Just breathe…
Another draw that feels like a loss. But feels a little less like it was a loss? Because it was on the road and we came back this time? Just go with me here. Trust me. You’ll feel better. For the first half it felt like the ghost of Banter Era past returning. A rainy night away to a lower table team where we play with little to no energy. The standard ‘playing down to your opponent’ trap game. A 3-0 loss away at rainy Genoa deep in the bowels of the Banter Era springs to mind. This time was different though. We came back. A turning point perhaps? Time will tell.
OFFENSE
GIROUD 8 Standard performance here from the Frenchman. Works his butt off and makes things happen. One of the few bright spots in the first half. Hard work paid off on the header that led to the Calabria leveler. Amazing the energy and work rate he has shown since playing in the World Cup. Funny the Maldini haters conveniently forget this important gem of a signing.
LEAO 7.5 Completely invisible the first 30+ minutes of the game. At that point was still sitting on 3 touches. It matters not when you have his level of skill. The opener came on a brilliant strike to the near post, albeit one I’m sure Falcone would love to have back. That’s Leao doing Leo things though.
BRAHIM 7 This makes 3 solid league performances since the break. Without a real backup in his spot he has to carry the load. Did a better job in this game of coming deeper to receive the ball and giving himself space. Nearly popped in a chip that was giving me Huntelaar flashbacks. If you know, you know. Odd he came off for Origi. I would have pulled Pobega.
SALAD 6 Non descript other than a few nice passes into the box. Strange when other teams press us we forget to get the ball deep and into the corners on counters. Totally uninvolved but also remained way too high as Lecce pressed forward.
POBEGA 6 Pioli keeps trying to force this kid into the double pivot and it’s just not his jam. He was effective further up the field. His flashes for us come when he’s further up the field. His real issues or sitting deeper in the double pivot, tracking runners and picking out passes. That first goal he’s not even in the screen tracking runners. Sound like what you saw Saturday?
BENNACER 7.5 Love him when he’s deeper and making sideways and diagonal balls. Very effective slicing in from deeper as well. I get frustrated when he gets too high and wants to play playmaker. First because that means he’s NOT sitting deep where we need him most. Second because he’s not a scorer and too many of his through balls end up skipping out of bounds for goal kicks. Late yellow was unfortunate and a weak call.
DEFENSE
THEO ZERO I’ve not given too many zeroes over the years but this one was deserved. Not only stunk but looked completely exhausted. The own goal was inexcusable and doubled down on that by making some wild runs forward that only compounded our early issues. Tripled down by ball watching on the second goal. Get em next time Theo. This wasn’t your day.
CALABRIA 6.5 Him and Kalulu got to get it together over there. Lack of communication between those two is creating a lot of problems. Goal saves what is otherwise a very uneven performance. Good things do tend to happen when he gets inside the 18.
TOMORI 6 Let’s stop pounding the turf after we concede goals and start talking. Someone has to lead back there and it should be him. Bark at Kalulu. Yell at the mids to track runners. Get on Theo’s ass. The next evolution of his career needs to be embracing a leadership role.
KALULU 5 Caught in no mans land on the first goal. Same on the second. Set piece after set piece is sailing just over his head and getting knocked in by the player behind him. Just killing us on those. He’s a joy to watch when we press but under siege is a total mess.
KEEPER
TATARUSANU 7 We gave up an own goal and yet another set piece where we just don’t mark anyone. Typical. The rating comes from him keeping us in the first half of the game making several and picking out a few crosses out of the air while we were reeling. This could have been far, far worse.
SUBS
DEST 7 Total role reversal after he came on. Love the energy he brings. Also improved things but just not being as God awful as Theo was.
MESSIAS 6 If anyone has an idea of what he’s doing or offered in attack go ahead and give me a call. Yeesh. 45 minutes of nothing.
ORIGI 6 Same with him. 6 months into this experiment and not sure what his role is. Doesn’t seem to pair with Giroud up top as much he wants to come deep? And I’d rather have Diaz with the ball deep than him. Weird.
KJAER N/A Anyone else just feel a massive sense of relief when he came on?
VRANCKX N/A He played.
PIOLI Started the starters but I’m not sure that’s the way to go right now. They look really tired. Hard to blame him for Theo’s shit show. Kudos to him for making the change though. Also having some vets to bring in like Dest, Origi and Kjaer has to be much better than looking down the bench and only seeing kids. Getting players like Rebic and Krunic back will be immensely helpful as well. Kudos to him for the changes at the half. That change in mentality and energy was great to see. In only 25 minutes the game was tied the game at 2. I know it doesn’t seem like much now but this may be a turning point.
Some Monday Musings tomorrow. Super Cup Wednesday.
FORZA MILAN
Lisi