Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to LiquidFootball. We hope you enjoy your visit.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
The Resurgence of Ronaldinho and Milan
Topic Started: Dec 10 2009, 03:02 PM (178 Views)
elcule
Member Avatar
Kolo
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
And you thought that Ronaldinho can never be Ronaldinho again. You also thought that he cannot replace Kaka in the midfielder-in-chief's role at Milan. What's more, you embarrassingly went as far as to suggest that Ronaldinho cannot play at the very top level in Europe and that the only solution for him to regain some old prestige was to take the flight back to Brazil.

You also added that Milan are rubbish, that their combined age of 400 million years will drag them into the bottomless abyss, that they wouldn't be able to challenge for top honours and that their over-reliance on the buck-toothed genius would see them take the road to purgatory.

Suddenly like the myths about the sun revolving around the earth, Mary Magdalene being a whore, Lord Dracula being a vampire and bats being blind, your logically strong and circumstantially valid arguments came tumbling down the hill and went straight into the sordid stream at the bottom.

Because for one reason or the other Ronaldinho has rediscovered himself - at least partly - and is helping Milan garner the points and the results. Because Ronaldinho and Milan have discerned a new momentum and consistency that even current Serie A leaders Inter haven't grasped.



We Don't Miss You, Ricky..... Or Do We?


Top Of The Stats

Serie A enthusiasts revelled in Juventus's 'new dawn' and summer signings and were appalled at Milan's lack of them. Yet as things stand, the Rossoneri are doing better than the Bianconeri and the prognosis suggests that they will continue to do so. Milan are a point ahead of Juve in second in the league and, unlike them, are through to the knockout stages of the Champions League.

And what's more, Ronaldinho is leading the league assist chart with eight assists to his name and has also scored thrice. Of course, there will always be a bald, creepy, bespectacled, book-soaked nutty professor who will bark about statistics being the best friend of lies and damn lies, but in football at times stats do not lie.

No, Ronaldinho has not rescaled the greatness he achieved in the middle of this decade with Barcelona when he was by far the best and most skillful footballer on the planet and he never will, but the 29-year-old's metamorphosis into a mature-again player cannot be shrouded.

In the summer Milan coach Leonardo and vice-president Adriano Galliani both insisted that Ronaldinho would fill in the yawning boots of the Real Madrid departed Kaka. He hasn't fully done so but he has tempered that emptiness. Milan's struggle against Siena on the opening day of the Serie A season was partly eclipsed by Ronnie's assist and colourful display but against Inter he embodied the entire aging crumbling Milan side when he chased his own shadow for over an hour. Soon came the shock defeat to FC Zurich at home in the Champions League.

A Real Team Work

But since that 'humiliation' Milan have not lost a game in any competition. And Ronaldinho has been indispensable in almost all those games, his best coming against Sampdoria whom he tore apart with his through balls. How good a coach Leonardo is cannot be gauged at this point of time but he has been intelligent enough to use Ronaldinho to his strength. Milan's ailing age impedes them from playing with pace and the Brazilian has been quick to organise his side to play more passing football at a slow tempo.



Three Generations Into One


Ronaldinho has been given a free role and has been asked to go for short quick passes rather than the long runs. In the absence of Kaka, the Brazilian World Cup winner has been allowed more freedom of the pitch and has been made the central clog in the midfield. Alexandre Pato's introduction from the right and his skills and pace have allowed Milan to use the width as well as penetration, aptly complemented by Ronnie's cut-ins from the left.

The 4-3-3 system that Leonardo has adopted as opposed to his much publicised 4-3-1-2 formation has allowed Ronaldinho to discern a targetman in front of him, on most occasions Marco Borriello and at times Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. Backed by Andrea Pirlo's exquisite vision, Massimo Ambrosini's battling quality and Clarence Seedorf's bursts into the opposition penalty area, Ronnie has discovered allies all across the pitch.

The Apprehensions

Yet to get carried away by Milan's resurgence would be an exhibition of naivety. They have had their fair share of 'lesser' teams to fight against and given that the Rossoneri have been lucky with the lack of injuries so far and that most of their players are around or over 30, things could get distorted as the season unfolds.

Milan need reinforcements but they will probably not be able to accumulate the sum to sign someone major next month. Ronaldinho's rejuvenation could be ephemeral and just like it needs a nudge on one bicycle to bring down an entire bicycle stand, a single defeat could deflate the Diavolo.

Which would put us back to where we started, and we started by concluding that Milan and Ronaldinho are rubbish these days.



Really good article, nicely crafted as well, I want to get Milan in the next round, will be absolutely epic - though I'd prefer them to get Chelsea tbh :lol:
Posted Image

Winner.

