New Year New Life. The Rossoneri fans hope that the proverb will follow this substantial change as early as this afternoon (15 pm), when Milan will face Atalanta at the San Siro. A game without particular points of classification, but still important. First of all because, even with all the complications of the case, there are still five months of the championship and the Europa area (League, of course) is still reachable. And then there's the market, which has already given two new faces (Rami and Honda, but the latter will only be available from the next match against Sassuolo), and which could restore some enthusiasm to the troops debased by the defeat in pre-Christmas derby.
“We mustn't forget that we only have 19 points, this with Atalanta is a battle for salvation – said Massimiliano Allegri in the press conference. – Our classification is crying, now we have to start the year in the best possible way. We'll have to be careful because Atalanta have a lot of quality up front, we'll need a bad Milan from a football point of view. We can no longer afford missteps ”.
A broken record for the Rossoneri coach, who for some time, in an attempt to motivate his team, has presented matches as last resorts, only to then declare that time can still give some satisfaction. However, the break made official what everyone had already known for months: the countdown towards the succession of the Rossoneri bench has begun.
“You can't stay in a club for life, I think I've done very well in these four years. It's very difficult to get third place, but we still have the Italian Cup and a Champions League to play, and I'm very confident”. Inevitable then a mention of Clarence Seedorf, the one who is indicated by all as the probable successor for next season.
“The choice of the new coach will depend on the club – explained Allegri. – Seedorf is a very intelligent player who may have the qualities to be a coach, but these are two very different professions...". But woe to think only of the future, because the present could still have something to say. “I want to finish this four-year period at Milan in the best possible way – proclaimed the Livorno native. – I don't know if we'll be able to make a comeback in the championship, but we're working for this. In the Champions League, on the other hand, everyone thinks we're doomed, also because Atletico Madrid are at the top of La Liga. I, on the other hand, believe that we have a good chance of going through."
But now it's time for the championship and to think about Atalanta. Allegri seems oriented to return to 4-3-1-2, with Kakà behind Balotelli and Matri. However, the form could also turn into the usual Christmas tree, with Super Mario more backward and free to vary behind the former Juventus player. In defence, in front of Abbiati, Rami won't make his debut, at least not from the start.
In fact, the central players will once again be Bonera and Zapata, with the new signing on the bench together with his compatriot Mexes (not surprisingly in the market odor). De Sciglio and Emanuelson will be on the wings, while in midfield, thanks to the long absence of Muntari (disqualified for three days after his expulsion in the derby), De Jong, Poli and probably Montolivo will act, unless the contusion remedied in training yesterday does not force him to raise the white flag (pre-alerted Nocerino and Cristante).
The new Honda signing will instead watch the match from the grandstand: transfer problems, which however have not discouraged the Japanese journalists. Yesterday the press room at Milanello was literally invaded by Japanese, who can't wait to see their idol in the Rossoneri shirt.
