Can the Golden Trident fire Milan to Scudetto number 18?

Despite a poor start against Bologna, AC Milan will expect to challenge for the title in Serie A this season. The Italian giants have put all their eggs in a big, fancy Brazilian basket. They kept Ricky Kaka on their books despite interest from Chelsea, and they snapped up Ronaldinho - Manchester City probably won't find themselves used simply to increase a player's salary when he moves elsewhere very often in the future.

With Kaka and Ronaldinho playing high in the channels, Carlo Ancelotti has put his faith in wunderkind number 7 Alexandre Pato to hit the net. That's a massive responsibility for a teenager. But in fairness we're talking about possibly the most exciting teenager on the planet.

Ronaldinho's time was up at the Nou Camp. He wanted out, and Barcelona wanted out. His playboy lifestyle, weight and refusal to train professionally had worn out FCB's patience, but in truth the latter two probably stemmed from the fact that Dinho was bored and wanted a new challenge. He's lucky Milan took him on, really, because his reputation was in a nosedive.

However, both sides should benefit from the move. In Dinho, Milan have signed the most recognisable and most skillful player of his generation. And with a good six or seven years left in him, it's very possible that the doubters (i.e. me, sorry) were wrong to write him off a few months back. Ronaldinho will benefit from the Milan Lab.

Magnificent piece of business #2 for the Rossoneri this summer was keeping hold of Kaka. The 2007 World Player of the Year didn't really seem to have considered leaving, but with Roman Abramovich sniffing around, you just never know. Is he really the best in the world? Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are generally considered his closest competition. I think they both run him pretty close, but he's a phenomenon. He's becoming as iconic as Ronaldinho, and he's brilliantly, magically talented.


Tim Vickery, BBC South American football deity, likes Alexandre Pato. And so do I. The 19-year-old Brazilian (now that is not as exciting as it sounds) burst onto the scene at the San Siro in January, but the hype began months before. The Duck, who broke a bone at the age of 10 only for the x-rays to reveal a tumour in his arm, was unable to play until the age of 18 (September 2007). His Serie A debut in January saw him score against Napoli, and two weeks later he scored twice against Genoa.

This kid means business in a big, big way. His reputation is sky high. Milan are relying on him to score the goals which fire them first back into the Champions League, and then to the title.

Let's not forget Milan's competitors for the Scudetto. Internazionale are remarkably strong, and have been galvanised further by the arrival of Jose Mourinho. Roma didn't seem to do much in the summer mercato, but they were pretty damn good already. Stability could be the key. Juventus, along with Milan, will be determined to exorcise the ghost of Calciopoli, and they look in decent enough shape.

On top of those highly-rated sides, Fiorentina could be the one that breaks into the top three. The Viola are a young, vibrant side. With Adrian Mutu leading the line and Riccardo Montolivo stepping up to the responsibility of captaining the side, Cesare Prandelli's side could trouble the big boys.

If the Rossoneri are to fight their way back to the top, the trio dubbed Ka-Pa-Ro by Calcio Italia's Susy Campanale must fire on all cylinders all season. It's going to be a fascinating race.

(Photo Credits: Soccerati.net, Soccerbyives.net)