After a scrappy 3-2 win against Lecce, AC Milan set their sights on the Como game, hoping to go into the international break with a bit of momentum.
The game started well for Milan and they should’ve scored in the opening minutes but Yunus Musah failed to hit the target after dribbling past the goalkeeper, which was quite the letdown by the American.
Following that chance, the Rossoneri had good opportunities to hurt Como with some good through balls down the flanks. However, the efficiency was not there – in particular from Rafael Leao, who found himself in dangerous areas but failed to create anything worth mentioning.
Then in the 33rd minute, Como opened the scoring with a low driven shot from outside the box that was too much for Mike Maignan.
In the second half, Milan were lucky with Como scoring a goal in the 49th minute just for it to be disallowed due to a slim offside, which angered Cesc Fabregas – very much the case of getting off with one.
The Rossoneri then struck shortly after with a lovely finish by Christian Pulisic to bring it level. Then in the 75th minute Tijjani Reijnders managed to beat the keeper after a lovely ball from Tammy Abraham.
Winning the game from behind is becoming, once again, rather common for the Diavolo, and whilst three points are in the bag, there are definitely some questions to be asked about the sustainability.
Here are five things we learned:
1. Duo disappoint
It was yet another game where both Leao and Santiago Gimenez struggled, with the Mexican having very little input. Whilst the service was bad, we can’t keep using that excuse as he will have to take on more responsibility at some point and try to get himself in the game.
The Portuguese also wasn’t great down the flank and while he did manage to beat his man on multiple occasions, making it look easy, his decision making kept failing him as it has for quite a while now.
There were a couple of chances where he really should’ve done more as he beat his man and had plenty of space in front of him but rushed the pass leading to nothing.
2. Pulisic and Reijnders decisive
The American was a bit quiet in the first half, but as he managed to get his mark just at the right time when things were very delicate for Milan. Pulisic scored a great goal with his weak foot to make it level and the pass from Reijnders was not bad either.
The Dutchman then topped off his good performance with a lovely goal to complete the comeback which also won him our MOTM award. Reijnders improved massively in the second half when he played in a more advanced role, and one has to think why Conceicao opted for Musah in the advanced role to begin with.
3. Milan’s midfield problem persists
The Rossoneri have changed coaches, reshuffled the midfielders, but the reality is that they still have a problem in that area. Being brutally honest, Reijnders is the only one deserving a spot in the Starting XI consistently, all the ones around him having questionable performances week in, week out.
Musah was very poor in the opening minutes, failing to even hit the target after beating the goalkeeper, not to mention he had options in terms of passing too.
Then Warren Bondo wasn’t bad, truth be told, but he doesn’t quite dictate the game and the Rossoneri really need someone in that role that can intercept and dictate the game well in order to allow Reijnders to go forward more.
In the second half, Fofana was no better either, committing several fouls as well as losing the ball fairly easily. As a result, he brought nothing positive onto the pitch and the Diavolo struggled to keep the ball even with a man extra.
So despite where Milan end this season, they really need to improve the quality of the midfield going into next season.
4. Crucial off the bench
With Gimenez struggling to get going, it was a logical move for Conceicao to bring on Abraham and the Englishman repaid with a lovely assist for Reijnders on the winning goal.
The striker showcased his vision and the pass itself was perfect too. Furthermore, he linked up with his teammates straight away and he should’ve really gotten another assist, but Reijnders somehow missed the clearer chance it seemed like.
It’s going to be interesting if Abraham will get his chance to start a game given that Gimenez just can’t get going at the moment.
5. Walker and Gabbia struggle
Matteo Gabbia struggled with Diao in the first half, and although he improved in the second, he really should’ve done better throughout as we’ve seen him play much, much better and this time out he was just too rash.
Kyle Walker also struggled with Diao on that right flank and was often caught off-guard. He also tried to make something happen going forward, but his passing let him down on a few occasions and his efforts resulted in nothing.
While the Englishman is definitely an improvement to both Calabria and Emerson, at least defensively, it’s becoming clear that he can’t be a long-term solution, which isn’t a surprise given his age.
