A little dicey at times but Milan did what they needed to and took home all 3 points. There was some good, some less good, a little bad, but mostly a gritty performance to move Milan into the top 8 in Champions League with one matchday left and have already punched a ticket to the knockout rounds. This win also allows Milan to control their own fate as a win against Dinamo Zagreb next week would see Milan finish at worst 6th in the Champions League table and earn a bye in the first knockout round. In what has been an up and down season, this is surely one of the bright spots.
We’re not going to go over everything but I think there are some things worth pointing out. For instance, that’s now 4 wins and a draw in 6 games for Conceição across all competitions. Not a bad start considering how little time he had when he first took the job and having to play a game every 3-4 days. I’ve brought this up a few times because I don’t know that it’s appreciated how uphill a challenge this was and is to take on for a new coach. All things being equal, I’m quite happy with what I’ve seen so far.
Under Conceição, Milan has reverted back to a Leão-centric attack. No, this doesn’t mean everything goes through him but it means he’s the point of reference for the team. I think there’s no better example of it then when Bennacer challenged for the ball, won it, and immediately looked for and found Leão in an advantageous position. Yes, there were some Girona players, but Leão had the ball and some space between him and the defenders and a little bit of space to run forward. It’s exactly the situation you want him in. Quick aside, love the picture above. Girona had 3 guys charging at him and he froze all of them enough to get the angle and blast a bullet into the top netting. Top class.
Other positives from the match was a great game from Mike Maignan and some glimpses of the old Bennacer. Maignan in particular played well and had 2 world class saves. It was a nice bounce back effort after a couple of subpar performances. Bennacer, for his part, took advantage of the openness of the game, something I didn’t anticipate considering Girona had had three 1-0 defeats in Champions League. But the non-Calcio opponent proved to be a suave for him without the tactically difficultly of simply finding room and space in Serie A to do much of anything.
On the less positive side, both strikers missed decent opportunities and while I’ve been happier with them than a lot of people, in Champions League those types of missed opportunities can really come back to bite you. Speaking of missed opportunities, Theo CLEARLY needed to, at the minimum, put that opportunity on target in the second half if not outright score. Still, it’s quite comical to see the hot takes about Theo on social media as if Theo hasn’t been a big reason why Milan has played better since Conceição took over. Are you telling me there isn’t someplace in between he needs to do better there and he’s a fat f**king bum or get him out of my club? Clown stuff.
Overall, I’m seeing progress with the team and there’s a fight and happiness the team has, seemingly for the first time this season. Some players are returning (Pulisic in this game, Okafor trained today with the team), and even a modest reinforcement (Kyle Walker had his physical today, announcement likely tomorrow). For those of you expecting more reinforcements, don’t. Perhaps another modest signing for depth but nothing to write home about. But that’s ok. Milan has enough talent to get back into the top 4 and maybe knock off a team or two in the Champions League knockouts but they got to get healthy.
Now, ratings.
Player Ratings
Goal Keeping
MAIGNAN 8.5 Co-MOTM – Great game from Magic Mike. I looked at the xGOT number, as I’m curious how these things get scored, and he faced an xGOT of 1.28. Seems about right. Definitely kept this game from getting complicated.
Goal Keeping Overall 8.5
Defense
ROYAL NA – His hamstring exploded 4 minutes into the game and down went his chances at being moved this winter mercato. 100% pulled a Bennacer.
GABBIA 7 – Quietly solid.
PAVLOVIC 7.5 – Was really good! Loved the passion and emotion he showed. More importantly, didn’t make any costly errors. He has an opportunity now to get some minutes with Thiaw recovering and at least on this day he made the most of it.
HERNÁNDEZ 7 – I thought he was really good except in front of goal. Which really sucks. I’m sure he wishes he could have a couple of those back. I know I do. But he’s getting those opportunities more consistently now and he’s been good more times than not.
