In the matchday post I wrote that I was worried about another draw. Milan hasn’t looked all that great since around the start of October and are really missing an opportunity to put some pressure on other Scudetto contenders who have European obligations. One could argue Milan should be 4-6 points better than they are right now and that would definitely be preferrable to where they are now…which is one point back of Napoli in 1st, tied with Inter and Roma to round out the top 4.
So while everything I just said is true, it is also true that Milan have played well enough to be in the conversation of real Scudetto contenders 10 games into the season. With how last season went, I know we can all be happy with that despite how the last month+ has gone.
This game for me provided the most blatant example of something I preach to you all it feels like every other week. Why? Because every other week someone complains that Leão doesn’t put in the work defensively and is a bum and Milan need to bench him, make him some super-sub, or outright sell him. When the reality is that Milan has one of the most singularly gifted athletes in all of Europe and if he’s healthy, he just simply needs to be out there.
The first 35 minutes of this game saw Gasperini’s Roma trying to take the wood to Milan. Roma was pressing, collapsing on whoever was receiving the outlet pass once Milan won back possession and tried to get the ball out, and Milan basically couldn’t do anything. A couple of times they got the ball booted up the pitch and generated a corner or two but were mostly ineffective. But then something happened.
Milan, whether intentional or not, sat back and absorbed a little bit deeper, deeper than I think any of us liked, and as Roma pressed forward more with just about everyone except a few who stayed around the mid-line, they themselves broke their smothering line and shape and when Bartesaghi won back the ball at the end line and found Ricci, who found Saelemaekers to get out of it, who then found Leão 1 on 1 with a LOT of space. I think we all saw the first great opportunity of the game developing and Pavlović finished it well by slotting it under the keeper.
After the Leão run/Pavlović goal, Gasperini pulled back hard and Milan controlled the game pretty much non-stop until the final whistle. Leão didn’t have another comparable moment in the game but he didn’t need to. He had struck the fear in Gasperini. He simply did not want to expose his team again. Leão’s defense…aka the fear opposing coaches have of getting too cute getting aggressive and forward…is what I often talk about and was crystalized in this game. So no, I don’t care that he’s not the hardest-working defensive winger in the world. Milan doesn’t need him to be. They need him doing what he did in this game.
Everything I just described also reflects what many of us, me and many of you in the comment section, have been saying since the start of the season. Leão in a front 2 is not ideal to get the most out of him. He plays better in space and while it might work vs some less quality sides, it’s going to be tough sledding vs the better teams. And all of that means that sitting and counter-attacking may need to be the default tactical approach against better sides if Allegri sticks with a 3-man backline. Doing so will allow Allegri to play Leão and Pulisic up top as a CF needing to occupy the CBs won’t really be necessary. Nkunku and Giménez can also play in that tactical set up and I think it probably gives Milan the best chance at playing at a consistently high level and maybe make a little run and separate from the pack chasing the Scudetto.
One other thing I really liked and is worth mentioning was Maignan having maybe his best game of the season. And to top it off he made his first penalty save in like his last 16 or so chances AND Dybala had yet to miss in his Roma career, something like 18 straight makes. Hard to believe Maignan’s not better at it but it is what it is. But, Maignan’s having maybe his best season since the Scudetto and he’s still one of Europe’s best. For all the praise a lot of the other players are getting, including the improvement on defense, Maignan’s resurgence is as big a reason as any. Glad to have Magic Mike back.
Finally, before I wrap up the editorial, some news broke today that city has finally handed over the deed to the San Siro to Milan and Inter. They officially own the stadium and can move forward with the new stadium and surrounding area revitalization plans they’ve been working on for years. Maybe, just maybe, this thing will finally happen. So if you’ve never been to the San Siro for a game like me, the clock is ticking! Sounds like they’re hoping to open the new stadium sometime around 2030. Forza Milan!
