I think the question is why Seedorf hasn't retired yet ...
the result isn't too much of a surprise considering the lineup Allegri decided to field ...
but before I get to that, let's clear up a couple of things:
- Milan's objective this season is clearly the league, not Europe -- just look at the ineligible winter signings ... as I've already said, even just Cassano being available would completely change Milan's outlook; but even then, they'd only have been outside contenders ...
- I'd like to note that the ref and linesmen were pretty poor ... offside calls incorrectly made, fouls on the edge of the box not called, fouls not called when defenders were clearly leading with the elbow going into aerial challenges, fouls for high-foot on the edge of the box not called ... all in crucial areas, that could have led to crucial, match-changing events ...
- if Milan had to concede, I'm glad the goal was from a counter, since I consider it the most pathetic approach to scoring ...
- shame Zlatan's overhead doesn't count ...
now, back to the selection stuff ...
there is no doubt that with Pirlo and Boateng injured, there was going to be an obvious lack of creativity and energy (respectively) missing in the middle of the pitch ... but this has been known for a while, so selecting a starting midfield with zero passing ability is inexcusable: considering it comprised a defender, an exclusive tackler, a sh!t frenchie, and a sadly pathetic Clarence Seedorf ...
Allegri clearly admitted his mistake by withdrawing Seedorf at the half, but there is no justification for starting him, coz he's been nothing but crap all season ... the second half was much better because of the change, but there was a lot more lacking in my eyes, and it should have been there from the start ...
I'd have wanted Allegri to be bold in the home leg, starting Merkel as the coordinating passer, in front of Gattuso and Sokratis (whose tackling has actually been impressive), allowing Thiago Silva to play in the heart of defence ... yes, Yepes did produce a couple of great saves from Gomes, but with more passing ability on the pitch, his headers wouldn't have been needed ... and yes, that means Pato would have started ...
clearly, Allegri wasn't ready to trust the youth options he had available, despite the more experienced options he opted having shown nothing to merit selection this season ...
the tie isn't done, by any means, and the second leg will have to see Max be braver with his selections and tactics ...
on the positive side for me, Raffie played well: some truly classy touches, and a couple of excellent attempts, but his delivery was lacking ...
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p.s. I had to watch this recorded, so I've just got done, and I've also had time to soak in the immediate press reactions ...
I really wish there was a "crowd only" audio option on these broadcasts ... English commentary on the international feed is always shameless, and the in-match "analysis" is consistently ignorant bilge ...
FSC's Warren Barton didn't disappoint in continuing that trend in the half-time and post-match analyses; again, what a disgrace to journalistic integrity ...
the post-match reactions from the coaches and players have been nothing surprising, though I wish Allegri would have been probed further on his selections and tactics ...