Overall Defense 7
Midfield
BENNACER 7.5 – Best game since returning from injury. As mentioned in the intro, the non-Calcio opponent surely helped as he had more room to maneuver and run with the ball. Was obviously really good on the challenge/interception of the ball as Girona tried to counter and placed a nice ball to Leão in space to assist on the only goal of the game. Bravo.
FOFANA 7.5 – Definitely taking more of a defensive posture under Conceição but after a slow-ish start he’s really starting to dominate again like earlier in the season. Would still love to see him get a little more involved offensively but this is a nice consolation prize as he figures that part out.
Midfield Overall 7.5
Forwards
MUSAH 7 – Really good game. Dude ran and ran and ran in what turned out to be a very open game. I would’ve been ok had he tried to score from that tight angle with a defender bearing down on him but I was ok with him squaring it too. There just wasn’t really anyone there. Then he damn near hit the perfect shot to get his first Milan goal. Still, great game after I criticized his lack of winger-skills last game, which were markedly better this game.
REIJNDERS 6.5 – Still in a slump. Not sure if it’s intentional or not but he’s definitely not making as many runs into the box as he was under Fonseca. Maybe would play better back in the double pivot under Conceição and have Pulisic at the CAM.
LEÃO 8.5 – That goal was a beaut. Absolutely froze the Girona defenders, particularly the one closest to him, with the feign and drag of the ball across his body and then just absolutely smashed it with the force to take the keeper’s head off had he gotten it in the way. Love seeing him as the focal point again.
MORATA 6 – Quiet now for the second straight game. Abraham didn’t light the world on fire when he came in but I’m wondering if just a little bit of rest might do him some good.
Forwards Overall 7
Subs
CALABRIA 7 – You know what? He did ok. Well even. Like truly. No caveats. See, I can say nice things about him.
ABRAHAM 6 – Back to back quiet outings. Like Morata, was a bit wasteful with the opportunities he did get. I still think he needs to start more often and his teammates need to involve him more. He’s a good, smart player.
TERRACCIANO 6 – Did his job.
PULISIC 6 – Don’t know that we would’ve seen him if Milan could have mustered a second goal. And truth be told I was a bit nervous seeing him as I want him fully healthy…but it’s nice to see him come on and know that he’s capable of a little magic had Milan needed it.
Subs Overall 6
Coaching
CONCEIÇÃO 7 – Another 7 for me. Solid game plan and while I don’t know if they game planned for a more defensive Girona, they sure handled a more aggressive Girona nonetheless. Yes, Girona could’ve done more with their opportunities, and yes Gil almost had a wonder goal that would’ve tied it had he not been a toe offside. But these are the breaks, good and bad, that a coach has to endure and overall he’s making progress and the team is showing some grit. The score notwithstanding, it was a nice bounce back after the dreadful opening to the second half vs Juventus last game.
If I have one complaint, and I had it with Fonseca too, and that’s that I want to see him use all 5 of his subs. The team is thin and even shaving 10 minutes off the legs of Leão, Theo, Fofana, or Reijnders here and there will add up and go a long way. There’s just too many games in close succession that there’s no way the extra rest wouldn’t be helpful.
Final Thoughts
Maybe it’s the baseball fan in me but I don’t lose my head at set backs or dropped points, not that there were any here. The soccer/football season doesn’t have as many games, but it is a long season and overall consistent performance is what you’re after. As a baseball fan, with a 162 game season, I’m taking the season in 5 game chunks, hoping my team wins about 3 out 5 on average, as that will get them into the playoffs and with a little luck the best record in baseball.
For Milan, I want about a 2 point per game average. Do that and you’ll have a successful season. Do just a little better and you’ll challenge for trophies. Conceição is exactly on a 2 point per game average right now even if not all the games counted towards the league. He keeps this up and we’ll all be very happy at the end of the season considering how the first half went.
Next up: Parma. Time for some payback.
Forza Milan
gillis
