The last game of the opening round of the Serie A season and we FINALLY get to see all the shiny new toys in action! In what has been a wild round so far, I’m sure there will be a surprise or two today as well. So, strap in and get ready for kickoff to an expectations-filled 2023-24 Milan season!
LAST FIVE
MILAN:
BOLOGNA:
FORMATIONS
MILAN (4-3-3): Maignan; Hernandez, Tomori, Thiaw, Calabria (C); Reijnders, Krunic, Loftus-Cheek; Leão, Giroud, Pulisic
BOLOGNA (4-2-3-1): Skorupski; Lykogiannis, Lucumi, Beukema, Posch; Dominguez, Moro: Aebischer, Ferguson, Ndoye (C); Zirkzee
TIME: 2:45pm EST/7:45pm GMT
PLACE: Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, Bologna
WHERE TO WATCH:
Paramount+ and FuboTV here in the US of Aye and Canada, BeIn for our Aussie pals, ESPNPlay for our fellas in T&T, JioTV for our Indian leoni, and illegal streams that support dictators and oligarchs everywhere.
*Let us know if this needs updating*
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
What to watch for? Your guess is as good as mine or anyone else’s for that matter. It’s the first game of a new season with a new formation and a bunch of new players. Pioli is still leading the charge but that’s just about all we can say for certain.
Yes, Leão is still out on the left, and the backline remains intact (thank god), but we still don’t really know how all the pieces will work together. With that in mind, let’s run through some things I think we’ll see:
- We’re almost certain to see the 4-3-3 formation deployed from the get-go. Will it work? Will it last? Will it make it to the end of the game without Pioli switching back to the 4-2-3-1?
- How does Leão do in this new formation? Yes, we’ve seen some glimpses during the preseason but these games count now so the competition will be different. Does he roam? Does Pioli want him to? Should he? All things to watch out for
- Pulisic is likely to start at RW. How does he do? Will he be the one the creativity goes through at any point or especially in the final 3rd
- Calabria, Calabria, Calabria. Loyal readers will know my distaste for the player but more importantly for Milan, he’s a liability in a high press, something Pioli likes to do vs most teams especially lower-table teams. It won’t matter if Maignan is back there or the rest of the starting backline is healthy and playing, a weak link causes cascading effects that result in bad shape and leaking goals. Let’s hope we see Kalulu out there at RB
- A lot of eyes will be on Reijnders and how he’s able to command the attack from the midfield. A lot of people are high on him, time for him to put his money where his mouth is and show us what he’s got
- Lastly for Milan, how will Pioli sub? His in-game tactical changes will be different from previous years because the squad and depth is so different. Does he continue to wait until the 60th minute to start subbing like we’ve become accustomed to? The quality drop-off will be less of an issue so will he be more willing to make halftime subs if something or someone isn’t working? Something to watch for
- I won’t pretend to know a lot about Bologna, or really much of anything about Bologna, but they finished 9th last season and were in contention for the 7th spot before Juve temporarily got their points back and took the wind out of their sails. So the team should not be underestimated even if Arnautovic left to go to Inter. Here’s what I do know about them: they have 2 new players in their backline on their right side…the same side Leão is going to be on…hmmm
Ok, I could keep adding to that list with it being the first game and so many new players and moving parts but let’s leave it there. What matters right now is Milan is about to kickoff their new season and I, we, all couldn’t be happier. Let’s enjoy this game and the new season!
Forza Milan per sempre.
gillis