"If I go to Anfield and someone puts the ball into the box and Carragher hammers it out of play the fans applaud. At Camp Nou you would never be applauded for that." - Xavi
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
AntMcfc
Member Avatar
POTY
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Yeah he's been class recently and proved a lot of people wrong, myself included. Looks to have the confidence back and feels a part of the team, he knows his role which is a massive help to him.

4 points out of 6 against Madrid, but 1 point against Zurich just about sums Milan up these days. Never discount them for the CL.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
elcule
Member Avatar
Kolo
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
AntMcfc
Dec 10 2009, 03:09 PM
Yeah he's been class recently and proved a lot of people wrong, myself included. Looks to have the confidence back and feels a part of the team, he knows his role which is a massive help to him.

4 points out of 6 against Madrid, but 1 point against Zurich just about sums Milan up these days. Never discount them for the CL.
Agree, my list of teams to avoid in the CL would go: Chelsea, Milan, Madrid.

I'm so happy Ronny is playing well again though, he's had a hard time from the press and it's nice that he's enjoying his game again.
Posted Image

Winner.

"If I go to Anfield and someone puts the ball into the box and Carragher hammers it out of play the fans applaud. At Camp Nou you would never be applauded for that." - Xavi
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Scholes
Member Avatar
Nothing's as it seems
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Another moronic nobface trying to make a footballing point through his grasp of the English language. I didn't read it all, but Milan will come tumbling back down to earth, it's so obvious. And of Ronaldinho's three goals how many weren't penalties?
Scholes
 

Seriously, Frank Lampard is an absolute legend of the game. He needs to be recognised in some way eg. Frank Lampard OBE, Sir Frank Lampard or some kind of lifetime achievement award.

AntMcfc
 
Greatest ownage machine: Scholes. Absolute animal when he was a regular poster, I always knew I was in the right when he was backing me up, and I couldn't wait to read a topic that he was posting in because I knew he'd be tearing someone apart
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ZeeZoo
Member Avatar
Ronaldinho
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Quote:
 
The 4-3-3 system that Leonardo has adopted as opposed to his much publicised 4-3-1-2 formation

Suck on my cojones Cule, Ant & Wrighty.

"Yet to get carried away by Milan's resurgence would be an exhibition of naivety. "

He says that...
BELIEVE
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
elcule
Member Avatar
Kolo
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Scholes
Dec 10 2009, 03:12 PM
Another moronic nobface trying to make a footballing point through his grasp of the English language. I didn't read it all, but Milan will come tumbling back down to earth, it's so obvious. And of Ronaldinho's three goals how many weren't penalties?
He's actually scored five, three in the league. I know he's two goals in the CL have been pens, I'm unsure otherwise.

There's very little moronism in what he said really, he said Milan are doing well atm, but it won't take much - maybe a few injuries - to send them spiralling into trouble again, which is fair enough.

You'll get better at writing if you read articles such as these Scholes, expand your vocabulary too.
Posted Image

Winner.

"If I go to Anfield and someone puts the ball into the box and Carragher hammers it out of play the fans applaud. At Camp Nou you would never be applauded for that." - Xavi
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
elcule
Member Avatar
Kolo
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
ZeeZoo
Dec 10 2009, 03:14 PM
Quote:
 
The 4-3-3 system that Leonardo has adopted as opposed to his much publicised 4-3-1-2 formation

Suck on my cojones Cule, Ant & Wrighty.

"Yet to get carried away by Milan's resurgence would be an exhibition of naivety. "

He says that...
What are you having a go at me for!?!?
Posted Image

Winner.

"If I go to Anfield and someone puts the ball into the box and Carragher hammers it out of play the fans applaud. At Camp Nou you would never be applauded for that." - Xavi
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ZeeZoo
Member Avatar
Ronaldinho
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
elcule
Dec 10 2009, 03:17 PM
ZeeZoo
Dec 10 2009, 03:14 PM
Quote:
 
The 4-3-3 system that Leonardo has adopted as opposed to his much publicised 4-3-1-2 formation

Suck on my cojones Cule, Ant & Wrighty.

"Yet to get carried away by Milan's resurgence would be an exhibition of naivety. "

He says that...
What are you having a go at me for!?!?
Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhh you were one of those saying "Milan will never play 4-3-3, their game revolves around 4-3-1-2" when I said they'd definitely play 4-3-3 this season.
BELIEVE
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
elcule
Member Avatar
Kolo
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Don't remember that, maybe I did, sorry. To me it always seems like a 4-2-3-1 anyway with Seedorf more advanced than Pirlo and the other holding mid.
Posted Image

Winner.

