After a disappointing loss midweek, in a game everyone more or less acknowledged was somewhat hamstrung by Amorim needing to rotate with an eye on the derby this weekend, can Milan really afford to drop this game today? A loss that would make it 2 in a row in the league and 3 losses out of the last 4 in all competitions? Can Amorim afford that?…
MATCHDAY:
LAST FIVE
MILAN: WWLWL
INTER: LWWWW
FORMATIONS
MILAN (4-3-3) *Predicted*: Maignan (C); Gila, De Winter, Pavlović, Estupiñan; Musah, Modrić, Rabiot; Hutchinson, Ramos, Pulisic
INTER (3-5-2) *Predicted*: Provedel; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni; Diouf, Barella (C), Çalhanoglu, Zieliński, Dimarco; Esposito, Thuram
TIME/LOCATION
TIME: 3:45pm EST/7:45pm GMT
PLACE: San Siro, Milano
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:
It’s the Derby della Madonnina and a win today will not only help morale but also make up some points dropped midweek. It’ll also help keep the media at bay and help Amorim avoid even more pressure. Those of us in the keep Amorim camp need to be mindful of that even if it doesn’t matter to us.
As for the game, the approach should be simple out of the gates and should mimic what every coach since Pioli has implemented against Inter: don’t be overly aggressive in your pressing, sit back, and counter when the opportunity presents itself. It’s not a parking the bus where you sit in a super low block and only ever send a few players forward whenever you’re able to counter. This isn’t about playing for a draw. It’s about taking away their biggest strength (an open game and running at you on your heels) while maximizing your opportunities. So, Milan will need to take some risks if they want to walk out with all 3 points.
If the game plays out this way, Pulisic and Hutchinson/Moreira are going to be huge. They’re going to have to orchestrate those counters and instances where Milan win the ball back in dangerous attacking positions. A player I could see finally breaking out is Ramos. We know he works hard, I think catching Inter in transition could be just want he needs to get on the scoresheet during open play.
Defensively, if sitting back more then it matters less who’s back there as it turns into a group effort more than individual talent. Still, I don’t want to see Estupiñan but with Bartesaghi having started last game, I worry we might see the Equatorian. Inter’s Lautaro Martinez is set to miss this game and that’s good as he usually causes problems for Milan.
Finally…substitutions. Amorim has been taking a lot of slack here at the Fossa for his substitutions over the last couple of weeks. I haven’t been in light my hair on fire mode like some of you, but Amorim definitely butchered the last game by ending up with a mismatch of parts out on the pitch and zero semblance of a formation or tactical instructions. Things should be better today as Rabiot, Moreira, and paellla-loving Gila are available. So, no more dumb substitutions, ok?…
PREDICTION TIME:
It’s the Derby. These things are almost always close. I don’t see anyone winning by more than 1 goal and if I had to bet, I’m betting a 1-1 or 2-2 draw. But Milan can win this. Let’s go win this.
Forza Milan
gillis