Milan v Frosinone

TIME/LOCATION

TIME: 2:45pm EST/7:45pm GMT

PLACE: San Siro, Milano

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:

Ok, first off, I didn’t get a chance to recap the Champions League game so let me do that here. I wasn’t going to say much in that post-match, and I’ll say even less here.

In general, the game turned on the Thiaw injury. It was clear as day. Before the injury I’d say the team showed some fight and overall I would say they playing at about a 7, maybe 7.5 rating. After the Thiaw injury, it was very similar to the Napoli game where it was difficult to really rate anyone because everyone was scrambling due to Krunic coming in as the CB. He didn’t know where to go, so other players didn’t know how to move and cover space, and the last 35min speak for themselves. This doesn’t mean the players are blameless, and I can cover that at some other time, but injuries are devastating this team and that’s really the main story.

As for this game, injuries are again the concern and it’s still with the CBs. Milan come into this match with one – yes, ONE – healthy CB from the opening day roster. Reports are that Thiaw tore his hamstring and could be out 2 months. I even saw some rumors that he might need surgery and if so that probably jeopardizes his season. Kjær is still out for…reasons…and we know Kalulu is out until February. Gabbia, who was loaned out to Villareal, could be recalled in January, but that feels a long time away and besides, won’t help for this game.

So, Simic has been called up from the Primavera and just might start. I know I’d probably give him the nod over the other options. What are the other options? Well, rumors from the last couple of days are that Theo might get tucked into LCB and Florenzi start at LB, with Tomori sliding over to RCB. Not bad, I guess. This wasn’t talked about but if you’re going to tuck a LB in at LCB then put in Bartesaghi, as he’s 6’2-ish”, or about as tall as Thiaw or Giroud. Then there’s always trying Krunic there again after some days of practice and preparation.

Regardless of what Pioli does regarding the lineup, just as consequential will be how he decides to play. Will he stay aggressive? Will he sit back? A little bit of both? Frosinone, who I’ve only seen a little of, like to run and play open football. This means they can get one by you, especially with a makeshift CB-pairing, but it also means they get scored on pretty regularly and they have the 5th worst defense in the league. 

Chukwueze showed some life and skill last game vs Dortmund and I wouldn’t mind seeing him bag another and really get going. Pulisic and RLC should also find space and room to score and I wouldn’t even be surprised to see everyone’s whipping boy, Jovic, get on the scoresheet (Giroud is still suspended).

Overall, I think we likely see a pretty open game and it could be one of the 2-2, 3-2 games by the time the final whistle blows. Let’s hope Pioli has enough magic to claw out all 3 points and keep Milan contending for the Scudetto. 

Forza Milan

gillis

*Lineups are updated. Looks like Theo as the LCB and Tomori slots over to RCB and Florenzi at LB. RLC is going to be the only tall outfield player for Milan so he’ll need to have a big presence on corners and when Milan is backed up defending. Also, I don’t know why FotMob continues to show Milan in a 4-3-3. Clearly they’ve been in a 4-2-3-1 with RLC as the CAM and Reijnders and Musah in the double pivot