Will, trust and a pinch of philosophy. Not even the approach of the most important week of the season affects Seedorf's thinking, increasingly lowered into the role of coach. And if a week ago, on the eve of the match against Juve, the keyword was "serenity", this time, with the Udinese obstacle ahead, it is undoubtedly "continuity". “I want to continue playing well, the results will come – explained the Dutchman at the press conference. – If you play badly it's easier that they never arrive and then we have to do it for the fans and for those who follow us. After the defeat against Juve they applauded us, this is important. Then it's clear, it's not that we want to continue playing well and lose...".
Clear concept that recalls, if anything were needed, the reason for so much harmony with Silvio Berlusconi. One who has always put the game on an equal footing with results, just like Seedorf. Sure, this away game in Udine (at 18 pm) has all the airs of a nice and good trap. With the Champions League just around the corner and the friendlies of the national teams just concluded (with associated long journeys for most of the squad) there is the risk of finding oneself experiencing a rather complicated afternoon.
“It's clear that I'll make a turnover, in a few days there will be a rather important match – smiled the Dutchman. – We respect Udinese, like all their opponents, but the focus is on us. I expect the team to continue to have the same mental attitude even before tactical." And here it is the psychological side so dear to the Rossoneri coach, tired of receiving more compliments than victories. Three points in Udine would be important, even if more for morale than for the standings. “You don't have to look at that, we'll do it when it comes back to serve us – admitted Seedorf. – We do the best we can. Even against Sampdoria it was a delicate match, we will have to face it in the same spirit".
In fact, in Friuli you will see a somewhat remodeled Milan, just like in Marassi. The imminent away match in Madrid and some physical mishap will force the Dutchman into a massive turnover, in all departments. Bonera, Rami, De Jong and Poli remained at Milanello while Balotelli was called up, but he will start from the bench. In defense we will see the pair of Cheerful Mexes-Zapata memory, with De Sciglio and Emanuelson favorites over Abate and Constant for the side lanes. In the middle space for Montolivo (disqualified in the Champions League) and Muntari, on the third rest shift for Kakà who will be replaced by Honda, for a three-way line with Robinho and the untouchable Taarabt.
Up front will be Pazzini, with Balotelli, as previously mentioned, on the bench ready to take over the match in progress. And speaking of Supermario, Seedorf didn't like the weekly controversies that hit him at all. “The sad thing is that a photo like this makes the news – the technician thought. – He had just had a six-hour treatment, who cares if he played ping pong afterwards…”. This too is philosophy. Will it lead to the much hoped-for results? A few more days and we will know…
