A post match?! Say what?!
That’s right, I’m hopefully back with the usual cadence (hopefully) and it’s after a well-deserved although testy win at Cremonese. With the win, Milan avenge their opening day loss and stay within reach…a very long reach, of Inter at the top of the table. But that conversation is for another day…namely, this weekend. But for now, let’s dive in.
I haven’t been able to write a full post match but I have been commenting on Milan’s games this past month in the matchday posts. And as I mentioned last week, I again liked what I saw from Milan’s approach. No, it’s not a full-on offensively aggressive Allegri side (is there such a thing???), but the team does look better even if there’s still a ways to go.
The biggest difference I’ve noticed these last 2 games has been a more direct and vertical midfield. There’s been less horizontal and backward passing, and Milan are generally looking like they want to score and take the game to the opponent. What was different in this game compared to the Parma game was that Cremonese did Milan the favor of not sitting back too far and that helped Milan generate some really good looks by getting behind the defense with some room to run, especially in the first half.
This feels weird saying but Fofana was really excellent in commanding the midfield, holding the ball, and releasing Pulisic and Leão at different points in the game, only to be let down by poor finishing. But the opportunities were there. In fact, with just a little bit of quality in front of goal and Milan could have coasted in this game. They didn’t but they did get all 3 points, as Pavlović found himself in the right place at the right time for the opener. But Leão was rewarded with a tap in from a generous Nkunku ball in the dying minutes to ice the game, capping a solid game from him where maybe, just maybe, the old Leão is finally starting to heal and show himself.
But…yes, there’s still a but even after a 2-0 win. But! Where Milan is still lacking is in the technical side of things, namely not having enough offensive firepower and characteristics in the lineup and that comes down to formation. With Milan as healthy as they’ve been this season especially in the attack, it’s a game like this, vs a team in the bottom half of the table and a leaky defense, to throw the opponent a curveball and change it up. Maybe you catch them off-guard but more importantly, you get the team really good game minutes in the new formation vs a team who isn’t going to rip you into pieces. We’re way past due for this at this point.
Does changing the formation open you up to some risks? Sure. But I don’t think it would jeopardize more points than they’ve been losing to lower table teams already this season. Have this option in your back pocket and Allegri can roll out ol’trusty vs the better teams in the league and continue to take points from them.
I mentioned this all in the matchday post (and at other points this season), and again, I’m heartened to see more of you start to take the same position. Football, yes, can be complicated and broken down by hours and hours of tactics and video, but sometimes it’s as simple as what your two eyes are telling you. Allegri needs to make the change the next time someone not in the top 6 is across from them and complete this more aggressive stance. It will pay off. I’m telling you. Allegri just has to believe.
What Happened in Serie A
It’s been a while since my last recap! Let’s see what has changed in the last month or so…
Inter (1st) got back on track after crashing out in Champions League, beating Genoa (15th) 2-0. Inter take a 10 point league lead at the top of the table heading into the Derby this weekend.
Napoli (3rd) got back on track after the loss last round and won their first game in 4, beating Hellas Verona (20th) 1-2 on a Lukaku goal in the dying minutes. Not sure that’s exactly inspiring a lot of confidence in that Napoli locker room. Roma (4th) only salvaged a point after giving up a goal at the death vs Juventus (6th), drawing 3-3. Round out the top 6, Como (5th) beat Lecce (18th) 3-1 and remain in the mix for a European spot.
Atalanta (7th) dropped their game vs Sassuolo (9th), 2-1. Sassuolo continues their impressive return to the top flight with the win. Bologna (8th) continued the last minute goal theme of the weekend, getting a 90th minute winner vs Pisa (19th), winning 0-1. Udinese (10th) destroyed Fiorentina (16th) 3-0.
Finally, Lazio (11th) lost 2-0 to Torino (14th) and Parma (12th) and Cagliari (13th) drew 1-1 to round out the round.
Now, ratings.
Player Ratings
Goal Keeping
MAIGNAN 7.5 – Cremonese got into a couple of dangerous positions but never really generated anything threatening.
Goal Keeping Overall 7.5
Defense
TOMORI 7 – Solid.
DE WINTER 8 – Played really well even before the assist. Hard to take him out right now.
PAVLOVIĆ 8 – Didn’t play quite as well as De Winter, and got somewhat lucky on the goal, but you got to get yourself in those positions to benefit from luck and he certainly did that.
Defense Overall 7.5
Midfield
SAELEMAEKERS 7 – Play was fine but the flopping and theatrics need to stop. Like for reals. It’s cringe and embarrassing.
FOFANA 7.5 – I really liked what he provided and his through balls were excellent in the first half. Probably should have had a couple of assists.
MODRIĆ 7.5 – Great cross in for the first goal. Otherwise did Modrić things.
RABIOT 7.5 – Solid.
BARTESAGHI 7.5 – Saw a little bit of mean streak in him in this. Was staring down a few Cremonese guys in that first half.
Midfield Overall 7.5
Forwards
PULISIC 6.5 – Just didn’t have it today and hasn’t had it in a while. I’m not worried per se but would love to see him get back on the scoresheet, particularly against Inter.
LEÃO 8.5 MOTM – Starting to see a little more of the old Leão and while he got the tap in at the end, he was Milan’s most dangerous player all game. Let’s hope he carries it over into the Derby,
Forwards Overall 8
Subs
RICCI 6.5 – He played.
FÜLLKRUG 6.5 – One of his least productive outings. But he needs to start.
ATHEKAME 6 – Seemed restrained. Maybe was trying to avoid the yellow and miss the Derby on accumulation.
NKUNKU 7 – Wonderfully unselfish play to ice the game at the end.
Subs Overall 6.5
Coaching
ALLEGRI 6.5 – I’m liking the more aggressive approach but the formation needs to change. Come on, Allegri! You’re so close! Make the change. You can do it.
Final Thoughts
I’ve been itching to write a post match but life has been busy. Still, wanted to get this one out so the matchday can focus completely on the Derby della Madonnina this weekend. Pulling out this win was important, maybe Allegri can get another win against Inter and make the stretch run a little more interesting than the week before…
Forza Milan.
gillis
