The re-emergence of The Rossoneri

2011 has seen a swift return to the summit of Serie A for the soon-to-be great again Rossoneri as AC Milan find a four point gap of air ahead of high-flying, second placed Napoli. It is certainly a change of fortunes for the black and red half of Milan who suffered, albeit, not as severely as league rivals Juventus, as a result of the 2006 Calciopoli. Having lived in the shadows, domestically, of neighbours, and heated rivals, Inter Milan since 2006, the pendulum appears to have swung back in the favour of AC Milan as they find themselves nine points ahead of The Nerazzuri.

AC Milan appear to have found the right combination on the pitch and, perhaps more importantly, off it. Carlo Ancelotti left the club in 2009 having not won Serie A since 2004 and are without any major silverware since their 2007 Champions League victory over Liverpool. Replacing the outgoing Ancelotti saw former Milan legend Leonardo take the reins only to have his stay cut to one solitary season as The Rossoneri failed to challenge Inter for the title ending the 2010 season in 3rd place. A surprise choice in Massimiliano Allegri replaced the outgoing Leonardo and, whilst his selection may have shocked many, the choice looks to be an astute one by Silvio Berlusconi and co. Negotiating The Champions’ League group stage as runners-up to Real Madrid and sitting pretty at the summit of Serie A, Allegri has taken Milan on leaps on bounds in his six months at the helm.

With the head coach working his magic off the pitch, the players are doing their part on it. 2010 saw a return to Milan for former Inter striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic along with the key signings of former Premier League stars Robinho and Kevin Prince-Boateng with the combination of all three brining positives results to The San Siro. January has seen the likes of Antonio Cassano and Urby Emanuelson added to the AC Milan ranks to further bolster the front line and defence already bustling with talent. This current crop of stars has seen pre-mature links with the Arrigo Sacchi side of the late 1980's and, as pre-mature as they are, it is still a squad brimming with talent.

Yet, as good as the team are, certain aspects, inside and outside of football, have the potential to ruin all of Allegri's hard work of the past six months. Club owner Silvio Berlusconi faces court hearings amidst reported sex scandals surrounding the Italian prime minister whilst injuries to key players Filippo Inzaghi and Alessandro Nesta will leave big gaps to fill. The signing of Antonio Cassano was likely made to fill the void left through the injury of Inzaghi and the departure of former World Player of the Year Ronaldinho yet Cassano himself may prove to be an unsettling signings with the egotistical trio of Robinho, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Alexandre Pato all considered too important to drop, Milan may have a similar scenario that Cassano faced at Sampdoria and Real Madrid. Still, if Allegri can keep the likes of Berlusconi, Ibrahimovic and Robinho happy, Cassano shouldn't be too much of a problem for the Italian tactician.

Either way, it appears the good times are on their way back to the red and black half of Milan with the incidents of 2006 seeming more like a nightmare than a bad memory and if all works out for The Rossoneri, there is a fantastic chance that captain Massimo Ambrosini will be adding, at least, his 11th winners medal to his impressive collection so far.

Anyway, I have got to go to bed, early rise tomorrow morning. I will get another piece out soon.

Laters,

Macca