UEFA Champions League Special: Things we learned from match day three (Part 1)
Yet another day of UEFA Champions League, yet more upsets, more goals and more records broken. The continental competition is truly a marvel that always leaves us plenty to talk about. This week’s fixtures and results were no different
as some observations were made that bettor presents to its readers.
AS Roma are a mess
having strengthened their squad reasonably well, AS Roma was wildly expected to challenge for Scudetto honours this season but their start to the latest campaign has been on the contrary. On the European stage, the club had three points after two games and
considering the fact that their defeat came at the hands of Bavarian giants Bayern Munich, things could have been worse.
However, Tuesday’s home defeat to FC Basel was simply disastrous. The latest in a line of poor results would have left the alarm bells ringing at Trigoria. They way things are going; Roma will be playing in secondary European competition
after Christmas. Even an exit from Europe altogether appears on the Horizon.
Gilarossi performance against Basel was woeful to say the least. The team lost the midfield battle, failed to connect even the simplest of passes while squandering the goal scoring chances that came their way. In short, the Roman
display bore all the symptoms of a team wanting in confidence. Lupi’s misery will only be compounded by the fact that arch rivals and perennial enemies Lazio lead the Serie A ranks and look set to appear in the next edition of UEFA Champions League.
Massimiliano Allegri still has a lot to learn
The story of AC Milan’s ageing legs and slow midfield is a well documented fact and the likes of Gattuso and Seedorf were always expected to struggle against Sami Khedira and Xabi Alonso. Starting a midfield trident of Pirlo, Seedorf and Gattuso, Massimiliano
Allegri sealed the Rossoneri fate even before the kick-off.
The Former Cagliari manager still has a lot to learn about operating at the highest level. With likes of Kevin-Prince Boateng and Mathieu Flamini available from the off, just why did the manager start Gennaro Gattuso in midfield
is beyond comprehension. Milan was only asking to be overrun by a vibrant, energetic and hungry Galactico midfield; Jose Mourinho’s men duly obliged.
AC Milan did not have the best of games and Clarence Seedorf in particular was a pedestrian for the entire 90 minutes. The Seedorf that took to the pitch on Tuesday looked incapable of winning a Sunday league match let alone play
against Real Madrid. His passing was atrocious, his first touch abysmal and just how he managed to stay on the pitch for the entire duration of the fixture will remain a mystery.
Allegri has been disappointing with his substitution so far. Granted he has been with the club for just four months, Rossoneri tactician will have to take bold steps whenever required, the case at hand being the omission of Ronaldinho
or Seedorf depending on their form. If things aren’t working, shuffle things around, if you are afraid to do so, you are just not AC Milan material Massimiliano.
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