Choosing The Right Rossoneri Kit

Last week, Milan revealed the kit numbers for each player on the squad for the upcoming 2013-2014 Serie A campaign. A few notable numbers were boldly selected by a few youngsters. Colombian teenager Jherson Vergara Amu took the almighty #33 kit which was worn by one of Milan's former superstar defender's, Thiago Silva. Some thought it was quite ballsy to take on such a number, one that was worn by a fan favorite of many Milanisti across the Europe. However, with tons of potential and promise, Vergara Amu is rated as one of the most promising young defenders in Europe which brings quite a bit of excitement to Milan and all of the fans.
Another number that was taken, a number that was worn gracefully and passionately by a renegade midfielder, was the #8 kit worn by Rino Gattuso. Gattuso wore the #8 Milan kit as proud as any player could wear such colors. This number will be worn by Italian U-21 youngster Riccardo Saponara. Saponara is one of the newcomer's at Milan and he carries a ton of talent that Count Max will need to compete for a Scudetto.

As the new kits became available for purchase at the Milan store and across several football merchandise outlets, many of the Milanisti looked to grab the new threads particularly the new home kit. Many have asked us which player they should go with? Logically, most of the fans chose Balotelli, El Shaarawy and Montolivo. All are very good choices. However, some are contemplating the purchase of players like Saponara, Cristante's #24 kit and Nigel De Jong. Want to know the secret to choosing the appropriate player for the upcoming campaign? Simple. Go with your gut. Dont make this out to be a decision on whether to go with the new model of the Mercedez-Benz or an Audi. Kits are roughly $110 US not $75k or Bakaye Traore's deserved wages. Personally, we have two home Pato kits, one Ronaldinho, one Kaka, one Boateng, two El Shaarawy, one De Sciglio and one Balotelli (could be missing one or two). Now, if your heart oddly tells you to go with Antonini or Bonera in hopes of a breakout year, please go and get checked out at MilanLab because thats an issue.

Bottom line: Go with the player you love and the player you feel wont change their number. Youngster's tend to change their kit the following year as new big names arrive and demand a number they wore at their previous club. A few recommendations would be De Sciglio, Balotelli, El Shaarawy, Montolivo, De Jong and Robinho.....just kidding.-MS

Quantity & Quality: What Italian Soccer Provides That Other Leagues Don't

The casual football(soccer) nut hears the often used phrase "best soccer nation in the world" and immediately thinks "Well, that's quite simple. It's England or Spain. Manchester United, Barcelona, Real Madrid to name a few." Surely those clubs remain among the top clubs in Europe. Nobody is disputing that. However, looking at a much wider spectrum in world football, do those two nations provide the best, most competitive soccer? Well, I am here to say that for over the past few years, one league has made its way all the way to the top and that is Serie A.

Serie A, over the past few years, has become not just a "Milan/Juventus/Inter" Scudetto race but a league where Milan, Juventus, Inter, Napoli, Roma, Lazio, Fiorentina and even little ol' Catania compete for a spot in a major European tournament. The exciting and perhaps more frightening aspect of it all is that fewer clubs remain labeled "an easy 3 points opponent." Serie A is different from any other league in Europe (alright, South America as well) in that each match day provides fans with a potential upset. How often did we see a "Manchester United v QPR" or "Barcelona v Getafe" type fixture and utter "Why on Earth is this game being aired on a major network?" Perhaps the same amount of times as the number spot Inter placed last campaign.

Italian soccer is suave, finesse and sometimes referred to by anti-calcio fans as "slow developing," which is simply false. Serie A truly doesn't get the credit it deserves when discussing soccer at the water cooler with that lone Norwich City fan who was just sent in from England to tell you how to construct a perfect blog. A competitive league is supposed to have depth in the amount of clubs that can compete for a place in a UEFA tournament. The aforementioned clubs (Milan, Juventus, Inter, Napoli, Roma, Lazio, Fiorentina and Catania) are the blueprint for competitive Italian soccer. Want to hear something that will make you smirk? Serie A gets picked apart by PSG, Paris Saint Germain and oh, P$G, every summer and remains as competitive as ever. Serie A sits atop Europe as the most competitive league and its not going anywhere anytime soon. Get used to it folks.

