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Tuesday's Champions League game between Milan and Tottenham was a disaster from the beginning for Milan fans. I should know...I am one.
Allegri was counting on the individually brilliant Ibrahimovic and Robinho to work perfectly together or create something magical enough on their own to breech the Spurs defense. This lineup could be forgiven if it was the second game of the series and the Rossoneri needed just a tie. But coming up against the Champions League upstart newboys, Milan sent a clear message, 'we're older, more experienced and slower and if you want to play us you're going to take a beating."
Glorious Milan teams of old must have been shaking their heads in shame as Tottenham came out as the aggressor and stayed on the front foot for the first 20 minutes of the game. The nerves Spurs showed in their first game with Inter were not to be seen. Only brilliant work from Abbiati (I can't believe I just wrote that) and poor final balls from Lennon and Pienaar kept them off the scoresheet. Van Der Vaart was excellent and showed why he belongs on the list of elite players. And I don't want to think about what would have happened if Gareth Bale had been on the pitch.
Once Milan realized it couldn't play the deliberate, methodical style it's players were suited for, there were few options. Actually there was only one option and they went straight for it...they had to knock the hell out of Spurs as they ran past. Gattuso was flying around the pitch like a snarling dog that was bit by a bat out of hell (more on on the bearded hoodlum in a bit). Flamini and Silva were kicking any white object within reach, be it ball, leg or foot. And, surprisingly, it actually worked. The ref was not willing to give red cards and as Spurs lost possession, the Milan fullbacks began to get into the game.
Antonini was Milan's best attacking threat in the first half after Zlat-man and Robin. Not a good sign. But as halftime came, Harry Redknapp adjusted his team to the tactic that would eventually win the game. And every Italian who watched the game will not be shocked at what they saw.
Tottenham decided to concede midfield possession, play great defense and conserve energy for counter attacks. Isn't there a name for this? Oh yeah Catenaccio invented by the Italians and used to perfection by Spurs in the second half.
Although the inspirational Pato came in for the ghost of Seedorfs-past and was the best Milan player overall, the Spurs defense and two great stops from Gomes kept the hosts off the board. The Spurs defense was stout enough to keep the hosts out, which meant Lennon's moment of brilliance was enough to win the game (Crouch's finish could not have been easier).
Here are the top three most amazing things about the game:
1) Flamini was not sent off - Terrible tackle after terrible tackle, as a Milan fan I cringed every time he touched the ball. Why? Because if he lost it I knew he was going for blood. His two footed lunge was a throwback to brutal challenges of old. Any similar tackle deserves a straight red.
2) Gattuso was not sent off! If Flamini was an out of control child, Rino was the adult who should know better but chose instead to follow the voices in his head. He had that crazy look in his eye all game. In the second half, he got into a shouting match with a Spurs assistant. He tried to fight Crouch. This man needs to be detained because he is not fit for football. The crazy man act worked when he intimidated but never actually got sent off. Now he is one of many on the squad that can't control themselves on the field and are more of a liability than a boon. His post match ridiculousness should keep him out of action for a long time. Nothing more than he deserves.
3) Milan brought goalkeeper Marco Amelia forward for a corner kick near the end of the game. WHAT THE HELL WAS ALLEGRI THINKING?!!??!?? A 1-0 home loss is bad in the first leg but not the end of the world. Why would you risk going down 2-0 and needing a miracle in London? Has any team ever pulled it's goalie in the first leg in the history of Champions League? His team selection showed a lack of ambition. Sending Amelia up for the final corner kick was one of the dumbest moves I've ever seen. I can only assume my screaming at the television for him to get back helped the ball to stay in Milan's half.
Even with all the terrible tactical moves, thugish play and lucky breaks, Milan was still able to put the ball in the back of the net. The brilliant Ibra may have been offside, he may have pushed Michael Dawson, but he still found the ball in mid-air, turned and volleyed it into the corner. It was a high degree of difficulty even if it didn't count in the end. That disallowed goal should give Milan hope. As bad as it played and as terrible as the tactics were, it still should have tied at home.
The question is, will Redknapp keep his tactical edge at home and will Allegri field a Milan team capable of putting pressure on Spurs? This tie may be half over, but the Rossoneri still have the edge in experience. A reversal in score would be a great accomplishment. An exit from the competition would be nothing more than they deserve.
