AC Milan had to put their first Champions League home win in nine years to one side as Napoli came to the San Siro on Sunday night for a huge top of the table clash.
The game started off very well for Milan as they took the initiative and pressed high to try and trouble their opponents. Napoli didn’t really have any chances throughout the first 45 minutes with the Rossoneri being the more dominant side having hit the post and also having a couple of other decent chances to score that were not taken.
In the second half the intensity was even greater as Napoli seemed a bit more direct and that paid off for them as they won a penalty in the 55th with Sergino Dest conceding after he came on, with Matteo Politano converted.
After a lovely counter in the 69th minute, Olivier Giroud managed to get another big-game goal and bring to score level. Pioli’s men then continued to push but again, against the run of play, Napoli found a way to get ahead through a Giovanni Simeone header.
Milan had several chances to snatch a share of the spoils but fell to a defeat which was their first since January as their unbeaten streak was stopped at 22 games. Here are five things we learned…
1. Costly lapses
Simon Kjaer started the game instead of Pierre Kalulu which was somewhat surprising given how well the Frenchman has performed since moving into the pairing alongside Fikayo Tomori.
The Dane picked up a card quite early on after Kvaratskhelia showed his technique and Kjaer had nothing else to do. Excluding that challenge he didn’t really do anything wrong, but the challenge itself wasn’t great and he had to be taken off at half time. If he were a bit more careful, Pioli could’ve used the substitution to get some fresh legs on further up the pitch.
After being partly at fault for the goal conceded in midweek against Dinamo Zagreb, Tomori also lost Simeone for Napoli’s winner meaning the Englishman hasn’t had the greatest week.
He has high standards given that he very rarely gets beaten, but that was the case on the night. Excluding his mistake on the goal, he did however do well on the ball and going forward so there are some positives too.
2. Absences felt
It was obvious before the game and it was obvious during it too that the absence of Rafael Leao would be felt, as Rade Krunic can’t really do what the Portuguese does even if he tried to offer a different interpretation of the winger role.
The absence was also obvious because of the fact that Krunic was forced to play at left wing due to the fact that Rebic is injured yet again, while Divock Origi is also sidelined due to a tendon issues.
It’s becoming increasingly frustrating that the Croat is constantly suffering from an injury and when Leao needs some rest, or is suspended, Pioli needs to improvise since he doesn’t have a natural replacement on the bench.
3. Keeping Kvaratskhelia at bay
Davide Calabria had the tough task of marking arguably the most in-form winger in Serie A: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, a player who has already done wonders in his first since for Napoli, scoring 4 goals and adding an assist in the first six games.
He also showed his class against Liverpool in the Champions League and it was always going to be hard for Milan’s captain on the night. Calabria, however, took on the challenge and kept the winger quiet with a couple of great tackles.
The Georgian did manage to beat Calabria once or twice, but the right-back tactically fouled his opponent on one of the occasions preventing anything dangerous to develop. Overall, it was a solid performance from the right-back who stuck to his defensive duties very well and was only subbed off due to a muscle issue.
4. Shaky up front
Olivier Giroud had a good game, managing to score the goal to bring his team level and he put in a lot of effort in challenges, although we could argue that he could’ve done better on the attempt he made that hit the post instead of the back of the net.
Excluding the Frenchman, however, Milan’s attack was again at a state which we’ve seen on multiple occasions where the players just couldn’t make the right decision in the final third. Alexis had some nice moments on the right but faded as the game went by and he was subbed off later on.
De Ketelaere had an interesting night. At times he looked very sloppy and predictable, but then he had a few great moments and was also involved in the goal. He also did a great dummy and then provided Messias with a big chance, but the Brazilian wasn’t precise enough with his shot.
Ultimately, it just has not been the case that more than two of the front four players have clicked in the same game, which leaves the Rossoneri relying more on individual brilliance than having numerous get-out-of-jail cards.
