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.
