Big 3 points this week. I know it’s big because of the 11 teams below Milan in the table entering round 28, 10 of them dropped points. You read that right. Oh and one of the two teams above them, the one Milan could realistically catch, dropped points as well. Here’s how the teams did and their table positions entering round 28:
1. Inter – Win
2. Juventus – Draw
3. Milan – Win
4. Bologna – Loss
5. Roma – Draw
6. Atalanta – Draw
7. Napoli – Draw
8. Fiorentina – Draw
9. Lazio – Loss
10. Torino – Draw
11. Monza – Win
12. Genoa – Loss
13. Lecce – Loss
14. Empoli – Loss
15. Udinese – Win
16. Frosinone – Loss
17. Hellas Verona – Win
18. Cagliari – Win
19. Sassuolo – Win
20. Salernitana – Loss
That is pretty crazy AND welcomed. More importantly, I think this points to a big picture item and it’s something Lisi and I will very likely talk about next week during the international break when we have more time, but that’s Pioli and what he’s been able to accomplish. And no, this isn’t other teams bailing out Pioli. This is what every season is: a battle. One Milan and Pioli have been on the right side of since the start of the 2020-21 season and counting.
Football/soccer seasons are a slog. They’re long and grueling. Usually you face a bad run of form, injuries, other distractions in the form of transfers and unhappy players. Milan have faced all of these, like most teams, and today, after round 28 they are in 2nd place. In fact, baring some unforeseen circumstance, they’ve nearly cliched another year of Champions League, arguably the most important seasonal goal.
So, take a second and enjoy what Milan has been able to pull off not just this season but in the last 3+ seasons. Milan went through the worst injury crisis for sure in Italy, probably in all of Europe, and yet here they stand potentially achieving another 80+ point season, which is always an achievement in Italy (this is a Lisi quote by the way, and our Nonno knows a thing or two about a thing or two).
Now, onto ratings…
Player Ratings
Goal Keeping
MAIGNAN 7 – Not a lot of action, or at least not a lot of threatening action. Funny, this was like the only pic of him I could find and he’s about as unbothered in the photo walking through the tunnel as he was in the game. Still, wouldn’t mind seeing a string of these shutouts and while that’s a team effort, I’d like him to get into form
Goal Keeping Overall 7
Defense
HERNÁNDEZ 7.2 – Quiet. Not bad, just…quiet. Still, when he makes those darting runs out from the back, it’s such a weapon to get out from under pressure and get the numbers in your favor getting forward
TOMORI 7.5 – First start since returning and picked up right where he left off. Calm and in control. My favorite thing? Seeing the speed return to the backline and the CBs specifically
THIAW 7.2 – Played well. I know he had that one play where he tried to position himself to get some time to clear it, it ricocheted off the Empoli player’s outstretched boot, hit off of Thiaw’s face, and landed nicely for the Empoli to turn and face the goal in a dangerous position. Some people griped about this but it was just bad luck. I’m guessing 95/100 times that ball is booted down the pitch or goes straight out of bounds for a goal kick. I think people are looking for a reason to complain about him. He’s fine
CALABRIA 6.8 – Was fine defensively (Empoli’s lack of a threat helped), but man was bad getting forward. It’s games like this, especially after getting quality Florenzi performances of late, that makes me eager for the day when he’s moved on to a midtable squad
Defense Overall 7.5
Midfield
BENNACER 7.5 – Loved the pairing and I want to see him and Reijnders finishing out the season starting most games. Bennacer being able to move around is the best version and when paired with Adli I just don’t think he quite knows where to be knowing that Adli needs space to operate but also defensive cover
REIJNDERS 7.5 – After sitting for a few games while Pioli rode the Adli hot hand after having to sit for accumulation, Reijnders is back to starting and has looked good the last two games, both starts. He got a goal in the game before vs Slavia Prague and was dangerous in this game as well. All in all, I loved how him and Bennacer closed the gap we’d been seeing between the defense and the attack and helped position RLC better to help contribute around the midfield
LOFTUS-CHEEK 7 – Played well but still somewhat disconnected from the buildup, and playing as CAM that bugs me a little. He has been better defensively the last couple of games and of course his best asset is making runs into the box and making himself available, which led to a blistering shot on goal that was parried away by the keeper
Midfield Overall 7.3
Forwards
OKAFOR 7.5 – Some nice runs and was generally involved in buildup and made some dangerous runs in the box and almost got on the scoresheet a couple of times. Oh, had the Leão-esque run down the left and cut it back across to find Pulisic for the game’s only goal. Solid day for the Swiss international
PULISIC 8 MOTM – Wasn’t lights out good but had about 4 quality and dangerous balls into the box in the first 20-25 minutes, had a blistering shot on goal, and then oddly enough gets a fortuitous deflection on a very average strike that was headed straight at the keeper. Sometimes that’s how the cookie crumbles
JOVIC 6.2 – Worst guy on the pitch for Milan, probably in general but definitely out of all the starters. Feels like the straight red from a few weeks back sucked the air out of him after playing well and contributing. Needs to find that scoring form again as Milan will have a lot of games to close out the season
Forwards Overall 7.3
Subs
KALULU 6.5 – My boy is back and I couldn’t be happier. I wouldn’t mind seeing him at RB so we can gradually move on from Calabria but came in at CB and played well if a little innocuous
MUSAH 6.5 – Solid controlling the ball late and taking time off the clock. Dude’s got that Kessie strength
CHUKWUEZE 6 – This is going to sound harsh but I’m over him. Ruined two great chances because he has zero right foot. Need to move on from Bizarro Kvaratskhelia
GIROUD 6.3 – Was fine
ADLI NA – He played
Subs Overall 6.4
Coaching
PIOLI 7.5 – A little high? Maybe. But with focusing on Europa League midweek last week and again this upcoming week (which is way he rested Leão), this could’ve been a trap game. In fact it had all the signs of a trap game: at home vs a hot but sniffing relegation side on top of the considerations just mentioned? Oh, did I mention all the dropped points by 10 of the 11 teams behind Milan and Juventus who was one point ahead? Not every game is going to be pretty and being able to win 1-0 (like Milan did vs Napoli and now Empoli of late) and win high scoring messy games like vs Slavia Prague, is vital to having a successful season. Throw in getting all 3 points while giving Leão the full day off and this is a win-win-win
Final Thoughts
As you can tell, I’m happy with where Milan is at the moment. Players are returning from injury and they have a chance to make a deep run in Europa and finish second to a hot Inter squad that money can’t buy…because they can’t. Like literally. They have due a €350m-450m payment at the end of May to Oaktree and are going to default. They are winning with a team they literally can’t afford (but we’ll save this for later…).
Next up: traveling to Slavia Prague this Thursday for the second leg of the round of 16 tie up, with Milan up 4-2.
Forza Milan
gillis
