Patience is the name of the game for Montella at AC Milan
The side failed to muster a single shot on target during the entire game in Genoa, coming up with one of the worst performances under Montella. This came some weeks after an embarrassing 4-1 humbling at the hands of Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico, raising questions about Montella’s credentials as the man in charge of the club. And questions are certain to rise about a manager's abilities, if he spends around 200 million euros on acquiring players. The dejection and protest that followed the humiliating loss to Sampdoria though, was not something Montella deserves, to a certain extent.
It's just one of those things that brings to the fore the fickle minded nature of football fans. Two months ago, the same fans were lauding the former Fiorentina boss for signing quality players. Once things started going slightly wrong, they have often times been the first ones to protest against Montella’s presence at a time when he needs their support more than anything else. The fans obviously have every right to criticize a manager if he doesn't do well after spending considerable sums of money, but they just have to realize that blending those new signings into the side is easier said than done.
It's a given that football is all about results, no matter what a manager does, but he doesn't always possess the Elder Wand to make things right once the 10-12 new players come into the side. In a game that is increasingly being driven by people with a short-term mindset, the same quality has been infused into the minds of the fans as well.
The first four games saw Montella play a 4-3-3 formation that coincided with how they played last season. The inability of a host of the new players to settle into the formation saw the Italian shift to a traditional 3-5-2 to make the players feel more comfortable in their roles. The first game with the 3-5-2 yielded a 5-1 win in the Europa League, but it has been far from convincing in Serie A, be it against SPAL, Udinese or Sampdoria. This clearly goes to show that Montella is still trying to find the right system for a side that looks newer than all of the other bigger sides in the division. Even in the new shape, players like Franck Kessie have struggled to play well enough, making it look like an effort wasted in vain.
This summer was the first time that Montella spent a lot of money on players and its another one of those things that the fans have to realise before questioning his abilities. Playing direct and attractive football was a hallmark of his last season's side and he is trying to do just that this season. Another vital aspect of the Rossoneri last season was the hunger to play well even in tough times. Remembering a game against Bologna from last season makes one realise that. Despite having two players sent off, Milan managed to pick up all three points, clearly suggesting the fighting spirit that is embed in the side of which they are capable of mustering.
The new players that have been brought in will help to facilitate increasing the standard at the club and once Montella gets the formation and the system right, they will play a far more attractive brand of football as opposed to last season. Players like Leonardo Bonucci, Hakan Calhanoglu and Ricardo Rodriguez will not only improve the side, but will also add star quality at the club that needs it.
Bringing a new manager in will only overcomplicate things for the club. He is in need of time to allow the influx of new players to become accustomed to the club, before getting the system right. Montella on the other hand, is just one step away. And that again is easier said than done with the pressure that currently is on his shoulders, but it's a matter of time.
Till then, Milan fans just need to stay put and patient. Wait for a month or two and then we'll see who is laughing.