Therefore, if the management see an opportunity to improve the quality on the right flank, they should jump on it.
This is still not a team. When we do get results out due to individual contributions. We still need a rebuild, tactical additions aches a change of system of play.
Usual suspects still MIA. The heart and soul of this team continues to be Red, White & Blue – Dutch & American. I just hope they can build around these players in the summer.
Unless they get a competent SD and trust him the project, i.e. no interference from Ibra etc, they will make the wrong transfer choices again. That’s for sure.
Walker is a ‘definitely’ an improvement on Calabria?
F off.
You deserve everything that happens to the club with a disgraceful attitude like that.
Meanwhile Calabria and Bologna are powering to 4th.
What are the 5 things you’ve learned in the semprecomo website ?
Sounds like he has switched to SempreBologna now.
Transfers, transfers, transfers, transfers, and more transfers.
Yep transfers for all the non Italian players in the Como team you love so much because it’s nearby and didn’t realize that after 40 years
You need to re-engage your rationale thought process as you’re really losing it with me…
It’d be terrible if we fell out over a Portuguese B Team.
Well seems like we’re falling out over your Indonesian/Spanish B team.
You made because your own logic don’t even make sense? Try another buddy
shut up, calabria isnt doing anything in getting Bologna to the 4th position. Walker is a clear upgrade. Stop looking for the downfall of the team because of this. I suspect you aren’t a fan of AC Milan
Calabria help steer Milan to a Scudetto and 3 top 2 finishes in 4 seasons.
This new Milan/England/Portugal B Team is now 9th.
You deserve everything you’re getting.
Calabria had only one good season and that was the Scudetto season, but since then nobody has been at his level, not even Calabria. It’s a good thing he’s gone. There are still bad apples that need to be removed from the team.
Yes he only had one good season (EVER) and apparently Milan achieved all of those results with about 3 players (who seem to meet everyone’s high standards).
Well your high standards have you 9th.
WhT a starwman
Walker might be an upgrade, but he is far from been the right choice, he isn’t that good
Se r iously.m i hate this revisinist talk…. calabria has had few starts and has not been outstanding for bologna….
He was NEARLY UNPMAYABLE for us…. Walker is males ahe a d.. generally just a bad period for the team.
‘Revisionist’?
Where apparently people decide that at an elite level players can just be discounted from results because they don’t match whatever imagined levels.
Over an extended period of time (at least 5 years) Calabria was part of a Milan team which he also captained that had the most success in the past 15 years.
Last summer the decision was made to freeze him out so he barely played this season but somehow managed to get criticised by ‘fans’ for not playing.
The lack of appreciation for a club legend and the warm embrace for a past it, playboy is just f’ing disgraceful.
There’s no two ways about it.
You lot deserve everything you’re getting.
PS ‘Strawman’ like ‘gaslighting’, ‘false equivalence’, ‘virtue signalling’ and other made up internet debate terms are a sign that people lack original thoughts, and jump on bandwagons including by misusing words.
Did we learn anything other than getting another look at Bondo?
An appearance cut short at half time by Musah forcing him to take a yellow in cleaning up his mistake. Otherwise it was as you were.
1. Wasting good early chances.
Poor first half where we are outplayed by some margin.
2. Subs improve the team in the second half.
3. Ultimately individual brilliance was key in getting back into the match.
4. But for a 1cm offside, we again have up 2 goals. So we were fortunate to not draw. Seeing we could not convert 3 goals this week.
gave* up 2 goals.
Nothing new was learnt. These issues have been around and pointed out for a long time now. This “5 things we learned” section has become so repetitive.
Milan about to end the scudetto race in 2 weeks when they smack Conte’s Napoli in Naples.
Meanwhile Juventus, with an Italian management, Italian coach and a few more Italian players than Milan, getting shellacked week after week. 0 goals scored, 7 given up in the last 2 games.
9 games left, 27 points available and Milan is only 6 points behind the 4th spot.
