Milan had to settle for a point at the Stadio Olimpico last matchday against Roma and are traveling again today, this time to the always tough Stadio Renato Dall’Ara to take on Bologna. Also like last week, a draw away would be a solid result especially after winning the first matchup this season, but with Inter taking care of business over the weekend, all 3 points today would go a long way to keeping Milan in the hunt for the Scudetto.
MATCHDAY:
LAST FIVE
BOLOGNA: WLDLW
MILAN: DDWWD
FORMATIONS
BOLOGNA (4-2-3-1) *Predicted*: Ravaglia; Zortea, Vitik, Heggem, Lykogiannis; Moro, Ferguson; Rowe, Bernardeschi, Dominguez; Dallinga
MILAN (3-5-2) *Predicted*: Maignan (C); Tomori, Gabbia, De Winter; Athekame, Ricci, Modrić, Rabiot, Bartesaghi; Nkunku, Leão
TIME/LOCATION
TIME: 2:45pm EST/7:45pm GMT
PLACE: Stadio Olimpico, Rome
WHERE TO WATCH:
Paramount+ and FuboTV here in the US of Aye (Spanish broadcast on Fox Deportes in the US); FuboTV and TLN for Canada; TNT in the UK (maybe?); ESPN for Mexico; DAZN for Germany, Austria, Switzerland; a website called GXR for our friends in India; and illegal streams that support dictators and oligarchs everywhere.
*Let us know if this needs updating or if you have additional broadcasters to add*
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
I was curious about how the first meeting went and what I said about it in the post-match and it was striking reading my observations in mid-September. Oddly enough that game too featured a lineup that I’ve seen rumored for this matchup (although not the FotMob predicted lineup), particularly the RLC play behind the striker up top. That game it was Giménez paired with RLC and this game it’s looking like Nkunku will be paired with RLC with Leão still not 100% and Pulisic maybe not even making the squad. But we’ll talk more about this in a minute.
What was striking about reading the first post match were how much so many of the concerns have largely remained unchanged. I previously brought up the improved defense and the importance of scheme and a more complete midfield, yes, but it coming at a cost in the form of a drab offense. I also brought up how Allegri Ball tends to produce a lot of draws and that’s no way to win a European trophy. Sure enough Milan is tied with a bunch of teams with the third most draws in the league. Sure, none of this takes rocket science to understand with Allegri but it was worth reminding people about what Allegri Ball is and nothing has really changed since then. This is also worth keeping fresh in your mind as I know I have to so I can manage expectations.
As for the game itself, and as alluded to just a few minutes ago, Milan is down players in their attack. This happens but with what is looking like the starting lineup, Allegri appears to be going conservative (big surprise), trying to steal a goal and get the lead, then bring in the actual striker to sure up the win. Ah, the famous Pioli Flaw. As my former Fossa compatriot Michael Lisi often said, go for the win first, then play conservatively and not the other way around. This has you changing the game and the win. Listen to Nonno.
If Allegri is going to do this then why not get an extra playmaker out there in the midfield with Jashari? Get creative and figure out how to get him and Modrić on the pitch at the same time. We better at least SEE Jashari this game. Sigh, this is going to be another slog, huh?…
PREDICTION TIME:
I hate to say it but it feels like another draw. Which would suck and leave Milan 7 points behind Inter at the top. It hasn’t happened yet and it’s still making my blood boil. What a great opportunity potentially slipping through Milan’s hands.
Forza Milan
gillis