Friendlies are an interesting occurrence. Because the games don’t count you can be even more selective with what you decide to take away from it. I’m not going to do a full ratings post, or really any ratings, but I did just want to highlight a few things I noticed in this Milan v PSV match. Full transparency: I caught the game in pieces and watched more of the first half than I did the second, so this is not intended to be a thorough piece. Again, just wanted to share a few observations.
Mirante, Tata, and Magic Mike
Oh boy. What does Milan do here? I like Mirante’s style of not hanging back as much as Tatarusanu, as he seemed more much willing to leave his area and had some confidence when he did. His style is a better fit for Pioli’s system of playing out from the back. Tatarusanu would rather just boot 50/50 balls up the pitch and this often feels like a waste and a prayer looking for a fortuitous bounce.
While these traits definitely make me want to give Mirante a chance, Mirante’s reaction time to shots is just as dreadful as Tatarusanu. It feels like when an attacking player begins to line up his shot I imagine both guys brains working much like Homer Simpson…
By the time they finish figuring out how to react the ball is in the back of the net. It’s been super frustrating, even more so when you think about Maignan and how great he is at reaction saves…or just saves in general.
This leaves us wondering if Milan needs to spend some of their precious limited transfer funds this January on a better replacement. The last I read was that Maignan would likely be out until the end of January. If that’s the case, then I say no, but any longer and I think they may have to pull the trigger on a better backup.
The Backline
It was nice seeing Calabria back, mostly because I like Kalulu paired with Tomori at CB. Having Dest back was nice too, even if he was out on the left. They all looked a little bit shaky in this game but I think that had mostly to do with the midfield being overrun. I’ll get to that in a second.
I’m still really liking what I’m seeing out of Thiaw, even with the youthful errors. Kalulu had much of the same vibe: loads of talent and just needs to play. If Pioli wants to play his preferred high press and Kalulu or Tomori are out (or Kalulu is at RB), then I think Thiaw might be the best option, yes even over Kjaer. I don’t know that we’ll see it this year, but having the option of a back three with Kjaer/Gabbia/Thiaw in the middle flanked by Kalulu and Tomori would be a nice alternative. It’s better then square-pegging Kjaer or Gabbia in a high press and then seeing them torched.
The Midfield
Poor. Very poor. Wasn’t thrilled with much of anything here. No possession, no width (the wingbacks didn’t help here either), and Bennacer and Tonali were hanging on for their lives while Saelemaekers, CDK, and Adli were completely invisible. When Saelemaekers is the best of those three on the day, yikes, you know it’s bad. I mentioned this in the comments in yesterday’s post but Adli just looks SO slow. Everything seems to be too fast for him. And his corners? Gross.
De Ketelaere is very much in the same boat as Adli, although definitely not as severe. I was really hoping to see him reinvigorated and maybe out of his own head some, but the same issue seems to be plaguing him: thinking too much about everything and he’s losing his intuitiveness. Maybe a spell at forward like I’ve been reading could help, if anything just to get him playing freely again.
Leão and Diaz didn’t provide much but being down 3-0 by that time I don’t blame them for not having their heart in it.
The Forwards
Giroud was out still recovering from France’s deep run in the World Cup and Rebic started at CF with Origi out injured. With the midfield being as poor as they were on the day I don’t know that it would’ve mattered who was up front. Rebic was average, subbed out to start the second half, and Lazetic worked hard but didn’t provide much impact. Unless Pioli does actually try CDK at striker, it’s Giroud and Rebic until February.
Final Thoughts
It feels like forever since Milan had a good friendly that felt like things were clicking. This one was so bad that I read this morning Milan actually decided to have a session today when it was supposed to be their day off. I’m glad to see THEY see the urgency and the not-so-great form they’re in. I know Salernitana is up next and Milan should get all 3pts but Serie A is tough and the midtable and minnows are putting up fights every week. Leão and Giroud and Brahim will all help what we saw yesterday, but talent is only part of it. These guys need to get back into form and soon.
Anyway, what did you guys think? I didn’t cover everything so please share your thoughts on what I wrote, didn’t write, or anything else you want to share.
Forza Milan