Serie A: show of character needed at AC Milan in troubled times

The former Italian powerhouse are struggling, but coach Allegri has seen through this before and must keep his flock together before new recruits arrive, writes Ian Hawkey.

AC Milan's Kaka debates with coach Massimiliano Allegri during their match against Roma at San Siro stadium. Alessandro Garofalo / Reuters
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Massimiliano Allegri, the head coach of AC Milan, wanted to keep talk of the Uefa Champions League at arms’ length.

There is a pride at Milan’s status as Serie A’s sole representatives in its knockout phase, even if to reach that stage they needed a scrappy, backs-to-the-wall, 0-0 at home to Ajax. Next up, Milan have been pitted against an in-form Atletico Madrid.

For Milan, who meet Inter on Sunday, their own form has to be evaluated in relative terms.

They learnt their Champions League last-16 fate a few hours before Monday night’s 2-2 with Roma, a creditable result for a team 11th in the table against the one that sits second.

A few hours after it, club officials and fans learned that two of their former players, including the iconic Rino Gattuso, were to be questioned on match-fixing links. These are not easy times at Milan, and Allegri knows that stubborn displays of character are an important alibi.

Monday’s was a third draw in succession. It featured two comebacks, Roma having led 1-0 and 2-1, and Allegri suffered as nervously as anybody in the period between Kevin Strootman’s penalty and Sulley Muntari replying with the fourth goal of evening.

The coach was sent off for the game’s last quarter, exasperated that Riccardo Montolivo had been cautioned, which means he is suspended for the derby.

Logically, Atletico would look at this Milan and lose little sleep. “They are top of the Spanish League, and in form,” acknowledges Allegri.

But, armed with the experience of last season – a bad autumn gave way to a bountiful new year – he believes in revivals.

Two pedigree new players will join to fortify vulnerable areas. Adil Rami, the France defender, has been training with the squad for almost two months, having fallen out badly with Valencia, who agreed to loan him, with a view to a permanent deal, after Rami criticised Valencia coach Miroslav Djukic and teammates.

In Rami, Allegri inherits a talent who has exited his previous club labelled a troublemaker. Deja vu?

Taming these types is his speciality: witness Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Robinho, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Antonio Cassano.

More exciting is the confirmation Japan’s Keisuke Honda will join, on a free transfer, from CSKA Moscow. A fluent creative player of his sort might just give Milan a similar boost to that provided by Mario Balotelli 11 months ago.

Honda will be Cup-tied for Europe, to Allegri’s regret, but the coach hopes that by the time of the Atletico tie, the newcomers will have boosted morale.

“By February, our form might well have improved, and Atletico’s dropped,” said Allegri, “and we showed against Roma we’ve got real character.”

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