Riccardo Montolivo and Antonio Cassano Deserve to be Rossoneri

Last week Italy triumphed in impressive fashion over reigning European and World Champions Spain. The match was played in Bari and amongst the stars for the Azzurri, two players stood out. Riccardo Montolivo enjoyed his best evening in blue as he displayed his creative instincts throughout the contest in addition to scoring a delightful goal. Playing at his home ground and proudly wearing the captain’s armband, Antonio Cassano also shone as he showcased merely glimpses of his genius.

While an international friendly normally serves to educate the respective coaches of certain aspects of their own team, this game also should have taught two things to the hierarchy at Milan. The first is that Riccardo Montolivo is ready to play for a big club.

The current la Viola man could either play in the midfield trio alongside MVB, or, as he did great effect against la Furia Roja, as a trequartista. This flexibility would afford Max Allegri alternative options in midfield that may come in handy when the team needs to change things tactically during a game.

Monty’s great performance against Spain also showed that he is ready to cut it at a big club, like Milan. Indeed, a move to the Milanello may be just what he needs in order to show his once touted immense potential.

There has been much talk that either Monty will arrive, or Liverpool’s Alberto Aquilani. Either would be a great acquisition and signing both would be even better. However, based on last week’s showing Montolivo would now be the preferred choice if we had to decide on one. His superior defensive qualities also augur better with Allegri who expects every one of his players to defend when the team is not in possession.

As the summer has unfolded, it has increasingly appeared that Antonio Cassano would be leaving the club and he still might. However, the former Bari prodigy showed what many already know. He is a rare talent albeit a capricious one who, when in form, can be a great asset.