Ronaldinho hits rock-bottom at maudlin Milan

Dropped by Dunga. Condemned as past-his-prime by the Milan hierarchy. Hauled-off by Leonardo with half-an-hour still to play against Serie A minnows Bari. Ronaldinho’s had better weeks, that’s for sure.

Winner of the Ballon d’Or just four years ago, the one-time star attraction at Camp Nou has slumped to a shocking low this season. His slump from pinnacle to past-it has been a dramatic one. Perhaps, though, it was an inevitable outcome for a footballer who has always focused more on the vibrant nightlife of Paris, Barcelona and now Milan, than dedicating extra hours preserving his fitness on the training ground.

Outrageous natural talent alone is simply not enough to maintain a sustained period at the very top of the game, as evergreen stars such as Raul, Ryan Giggs and Ronaldinho’s team-mate and good friend Clarence Seedorf have proven by matching their considerable natural reserves with an intense dedication. Aged a mere 29, Ronnie now faces being consigned to history as a quite brilliant flash-in-the-pan who fell short of true greatness.

His recent out-of-touch showing against little Bari, as the plucky visitors dominated proceedings before a hushed San Siro, was painful to behold. Countless stray passes, misguided flicks and tricks and a missed sitter from eight yards. Error after error was greeted by an increasingly familiar sheepish grin; as if to say to his frustrated team-mates “Sorry guys, I used to be good at this lark...honest.” A bad day at the office? Sure. But the malaise in Dinho’s game lies deeper than a shoddy 60 minutes on Sunday.

Milan’s long-serving Adriano Galliani, right-hand man to owner Silvio Berlusconi, admitted as much when talking of Ronaldinho’s sudden loss of eminence.

“He hasn’t a different status in comparison to the other Milan players,” said the Rossoneri’s general manger before Sunday evening’s game.

“Should coach Leonardo consider him in good condition he will play. Otherwise he will sit on the bench, like the others. He must become the player he was few years ago. But I don't know what he's missing,” he concluded.

Galliani’s boss, the Italian premier, refused to condemn his superstar purchase for his penchant for nocturnal misbehaviour, perhaps aware of subsequent ‘pot-kettle-black’ accusations (not that such considerations usually stop the veteran media mogul from speaking out). Tellingly though, Ronaldinho’s line manager, so to speak, Leonardo, publically confirmed that “he’s not the player of three years ago.”

The rookie manager, though, has more immediate concerns to deal with than the plight of his flamboyant compatriot. Former BBC pundit and World Cup winner (in that order) Leonardo accepted what increasingly looks like a poisoned chalice from his predecessor, Carlo Ancelotti.

A tired squad in inexorable decline reached the end of its natural cycle with the somewhat fortunate defeat of Liverpool in the 2007 Champions League final. Talismanic figures such as Maldini, Kaka and Ancelotti have all since departed, but restructuring work has been minimal. The purchase of Brazilian prodigy Alexandre Pato aside, little serious investment in squad development has been forthcoming.

The potentially exciting capture of Wolfsburg’s prolific Bosnian striker Edin Džeko fell flat this summer, Real Madrid-reject Klaas-Jan Huntelaar arriving at a cut price instead. One-time free-scoring, KJH has been far from immune to the stodgy start to the campaign of his club – no goals in seven Serie A appearances (and nineteen games in all, for both clubs and country) has left the former Ajax hitman looking like a shadow of his former self. Three years on, Andriy Shevchenko (mk.1) has never been adequately replaced.

Another stat – set-piece specialist Andrea Pirlo has failed to score one of his once-trademark free kicks for the club since way back in December 2007 – symbolises the diminishing of the playmaker’s previously masterful influence. In the goalless draw with Bari, the back four featured Kakha Kaladze, also past his peak and still searching for fitness following a seven-month injury lay-off, and inexperienced Ignazio Abate, whose lack of defensive nous was exploited as a matter of routine by tricky winger Emanuel Rivas. Only the southern side’s last-third ineptitude and the spectacular agility of back-up ‘keeper Marco Storari spared Milan from a mortifying home defeat.

Gazzetta dello Sport recently reported a significant slump in season ticket sales at San Siro. The dedicated faithful currently stands at 25,984; down from last leason’s 41,606. The team were jeered from the field by the remaining few at the final whistle, while Ronaldinho absent-mindedly kicked his heels in the dugout following his early substitution.

