When I step into the light
My arms are open wide
The opening lines to one of my favorite Dave Matthews Band songs, Lie in Our Graves. They’re my favorite band and their unofficial logo is the pic in my PFP here and on the socials. But that’s not why I’m sharing that. I’m sharing that because a lot of pics below are of players with arms open wide, thanking whoever they believe is up in the clouds, almost as sense of relief. Heck, it even looks like assist coach Maroc Landucci, covering for a suspended Allegri, is doing it! Is everyone starting to sense that maybe that disastrous 2024-25 campaign is behind us and this season may have some great things in store?
We for sure want to keep this win in context. It was another impressive win in a very early Coppa Italia game, a game so early in the tournament that the last time Milan played this early (round of 32 or greater) was in 2015. Throw in the fact that Lecce is currently the worst team in Serie A, and this quote comes to mind…
But…but! The team is playing well. The score line could’ve been 5-0 or 6-0 as Lecce was never in this. Them not fielding a strong team perhaps also symbolized how they viewed the game, a game they felt was out of their reach regardless and their energies were better spent trying to right their sinking ship out of the league gates. Despite all of this, it was nice seeing Milan take care of business and not let Lecce gain confidence as the match went on.
As to the things I liked, clearly Giménez breaking out of the slump was big. I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s seen that he leads the league in big chances missed so this can’t be stressed enough. He’s the only out-and-out striker the team has so they need him firing. His overall game has improved, and that’s welcomed to be sure, but his finishing has been terrible and that’s been the one thing he’s done consistently well since arriving. I wasn’t too concerned as good finishers rarely have a season-long slump but getting the first one was key. Let’s hope it portends good things moving forward.
I’m sure we all loved Nkunku getting his first goal. He had kind of fumbled an earlier attempt but recovered nicely with a sublime scissor kick after a wonderful ball from Saelemaekers. I’m excited about Nkunku but we need to talk about Saelemaekers, and even Bartesaghi as they were both excellent all game. Saelemaekers’s transformation has been excellent and very unexpected, at least for me. He’s doing everything well and playing as a wingback means he isn’t exactly responsible for scoring goals, which is probably the weakest part of his game.
I called out my excitement about seeing Bartesaghi starting in the matchday and it’s because I was impressed in the limited action we saw of him last season. I even mentioned I would be fine with giving him the chance to earn the LB role with Theo leaving this past summer, although Estupiñan is proving to be a solid signing as well. I think everyone saw what I’ve seen since last season. He was defensively sound and made smart runs getting forward and like Saelemaekers did for his assist, delivered just a spectacular ball on Giménez’s goal. Both players provided sound defensive cover and wonderful width and it warms my heart to see teams working out-to-in to create opportunities.
The last thing to cover is what the hell has gotten into Pulisic?! Everything he touches is turning into pure gold right now. He has 5 goals and 1 assist in 287 minutes so far this season. About a goal/assist every 48 minutes. Just an insane pace. I can’t think of the last time a Milan attacker came out this hot to start the season.
Surely this run will slow down but the timing of it needs to be addressed, as it’s what may end up helping Milan challenge for the Scudetto. Usually early season games are forgotten come March, but getting these early points after changing coaches and missing the team’s best player and attacker are HUGE. This keeps the pressure on other contenders and will save energy as yes, teams can make runs late in a season, but those are draining and the team can run out of gas before the job is done. Much easier to stay in it all season and Pulisic is helping Milan do just that.
Finally, Milan now has 5 clean sheets in 6 matches and still lead the top 5 leagues in shots allowed and xG conceded. Last season Milan didn’t get their 5th clean sheet until November 23rd, a 0-0 draw against Juventus. That was their 16th game of the season. This defensive improvement is astounding and it hasn’t come at the expense of the offense, as Milan have scored a very respectable 12 goals, or 2 goals per game. Is this Allegri-ball 2.0?…
Now, ratings.
Player Ratings
Goal Keeping
MAIGNAN 7.5 – Mike’s return to the lineup was a mostly quiet one. The only real danger came from a dead ball just outside the box late in the game with the outcome already decided. Nice warm up for Napoli this weekend.
Goal Keeping Overall 7.5
Defense
TOMORI 7.5 – Another start, another solid outing.
DE WINTER 7.5 – First start, in for Gabbia, and the team didn’t miss a beat. Looks the part of a solid signing and player.
PAVLOVIĆ 7.5 – One of his better games this season, as he was often busy in the early stages of offensive buildup.
Overall Defense 7.5
Midfield
SAELEMAEKERS 8.5 MOTM – Yeah, I’m just as surprised as you are! The move with the ball to give himself some space before the wonderful cross to the far post with his weaker foot was excellent. Defense was stellar too.
LOFTUS-CHEEK 7 – About as good of game for him since that PSG game a few years ago.
RICCI 7 – Really solid. Nice coming in and provided something different than Modrić. He played his game – holding play and anchoring the midfield – and allowed the team to work in different parts of the pitch.
RABIOT 8 – Still kind of in awe of how well he’s slid in and just completely dominated. I was skeptical of the signing but I’m being proven wrong, very wrong, with each performance.
BARTESAGHI 8 – Like Saelemaekers, a wonderful assist with his weaker foot as he helped Giménez break his duck. Ran up and down the left flank, making smart decisions all game.
Midfield Overall 8
Forwards
GIMÉNEZ 8 – He broke the duck! Yes, it wasn’t the smoothest finish but let’s hope it now opens the floodgates because he’s making smart movements and getting himself into good positions.
NKUNKU 8 – Was kind of meandering and then, BOOM! Wondergoal. I’m still really excited to see what this kid can do. His price tag didn’t come out of thin air.
Forwards Overall 8
Subs
FOFANA 7.5 – It’s becoming more and more clear that he was misidentified as a DM and the DM the team needed last season. Can he be a stopgap? Sure. But he’s definitely more productive as an interior midfielder in this formation. Clever ball to Pulisic for the third goal. And he airmailed one! Welcome back, Fofana!
ATHEKAME 6.5 – Kid has got some speed. Curious to see what he can do in a game not already decided when he enters.
PULISIC 8 – On fire. No better way to put it. Just en fuego.
BALENTIEN 6.5 – Kid is quick! Don’t know if he’s any good but let’s see if he can take advantage of the team short on #9s. I mean he was signed to be on the Futuro so heck of an opportunity he has in front of himself.
ODOGU 6 – Debut! Nice little outing. Didn’t have much to do and almost didn’t play enough to rate. But just barely. So just a standard score here and let’s get a little better sense of him once we’ve seen more of him.
Subs Overall 7
Coaching
LANDUCCI 8 – Marco Landucci is now 3-0 this season filling in for Allegri, and the team has scored 8 goals and conceded zero. I’m not saying he’s Pep, I’m saying he’s better than Pep!
I kid, I kid. But the team is clicking and his substitutes have been solid. So, if Allegri continues his hot-headedness Milan will be in capable hands.
Final Thoughts
Very happy and the team has to be feeling good about Napoli coming to town. It feels like it’s been awhile since Milan has gone into a big game with momentum. Usually it’s been us…and I’m sure them…hoping for a turnaround in a big moment. Now we want to see them continue the great form and get ahead vs a Scudetto contender.
Next game is Sunday at 2:45pm EST/6:45pm GMT. Mark your calendars. Going to be a big one.
Forza Milan
gillis