What Happened in Serie A
One quick thing to note before we get started: for the first time in the modern era, the top 4 teams in Serie A are separated by just 1 point after 10 rounds. I think there will be some separation…hopefully Milan from the rest with their European obligations…but for now, let’s enjoy the most competitive league in Europe!
Napoli (1st) is still at the top of the table after drawing 0-0 vs Como (7th). Combined with their European performances, Napoli has won 2, lost 2, and drawn 2 over their last 6 games. Como haven’t lost since August 30th.
Inter (2nd) got a last minute own-goal in added time to beat Hellas Verona (19th) 2-1. Inter were kind of lucky to leave with all 3 points. Bologna (5th) beat Parma (16th) 3-1, aided by a Parma red card in the 35th minute. Bologna haven’t lost since a 1-0 defeat in Europa to Aston Villa back on September 25th.
Juventus (6th) got their second straight win after firing Igor Tudor, beating Cremonese (10th) 2-1 and Lazio (8th) beat Cagliari (14th) 2-0, a run of 6 straight games undefeated. Udinese (9th) jumped back into the top half of the table, beating Atalanta (11th) 1-0 and Sassuolo (12th) lost a bad one at home, losing to Genoa (18th) 2-1.
Torino (13th) drew with Pisa (17th), 2-2. Pisa is still winless on the season but have drawn 6 times now and are at least at the moment above the relegation zone about a quarter through the season. And finally, Lecce (15th) beat Fiorentina (20th) 1-0 and officially putting an end to the very short-lived Fiorentina Stefano Pioli era. Allegri better keep winning or I’m starting a #BringHimHome campaign…
Now, ratings.
Player Ratings
Goal Keeping
MAIGNAN 9 MOTM – Best match of the season. Roma fired off 20 shots, 7 on target, and had a xG of 1.95. Best of all? He finally stopped a penalty!
Goal Keeping Overall 9
Defense
DE WINTER 6.5 – After a shaky start of the match, including a terrible whiff on a cross that fell in Dybala’s lap (that he thankfully missed right), he settled down and had a solid game.
GABBIA 7 – Solid (I’m just going to leave this here from now on because it’s not flashy but quietly effective).
PAVLOVIĆ 8 – One of those marauding runs forward rewarded him with a goal!
Defense Overall 7
Midfield
SAELEMAEKERS 7 – Man, I’m glad he plays for us because he would’ve been bugging me if he was the opponent. What a little sh*t!
FOFANA -10 – Terrible and has been getting worse with each game since the opener. Butchered one that was left on a plate by Bartesaghi, could’ve been sent off on the challenge late that gave Roma a free kick in a dangerous position, and that same free kick ended up hitting off his arm for a penalty kick. Ricci or Jashari need to take his place and soon.
MODRIĆ 7 – I mean…it’s Modrić.
RICCI 7 – Solid.
BARTESAGHI 6.5 – Struggled early but bounced back. That ball to Fofana was divine, too bad Fofana ruined it.
Midfield Overall 6.5
Forwards
NKUNKU 6.5 – One of his better appearances since a decent opening appearance, but still isn’t providing a whole lot of spark offensively.
LEÃO 8 – Love that he’s proving all the people who doubt him wrong…again…and again.
Forwards Overall 7
Subs
LOFTUS-CHEEK NA – He played.
ATHEKAME NA – He played.
TOMORI NA – He played.
Subs Overall – He Played
Coaching
ALLEGRI 7 – The gameplan to start the game wasn’t working, but whether intentional or not, the play that resulted in the only goal broke Roma’s spirit and caused Gasperini to call back the dogs, as Milan was on the front foot after that. It’s almost like what I say happens when you can provide a threat going the other way that it’s a form of defense, something that keeps the opponent honest. Hmmm…
Keep breaking out that counter-attacking game, Allegri! It just might work!
Final Thoughts
One more game before the next international break, away at Parma. Then Inter once play resumes. Important to take all 3 this weekend. Until the matchday post…
Forza Milan.
gillis