Since he delighted us all with goals such as this sugar-coated treat against Chelsea, Ronnie’s career has hit a brick wall. Talk of a switch to his homeland, with Corinthians, has surfaced as he now struggles to hold onto a place in the Seleção set-up ahead of the World Cup. Perhaps his predicament is not irreversible, but the continuing decline of Ronaldinho illustrates perfectly that even a world-beating talent can fall from grace in the blink of an eye.

Diego and Sneijder: A tale of two 10s

The number 10 shirt has long been the most prized of all in Italian calcio. It’s generally handed to the chosen few with the creativity, vision and finesse to fulfil the role of play-maker. In Serie A, they even have a couple of special terms for the player who dictates play from the ‘hole’ behind the striker(s). These days the fantasista or trequartista might not actually wear the ‘10’ on his back (more likely 14, 23 or even 80, such as Ronaldinho), yet the role remains the same.

In the first game of the weekend’s early-season-defining double-header – Roma would entertain Juventus 24 hours later – Jose Mourinho’s Inter showcased their bright new hope on the most daunting stage imaginable. By happy fortune rather than contrivance, Wesley Sneijder arrived at the club within hours of the season’s opening Derby della Madonnina. After a summer spent frustratedly chasing old flame Deco, to no avail, Mourinho instead plumped for one of the countless Dutch cast-offs of the Real revolution. Already, it looks a wise move for both parties.

Listless in the opening day draw with top-flight returnees Bari, Inter were, this time, ruthless in their exploitation of fellow San Siro-sharers Milan’s numerous limitations. Sneijder – denied a spectacular debut goal by Marco Storari after only six minutes – provided the spark, while Dejan Stanković deputised for the stricken Esteban Cambiasso at the base of midfield.

Though Milan, under the stewardship of rookie coach Leonardo, took the early initiative, the pendulum had clearly swung Inter’s way when Thiago Motta benefitted from neat inter-play by new strike-partners Diego Milito and Samuel Eto’o to steer the ball comprehensively past Storari. Five minutes later, the irrepressible Eto’o (can he really be worth €40m less than Zlatan Ibrahimović?) charged clear of the inattentive Milan defence, and was haring menacingly in on goal when Rino Gattuso hauled him down. Milito slammed the resulting penalty high and hard into the centre of the goal.

Worse was to follow for Gattuso. Struggling with injury, the Milan captain tried to substitute himself by virtue of furious hand signals to the bench and sporting a face like a bulldog chewing a wasp. Sub Clarence Seedorf was not ready to take his skipper’s place – a critical error, as it turned out – as Gattuso received a merited second booking for a typically inelegant challenge on Sneijder. Down to ten men, the rossoneri capitulated. Brilliant Brazilian full-back Maicon danced his way through the gaps in the porous Milan defence to add a third goal on the stroke of half-time.

Either side of Inter’s fourth and final goal – a typical 30-yard thunderbolt from the boot of Stanković – Sneijder again missed out on a first Serie A goal by a matter of inches, then was withdrawn to an ovation from the already adoring Inter tifosi. The Dutchman’s opposite number, Ronaldinho, wore heavily the burden of replacing the irreplaceable Kaká in the Milan attack. Ronnie’s decline has been a sharp and unsightly one, and on this evidence the former Ballon D’Or winner may struggle to inspire his side out of a tricky Champions League group which also includes Real and Marseille.

So, while Nathan Tyson was busy waving a red flag at a crowd of white-shirted bulls in the aftermath of a characteristically boisterous East Midlands derby, Milan were listlessly offering a white flag in the direction of their bitter rivals. Given Milan’s current state of flux, it most likely lies with Juventus to provide Mourinho’s men with any kind of cogent title challenge.

Slowly returning to prominence following their brief flirtation with Serie B, Juve have gambled on the capabilities of Brazilian maestro Diego to add a little grace to their play; hoping to mirror the heady days when Brady, Platini or Baggio dominated all-comers on the Turin turf. There has been the feel of a guard-change around the bianconeri this summer: former captain Ciro Ferrara was installed as manager, while talisman Pavel Nedved finally retired. For the trip to the Stadio Olimpico, to face Roma, big names such as David Trezeguet, Mauro Camoranesi and Alex Del Piero were confined to the bench, while Diego and fellow Brazil international Felipe Melo (signed from Fiorentina) took up residency in the engine room.

