like he did against Genoa on Saturday.
Inzaghi is not a starter. If needed, Inzaghi could be used in his now famous role of coming off the bench for a late match strike. Allegri preferred Inzaghi in the first two matches after the Pato injury, but Robinho will give Milan the best advantage. Robinho is better than Inzaghi in a starting role and can last longer into a match. Inzaghi useful off the bench and would be a much more effective replacement if necessary.
It is only a matter of time before Robinho starts to click for the red and black. A breakthrough could come as early as Tuesday as Milan will be looking to attack early and often.
Left Winger: Ronaldinho
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When you need inspiration in the attacking third, look no further than Ronaldinho.
The two time World Player of the Year has established himself as the leader on offense for Milan. After Pirlo brings the midfield forward into the action, much of the play flows through Ronaldinho.
Milan's attack seems to be most deadly with Ronaldinho leading the way from the left side of the box, whether he is putting the ball in the middle for Ibrahimovic, laying it off to Antonini down the line, or playing the ball back to a midfielder and creating space for himself and others to cause havoc.
Obviously, Ronaldinho will be in the lineup tomorrow and if he can continue the form he has shown since the arrival of Ibrahimovic, Milan will be deadly in attack.
Striker: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
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Does it even need to be said?
Zlatan Ibrahimovic means the revival of the Milan attack.
He did not score against Cesena in his debut, hitting a penalty off the post in the loss, but since then, he has scored in three of the four matches he has played for the Rossoneri. Two of these goals were game winners.
Ibrahimovic's performance has given Milan and its supporters hope that the club is going in the right direction. It appears that Ibrahimovic is still the elite goal scorer we all know and used to hate, now love.
So long as Ibrahimovic continues to find the back of the net, Milan will have no problem getting results. Even against a goalkeeper like World Cup finalist Stekelenburg, Ibrahimovic has what it takes to fire Milan into prime position in the Group of Death.
The Bench
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Goalkeeper:
Marco Amelia
Defenders:
Sokratis Papastathopoulos- Young, quick, good on defense, Sokratis may find himself in the match late for Danielle Bonera if Milan look likely to open the wing for Ajax because of tired legs.
Gianluca Zambrotta
Midfielders:
Ignazio Abate
Clarence Seedorf- Seedorf will find himself in the match late if the midfield needs reinforcement as Milan have to make a push for some late heroics.
Mathieu Flamini- If Milan have the lead, we may see the more defensive minded Flamini over Seedorf in this one. The only hesitation Allegri may have is Flamini's injury. Then again, why would Flamini be called up if he was not match fit?
Forward:
Filippo Inzaghi- We all know the deal here. Milan are down or tied late, Inzaghi comes in and does what he does best, score a game changing goal. Also of note is that Inzaghi is one goal shy of tying Gerd Muller for the all time record for European goals at the club level. He is battling for the record with Raul of Schalke 04 who, like Inzaghi, has 68 goals, one shy of Muller's 69.
The Final Call: Milan 2-1
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This will not be an easy task by any means for AC Milan, especially on the road.
Especially considering how poor the first hour plus of the Auxerre match was for Milan and how they have had to fight in their recent Serie A matches, getting full points against the Dutch giants will require Milan's best performance since the opening match of the Serie A campaign.
Don't be surprised if the great Luis Suarez gets through and puts one in for Ajax, but for the most part, the defense and Abbiati have been good at keeping the ball out of the net, allowing only two goals since the Cesena match when they lost 2-0. Once the midfield and the attack can get clicking on all cylinders, the forecast will be raining goals for the Diavolo of Milan.
Martin Jol likes to play with three backs and a defensive midfielder. This could prove advantageous for the guests. Counterattack may prove to be crucial. If Boateng and Pirlo can push the ball up and support Robinho, Ronaldinho, and Ibrahimovic in what could be a five on three, Milan could easily beat Stekelenburg. It is not as if Ajax have been completely shutdown at the back, especially since they use only three across the back. I would expect Milan's attack to get in behind and give Stekelenburg a lot of work to do.
In what will be a very close game, one of the best of the group, look for Milan to come out on top in a match that will have you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.
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