After a sluggish 25 minutes to start, Milan picked up the pace (mostly) and took home a deserved and expected 3 points. Milan clearly were the better team despite plenty of moments that left many of us wanting more from the team. But not every game is going to be perfect and you have to find a way to get the result needed regardless of the circumstance.
First, let’s go over the takeaways from the game then we can briefly discuss a theme I’ve been seeing, overall but amplified over these last few games.
Pulisic is continuing to have a run of form perhaps not seen since his one good season at Chelsea or maybe even not since his days at Dortmund. He continues to impose himself and regardless of position, makes consequential plays that impact the game. In the case of this game, that came from a gorgeous if unintentional (and somewhat lucky) olimpico. Milan was struggling to get a foothold of the game until this point and it was him again that released to team to start playing better football.
Reijnders also had a much needed solid performance, as he hadn’t really played well in over a month. While he was solid to start he really picked it up once RLC left despite technically staying back in the double pivot. He seemed to get more advanced and made smart runs into not necessarily open areas when he started his movement but where the open areas would be. The result? A well-earned brace.
Finally, Chukwueze built off of his solid performance over the weekend and came in with the same energy and playing with the confidence he seemed to lack to start the season. I’d still like to see him go to and use his right more but he’s doing enough to keep defenders from pigeonholing him into a one-dimensional player. Good things will come to him and Milan if can continue to do this.
With that part out of the way, I’d like to pivot briefly to squad selection and player and positional roles.
As loyal readers know, I have had a distaste for RLC since he’s pretty much gotten here. I mentioned previously that he’s the type of player that appears to have all the physical characteristics coaches want and crave…size, speed, technique…so coaches can’t help but play him. Yet, doesn’t seem to really contribute anything and in fact is usually a weight on the team’s performance. I think people are starting to understand why I’ve said this as the team routinely plays better and more cohesive football when he’s not on the pitch. In his case, it’s addition by subtraction.
The game over the weekend, vs Udinese, Milan came out hot with Leão and RLC both not starting and looked primed to have a massive day. Reijnder’s straight red put the kibosh on that but the signs were there. Then in this game, aside from Pulisic’s olimpico, Milan wasn’t exactly playing beautiful football or creating a ton of chances until Leão and RLC were subbed out. Within 10 minutes of these substitutions Milan scored 2 goals and had one marked off a bit later on.
I saw people here at the Fossa and on Twitter rightly assign some blame to RLC but Leão appeared to be the bigger target. Sure, he’s the star player and will draw more scrutiny but I’m telling you…again…Leão is not the one hindering the team. Yes, he can at times when he cuts inside too much (this has been compounded by not having a proper CAM), but it’s RLC who is making it seem like Milan is playing a man down when he’s in there.
Leão’s impact and RLC’s impact are being conflated into the same problem and I’m telling you the fault lies with RLC. Okafor has played well and you know I love my wingers to stay wide, but Leão can simply do things no one else on Milan’s roster can.
I want to see a game or two with Chukwueze-Pulisic-Leão in the line behind the striker, Fofana and Reijnders in the double pivot, and I GUARANTEE you will see beautiful and dangerous (in a good way) football. Even Leão’s tendency to want to go inside more than I’d like will be offset with Pulisic as the CAM and his understanding how to accommodate and compliment those types of movements. Hopefully Fonseca’s comments after this game are a sign he’s finally going to stick to this (Pulisic as the CAM) and RLC will go away and only be seen in late cameo appearances.
And now, ratings.
Player Ratings
Goal Keeping
Maignan 7.5 – Solid, especially early on. The goal wasn’t on him and with Club Brugge trying most of game to counter over the top, he was his usual aggressive self and disarmed all of those attempted attacks
Goal Keeping Overall 7.5
Defense
ROYAL 6.5 – Was more of a 5 or 6-type-of-effort the first 20 minutes as Club Brugge really targeted his side. But he settled in after that
GABBIA 6.5 – Solid, no complaints
TOMORI 6.5 – I’m torn on whether to blame him for being out of position on the lone conceded goal, as he was shifted over after having to help. Surely a teammate could’ve done more to help him after he shifted over
HERNÁNDEZ 7 – A very sound performance as he seemed to balance his defensive duties with his getting forward (probably helped Club Brugge seemed to want to attack Royal too)
Midfield
FOFANA 6.5 – Solid although I am noticing he doesn’t have the shooting touch Tonali or even Bennacer has. Lots of balls fired off into the stratosphere. Bonaventura would be proud
REIJNDERS 9 MOTM – While solid in the first half, was exquisite in the second. A brace and an assist that was marked off in those final 45 minutes…*chef’s kiss*
Midfield Overall 8
Forwards
PULISIC 8 – Maybe a tad high for some but he continues to be Milan’s best player. And the olimpico, which always need luck, was an absolute beaut
LOFTUS-CHEEK 5 – Piss off
LEÃO 7 – He’s still struggling to find his form but had some nice chances created. He’s close…I can feel it. Fonseca just has to get the guys around him right
MORATA 6.5 – Solid if unspectacular
Forwards Overall 7
Subs
OKAFOR 7 – Really good these past two games. With all these games until Christmas, he’s going to get his chances and the goals/assists will continue to come
CHUKWUEZE 7 – Solid again and is maybe, just maybe, starting to be that player that many of you have been high on. I know I want to see it as it allows Pulisic to play more as the CAM
MUSAH 6.5 – Solid, no complaints
CAMARDA 6 – Kid! No! Clearly offside but a gem of a marked-off header. And man, he’s really growing! Finally developing that man frame
THIAW NA – He played
Subs Overall 7
Coaching
FONSECA 6 – Loving his tactical flexibility and I’m growing into a fan of his team-oriented attacking approach rather than star-oriented (and he used all 5 subs!). But his love of RLC is sabotaging a lot of his work.
Render RLC to the back bench or at best a late game sub and a hot run of form will be in order. But build off of this, especially what Chukwueze is starting to allow you to do with Pulisic, get some wins especially the next couple vs Bologna and Napoli and Milan will be sitting prettier than many of us thought they could be before the next international break arrives
Final Thoughts
A much needed Champions League victory. With Real Madrid next in this competition, Milan can take whatever result comes in that and then take at least 9 out of 12 points in the remaining 4 Champions League games and that should be enough to reach the knockouts. A very plausible and doable goal.
Next up, Bologna on Saturday.
Forza Milan
gillis
