Not at his best days. Worst word to any athlete, Bench! Last week actually was somewhat due to the flu he had earlier. This week the reason was there was someone playing better, Seedorf. Coach Ancelotti’s words weren’t so comforting for Dinho. And frankly like I said before, who is fit and better at the moment should play, no matter whom. And at this moment, Dinho isn’t the best. During the Bologna game Ronaldinho came in the 72nd minute, providing just a little and this wasn’t his fault, more likely Milan leading 4-1 which is great anyday. A couple of passes and a close opportunity near the end, nothing significant.
Ancelotti has bad news for Dinho
“We are very clinical at the moment and manage to get the best out of [Alexandre] Pato and Kakà’s pace up front. Ronaldinho? I believe that [Clarence] Seedorf can help us more at the back, but we must not forget how well the Brazilian played in the first half of the season.”
Why the dip of form?! Many factors come into consideration. One might be the competitive selection at Milan with high profile players fighting for a spot. Dinho’s major competitor is Seedorf. Then come other players who don’t play the same position but they might jeopardize his place in the first team, i.e. Second striker will cost him his place or Coach Carlo shuffles his midfield. And Kaka, if anything is established Ricky Kaka is a very vital part of the team. It’s sad to say that Kaka & Dinho are not fully compatible, but that doesn’t mean they cant work together at all. As of lately it has been concluded that one of them playing is better than two of them at the same time. They tend to take space from each other, limit each other’s abilities.
This could be another factor I was thinking about, nothing solid of course. Ronnie and many Brazilians don’t perform at a 110% unless it matters. So in training and friendly games they won’t be at their best unless there’s some incentive. I’m saying this because I remember hearing about it a couple of times when he was with PSG & Barcelona. And even few other Brazilians may fall into this category too. Of course i’m not there watching every training session and can’t judge their incentives with no basis, but its just a theory.
It’s not all bad news for Dinho, he has been called up by Dunga to the Brazilian National team to face Marcello Lippi’s Italy on the 10th of February. It was kinda a surprise considering he barely played in the past 2 games, and the other surprise was the exclusion of Juve’s player Amauri. 3 other Milan players have been called up to the Brazilian National Team, Kaka, Pato & Thiago Silva.
Milan will face Genoa this midweek on Wednesday the 28th. It’s still not clear whether will Dinho be a starter or like the past 2 games start from the bench.
Milan forward Ronaldinho has been recalled by Brazil coach Dunga for next month's friendly against Italy in London.
Amauri, 28, is applying for an Italian passport and had previously said he would like to play for the world champions if he continues to be overlooked by his home country.