Diego – free-scoring in the Bundesliga last year – took only 25 minutes to make an indelible mark on the game. Dispossessing the sluggish Marco Cassetti in the centre circle, Diego used all of his significant powers of power, touch and composure to hold off Phillipe Mexes’ challenge; poking the ball firmly past Roma’s goalkeeping debutant, Júlio Sérgio. Such brilliant opportunism, however, was matched by Daniele de Rossi ten minutes later. The heartbeat of the Roma team slammed an unstoppable pile-driver past ashen-faced Gigi Buffon, as the Juve defence dallied while David Pizzaro took a quick free-kick.

At the end of a fractious opening period – in which six bookings were issued – Diego rolled another chance against the base of the post, while an off-colour Francesco Totti spurned the opportunity to give the home side an unmerited lead: Buffon’s desperate point-blank save from the Roma skipper rescuing his inattentive back four. Juventus’ domination grew stronger as the game wore on – lively strikers Amauri and Vincenzo Iaquinta could easily have notched two goals apiece before Diego clinically claimed the a 2-1 lead for his side by again bamboozling Mexès with a dextrous shuffle of feet, burying the ball beyond Buffon.

When timid Roma eventually threw on Montenegrin forward Mirko Vucinic to support a floundering Totti, the change had an immediate effect, as both Vučinić and Jérémy Menez went close to an equalising goal. Totti then rattled the post from the kind of self-crafted opportunity he has dealt in for so many years. But, just beating the final whistle, it was Juventus that instead sealed the deal by virtue of a charging Felipe Melo run and shot which Julio Sergio could only glance at as it zipped, low and hard, into his net.

So, the boys from Brazil proved to be the decisive factor in the game between two sides which have often been scudetto rivals during the past decade. In 09/10, however, it is unlikely that Roma can keep pace with Juve or Inter, as De Rossi has more or less admitted to the press. When Serie A returns after the international break, much interest will lie in the fortunes of calcio’s two new playmakers par excellence; Sneijder and Diego.

A tactical revolution? How the Big Four have changed

Much has been made of the many comings and goings at the ‘Big Four’ clubs throughout a summer full of signings and speculation. The Premier League title is destined, however, for the team which makes the most of their resources, whether massive or relatively meagre. Personnel, motivation – and luck – are all important factors, of course, but countless points will be won and lost on the pre-game chalkboard.

The relative importance of tactical systems is debated long and hard by so-called students of the game, and, from Harry Redknapp’s successful “keep it simple and enjoy your football” mantra to Arsene Wenger’s relentlessly analytical approach, the pros differ wildly in their methods too. It’s undeniable, though, that there has been a significant tactical shift at the top table of English football between this season and last.

Starting with the defending champions, whose hand has been forced by the much-hyped loss of their free-scoring talisman, Cristiano Ronaldo, early season outings have seen Manchester United reclaim their beloved (but long-estranged) formation: the classic 4-4-2. Ronnie’s departure, allied to that of Carlos Tévez, has necessitated a switch from Sir Alex’s patented ‘strikerless’ set-up to a more orthodox approach. United often exhilarated spectators and overwhelmed lesser opposition, during their golden run of the past three years, with a fluid forward line of Rooney, Ronaldo and A.N.Other. Michael Owen’s arrival means that the manager will, more often than not, adopt a flattish midfield four incorporating two wingers from Nani, Valencia, Park, and, in due course, Obertan and Tošić.

Wayne Rooney, therefore, will shoulder the burden of responsibility for both goalscoring and goalmaking, alongside Owen or Berbatov. The evidence so far suggests that reining-in the multi-talented forward’s excessive workrate outwith his new penalty-box remit will be more difficult than first considered.

It is, these days, something of an anomaly to operate a simple two-man central midfield partnership too. Can Carrick and co. still influence games in the same way as before, especially when taking into account the continuing physical decline of old stagers Giggs and Scholes? All told, it is difficult to see United, barring late investment in the squad, dictating to the Premier League minions in quite the same manner as before.