5. Dest not the best
Sergino Dest came onto the pitch at half-time for Calabria, who as mentioned above sustained an injury. Dest did well in his first cameos in red and black in the last couple of weeks, but failed to build on them against Napoli.
The Barcelona loanee gave away the penalty with a sloppy tackle and then just couldn’t recover and get in the game. He offered nothing going forward and his control over the ball was just questionable since he was really struggling on that right hand side.
Given the demanding fixture list and the intensity Milan play at, Pioli needs to get a tune out of the two players he has in every position and Dest is no exception.
1. Krunic played good according to his abilities, but breaking the flow of the game by slow decesion making while attacking really cost milan.
2. Maignan looked sloppy in long ball distribution.
Kjaer didn’t need to come off. He knows how to play on a yellow and Milan had given up basically no chances in the first half. Pioli couldve brought in Kalulu to play right back which is a much better defensive option than Dest.
Agree 100%. Pioli’s choices lost us this game. Taking off Kajer was huge mistake as was bringing in Dest who is still getting settled and clearly isn’t ready. Kalulu at RB was the correct move if Calabria was injured. Those subs totally changed the game which we were dominating in first half. CDK was ineffective and should have been pulled a bit earlier. Messias/Sales – same old story – not good enough.
If anyone knows how to play with a yellow it’s Kjaer. Pioli I believe panicked after Leao’s red last week.
Agree with you K.
This appears to be the major error of the match – subbing Kjaer at halftime.
Mister has been excellent in his tactical decisions but on this, Kalulu could have been brought on for Calabria until further later before having to Sub off Kjaer if the need arsies in terms of fresh legs.
We could have won.
I expected Theo to play the match as LW and either let Ballo play as LB or move Calabria as LB while Kalulu play as RB.
Theo would have added a lot attacking threat to our game.
The moment I saw Krunic as LW, I knew we would struggle in attack
People already talking about how milan have lost the scudetto. It’s one loss that we actually outplayed them but couldn’t finish our chances. I’ve always said I don’t know how napoli continue to win, they really have luck on their side.
Napoli will run out of steam, like they always do. That’s why they haven’t won the Scudetto in like 35 years. As long as we stay ahead of Inter we should be favorites.
Agree; we hit the crossbar twice (Meret’s great deflection on that header; and Kalulu’s shot into the crossbar after the beautiful Giroud flick on pass.
Giroud, Theo, Bennacer and Krunic were all excellent (the other article w/ the ratings have CDK, Diaz and Saele anywhere close to Bennacer and Krunic is CRAZY). Saele lost the ball over and over and over again. He had a terrible game and didn’t take his Champions League goals confidence in the correct direction. Messias was bad too; Diaz losing the ball too. CDK had great pass to Theo to set up his assist and a few other nice passes, but he’s not aggressive enough defensively going for tackles and needs to run/press harder.
Feel badly for Dest — hopefully he’ll shake that off and contribute. He has a lot of talent; he will help us — I just hope his confidence isn’t crushed now.
Yes fully agree ,what has been said it’s only one defeat .A defeat we did not deserve .we were the better side .
We will finnish ahead of Napoli..I must just add one point ..What a performance from that man Olivier Giroud…carry on playing like that and he can score 20 goals this season …Man of the match …well done Olivier …one goal…hit the bar with another effort..his physical strength awesome ,and his overall play brilliant …is he really 35 …didn’t stop running all evening ..Theo Hernandez ,,a great performance from him also …We also have leao back next match ,,so we are definitely still in the running for the scuddeto..defensively a little bit of improvement needed …
Leao makes Milan suffer with his arrogant childishness.
Pioli lost us this one. Great man manager and motivator but he’s never a good tactician. Often times I feel like people on this site are grasping at straws trying to explain his same 4231 every game in and out regardless of opponents like abstract art and just trying to find some tactical genius in there. Very solid coach of course but not
A great tactician.