Hope dies last.
What makes you so sure that we’re smacking Napoli ?
-Because I’ve seen Napoli play.
-They have only 1 win in the last 7 games, playing only in serie A, 1 game a week.
-Milan plays better vs better teams.
– Napoli and Conte are the biggest frauds in the league.
-etc.
Yeah, Conte is being exposed lately. I see them ending up in the 3rd place; not as good as I expected them to be.
We’ve barely managed to beat Como and Lecce, both of whom have twice as many defeats as wins and who were better than us for most of the game but we’re supposed to believe that we’re beating Napoli regardless of how bad they are ? We’re not better these last 2 games, we just played worst teams, that’s it.
Our record this season against better teams (Inter, Napoli, Juventus, Atalanta, Fiorentina, Lazio) in serie A is 1W, 3D, 5L. Hardly a good performance.
But even if we somehow manage to beat Napoli we have Fiorentina and Atalanta lining up.
So maybe I’m overly pessimistic, but I don’t see us leaving the 7th to 9th place this season.
You are suddenly not a fan of Conte any longer?
Juventus just lost to two teams in Atalanta and Fiorentina who field quite a few Italian players and have Italian managers. So, you’re dumb with that point.
1. Two wins in a row is two wins in a row. The final spot is 6 points away. Would you swap talent with any of the other 5 teams vying for 4th. Not coaches…just talent. I wouldn’t
2. Pulisic had 34 touches…the least of any player on either team who played 90 minutes. This has to change. We still have a pass left mentality that ends no where. As we regain control of the ball our midfielders need to be more cognizant of Pulisic runs. This should be hammered home by Conceicao.
3. Is there anyone on our team good at 1 v 1 defending. Como took the ball straight at us. If I was a coach of an opposing team I would watch this tape and play very direct.
4. We have all the ingredients of a counter attacking team except one. Shooting. Musah was bad, Reminders had a bad miss, Theo again took a dive when he was in on goal.
5. The Maignon haters are nuts. The guy saves one or two balls at point blank range every game.
6. Are any of our centerbacks good enough to be locked in starters? I kinda think they all would make great 3rd center backs on this team. Also for the love of God do nothing in the Mercato without a defensive midfielder. We just don’t have anyone good at cleaning up messes. It seems like every mistake we make the next Milan player to touch the ball is Maignon
Yeah these are some good takes. And Pavlo should clearly be playing ahead of Gabbia
Leao played 78 minutes and had 16 touches.
1. Leao is better off the bench
2. We have no DM
3. Theo won’t be with us next season
4. Sarge is not a good coach
5. Next match will be the same old guff
Five things we haven’t and won’t learn: 1) The season is still alive and instead of everyone pissing on the club, they could support it. 27 points are in circulation, and all of them are prone to glitches.
2) The competition for a new coach has opened, and we already have one in the locker room.
3) The competition for the sports director was opened as if it was the most important position in the club. Who was Paratici at Juventus without Marotta, Braida without Galiani, Massara without Maldini … who is the sporting director at Inter now???
4) Everyone is an expert, especially journalists. They know what Milan needs. They are there to constantly raise tensions, create unrest and make wisecracks, and they are as stupid as they are difficult.
5) In May, draw a line and be wise. Until then, you can criticize bad play and bad choices, but before and during the game, give your support.
Forza Milan.
What I learnt was that fans are weird. Specifically the ones going to the stadium. Is this a new thing or what? I get when we boo players (heck Seedorf got some solid ones back in the day and he’s a Milan legend). And when we boo at half time. But at full time when we came from behind to win and during the actual game???? Sure the performance wasn’t great but the season isn’t quite yet over is it? I didn’t understand the boos at the Lazio game either. Down a man but we still tried valiantly until the last minute where we ultimately lost the points. Had we shown support we could have turned things around, maybe even kept the draw and the table would have been completely different (3 points to fourth and ahead of Lazio).