Old rivals Arsenal, meanwhile, have made alterations with an eye on suffocating those opponents that stubbornly refuse to roll over upon mere sight of pretty passing football. In other words: Bolton and Blackburn. In order to turn over their Lancastrian nemeses (and other sides of their ilk), manager Arsène Wenger has in fact borrowed (just a little) from Gary Megson’s team.

Though he’d hardly admit it, the right-sided role that Wenger has thrust Nicklas Bendtner into of late echoes that of Bolton warhorse Kevin Davies – one of the league’s most quietly feared opponents – in seasons past. While the big Dane’s physicality is minimal by comparison with Davies, his presence in the new-look three-man Arsenal front-line draws defensive attention away from the mercurial talents of Robin van Persie and, particularly, Andrei Arshavin.

Wenger explains: “I want to play high up the pitch and bring the threat to the opponents half very early in the game. We are an attacking team and that gives us an opportunity to show our character.”

This plan worked to tremendous effect at Goodison Park last weekend, but doubts persist over whether the Alsatian’s slavish adherence to the beautiful game in its purest form can realistically yield a first league title since 2004. Much will depend on the consistency and continuing development of Cesc Fabregas’ midfield cohorts; Alexandre Song and Denilson. If that pair can form an effective shield in front of an already impressive Gallas-Vermaelen defensive axis, the Gunners might prove more than just also-rans this year.

To finish as relatively close runners-up last year was something of a breakthrough for Rafa Benítez’s Liverpool. To then lose one of their most consistent and able performers from that campaign might be considered careless if it weren’t for the sheer scale of Xabi Alonso’s new employers’ ruthless ambition. Thirty million big ones is an impressive haul, some would say, for a deep-lying midfielder with a shamefully weak goal/assist record. However, the technical prowess and vision offered by Real Madrid’s new no.22 was crucial in the delicate tactical balance which held together the 4-2-3-1 line-up favoured by Benitez.

Notwithstanding the possible impact of energetic Roman midfielder Alberto Aquilani on the Merseysiders’ fortunes, there’s no doubt that they have lost a significant dimension to their play. The over-reliance on Steven Gerrard’s freakish blend of athleticism and finesse, and on Fernando Torres as the point of attack (Andrii Voronin might have returned from a brilliant loan spell in Berlin with greater confidence, but still lacks a little star quality) means that Liverpool will inevitably struggle to maintain their momentum.

While a significant departure has placed Benítez in something of a tactical quandary, title rivals Chelsea will surely benefit from continuity of key personnel. The latest head coach along the Stamford Bridge production line, Carlo Ancelotti, has brought with him from Milan a narrow midfield structure; latterly used by a certain Jose Mourinho. The Blues’ abundance of able central midfield players lends itself to such a ‘diamond’ formation, it’s true. The absence of orthodox wingers from the XI, however, brings with it serious limitations.

One of the main beneficiaries of the switch, Michael Ballack has played the old “you can play any system with good players” card in recent interviews. Tellingly, the 32-year-old has conceded Ancelotti’s preferred option has as many cons as pros: “You gain a small advantage through the centre but there's more hard work for the four midfielders because they have a lot of work to do on and off the ball in this system,” said Ballack.

Quite where this approach will leave the likes of resurgent Florent Malouda, expensive new-boy Yuri Zhirkov and the returning Joe Cole is for Carletto to know and the King’s Road hordes to find out. At least the Premier League’s most frightening front two – Anelka and Drogba – can both be accommodated within the new framework. At the Stadium of Light this week, near-forgotten Deco was given a chance in support of Drogba, showing a certain flexibility in Ancelotti’s thinking. It is for this reason that Chelsea can produce their most cogent title push since the departure of their one-time tactical tsar, Mourinho.

Of course, it’s too early in the season to fully assess the impact (and longevity) of these changes, but it will be fascinating to see how events unfold on the chalkboard as the season develops.

To tinker with a winning formula exhibits bravery, for there’s the risk it can all go horribly wrong – witness Martin O’Neill’s switch to 4-4-2 spectacularly de-railing Aston Villa last term; beware Harry Redknapp, who has spoken of altering his hitherto winning formula by adding a third man to the Tottenham front-line.

For those who gamble and win? Well, they’ll be lionised as tactical geniuses forevermore. Well, at least until their next cock-up. 4-5-1 at home to Stoke!? What were you thinking?