Alexandre Pato: "The Rise, Fall and Exit of the Duck"

Milan went on to capture their seventh Champions League title in 2007. The Rossoneri were the world's best club at the time trailing only Real Madrid for the most CL titles in all of European football with 9. The move to follow up a new trophy would bring ultimate excitement along with the usual high expectations of Milan and the passionate Milanisti, the arrival of 17 year old Brazilian forward Alexandre Pato from Internacional. Known as "Duck" to many, Pato made the move to San Siro in the summer of 2007, providing Milan fans everywhere with excitement knowing that they may have a potential superstar in the making on their hands, one that could further expand the success of "The World's Most Successful Club" for years to come. 

Alexandre Pato would score his very first Serie A goal with Milan v Napoli, a goal that welcomed the teenager to the club with open arms. In his very first season with the club, Pato notched an impressive 9 goals in 20 appearances. Exactly one year later, Pato would eventually be the club's leading goalscorer with 18 goals, capping off an impressive sophomore campaign with the Rossoneri. 

In an injury plagued 2009-2010 season, Pato scored two second half goals in a CL win v Real Madrid at the famous Bernabeu. Due to reoccurring injuries, Pato would miss a Champions League draw v Manchester United which ultimately ended Milan's run at title number 8. The 2010-2011 season marked the arrival of several new faces that would ultimately lead to a Scudetto title. Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho would join Pato in the attempt to capture glory in Italy. The most memorable performance for Pato in the injury-ridden campaign would come in the Derby della Madonnina win v Inter where he would score two goals for Milan. At this time, Rossoneri fans felt Pato was back in form and that he will solidify himself as Milan's superstar spark plug. 

In a group-stage match of the Champions League the following season, Pato would score the fifth fastest goal in tournament history, 24 seconds after the game kicked off. Despite an impressive showing v the world's top club, Pato acquired the injury bug once again, suffering yet another thigh injury that sidelined him for several weeks. As the January transfer period arrived, the youngster's future with the club was in doubt. Milan were heavily exploring bringing in want away Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez. To fund this move, Galliani and the Ligue 1 club PSG discussed a possible transfer of Alexandre Pato. Rumors continued throughout the month that Pato could be headed to Paris but ultimately, the Brazilian rejected the move, pledging his loyalty and dedication to Milan. It appeared that a can't-miss player like Pato might not remain at the club for the rest of his career.

Just weeks into training for the upcoming 2012-2013 season, Pato's injury woes continued when he sustained a thigh injury that sidelined him for the first six weeks of the season. At this point, many passionate Milan fans like myself questioned whether Pato would ever reach his ultimate potential. Fall of 2012 would mark the end of Alexandre Pato's goalscoring with Milan as he netted a goal v Anderlecht in a November Champions League win. 

One year after a near move to PSG, Alexandre Pato's stint with Milan came to a disappointing, yet sad conclusion as he was sold to Brazilian side Corinthians for 15 million euros. The big question on the minds of Milanisti wasnt "How are Pato and Barbara going to make this long-distance relationship work?" but "Will he ever stay healthy and fulfill his superstar, world class potential?"

Alexandre Pato's move abroad would eventually fund the arrival of  Mario Balotelli from Manchester City, providing Milan fans with the chance to bid farewell to one star talent and welcome the arrival of another. Pato, despite his injuries with Milan, netted over 50 goals in 100+ appearances.

Alexandre Pato was beloved by Curva Sud and Milanisti worldwide. The skill he showcased while at Milan was truly something special. We all loved his heart, passion, skill and his ex-girlfriend. We stood by him as injuries plagued his existence at Milan but ultimately, the fairytale story didn't end the way anyone imagined. With a career full of ultimate highs and disappointing lows, many fans like myself remain questioning just what went wrong and what could have been done to help Pato grow as a footballer. Did MilanLab handle his injuries correctly? Did he claim to be healthy to prove his worth even though he might not have been 100% match fit? Was Max Allegri, like other cases, to blame for forcing his rehabilitation from several leg injuries? We may never have a definitive answer for any of those questions surrounding Pato. We do wish him the best and hope he stays healthy with Corinthians and perhaps one day, returns to the club that loved him dearly, Milan. - MS