Wait, do we have a good team? It’s starting to look like it. After conceding 2 goals in the league opener, Milan have run off 3 straight clean sheets and 4 out of 5 games across all competitions. It hasn’t been boring-ass Allegri-ball either, as Milan have scored 9 goals in those 5 games and probably should have more with better finishing. But Milan is looking good and there’s a couple of things worth talking about, so let’s dive in.
The standout performance was easily Christian Pulisic. We all saw during the preseason that he seemed determined to score and get on the scoresheet and that determination has carried over into the regular season. He’s now scored 4 goals after the brace in this game, on top of logging his first assist of the season. He currently has 5 g/a in 5 games across all competitions and it’s been awhile since we had an attacker start off this hot. One more thing, he’s only started 3 of the 5 games, and has only played 258 minutes, meaning he’s scoring or assisting every 51 minutes. Crazy pace.
One more thing before we move to other items in this game I wanted to cover, and that’s that for a team short on attackers even at full health, the timing of Pulisic’s run of form is really crucial if a Scudetto run is in the cards this season. The slip up in round 1 was costly to be sure, although those games happen during a season. What is different, especially compared to last season, is that Milan has bounced back nicely and is within striking distance for when other top performing teams slip up, like Juve this past round. Milan was in 10th after 4 league games last season, 5 points back and had conceded 6 goals already. They’re 3 points back now and have only conceded 2 while only scoring 2 less goals than last season. Surely this formula is more apt to keep Milan in the top 4 and in the running for the Scudetto to the end.
I really liked how well Saelemakers and Estupiñan played, keeping play in the middle of the pitch and making smart runs forward. Never once did I think they were out of position and that tells me there were reading the game properly. I, like many of you, have been impressed with Saelemaekers this season, although I think the formation is helping him thrive on top of his improved game as a wingback position plays to his strengths. Estupiñan on the other hand, being the new guy, I’m really surprised with how well he’s played so quickly for Milan. Spending time in La Liga and the EPL and being a productive player has, in hindsight, been an indicator of a smart player, able to adapt. Good business move by Gerry & Co. Yes, that was hard to say.
Other things I liked, as you know, we’re getting RLC off the pitch. I know it was partially because Pulisic took his spot in the forward 2 but he would’ve moved back into the midfield 3 if it wasn’t for Rabiot. Rabiot is more of that carbon copy if a coach wants a big physical presence in the midfield but he’s been a million times better than RLC has ever been as a Rossonero. Even better is that Rabiot has been one of the better players on the pitch for Milan since he debut. All of his Serie A experience, along with that experience under Allegri and knowing his philosophies, has really helped the team. Look at me, complimenting Rabiot! What the hell is going on?…
I also mentioned in the matchday that I would’ve preferred Ricci in for Fofana, and all things being equal, I still stand by that as my preference. But to his credit, Fofana has been better this season, especially his shooting (he hasn’t hit one to the 46th row yet) and that showed itself with his first real goal for Milan. Last season he got a goal after a ricochet and it went off his knee. I don’t count that as a shot! One last thing here, that pic of him above…looks like someone did a bad photoshop job, LOL.
So here we are, Milan thriving right before a midweek test followed by a tough one over the weekend hosting Napoli. Without many short weeks before games, this is not the best timing but it’s not exactly rosy for Napoli either, as they have a Champions League fixture 3 days after their match against Milan. With them currently in 1st place in the league, winning 4 out of 4 so far as dicey as they have been, they do have a little bit of wiggle room sitting 2 points over Juventus and 3 points over Milan and Roma. Still, would be a massive win for Milan after struggling to beat many top 7 sides last season.
Now, let’s talk about the rest of the league.
What Happened in Serie A
We’re 4 rounds in. Things are taking shape.
Napoli (1st) beat Pisa (19th) 3-2 in Napoli. A bit closer than many expected and this is Napoli’s second tight 1-goal win in 4 league games. I’m wondering how this type of game might turn out later in the season once some fixtures have piled up…
Juventus (2nd) dropped points, drawing 1-1 away at Hellas Verona (15th). Juve had been winning some thrillers to start the season but they couldn’t get the winning goal even as they pressed late. Roma (4th) got their 3rd win in 4, beating Lazio 1-0 in the Rome Derby. Odd stat for Roma: all 4 games have been 1-0 score lines, with Roma winning 3 of them and losing 1. Odd.
Atalanta (5th) has bounced back in the league after 2 draws to start, and a 4-0 drubbing by PSG this past week, to win 2 straight after a 3-0 win over Torino (12th). After scoring just 2 goals in the first 2 games, Atalanta have scored 7 in their last 2 and seem like things are starting to click under new head coach Ivan Jurić.
