His much anticipated return has yielded less than significant results. Hailed to be the man who would help rescue Milan's season, Alexandre Pato has had a fairly muted return to first team duty since his return from an injury plagued twelve months. With his goal against Malaga his only noteworthy contribution, just one goal in six games in all competitions, has Pato failed to live up to the standard expected or is it too harsh to judge the Brazilian so soon?
Largely anonymous in the majority of his appearances, Pato has been a disappointment on the whole. Apart from the odd flashes of brilliance here and a deft first touch and spin away from a defender there, the 'Duck' has often been unable to take advantage when presented with one-on-one situations and is notably lackadaisical in his desire to win possession and track back when a move breaks down.
To fairly assess whether his return has been a disappointment, the question as to what is realistically expected of him must firstly be answered. Was the build-up to his long awaited return just media hype? Or was there a genuine sense that despite all the previous issues this would finally be the time for him to make his mark on this team?
"I am back after a long time, but in a way I never left. I have always been here working hard and am back playing on the pitch, which is what makes me happy. When I reach 100 per cent, everything will be fine. I have never felt so calm, as I am working well in a great squad with marvellous fans," the striker told Milan Channel.
Both his confidence and pride will need restoring, not only due to the lack of playing time he has had over the last season or so, but from his most recent misfortune when missing a penalty against Fiorentina. With the game finely poised and the Rossoneri a goal down, Pato’s penalty could have made all the difference. Yet as he sent his spot-kick flying into the Curva Sud, he was met by a wall of jeers and whistles instead.
The abuse did not stop there. Reports claimed Pato was prevented from leaving San Siro on Sunday after the game by angry supporters. Stood in his way as he left the stadium in his car, he was supposedly verbally assaulted before being allowed to leave. The club moved quickly to dismiss the speculation soon after it broke, releasing an official statement on the club website. A strong move in itself, perhaps giving truth to the story, one so shocking it is difficult to see why anyone would fabricate it. The player himself also moved to dismiss it.
Is Pato deserving of such treatment so soon after his return he was never likely to set the world alight when merely overjoyed at just returning to a football pitch at all? It seems a little harsh on the Brazilian. However, when considering the context and as the joint top earner at the club, perhaps supporters have a right to expect more of him, and instantly. Another question it poses is whether the Samba star will ever reach the potential he showed as a teenager? Content to be back playing football after such an extended period on the sidelines, Pato needs to step it up another level if he still can. Even Giampaolo Pazzini has scored more goals than him.
What have you made of Pato’s return so far? Is the criticism and treatment unfair?
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