A year of transition for Milan

Make no mistake: the Milan-title fight every last minute of injury time and has arguments for it, but you can not ignore the reality of a club not living its best moments or sports or economically. And the Rossoneri lives transition times, and is immersed in a process of renewal of a template to measure its strength today one of the worst possible rival as it is Barcelona. But you can never turn your back on one of those teams that possess the gene winner in his shirt and playing in a competition that has made him a big continent.

It is not easy to form a competitive team as emblematic players have left and / or key schemes such as those who left the San Siro last summer. Legends club as Gattuso, Inzaghi, Seedorf and Nesta no longer wear the Rossoneri although it strange to see them with other colors (except Pippo, retired). Nor forget to Pirlo, who left a year earlier. Other players like Zambrotta, Cassano (in an exchange with Pazzini has so far not been very profitable) or Van Bommel also left the club. But mostly painful were the outputs of Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva , the team and key figures in the renewal process of the team who emigrated to Paris because of the need for income.

Looking to Milan Scudetto winning his last two seasons ago, when it seemed that the renovation was beginning, we see that only Abbiati, Abate, Ambrosini and Boateng's eternal stay in the club to be important as they were then. Case Pato and Robinho deserve: the first during the winter returned to Brazil to return to what it was before his injury epidemic. Meanwhile, Robinho, after an encouraging first year in Calcio, went slowly reduced and now only account for the starting lineup, although it also has struggled with injuries

So, Allegri is not doing anything wrong despite a disastrous start to the season. Its likely impeachment held various headlines, but remained on the bench and today occupies in the Calcio Milan Champions League place, but still far from the Bianconeri leader. It has not been easy to attach the new pieces, many of them young players, players who theoretically be important in the future.

Schema changes have been constant: first resigned to 4-4-2 all-time, and without much sense without Ibra, to play with a 4-2-3-1 with the new signings for the midfield, De Jong and Montolivo in the double pivot. But De Jong, who had settled in well and was meeting expectations, was injured for the entire season. Another setback more.

The schema used in recent weeks Allegri resembles a 4-3-3 with three midfielders, two players who come from band and a striker who can also be false nine, although with the recent signing of Balotelli , the post of ram seems assured. Because having played already with the City, Super Mario will miss the Champions League, another good news for the club and the Italian has started really well his time at San Siro.

In defense does not have fewer problems Milan. Abate is not as indisputable as the last two seasons after the eruption of positive canterano De Sciglio. On the left, the French Constant, who was signed as a midfielder from Genoa, is doing well in a job that is reeling from the departure of too Maldini (with the exception of Jankulovski). But it is not his job. In the center of defense urging reinforcements for next season: the headlines are usually Mexes and Zapata, formerly of Villarreal, who do not offer all the guarantees they should. The outputs of Nesta and Thiago have left a big gap in the area.

In midfield two are fixed and Ambrosini and Montolivo. The latter is the more quality midfielder of the team, but the irregularity and not stalking you think he favors you want to make him a new position by delaying Pirlo: better hooking regista, but also is the player with more clairvoyance Rossoneri midfield. The other square alternates between Nocerino or Flamini, who will not be in the first leg through injury, Muntari and also when playing indoor Boateng, although the African is at the level of last season.

In attack the left is the great joy of the season: Stephan El Shaarawy , footballer revelation in Serie A, and a fixed with the Azzurri and in its second season in Milan, his 20 years and after a campaign adaptation in which he was gradually entering the team, is confirmed as one of the most promising players on the continent. However, a relief for Barcelona is that the Italian-Egyptian fails at its best due to an injury in his left knee dragging.

On the right is a hole made ​​by the young Niang, 18 last year and played in the French second, earning the position by virtue of its power, dribbling and speed, but has also played Boateng heeled band. With the absence of Balotelli could enter Allegri Pazzini or opt for other formulas as placing Boa playmaker. Also Bojan, who is leaving notes rossonero interesting and often acts as a lever in the second halves.

An exciting tie between two of the most storied teams in the continent, but only one of them is in top form. Barca are favorites, but do not rule out a Milan options has grown in recent weeks and has players able to do their part the contest, besides the danger of secondary role in this script. And you know: are Italian. They roll the ball.