Cremonese (6th) continue to cool down after that hot start, drawing their second consecutive game 0-0, this time vs Parma (18th). Conversely, Cagliari (7th) continue their solid form, beating Lecce (20th) 2-1. They have 2 wins and a draw in 4 and are setting themselves up for a no-relegation drama season…if they can keep it up.
Como (8th) got a late extra time winner over Fiorentina (17th) to win 2-1. Como is fighting to meet their high expectations after a busy summer, and Pioli is once again coming out of the gates slow. He probably needs to get going here soon or the press will start bearing down (I believe in you, Pioli! #IPIT!).
Inter (10th) bounced back in the league (and built off of a midweek Champions League win over Ajax) after dropping 2 straight, beating Sassuolo (14th) 2-1. Finally, Bologna (11th) bounced back after the loss vs Milan, beating Genoa (16th) by the same score line, 2-1.
Now, ratings.
Player Ratings
Goal Keeping
TERRACCIANO 6.5 – Could’ve kept the warm up jersey on. Udinese got off the most shots on goal to this point this season, perhaps unsurprising being down 3-0 for most of the second half, but only mustered a 0.34 xG, so most shots weren’t threatening.
Goal Keeping Overall 6.5
Defense
TOMORI 7 – Solid again. At what point do his doubters convert?…
GABBIA 7.5 – Best game of the season! Maybe the captain arm’s band suits him!
PAVLOVIĆ 7 – Best game since the Coppa game vs Bari. He needed it. He hasn’t been bad but Tomori and Gabbia have been better and De Winter might be chomping at his heels.
Defense Overall 7
Midfield
SAELEMAEKERS 7.5 – He’s really got that RWB position down and is going to make it a bit more challenging for Allegri to move away from it. Another solid performance.
FOFANA 7.5 – A shot on target AND a goal?! We must be on a different earth.
MODRIĆ 7.5 – Just when we thought he’d be man of the match every game he delivers this dud. Ok. It wasn’t a dud. Still damn good. But someone was better on the day.
RABIOT 8 – I might…MAY be coming around on him. Really good game and an assist to boot!
ESTUPIÑÁN 7.5 – Like Saelemaekers, just solid down the flank. Makes it difficult for teams to stretch Milan out and expose the middle. Another damn good game and seems to have bypassed a Serie A adjustment period.
Midfield Overall 7.5
Forwards
PULISIC 9.5 MOTM – Looks like a man on a mission. Maybe he’s hyped because it’s a World Cup season? Whatever it is, he looks like he’s going to clear 30 g/a this season.
GIMÉNEZ 6.5 – Solid game aside from scoring. Would’ve like to have seen him score on his best opportunity in the first half, but to be fair the keeper did a good job coming out and making himself big and didn’t leave much of a window. An in-form striker finds a way there but he’s not in-form…
Forwards Overall 8
Subs
NKUNKU 6 – As I mention often when trying to evaluate a player when the team is down a man, evaluating an attacker coming in when the team is up 3-0 is pretty difficult as well. Like you want to see effort but the whole philosophy of the match has changed and I’m not sure it’s fair to rate either way. So I typically will just give 6 and move on, so…
LOFTUS-CHEEK 5 – But I’ll rate this MFer! He had like one flick-header he tried but I’m just bugged seeing him on. Jashari can’t get back fast enough.
DE WINTER 6.5 – Solid again! Be careful Pavlović! He’s gunning for your spot!
RICCI 6.5 – Quietly solid. Fofana scored, which was great, but Ricci needs to be starting.
ATHEKAME NA – Debut for the kid! Not a lot of time to evaluate but looked quick and seemed to read the space well. Curious to see if we have another Kalulu on our hands.
Subs Overall 6
Coaching
LANDUCCI 8.5 – I have zero doubt Allegri was the key driver of the gameplan, sort of like getting a formula one car ready, but Landucci was the driver and oh boy is he doing the job. He’s now managed for 2 of Milan’s 5 games across all competitions…because Allegri is a maniac and keeps getting red cards… and has won both games by a combined score of 5-0. I’m not saying he’s better than Allegri, but I am saying if Allegri keeps morphing into Mourinho then Milan can just do away with him and just keep Landucci! (I’m joking if you can’t tell…except for the Allegri red cards. He’s got to keep it together)
Final Thoughts
Alright, let’s keep things rolling! Lecce tomorrow in the Coppa Italia. Expect to see some rotation. Then Napoli over the weekend.
Until then…
Forza Milan.
gillis
