Playing another not top 6 team and another not taking home all 3 points. I don’t know about you all but I’m starting to lose my patience with Allegri Ball 2.0. I mean, really at this point this isn’t even Allegri 1.0 Ball. It’s Allegri Juve Ball and that sh*t has got to go.
I read a lot of opinions about why this keeps happening when Milan plays smaller clubs, everything from Milan sitting back too much, attacking too much, that they need a striker, that they need a whole new backline. Some things I read were detailed and some were just off the cuff, but needless to say all Milanisti out there are frustrated as it feels like a golden opportunity is being wasted this season. I think the results are largely starting to resemble that. After winning 5 straight after the Cremonese loss (and the Bari win before that), Milan have only won back to back games once since September 28th, a span of 11 games. Yes, they still only have the one league loss (and one Coppa), but they now have 5 draws, fully a third of their league games.
This is the ugliness of Allegri Ball I was worried about when he was hired. He simply doesn’t know how or won’t put the pedal to the metal and go for the throat vs these smaller clubs. And the going for the throat doesn’t even have to be 4 attackers on the pitch, it could be the appropriate approach to a team who wants to play football like Sassuolo did on Sunday. Allegri could have adjusted in game since the game plan seemed to be to get forward and maintain possession while not risking much at the back. With Sassuolo coming out and running, sit back and absorb and then sting them on the counter. Yes, I know Leão wasn’t out there but Pulisic was and if anything Nkunku might actually provide you something if you get him out running.
Or, absent of this, go all out attack. Modrić is starting to fade and if he can’t play as the deep-lying playmaker AND the creative force closer to the box, then move him up. Jashari is healthy (and I thought he’d play Jashasi anyway). This in-betweenness I spoke about last post match is still present and it provides Milan with a half-hearted attack and a half-fortified defense. Just really the worst of both options and it’s showing in the results. Can’t keep a clean sheet, can’t score enough to take home all 3 points. Something needs to change.
Before we go, just wanted to give a shoutout to my boy Davide Bartesaghi. I mentioned in June that I thought he should be given a shot because I thought he had some potential and played well in limited minutes last season. But I was thinking a Kalulu-type of first full season as a regular. This is far surpassing that.
He’s the youngest Milan defender to score since Paolo Maldini, who was also 19 years old but about 100 days younger. Did I mention he had a brace too? Yep, he’s also had a terrific header earlier in the season that was just barely kept out, so he has a knack for goal while not sacrificing his defense as he’s been very solid and fundamentally sound all season. And of course we know his crossing is top notch, one because we’ve seen his crosses but he’s also one of the designated corner and dead ball takers.
With all the ups and downs the last 2 months, it’s been refreshing to see Bartesaghi start to shine and establish himself. Italian. Young. Promising. Theo who?…
What Happened in Serie A
Inter (1st) moved to the top of the table with their 2-1 win over Genoa (16th) while Napoli (3rd) lost to Udinese (10th). Roma (4th) beat Como (7th) 1-0 to remain in the top 4 and Juventus (5th) leaped over Bologna (6th) by beating them 0-1.
Lazio (8th) somehow beat Parma (17th) 0-1 despite being down a guy after 42 minutes and actually scored the goal after a second sending off, scoring while down 2 men. Nutty. Combined with Udinese’s win, Cremonese (11th) dropped out of the top half of the table after losing 1-0 at Torino (13th).
Atalanta (12th) got back in the win column in the league, beating Cagliari (15th) 2-1 after their midweek win over Chelsea in Champions League. Palladino seems to be slowly turning that ship around.
Finally to round out the bottom of the table, Lecce (14th) beat Pisa (19th) 1-0 while Hellas Verona (18th) beat Fiorentina (20th) 1-2. Looking more and more like Fiorentina is a lost cause and their downturn didn’t have to do with Pioli…
Now, ratings.
Player Ratings
Goal Keeping
MAIGNAN 6.5 – Another ok but not great game. And yes, the defense didn’t do him any favors on either goal. Still.
Goal Keeping Overall 6.5
Defense
TOMORI 6.5 – I thought all 3 CBs were just ok. Not bad, not great.
GABBIA 6.5 – Ditto (glad he didn’t blow out his knee).
PAVLOVIĆ 6.5 – Ditto.
Defense Overall 6.5
Midfield
SAELEMAEKERS 7 – Solid game overall but was maybe out of position on the second goal?
LOFTUS-CHEEK 7 – Been pretty solid the last couple of games. So much easier to like his game when he’s not being called upon to generate offense by making runs into the box. Nice assist too (even if it was maybe unintentional).
MODRIĆ 7 – Played well but his impact on the game is waning. Allegri needs to rest him.
RABIOT 7 – Was fine.
BARTESAGHI 9 MOTM – I don’t always give out MOTM unless Milan wins but got to give it to the kid! Was great on defense but then made absolutely perfect runs into the box and coolly took each opportunity. Did I mention he’s only 19 years old!
Midfield Overall 7.5
Forwards
NKUNKU 7 – Still waiting for the first league goal but this may have been his best league performance. Nice layoff to Bartesaghi for the second goal.
PULISIC 6.5 – A dud! Ok, not a dud but we’ve been so spoiled with his performance this season.
Forwards Overall 6.5
Subs
DE WINTER 6.5 – Played well coming on shortly after the Gabbia injury scare. Probably going to play against Napoli on Thursday.
RICCI 6.5 – Solid but less impactful than his previous appearance. Still good though!
ATHEKAME – He played.
ESTUPIÑAN NA – He played.
Subs Overall 6.5
Coaching
ALLEGRI 5 – This is getting tiring. Early goals conceded to teams Milan probably shouldn’t be conceding to at all much less first. Allowing minnows to hang around and gain confidence is sinking this team as they should probably be at least 6 points better than they are and that’s being generous.
I spoke about what I’d like to see at the beginning of the post but it’s getting to the point where I’m starting to doubt Allegri is going to outperform Conceição had he stayed. I mean averaging just over 2 points per match, having crapped out in the Coppa Italia, no other competitions. Maybe you all should start being critical too?…
Final Thoughts
It was a point but feels more like 2 points lost. Now Milan is limping into the Supercoppa Italiana on Thursday. At this rate, is this the only trophy Milan has a shot at?…
Game on Thursday at 2pm EST/7pm GMT vs Napoli in Saudi Arabia.
Forza Milan.
gillis
