Ibra is dependent

Antonio Cassano is Ibrahimovic’s Robin

Zlatan Ibrahimovic carried Milan for much of the season. His 26 league goals propelled Milan’s mediocrity into table topping potential. But like all great men, Zlatan’s moments of immortality have visibly weakened.

During this period of ‘if’ and ‘but’, whereby Milanisti are discussing the possible status of their team had certain players been fit or had certain calls gone their way, Juventus sit atop the league table. Yes, ‘if’ Antonio Cassano and Kevin-Prince Boateng were fit during the season, Milan may have been more explosive. This is not merely in theory, but is evidenced more recently in the games in which the three have played together. Well, the terrific three are now united, for what it counts. The tantalising trio are back for a nail biting run-in. Ibrahimovic looks fatigued, uninterested even. But he is more likely to enjoy his football, now, more than ever before.

Cassano is Zlatan’s ideal striker partner. Not only are they nutters, but they are on the same wavelength as footballers. Playing with Cassano gives Zlatan more space to run into, fewer defenders to deal with, and a mind he can connect with. Cassano understands Zlatan’s passing style, interprets his next move, and more importantly, possesses his trust.

Zlatan tends to don the responsibility of creating and scoring, in the absence of players he trusts and rates. He is known for having said that he enjoys playing with Cassano more than the ‘Brazilians’. This is more than the typical ‘big man-small man’ partnership. It’s the footballing relationship, lateral understanding and the friendly camaraderie the two share.

Their friendship is commendable, one that is well documented by the media. I cannot think of too many people who would take a kick to the head lightly. The two seem blissfully happy to play beside each other, constantly smiling, enjoying their football. But, if you choose to ignore that facet of their relationship, Cassano and Ibrahimovic are proper strike partners.

Cassano relieves Zlatan of the burden of creativity and can also play as a target man when required. Also, he is more of a natural inverted winger amongst Milan’s forwards, providing vertical spaces in abundance for Ibrahimovic to run into. Being a forward generously blessed with the gifts of vision and passing, Cassano is more capable of setting up Ibrahimovic, when compared to Robinho or Pato, who prefer to dribble, rather than pass.

Kevin-Prince Boateng is indispensable to Zlatan

Boateng, on the other hand, is a different type of footballer. Boateng is a powerhouse dribbler, who runs at opponents and flattens them by exercising his muscular power. His unpredictability to pick a pass increases the scope of his threat considerably. Boateng is one of the few members in the squad who Ibrahimovic trusts with the ball, freeing Ibrahimovic to run into open spaces, or even take a breather while the Ghanaian is in possession, as the Prince rarely gives away the ball. Boateng often crosses from the right, providing an additional outlet of attack as a plausible right winger.

Massimiliano Allegri attempts to play Boateng as a trequartista, but Boateng is not a run-of-the-mill trequartista. It appears his natural inclination is to run down the right, leaving his position of a number 10 rather vacant, to be occupied by another. Ibrahimovic gladly slots into that position and dictates play from deep with Cassano out wide on the left, and Boateng out wide on the right. Before I am lambasted for stereotyping Milan’s play, let me ascertain that this transformation is when Milan attack, while they retain their typical 4-3-1-2 shape while defending.

Milan can crib all they want about losing points and players over the season. But, having recovered two of their most effective attackers, and primarily, and more importantly, two players who combine lethally with Ibrahimovic, Milan are obliged to perform impressively against Novara.

Follow Rajath Kumar on twitter @rajathkumar