Despite not having the crispness and efficiency of a regular season well-oiled machine, the game had all the physicality of a regular season game between Milan and Juventus and that was entertaining!
Like Nonno Lisi’s Milan-Real post match, this will be shorter (for me, LOL) and less formal than our usual regular season versions. Just looking to share some thoughts and keep things moving forward.
Let’s go…
Player Observations
Goal Keeping
Maignan – Technically allowed 2 goals but neither were his fault. He had a brilliant save on the 1st of 3 chances in a pinball moment in the first half and then while not technically an own-goal, ricocheting off of Giroud for the 2nd goal was also not his fault. No worries here with Magic Mike
Sportiello – Looked good in relief and didn’t look bad in the shootout (those are crapshoots for the most part anyway). Like Lisi said last time, miles better than Tatarusanu
Defense
Calabria – Played ok but then came off injured. I did a very cursory look and still nothing regarding the severity of the injury. I personally would be fine if he missed some time and Kalulu got back in there (where is he BTW?..). And yes, this is the same tangent I ended last season with regarding the RB position. GET KALULU BACK IN THERE
Thiaw – Looked good for the most part aside from the yellow (which was a smart yellow to take but poor positioning to be in that situation to begin with). Kid is awesome in the air. If he starts most of the season I’m calling it now: scores at least 5 goals and it’s the most for a Milan defender in 226yrs (or thereabouts)
Tomori – Remember playing youth sports and there was always that kid who was a spaz and spazzed out all the time, smashing into dudes and otherwise causing chaos? That’s how he looked in this game
Theo – Beautiful ball on the set piece that lead to the first goal. On defense was solid with a very eager Weah opposite. No complaints
Florenzi – Came in for Calabria and eventually moved to LB like where he started last game. Going to be the veteran Swiss army knife of the backline this season when healthy (hope it means Kalulu can just focus on RB and the occasional CB start)
Simic – Moved well even if his positioning wasn’t fantastic (the speed helps). It was my 1st time seeing him so that’s all I got
Saelemaekers – Was brought in as the RB when Pioli subbed out Theo (and Florenzi moved to LB). I don’t mind him there AT ALL. With all the signings and the apparent move to a 4-3-3, it seems RB will be his only hope of seeing the pitch aside from a Coppa game
Bartesaghi – Looked kinda frantic at times which I suppose isn’t too surprising for the 17yr old. Not going to say I know enough to predict his future but clearly down with the primavera or out on loan this season
Midfield
Reijnders – This is definitely the most interesting of the new signings to me. Tall and lengthy but also seems to be the best with the ball at his feet between all the new midfielders. Did well to help build up play in this game and even smacked Locatelli around some, which is always a plus. I mentioned in the comment section of the matchday post that he looks to be the one with any creativity to his game and is going to need to be the one to go through in the midfield if Milan stick to the 4-3-3. Otherwise it’s going to be a lot of Maignan 50/50 balls down the pitch
Krunic – Looked like midseason Krunic! My favorite type of Krunic is this one, the one where NOTHING goes through him and he can just be a DM
RLC – Some of you have been saying he’s the new Kessie and I can see why you all are saying that. Big guy and was just shrugging off Juve players the whole time he was in there. Is he Milan’s new (tall) Gattuso?…
Adli – I actually really like what I saw, especially him bodying guys while in possession. He has good vision, ball skills, and is a good passer, but because he’s as fast as Lt. Dan from Forrest Gump he’s not going to get away from anyone and will need to fight off the contact and make some plays if he wants to see the pitch
Pobega – I’m not sure what to think about him. The most memorable play of the night for him was a shot outside the box that he DEFINITY should have passed to CDK to his right instead
CDK – Not terrible but not impacting the game…again. He’s just…there
Zeroli – We have a Zeroli?
Forwards
Leão – Looks to be getting his legs and spent a lot of time on the right side
Giroud – Didn’t do much but banged home a goal with one of his rare opportunities. I’m good with it
Pulisic – I did catch a few of his highlights vs Real and as best as I can tell this was about that if not slightly less. Him switching sides with Leão was a nice change and I can see Pioli instructing them to do this with some regularity to help change the point of reference for the opponent. With Chukwueze signed and expected to compete for the RW spot, I wonder what happens with him if Milan stays in a 4-3-3 since Leão owns the LW position. I say Pioli needs to keep the 4-2-3-1 in his back pocket and break it out vs the minnows and put Pulisic as the CAM (and Leão, Chukwueze, and Giroud up front). Might actually be able to cut through one of those parked buses this season
Romero – Kid looks like he has some talent but the thing I can’t get over is how was he a free agent at age 18? Did he sign as a 8yr old? What gives?
Colombo – Reminds me of Petagna
Traore – I forgot we have a Traore, but I guess I shouldn’t have. We always have a Traore somewhere. He’s like scotch tape in your house
Final Thoughts
The Tomori knock worried me, less so for Calabria (you all just read why), and the team is starting to click. Yes, some concentration gaps but those can be fixed, most of them with just the game becoming a meaningful one.
One last thing that’s worrying me and I touched on it above: if the 4-3-3 is the way to go and Reijnders doesn’t come good as the playmaker of the midfield, then any high pressuring team is going to cause Milan problems. This will result in very disjointed play and a lot of hail marys from Maignan or the CBs and this will get old, fast. Maybe this is an opportunity for Adli??? Time will tell.
FORZA MILAN
gillis
PS: For those of you who missed it, Chukwueze signed and apparently Musah is close…like really close (*squeals*). More to come later this week