Wednesday 20 February 2013

Silvio Berlusconi and the man-marking of Lionel Messi

Monday, February 18, 2013. Silvio Berlusconi suggests that AC Milan's coach Massimiliano Allegri should take care of Barcelona's striker Lionel Messi man-marking him, making clear that presidents (like him) don't meddle with tactics, but they do fire managers.


Lionel Messi scoring for FC Barcelona
Lionel Messi, the menace
While giving an interview to Italian radio RTL 102.5, Silvio Berlusconi – AC Milan's president and owner – talked about the tough game his team will face on Wednesday, when they will play Barcelona UEFA Champions League in San Siro (recently signed Mario “Bad apple”Balotelli will not play, not being on the EUFA list for the competition), and said that “It will be very difficult to beat them” and “my suggestion is that [Lionel] Messi is man-marked.”. You cannot let your hair down, with players like him.

In the following day the former Italian prime minister also suggested the name of the defender who should take care of the Barça's (nickname of the Catalan side) Argentine Ballon D'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year, the midfielder Sulley Muntari.

AC Milan's head coach Massimiliano Allegri
Massimiliano Allegri, the coach
«I still haven’t found time to talk to [AC Milan's coach Massimiliano] Allegri, but I won’t tell him what side to pick. I have never done that.» said the media tycoon, but he also reminded everybody that presidents might not instruct managers, by the do fire them.

The interference of Silvio through the media reminded some observers of the past, more precisely of his harsh slam of Italian national football team's coach – Dino Zoff – back in 2000, guilty of not man-marking French striker Zinedine Zidane during the European Championship's Final (this man-marking thing is a bit of an obsession, you might think...).

«He is unworthy» said the prime minister of the Friulan boss «he behaves like the last of the amateurs». And added: «Either you do have brain in your had, or you don't» hinting to the lack of understanding of the former national team's goalkeeper turned into coach.

Silvio Berlusconi, president of AC Milan, watching a football game with his daughter's Barbara
Silvio Berlusconi, the president,
with Barbara Berlusconi (his daughter)
On that occasion, Italy lost 2-1 to France, Dino Zoff lost his job (he had to resign, swept by the critics).

And tonight AC Milan plays Lionel Messi's FC Barcelona, under the eyes of Silvio Berlusconi and his girlfriend Francesca Pascale... 

(Update: AC Milan ended up beating Barcelona 2-0, and Silvio was jubilant... until the second leg was played in Spain 12 March, when Barça won 4-0 and Lio Messi scored two goals, Allegri's job became a bit shakier).


(Newer update: after a three-hour meeting, on 2 June 2013 Massimiliano Allegri was confirmed as club's coach by Silvio Berlusconi).

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