I simply can’t understand this sort of thinking, especially paying good money to see your players play. Fine to protest against management (they’re the ones that put us in this mess) but the whole team??? Newsflash, 4th isnt out for the question. Yes it’s a long shot but you support until mathematically we’re out. It’s such a defeatist attitude led by this new trash version of the curva (yes I said it) who are part of the problem. They withdrew their support last year prior to the Europa League tie vs Roma. So I understand their inferiority as true fans. But the rest of the stadium can stand on their own and support the boys. I don’t like how much the season is going and will criticize where needed but I’ll still support until I have nothing left
It’s almost like they have as much a connection to the players as they do to the Tinder date they saw the evening before.
Aren’t you on a Tinder dates with a bunch of different clubs at the moment?
Assessing each one in their:
1. Number of ex Milan academy players.
2. Number of ex Milan Scudetto squad players.
3. Number of Italian players in general.
Trying find that new Serie A life partner.
Whilst basing most of your criteria on things that link back to the actual club you love.
😉
I guess they (the fans and the ultras) decided that this season is a bad one and that they’ll continue to do what they did from now on. I think mentally the loss in Zagreb followed by the elimination against Feyenoord Rotterdam was a huge blow. It’s not like we thought we can win this UCL, but we went from being in a good position to play the round of 16 directly to not even play the round of 16. Then the consecutive losses were a nail in the coffin.
Now let’s not pretend we’ve improved these past 2 games, we’ve just been barely lucky to face much weaker opposition both of whom were winning against us deep into the second half. Sure the players showed some fighting spirit pulling out a comeback, but they don’t deserve a praise for these performances.
Let’s hope we can improve “tactically” during this rest, but I seriously doubt it.
Yea I don’t think we’re playing that great either but I can’t fathom why fans boo the team. There’s still something tangible available for the season. When Pippo had in 12 the or so in the table with absolutely nothing to play for then yea sure. I dunno, maybe folks need to revise their expectations. Top 4 is not easy and is never a guarantee. Pioli made it look easy but it’s faaaarrr from
Curva are just pathetic haters who want attention. With their stupid protests and their press releases. What they are really upset about is that they can’t run their illegal operations inside the stadium anymore.
If they truly wanted to protest they would stay home and let the stadium be filled with empty seats. But what they really want is attention on them.
Curva are an embarrassment to the club.
I would rather give chance to RLC than musha
I’d rather give a chance to a waterboy than Musah and his “potential”.
Haters everywhere… Apart from the sporting director we need, I think we better sell off Musah next season.
On the bright side, we slide back to 9th position, but we are 6 point from 4th position. That’s game upper hand wins. It’s still a tough one give our inconsistencies, but the dream can still dream and be motivated.
* two games upper hand wins
LOL. Everyone who criticizes anyone associated with Milan is a hater? Why are you a fan-hater then?
1. The mighty Walker and Gimenez that everyone wanted (including me for the latter). Oh well.
2. Maybe we should being each game 1-0 down?
3. We’re a team of individuals. We always rely on a “moment” for someone to pull something off.
4. The usual suspects had yet another “off” game. One of them even subbed off at the half. Sell them please. We need consistent contributors who are team players for the rebuild.
5. Conceicao continues to prove he’s not the right fit.
The right flank?
This management need to revamp the entire backline.
Theo has been god awful this season, he needs someone to back him up (Jimenez is more of a RB than LB). Walker can work for a couple of seasons and hopefully he can mentor Jimenez into something of a serviceable RB.
Sell Emerson for some funds and probably Tomori as well. Gabbia right now is no good (only good for the lists because he’s Club trained) performance-wise. Thiaw and Pavlovic are also quite raw. Need to bring in a good, experienced Defender to lead this backline for a few years.
I hear Van Dijk is free in three months. Emerson and Tomori sale and Salary should be able to cover the wages for him for a few years. Sign a pre-contract with him right now to ensure he comes in.
The build up to Reijnder’s assist/ Pulisic’s goal was a beautiful thing with the lads playing together and everybody executing.
This team is capable, but the smart thing to do is for fans to ignore the beauty, expect the worst…generate misery.