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Boom Chaka Laka and Jovic’s upturn: All the key stats from Milan-Cagliari

By Ben Dixon -

AC Milan fired themselves into the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia on Tuesday evening with an impressive 4-1 victory against Cagliari. As a result, the Rossoneri will now face Atalanta in the next round.

There can be many positive aspects taken from Tuesday’s game. The most impressive thing to look at is Stefano Pioli fielded a rotated side, with youth threaded throughout, that won emphatically. You can read our five takeaways here.

However, with that being said, let’s dive into the numbers that decided the fixture and see the statistical side of Milan-Cagliari.

The overall stats

It is refreshing to write this, but Milan, again, did what they needed to and only grew as the game progressed. Cagliari, as expected, made the opening of the clash cagey and forced Milan to work, and work they did, as they managed to unpick the visitors and score four times.

However, Milan only racked up a total of 1.56 expected goals (xG). Aside from Rafael Leao’s late goal, the prior three goals all can have arguments made for the quality of goalkeeping from Boris Radunovic.

Additionally, the Rossoneri made more than their big chances suggest and scored more than half of their shots on target, ruthlessness that should be praised.

Back to the Frankfurt?

It has been a discussion only growing in noise in recent weeks, but Luka Jovic is more than creating a case to make himself Stefano Pioli’s starting number 9. With Olivier Giroud underperforming and the Serbian striker only gaining confidence as weeks go by, there is a decision to make for Pioli.

Whilst he missed a big chance, he still scored twice. For the first of his brace, he took the ball down well, following a sumptuous Theo Hernandez cross, and then fired home. By no means is the goal a Puskas contender, but a big goal nonetheless.

For his second, he positioned himself well and, with an instinct only strikers possess, he poked the ball home. Again, not a goal-of-the-year contender, but they all count. It brings his goal tally since the start of December to five, the most of any Serie A player in all competitions – a much-welcomed upturn in form that is reminiscent of his Eintracht Frankfurt days.

Telepathic Theo

Theo started in central defence but overlapped Alex Jimenez on more than one occasion and was seemingly at the top of his game in both defensive and offensive stages. Defensively, he won six of his eight duels and made eight recoveries. However, it is his offensive showing that will earn the biggest praise.

The Frenchman was a hub of creativity on Tuesday evening, and the cross for Milan’s first goal was exceptional. Pinpoint accuracy, with a seemingly telepathic understanding of the run Jovic would make and how he would like the ball to come to him.

Boom Chaka Laka

As mentioned before, Pioli named a rotated and youthful starting XI, and all impressed. Some good work by Jimenez saw the ball pinball around the box, and Chaka Traore scored his first goal on his full debut.

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Tags AC Milan Milan Cagliari

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