In Milan’s recent faltering, one remaining constant has been Ignazio Abate’s progress at right-back. Performances against Tottenham and Palermo have been in marked contrast to that of the team, and Saturday’s clash with Merda proves significant.
Originally a right-midfielder, Abate’s work on loan at Empoli and Torino convinced Milan to keep the player for 2009-10. With limited options in defence and minimal room for wide midfielders in Leonardo’s 4-3-1-2 shape, Abate was subsequently pushed to right-back, a position he had occasionally played as a youth and during his time in Turin, but was far from technically proficient in.
Abate’s first full season here wasn’t without teething problems, reflective of the necessity and immediacy of the switch, but he has grown to understand the role. Indeed his progress towards the end of the campaign convinced Milan to extend his contract, whilst his work with Massimiliano Allegri sees him on the verge of the national team, and a growing central presence in the dressing room, and played nowhere but at right-back now.
Whilst there is an element of truth to the fact Milan’s added defensive weight in centre-midfield under Allegri has had a positive affect on Abate’s game, it does the 24-year-old’s individual work a disservice. This season has seen a tempering of the boy’s natural attacking tendencies in favour of a more mature defensive manner. Where Abate’s pace, composure on the ball, crossing and shooting ability are useful assets for an otherwise narrow Rossoneri attack, his defensive game has vastly improved this term, notable aspects including dealing with crosses and diagonal balls, his physical handling of opponents and his tactical positioning.
Added to this, Abate’s attacking movement is now more calculated. Working in tandem with left-back Luca Antonini, the duo’s role has been refined under Allegri. Where with Leonardo their support-play was as a secondary, often sporadic outlet, Allegri has patterns of play based entirely on their work-rate down the flanks.
Abate’s turning point is thought to be Cristiano Ronaldo’s visit with Real Madrid in November. Returning from injury to team up with Gennaro Gattuso, his performance was a noteworthy positive from the draw. Before that game the full-back had started just twice under Allegri in 12 games, since then it is 19 starts from a possible 26.
Such has been the player’s form this season, and recently in contrast to his team, those around the player’s camp believe he is close to earning a first international call-up, with many at the club surprised he missed the Slovenia and Ukraine squad.
As Milan face their biggest hurdle yet in chasing the Scudetto, the right-back will face his toughest challenge too. Not only will he line-up against one of Europe’s strongest right-back exponents in Douglas Maicon, but any doubts over his own standing in the role will be fully tested by Merda’s most in-form player this season, Samuel Eto’o.
Abate also carries memories into the fixture. Firstly of last season’s derby where his mistake saw Diego Milito score the first in a 2-0 defeat, and then of this term’s Week 12 derby where two needless yellow cards saw him sent off – the first for pulling back Eto’o, the second for pushing Goran Pandev.
This is also arguably the first big game Abate goes into expected to perform well. Eto’o and Co will guarantee him a psychological and physical challenge, and it will be a mark of how far he has come should he meet it.
