Milan got the job done but it definitely took longer…and was closer than I think we all wanted. The team looked better than it did vs Feyenoord midweek, but the team still needs to figure out how it wants to go about things, where players need to be, and how aggressive they should be attacking. These are all important things to figure out while continuing to find a way to get all 3 points.
As usual, we’ve dive into some of the game details and I’ll share my thoughts, do a quick wrap up of what happened in the league, and then of course player ratings. Let’s go.
Conceição decided to come out of the gates by resting both Rafael Leão and Christian Pulisic. I would’ve preferred they start but Leão has been nursing a sore ankle and Pulisic labored around a lot midweek at Feyenoord. Conceição did start João Felix and Giménez so there were still some attacking threat, and Sottil got his first start at LW and did fine. He’s not Leão or Pulisic but he did a serviceable job.
A lot of the chatter after the loss at Feyenoord was about Conceição going too offensive and needed more of a midfield presence, or at least fewer attacking players (options were limited with Musah out on a red and Jimenez not part of the Champions League squad, but you know…people gonna talk). I made it clear where I stood on that thought in both the Feyenoord post match, and in the matchday post for this game, but in short I didn’t think it was a problem nor why Milan struggled midweek.
Annnnd I was more and less proven right. In the first half of this game, with a less razzle-dazzle lineup, Milan still struggled and couldn’t muster a lot of great opportunities. In essence it was the same problem we’ve been seeing in general but also magnified since the new winter acquisitions. The team is still learning to play under Conceição and what he wants them to do, but now they have to try and adjust and accommodate the new players on top of that. This is going to take some time.
But guess what?! We started to see the improvement as the second half wore on and as more and more of the starters came on. And when did Milan look the best? There was an improvement with Leão coming after halftime but really settled in after Pulisic came on around the 68th minute. Now we should acknowledge that at this point those Fab Four players – Leão, Pulisic, Felix, and Gimenez – were all on the pitch together and Milan looked as deadly as they had all game. The same four many people insisted shouldn’t play together at the same time.
On top of the more technically skilled offensive players coming on, the movement around the 18 yard box was MUCH better. Milan, yes had a sense of urgency as the game wore on knowing they needed to score, but what they were trying to do resembled a more dynamic attack. Milan had already upped the number of crosses before halftime but they continued to attack from different angles and different approaches. There were a lot more guys making runs and not trying to dribble through or just standing around. Guys were moving, creating lanes, and making darting and diagonal runs. Had they been doing that all game I think we would’ve gotten that more comfortable win we were all hoping for this game.
The goal that did finally arrive, had everything we want to see from these dynamic players. Jimenez, playing at RB, was aggressively venturing forward and became that extra unmarked guy. He gave it to Leão as he carried it centrally, Leão took it and carried it left. Felix, sensing he needed to provide some space, backed up and decluttered the area and Leão turned and passed it back to Jimenez. Leão continued his run and Jimenez hit a beautifully lofted ball, Leão first-timed it off the side of this boot and found a wide open Giménez for the goal. It was about as pretty a play as we’ve seen this season. Clearly these types of goals don’t happen every game but if Milan can continue to attack like this, I think we won’t have to wait for a 75th minute winner every game.
None of this is lost on me that this was against Hellas Verona, a team struggling to give themselves some distance from the relegation zone. It’s also not lost on me that Serie A, always a dogfight, is even more so this season. It’s a league were Atalanta can drop 5 on the road against this very Hellas Verona team last round and then draw 0-0 at home to Cagliari this round.
The other thing I’m taking away from this is that Milan showed improvement against a low block. A lot of this improvement didn’t manifest in goals, but what the team was trying to do and how they progressed as the game wore on are all positive takeaways and we should see some fruits from these changes if they stick to them. They’re going to get another chance tomorrow.
What Happened in Serie A
Napoli (1st) has now dropped points in three consecutive games, drawing 2-2 to Lazio (5th). Napoli, a team with 12 clean sheets in the league, haven’t been able to keep one in their last 5 games. Conte-ball is premised on a slightly less terrible version for spectators of catenaccio, so they’re going to have to get back to their regressive games if they want to hold onto their Scudetto dreams.
Inter (2nd) lost 1-0 to Juventus (4th) on a 74th minute winner from…wait for it…Conceição. Yes, the offspring of our beloved Sérgio Conceição bagged the deciding goal and at this point the Conceição name is probably making Inter fans sick. While I would’ve preferred both teams dropped points, never a bad day when Inter loses.
As mentioned in the editorial, Atalanta (3rd) missed a great opportunity and drew with Cagliari (14th) 0-0. Atalanta is still just 5 points back of first but they could’ve been tied with Inter on 54 points and just 2 points back. Surely they are kicking themselves for not finding a way, especially at home. Fiorentina (6th), the last team currently holding down a European spot, also dropped points, losing 2-0 to Como (13th). Fiorentina now have back to back defeats and have just 3 wins in their last 12 across all competitions (11 in the league). In the end, this was a mostly good week for Milan with only one team in front of them taking all 3 points.
