Another game in this busy window and more rotation but you wouldn’t know it by how well Milan played. Yes, it was vs recently-promoted Cagliari but in the recent past these games have stung Milan when Milan needed to rest starters. Not the case in this game and we got to see the fruits of a very busy summer.
Now, let’s dive into those ratings!
Player Ratings
Goal Keeping
SPORTIELLO 7 Not much he could do on the goal, so an otherwise solid game for the backup keeper. I just keep thinking, “thank god the Tata tree stump is gone”…
Goal Keeping Overall: 7
Defense
HERNÁNDEZ 7.5 Nice having Theo back out there causing havoc. Worked well with Pulisic and had some nice overlapping give-and-gos that used to be a staple with Leão. Got some rest at the end too, always good with the busy schedule
TOMORI 8 Another 8 rating from me but got there a little bit differently by adding in a goal on a well-drawn up corner. Did well in defense, yes even on the goal conceded as he was caught between two Cagliari players after Adli’s turnover and was at their mercy that close to goal
THIAW 7 Slightly better than last game. Wasn’t as reckless and seems to play better with Tomori. Most importantly, no yellows
FLORENZI 7 Didn’t stay as wide as I thought he would as Pioli is really liking tucking that RB in the middle when Milan gets forward. Still had some good crosses but I think would’ve had more impact staying wide and getting forward
Defense Overall: 7.5 On their heels out the gates as they scrambled a bit with all the Cagliari pressure. But, they got better as the game went on and only allowed a few weak shots on goal from a forward-charging Cagliari
Midfield
REIJNDERS 8.1 CO-MOTM I think this was his best game so far in the Milan shirt. He was where he needed to be, made key plays, and that touch to spring the breakaway for the first goal…*chef’s kiss*. He won’t get credit for the assist on that play but he should (it was basically a hockey assist!)
ADLI 7 The kid finally go a start and took advantage of it. Not perfect by any means, as it was his turnover on the edge of his own box that allowed Cagliari to score. But…but he showcased the things he can do well: pass, distribute, accuracy. And he showed some things he needs to work on: defensive movement, maybe some agility drills – homie is SLOW
LOFTUS-CHEEK 7.8 Lisi mentioned something about RLC not liking to play defense and that was very evident in this game BUT playing a minnow, I think it was the right approach. Gotta go less defensive both in lineup and mentality and that wonderful strike for the 3rd goal shows what a weapon he can be getting forward
Midfield Overall: 7.6 Stellar night for the midfield even with Adli’s defensive mistake. They all played important parts in facilitating the offense as different times and Cagliari struggled to keep up as the game went on despite their high effort
Forwards
PULISIC 8.1 Co-MOTM After some gametime off, Pulisic looked refreshed and was a frequent talisman over on the left. He stayed wide at times and worked those give-and-gos with Theo I mentioned above. He dropped deeper sometimes to receive the ball and worked with Reijnders and RLC to build up play. Other times he carried the ball into dangerous areas and set up teammates, including getting an assist on RLC’s goal and one could argue should have been credited with the assist on Okafor’s goal
OKAFOR 7.8 I really enjoyed watching him play. The goal to break the run of games without scoring was nice, as was his movement in and around the 18 yard box. Definitely very different than Giroud. But my favorite play was when, at some point in the first half, Cagliari won the ball back in a dangerous place in the midfield and Milan only had a couple of guys back. Who comes sprinting down the middle of the pitch, with speed to catch the Cagliari players ahead of him? Yep, it was Okafor. Loved it
CHUKWUEZE 6.5 Worst day among the starters. Was active and gave great effort, but just didn’t seem to be in sync with RLC like Pulisic when Pulisic is at RW (makes sense with their history). I do think he’s on the verge of erupting with a streak of goals here soon. You can see the talent…it’s coming. Watch
Forwards Overall: 7.5 Great overall. Excellent movement in the final third and were a threat all night
Subs
POBEGA 6.3 Another substitute appearance and Pioli seems to like what he brings in the 4-3-3. I didn’t think he anything special but didn’t have any costly mistakes either
MUSAH 6.6 Kid is showing what he’s capable of. I saw some more Kessie comparisons and his strength is very evident when he’s on the ball as opponents struggle to muscle him off. I think he’s pushing for a starting role by January
LEÃO 6 Is it safe to give Leão a, he played?…
ROMERO 6.2 Another debut in back-to-back games! Ok, maybe not his Serie A debut but it was still the kid’s Milan debut and that’s not nothing. Looked a little restrained but I think did well knowing what was being asked of him, which was to keep possession and get to the finish line
BERTESAGHI NA Another appearance and while this was just at the end to spell Theo, I still LOVED this move. It saves Theo AND gives the kid some much needed game experience
Subs Overall: 6.4 No complaints
Coaching
PIOLI 8.5 After a dud in the previous game, Pioli bounced back and made all the right decisions. Rested key players? Check. Right combination of player characteristics in the lineup? Check. Played aggressively? Check. Smart substitutions? Check. Might of been his best coaching effort of the season
Final Thoughts
Ok, I was definitely wordy up above so I’ll be relatively brief here…
The difference in depth between this squad and last season’s squad…and really the squad from the previous 3 seasons, is GIGANTIC. Last season Milan still won or earned at least a point in a majority of these matches vs bottom of the table teams but everything was labored. Usually Pioli would have to bring in the starters to try and salvage a point or get all three and it proved to be too tall of an order for that squad far too many times. It’s what ultimately cost them the Scudetto in my opinion.
There’s no such concern now. Milan was just as good as with who have been mostly starting so far and finally Milan can bring on players who can threaten the other team and not just rely on Leão. But it’s even more than that. Pioli can now deploy a team that can attack from every position on the pitch as evident by the goals they scored. First goal? From the left with Reijnders springing it, Pulisic taking on his man, and Okafor finishing. Second goal? Beautiful corner play drummed up and again it was Reijnders coming in, this time on the right, and whipping a ball across the front of goal and Tomori finished it off (Okafor could have too). And finally the third goal? Right up the middle with a beautiful shot from distance from RLC. Stuff of dreams right there.
Finally, I hope Pioli continues to play this aggressively vs the minnows and midtable teams. I don’t know if he starts Adli had Krunic not gotten injured and Bennacer still unavailable but he needs to. No need to play so defensive vs those sides who want to sit back or lack the firepower to make you pay. Milan were aggressive and withstood an eager and hard-working Cagliari side and did it with their backups (if they can be called that). Good stuff my friends. Good stuff.
Next up: Lazio on Saturday. Let’s take it to those fascists!
Forza Milan
gillis
