Milan drew 1-1 with Roma this weekend and dropped a couple of points further back of Inter at the top of the table. Not all is lost and drawing away to another top 4 team is a quality result, especially when you took the first meeting of the season and now have the tiebreaker over them should you need it.
The game went about as I expected, with Allegri sitting back against a team in pretty good form. I actually don’t mind this approach vs good teams. Sports, any sport, requires a decision to try and do what you do best vs taking away what the opponent does best. This is a spectrum and it can fall somewhere in between but in general it’s why we still see smaller teams pack it in vs bigger teams. Scoring against a low block is hard for most teams so you make them overcome that difficulty rather than you trying to overcome a talent deficiency. So again, I actually really like these types of chess matches (same as the Como game) and am satisfied with the result.
In this game, we saw Milan buckle down and cede possession, waiting for the right opportunity to attack. Roma was stubborn and wouldn’t press Milan in their own box much, deciding they were content with winning the ball back closer to the midfield and minimize the risk of getting stung on the counter. I really like Modrić, obviously, but when teams do this I think Jashari could be the better play. He’s more willing to dribble than Modrić, and seems to be willing to try the line-breaking-pass more than Modrić, which could help unlock the attack. Maybe you don’t replace Modrić for Jashari but I would have at least brought him on at some point.
Anyway, Roma’s plan mostly worked. Well, worked better than it did for Como. Roma only conceded 1 goal, that on a dead ball after a quality header from De Winter. Milan’s xG for the game was only 0.45, so another example of excellent marksmanship by the team and making the most out of their opportunities.
Roma would level on a disappointing penalty about 10 minutes after De Winter’s goal. It was disappointing as Bartesaghi was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I do think it was a penalty because the rules as they are clearly include what happened as a handball. This is one of those cases where I think the rule needs to be updated because with replay there’s so much more you can delineate. Like I think holding your arms out to shield a guy behind is a natural movement in the game and I think you can discern that and should. I don’t think arms naturally hanging down your sides is the only way your arms/hands are in natural positions. The arm motions players make when jumping are another example. In essense, I like VAR but the rule book needs to modernize as well. I mean, in another example on the same play, the dude’s shot was shanked and not even going towards goal or a teammate when it hit Bartesaghi’s arm. That too should factor in a decision about a handball.
While this draw was a quality result, I just wish they would take care of business more often vs the smaller sides. It would make these draws that much more enjoyable and it would put Milan in a better position to contend for the Scudetto. Maybe they can turn it around. Maybe we’re getting closer to a formation change and that sparks a run of positive results. I know I’d welcome it. Milan haven’t won 3 straight since September. Oh, and sit Leão. We need him healthy.
What Happened in Serie A
Let’s do a quick recap.
Inter (1st) got the round started on Friday and laid the wood to Pisa (20th), beating them 6-2. After 2 shocking goals to put Pisa up 0-2 early in the first half, Inter roared back and took the lead by halftime. Needless to say I was envious of Inter’s willingness to attack at all costs vs a minnow…
Napoli (4th) dropped to the last Champions League spot after getting destroyed by Juventus (5th) 3-0. The Conte year 2 collapse may be on. They’ve only won 1 of their last 6 in all competitions and are in need a quality final Champions League group stage match to make it to the knockouts. Lord knows I’ll be watching with glee to see the ship continue sinking.
Como (6th) continues to impress, beating Torino (16th) 6-0. They are now the second highest scoring team, second best defense, and have the second best goal differential. Seems like they won’t be in 6th for very long if they keep this up. Another hot team in league play, Atalanta (7th), jumped on the high scoring train, winning 4-0 vs Parma (15th).
Bologna (8th) dropped a disappointing 3-2 game at Genoa (12th). Genoa haven’t lost in 5 games, which has seen them climb from near relegation to near the midtable. Nice run of games for them. Rounding out the top half of the table, Lazio (9th) drew 0-0 to Lecce (17th) and Udinese (10th) beat Hellas Verona (19th) 1-3.
Finally, Sassuolo (11th) beat Cremonese (14th) 1-0, taking Cremonese’s winless streak to 8 games. And Cagliari (12th), beat Fiorentina (18th) 1-2.
Now, ratings.
Player Ratings
Goal Keeping
MAIGNAN 8 – Another stellar game. Guessed right on the penalty and just missed it.
Goal Keeping Overall 8
Defense
TOMORI 7 – Solid.
GABBIA 7 – Solid
DE WINTER 8 – Really good and then got the goal. Best game of the season.
Defense Overall 7.5
Midfield
SAELEMAEKERS 6 -Not very good. Let’s blame it on the injury and see how he bounces back this weekend.
RICCI 7 – Good game and made Allegri’s decision to start him over Fofana the correct one. Far less wasteful of a player.
MODRIĆ 8– Great game and he did the Italian hands thing!
RABIOT 7 – Thought he was going to slap a Roma player like he did his teammate at Marseille.
BARTESAGHI 6.5 – I thought he was done in by some bad luck AND he could’ve done better locating the guy behind him on that cross that led to the handball.
Midfield Overall 7
Forwards
NKUNKU 6 – Invisible.
LEÃO 6.5 – He’s not a CF and he’s hurt. REST HIM ALLEGRI.
Forwards Overall 6
Subs
ATHEKAME 6.5 – Was fine.
PULISIC 6.5 – Hasn’t scored or assisted in 6 games now (played in 5). Got to get him going again.
FÜLLKRUG 6.5 – Didn’t get much service.
LOFTUS-CHEEK 6.5 – Dare I say, I actually don’t mind this role Allegri has carved out for him? Basically a box-to-box without any offensive or defensive responsibilities. Just has to get in front of some people and eat up space.
Subs Overall 6.5
Coaching
ALLEGRI 6.5 – I think he got it mostly right. But playing the top 6 isn’t the problem. Thankfully we have some top half of the table teams coming up: traveling to Bologna (on Tuesday for some reason?) and then are supposed to be hosting Como…somewhere? It’s supposed to be at home but the Winter Olympics begin in Milan 2 days before. So maybe this thing gets postponed for a couple of weeks? What a mess.
Anyway, keep doing this vs the good teams, Allegri, and STOP doing the sh*t you’re doing vs the bad teams.
Final Thoughts
We move!
Traveling to Bologna on Tuesday February 3, 2026. Game at 2:45pm EST/7:45pm GMT.
Forza Milan.
gillis