Bologna (8th) got back to some winning ways, beating Torino (12th) 3-2 on a very late own goal. A bit fortuitous, sure, but you need that sometimes. Roma (9th) continue to grind out results, beating Parma (18th) 1-0. The slow and steady climb may not be enough to catch anyone for a European spot but they’re sure making it interesting. Tip of the hat to Claudio Ranieri, as he’s been able to steady a ship that 2 previous coaches couldn’t this season.
Udinese (10th) beat Empoli (17th) 3-0, continuing Empoli’s terrible run of form. Empoli have earned just 2 points out of their last 30. You read that right. Yikes. Also, Genoa (11th) beat Venezia (19th) 2-0 today to finish the round.
Finally, Lecce (15th) drew 0-0 with Monza (20th) in what I’m sure they’re considering a missed opportunity. A win could’ve taken Lecce 7 points clear of relegation (and up to 13th). Monza continues to NOT Monza-ing despite Nesta’s return to the sideline.
Now, ratings.
Player Ratings
Goal Keeping
MAIGNAN 7.5 – Really nice bounce back game. True, not a ton of shots faced but attacked well and did all his usual sweeper stuff.
Goal Keeping Overall 7.5
Defense
WALKER 7 – Solid. Got pulled at halftime in what I think was a maintenance move.
GABBIA 7 – First start since the blunder at Dinamo. Stayed back more with Thiaw being the more aggressive one. It was a nice pairing and Milan really do have 4 solid options right now to choose from at CB.
THIAW 7.5 – Wow. Had more than a few really good runs and through balls. Played pretty good defense too. If he can add that through ball vision to his already decent long balls, might end being the best passer of the CB lot.
HERNÁNDEZ 7 – Solid
Defense Overall 7
Midfield
FOFANA 6.5 – Been a little invisible since sitting out due to accumulation. Could be really tired, too.
REIJNDERS 7 – Had a wonderful attempt on goal, arguably the best chance Milan had until the subs came on. He was more involved than we’ve seen him at times under Conceição but not quite all the way back to early season form.
Midfield Overall 7
Forwards
MUSAH 6.5 – Love the motor. Runs for days. Showed a couple of times why we don’t necessarily want him in the more advanced positions. Why? Well, aside from Reijnder’s attempt from distance, the other best chance of the first half fell to him and…umm…it was no bueno.
FELIX 7 – Better movement when in possession compared to last game. Was still mostly central but seemed to read where everyone was better. Good things will come, gotta keep putting him out there.
SOTTIL 6.5 – I really liked what he gave. It was simple but provided Milan with the basics at the wing position. He stayed wide, worked hard, and whipped in a few crosses.
GIMÉNEZ 7.5 – Still not where I think he needs to spend a majority of his time, but better than midweek. Of course made the smart run and got into position for the simple header. Now has 2 goals in his first 2 Serie A games, becoming just the 3rd Milan player to do that. The other 2? Pulisic and Shevchenko. Not bad company.
Forwards Overall 7
Subs
JIMENEZ 7 – Great energy and I loved him going in as the RB. And the pass before the pass that led to the goal was all him. Beautifully done. Worthy of the hockey assist moniker.
LEÃO 7.5 – Just continues to produce. I know many of you saw but if you didn’t, no other player has more assists in Serie A the last 5 seasons than him. Special player.
PULISIC 6.5 – Didn’t do anything specific but his movement continues to be something that is missing when he isn’t out there. Unsurprising to me when Milan scored less than 10 minutes after he entered.
ABRAHAM NA – He played.
TERRACCIANO NA – He played AND had a couple of well-timed challenges in his limited minutes.
Subs Overall 7
Coaching
CONCEIÇÃO 7 – Grinding out more games than I’d like but he’s finding points more times than not. The team is playing better and more importantly, continuing to improve. I love that he stuck with Felix as the CAM and in the end, managed the wear and tear on Leão and Pulisic and still got all 3 points. He’s been a little unlucky in Champions League with Gabbia and Maignan’s howlers and Musah’s dumb red, but needs to find a way tomorrow.
Personally the league is more important to me, but the money gained from advancing is clearly important. I would love for them to get through and then whatever happens in the Champions League after that, happens. More about this and what I hope to see tomorrow.
Final Thoughts
As we wrap up, one last thing I wanted to acknowledge was the 4th kit Milan wore for this game. I didn’t love it but didn’t hate it either. What I did love was the inspiration for it which was Black History Month and the Pan-African colors. We couldn’t see it, but the inside of the collar had the number 63 on it, symbolizing 1963, the year of Milan’s first European Cup trophy and Martin Luther King Jr.’s I Have a Dream speech.
Everyone has their favorite kit makers and maybe it’s Puma and maybe it’s not, but I think we can all respect how much thought they put into their Milan kits, whether it’s the awesome 125th anniversary throwback kits or the DNA sequencing embedded in the red of this season’s kit, or the previous season’s 4th kit inspired by the Duomo church in Milan. I love supporting and being affiliated with such an historic club. It’s pretty awesome.
Forza Milan.
gillis
