Wow! I know I have a big’ol plate of crow to eat…or maybe humble pie. Either way, Fonseca delivered a solid gameplan and the players executed it to perfection and many people, including myself, are left with egg on our faces (lots of food references here, huh?…well that’s just how the cookie crumbles I guess! 🥁).
There are a lot of tactics-based content out there that will have a field day with this one and I encourage you to seek those out in addition to us too, even if we don’t get super in the weeds here talking about triangles and whatnot. Truth be told, I just want to celebrate after the start of the season Milan has had, but let’s chat about a few things I found interesting.
The first was the formation. A viewer could have assumed Milan was in about 5 different formations depending on what minute they were watching and if Milan did or didn’t have the ball. Formations obviously change and morph in every game, for every team. Milan on this day was that but on steroids. Sometimes Milan had 3 at the back in a 3-5-2 or 3-4-3, sometimes they were in a 4-3-3, other times a 4-2-4 or a 4-1-4-1.
Either way, Fonseca managed to keep a few things consistent throughout the formational movement and changes. The first being the strong spine, the second was a loaded midfield, and third was an isolated left side that gave room to Leão (and Theo) to attack and wreck havoc on Real’s right side. Regardless of how everyone was positioned, these things seemed to stay consistent. It was like we were in this solid cross-shape all game and the Christian god himself approved!
The other piece was the squad selection. You all know this has been a pet peeve of mine during the Fonseca era but I was genuinely surprised and happy when the lineup dropped (I added a note at the bottom of the matchday post once the lineups were posted). I didn’t know exactly how everyone would be used/deployed but getting this part right allowed Fonseca to accomplish the things I mentioned above.
Don’t get me wrong, playing your most talented side is always my preferred approach but that mattered more today than normal. In selecting this squad he was able to remove the more rigid players, the players more suited to a particular system or role (RLC and Chukwueze, and even Calabria even though he just returned from injury) and this allowed a more seamless transition from one shape to the next, thus keeping Real guessing and unsure in how to attack or defend.
As for Leão, who is one of those more rigid players who fit best in a particular system/role, his presence in the lineup allowed Fonseca to have a focal point, a point of reference, AND he’s one of the most talented players in Europe. That type of talent does things to opponents and by isolating the left side, when Real sent bodies to stop him – and they did indeed to do that – Fonseca had overloads in the middle and on the right with reduced Real numbers in front of them. This generated a ton of opportunities for Milan and kept them dangerous regardless if the attack was coming from the left, right, or center and it was all game. How else did Milan score at the beginning (12th minute), in the middle (the 39th minute), and at the end (73rd minute). Consistent threat throughout the game.
Much like the Inter game, it was the perfect plan and near-perfect execution by Fonseca and Milan. I had to eat a lot of crow for this game but I don’t mind being wrong especially when that results in a spectacular win against one of, if not the best club team in the world, and in the premier club competition. Major kudos to Fonseca for pulling this off.
Now, ratings…
Player Ratings
Goal Keeping
MAIGNAN 9 Co-MOTM – Magic Mike was the UEFA Player of the game and shares it with Reijnders in this game for me. He had 9 saved (yes, 9) and on top of saving a couple of sure-fire goals, he was an asset in possession playing out the back. Fonseca likes the opponent to press Milan during buildup and surely that preference is because and/or strengthened by how good Maignan is with the ball as his feet
Goal Keeping Overall 9
Defense
ROYAL 6.5 – Usually if you give up a PK you’re at best a 6 for the game but he did play pretty well other than that (big asterisk, I know). Plus we all saw how bad it could’ve been with Calabria out there
THIAW 8 – I’ve been giving him solid scores along with solid in his rating commentary. But he’s been that and his and Tomori’s athleticism surely played a role in why they were selected to start. And his first goal! What a time and what a venue to do it in
TOMORI 7 – Good game and covered a lot of ground. I was absolutely floored with how Mbappe got past him on that one breakaway. Completely blew by him. Still, did what Fonseca needed him to do
HERNÁNDEZ 7 – Missed on a couple of final balls in the attacking third but was really good throughout the match
Overall Defense 7
Midfield
MUSAH 7.5 – I thought he provided the motor and intensity for the squad on the day. He’s doing everything pretty well and his athleticism and strength really allowed Fonseca to out-muscle Real’s midfield
FOFANA 7 – Solid. And dude is STRONG. Kept seeing Real players try to muscle him and it never worked
REIJNDERS 9 Co-MOTM – Dude is absolutely on fire and co-MOTM with Maignan. Doing everything right and playing more advanced is definitely his role. Even when he’s in the double pivot he can make the runs that Kessie/Bennacer/Tonali used to make and let Fofana just be the DM. And the goal…I mentioned it in the comment section, hell of a job getting the ball out from under his feet on his goal. Cool and calm
Midfield Overall 8
Forwards
PULISIC 8 – Another assist and could’ve had another with a better pass to Leão on a breakaway or could have also probably kept it himself for a good opportunity on goal. Still, he continues to be a massive part of this Milan side
MORATA 8 – Loved the effort and passion. Always working his ass off, occupying the CBs. And his goal was a byproduct of that. Hustled his way to a tap in that regained Milan’s lead right before the half. Big play by the Spaniard
LEÃO 8 – THIS IS WHY HE NEEDS TO PLAY. Was a threat all game and with Fonseca’s Leão-iso gameplan, played it to near perfection. Just kept drawing guys to his side and blew past some of the best talent in Europe
Forwards Overall 8
Subs
LOFTUS-CHEEK 6 – No complaints. Was fine as a replacement helping to hold onto a lead. Could’ve done WAY better on this goal opportunity
ABRAHAM 6 – Loved seeing Tammy back. Love his passion and work rate. Hope to see him starting this weekend
OKAFOR 6 – Solid, no complaints
CALABRIA NA – Yikes. Was nowhere near Vinicius at any point in his cameo
PAVLOVIC NA – He played
Subs Overall 6
Coaching
FONSECA 10 – Yes. A 10. You go into the Bernabéu and thoroughly whoop the reigning Champions League and La Liga champion’s ass, lead by legendary Carlo Ancelotti, you get to be king for a day.
I gave a lot of the intro to Fonseca’s decisions in this game so let me say here that he has a chance to do something this season but he needs to get out of his own way. Milan doesn’t win this game without Leão in my opinion. Play him, Fonseca. Utilize his skills like you did in this game. Trust your eyes to see that an RLC-less lineup plays more fluid football. Play Musah more. Continue to lean on Pulisic for creativity, keep building Chukwueze’s confidence, and help the backline regain their form.
I’ve seen multiple people in the chat of the matchday post say this team is built for cup football. Good! We want that! But Serie A is either underperforming or is the product of solid parity, but however you see it it’s there to taken as well. Milan is deep enough to win the Scudetto and make some noise in Europe
Final Thoughts
Alright! What a lovefest that was! Love me some Fonseca! #IFIT!
Ok, I’m not quite there yet but this season can still be something. Let’s keep it going this weekend before the international break.
Next up, at Cagliari on Saturday.
Forza Milan
gillis
