Mark Neale looks at why AC Milan’s transfer dealings may make them favourites ahead of Ajax and Celtic to join Barcelona out of Champions League group H.
- By Mark Neale
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Group H is this year’s edition of the UEFA champions league consists of Barcelona, AC Milan, Celtic and of course Ajax. Between them they have 16 European cups of Champions league wins. Barcelona would be favourites to win in any group and possibly being one of the best teams ever you can easily state a case, not only do they have the superstars we already know from last season but with the addition of Brazilian superstar Neymar the case gets stronger.
Now leading up to the last week of this summer’s transfer window i would have placed 7 times winners Milan almost on a par with Dutch champions Ajax, but this window has been a decisive one for both clubs. A positive one for the men from Milan and a negative one for the men from Amsterdam.
The on-off transfers of both Christian Eriksen and Toby Alderweireld were finally settled but not in the way Ajax would have preferred. Eriksen moved English side Spurs and Alderweireld move to La Liga side Atletico Madrid, both big players and both will be sorely missed. Ajax did sign a replacement for Eriksen in midfielder Lerin Duarte from Heracles Almelo but with no European experience it is tough ask.
From a Milan point of view the return of the prodigal son in the shape of Brazilian playmaker Kaka has given the club a massive boost, and in most Milan fans opinion the creative flair that is sorely needed for the Italian side as been acquired.Along with the acquisition of former youth player and ex Juventus striker Alessandro Matri who played under the current Milan coach Allegri at Cagliari the window has been far more of an success than was anticipated.Yes the defensive weaknesses that is apparent haven’t been addressed, but all this can be argued that in order to win games you need to score and with Kaka playing in behind Balotelli and El Shaarawy and a strong workmanlike midfield consisting of Dutch player Nigel De Jong the balance has been swung to the Italians favour in my opinion.
The balance has been tipped towards the Milan side with a better market than the dutch side and i expect them to be second behind the Spanish Champions.
Celtic can never be ruled out as last years win over Barcelona proved, Celtic park is a hostile place to go but you have to say they’ll be hard pressed to get out of this group.
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PSV played great against Milan but lacked finishing and have a weak D. Ajax is better in possession but have no pace so it will difficult for them. I think Serie A is the weakest league that Dutch teams can beat but Ajax has failed to replace players they lost. I;m very surprised that Frank De Boer has allowed this to happen having so much experience and playing for the best clubs all across Europe. He’s a good coach but has failed to add better players.