"If I go to Anfield and someone puts the ball into the box and Carragher hammers it out of play the fans applaud. At Camp Nou you would never be applauded for that." - Xavi
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Scholes
Member Avatar
Nothing's as it seems
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
elcule
Dec 10 2009, 03:16 PM
Scholes
Dec 10 2009, 03:12 PM
Another moronic nobface trying to make a footballing point through his grasp of the English language. I didn't read it all, but Milan will come tumbling back down to earth, it's so obvious. And of Ronaldinho's three goals how many weren't penalties?
He's actually scored five, three in the league. I know he's two goals in the CL have been pens, I'm unsure otherwise.

There's very little moronism in what he said really, he said Milan are doing well atm, but it won't take much - maybe a few injuries - to send them spiralling into trouble again, which is fair enough.

You'll get better at writing if you read articles such as these Scholes, expand your vocabulary too.
I know mate, but this bloke isn't anything special, I'd say your articles are worded with more class.
Scholes
 

Seriously, Frank Lampard is an absolute legend of the game. He needs to be recognised in some way eg. Frank Lampard OBE, Sir Frank Lampard or some kind of lifetime achievement award.

AntMcfc
 
Greatest ownage machine: Scholes. Absolute animal when he was a regular poster, I always knew I was in the right when he was backing me up, and I couldn't wait to read a topic that he was posting in because I knew he'd be tearing someone apart
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ZeeZoo
Member Avatar
Ronaldinho
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
elcule
Dec 10 2009, 03:21 PM
Don't remember that, maybe I did, sorry. To me it always seems like a 4-2-3-1 anyway with Seedorf more advanced than Pirlo and the other holding mid.
Yeah true, but there have been occasions where it's been a set 4-3-3.
BELIEVE
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
elcule
Member Avatar
Kolo
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Scholes
Dec 10 2009, 03:21 PM
elcule
Dec 10 2009, 03:16 PM
Scholes
Dec 10 2009, 03:12 PM
Another moronic nobface trying to make a footballing point through his grasp of the English language. I didn't read it all, but Milan will come tumbling back down to earth, it's so obvious. And of Ronaldinho's three goals how many weren't penalties?
He's actually scored five, three in the league. I know he's two goals in the CL have been pens, I'm unsure otherwise.

There's very little moronism in what he said really, he said Milan are doing well atm, but it won't take much - maybe a few injuries - to send them spiralling into trouble again, which is fair enough.

You'll get better at writing if you read articles such as these Scholes, expand your vocabulary too.
I know mate, but this bloke isn't anything special, I'd say your articles are worded more classily.
Obviously, but having read that article I now know what 'ephemeral' means; that and solipsism are the two new words I've learned today :)
Posted Image

Winner.

"If I go to Anfield and someone puts the ball into the box and Carragher hammers it out of play the fans applaud. At Camp Nou you would never be applauded for that." - Xavi
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
elcule
Member Avatar
Kolo
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Zeezoo / Calcio fans, would Milan, and particularly Dinho and Pato, have suffered if Galliani had kept Gourcuff and attempted to incorporate all three of them into the team, or does it still go down as a mistake?
Posted Image

Winner.

"If I go to Anfield and someone puts the ball into the box and Carragher hammers it out of play the fans applaud. At Camp Nou you would never be applauded for that." - Xavi
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
DaG
Member Avatar
Top Button Wanker
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Milan are really playing well at the moment, but their lack of legs in midfield and reliance on Dinho's final ball will see them fall short in the CL.
https://twitter.com/mediocentroEN
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ManYou
Member Avatar
Thierry Henry
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Good to see Ronaldinho getting back to some good form, I have always maintained that he can get back to near his best and that he would show his class in the CL this season, when many others have pretty mucvh dismissed him as a top footballer which I have to admit I found baffling, even Scholes who is probably his greatest admirer here was saying he's finished. A player with that much class though can get back to top form and look like a great player again, granted his absolute best years are behind him.

Good to see Milan doing well too, obviously I want Utd to win the CL but if we don't, I'd like Milan to do it just for the sake of the prediction I made last Summer, and stuck with even after Kaka & Ancelotti had gone!

I hope both Milan and Juventus get back to challenging the rest of Europe's big boys soon, with the PL enjoying a bit of dominance, certainly in terms of reaching finals and semi-finals and Barcelona having an amazing team with their rivals Real Madrid creating another star-studded line-up, all that's missing is the two Italian giants an we've got serious competition in the CL. It would be nice to see all those teams in good shape and looking like real forces, all going for the one trophy.
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · General Football · Next Topic »
Add Reply