AC Milan were in need of a win in their pursuit of European football, following the defeat to Napoli, but the game against Fiorentina ended 2-2. We take a look at five things we learned from the game.
Just ten minutes into the game, it seemed like the Rossoneri were heading for yet another defeat, as Malick Thiaw first scored an own-goal and Moise Kean then doubled the lead. Once again, the Rossoneri started a game poorly.
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However, in the 23rd minute, Tammy Abraham pulled one back in a wonderful manner, combining with Christian Pulisic before beating the goalkeeper. In the second half, Luka Jovic found the equaliser in the 64th minute and while Milan pushed for the win, the game ended 2-2.
Below are five things we learned from the game…
1. Musah needs a timeout
The American has enjoyed plenty of playing time since Conceicao joined, but it might be time for him to stay on the bench a bit as he has been struggling a lot as of late. Against Fiorentina, it felt like the final straw.
Musah continues to be sloppy with his passing, especially with short passes that one wouldn’t expect a Milan player to struggle with, and that was seen on Fiorentina’s opener. The fact that he was subbed off after just 23 minutes says everything.
The midfielder can run all he wants and make the occasional good dribble, but both his attacking and defensive contributions continue to be close to zero.
2. Abraham keeps up good form
After the lovely goal against Inter, Abraham was given the chance from start again and he repaid the coach with another excellent performance. He pretty much created the goal himself, showcasing a lot of confidence with that action and reaching double figures for goals scored.
He picked up the ball close to the midfield, dribbled past a couple of opponents, combined with Pulisic, and slotted it home nicely to bring Milkan back into the game. Hopefully, he can stay fit and continue in this manner, especially in view of the Coppa Italia semi-final decider.
If he were to continue like this, it would almost be a no-brainer to secure him on a permanent basis, having made the difference several times.
3. Unlikely game changer
Having said the above, Abraham isn’t the only striker who has stepped up in recent weeks, making a difference for Milan. Indeed, Jovic scored a goal against Napoli and followed that up with the crucial equaliser last night.
Unfortunately, it didn’t lead to a winner but that wasn’t exactly Jovic’s fault, having opened up space for his teammates and combining to create multiple chances. Indeed, it was a really surprising performance by the Serbian international, who most likely has earned himself some more play time in the next few games.
4. Defence all over the place
When you concede two goals in the opening 10 minutes, it speaks volumes about the defensive status. Even when we factor in the fatal mistake of Musah, the defence was still beaten too easily even in the exposed situations.
On the first goal, Tomori was beaten easily by Gudmundsson and even if you could say Thiaw was unlucky, we have seen similar own-goals from him. He might need to work on his positioning, or at least try to clear it first time rather than taking a touch.
On the flanks, Walker and Hernandez were equally as bad, with the Englishman getting a silly booking in the first half and losing the ball in a very poor manner on a couple of occasions. He was better than most but as for the future with Milan, it remains uncertain.
Hernandez, meanwhile, lost almost all duels with Dudo and his defending was all over the place, with poor positioning and effort. Not to mention that he wasted a few very dangerous chances going forward in the second half.
5. Conceicao can’t settle on a starting eleven
Whilst it’s probably tough to choose a starting eleven, given the inconsistency of most Milan players this season, giving the same lineup the chance several games in a row has its benefits. Indeed, the Rossoneri seem to lack the basic communication and understanding that comes with time.
The centre-back pairing especially has been a hot topic and Conceicao changed yet again for yesterday’s game, with a negative effect. The coach also keeps changing formations and making very early substitutions, giving the impression that he never gets the approach for the game right.
There are a lot of other issues with the coach and his gameplay, but it feels like the low-hanging fruit is to just pick eleven players and rely on them as much as possible. The season finale will be interesting to follow in that sense.
1. Musah should never start again, if we need a midfielder, let’s give a chance to some kid from Primavera or Futuro.
2.If under unfortunate circumstances we have to field Musah again, I will give him the following instructions:
A. DO NOT under any cicumstances attempt to dribble
B. DO NOT under any cicumstances attempt to run with the ball.
C. W̶h̶e̶n̶ ̶y̶o̶u̶ ̶w̶i̶n̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶b̶a̶l̶l̶,̶ ̶i̶f̶ ̶y̶o̶u̶ ̶d̶o̶n̶’̶t̶ ̶f̶i̶n̶d̶ ̶a̶n̶ ̶e̶a̶s̶y̶ ̶p̶a̶s̶s̶ ̶w̶i̶t̶h̶i̶n̶ ̶2̶ ̶s̶e̶c̶o̶n̶d̶s̶,̶ ̶j̶u̶s̶t̶ ̶c̶l̶e̶a̶r̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶b̶a̶l̶l̶ Just tackle and immediately clear the ball to the toucheline.
3. I would also instruct the other players to never pass to Musah, just act like he isn’t here and if you don’t find a pass, clear the ball.
4. Since neither Reijnders or Pulišić are attacking midfielders, I would use Jović as a SS behind Abraham. He did show some good stuff yesterday, so why not give him a chance. Whatever midfield combination we try we always concede goals anyways, so might as well go back to Reijnders-Fofana which did look ok for a while under Fonseca.
1. I don’t what to fixate on Musah. He is only one of many signings that haven’t worked out the past two seasons.
2. Better from Abraham this is was his third league goal. This is too little too late and not up to AC Milan standards. Giroud gave us three seasons of double digit Serie A goals.
3. The Jovic situation is another example of poor planning on the part of the management. He did well as a super-sub last season and was rewarded with a new contract, only to be told that he was not part of the team’s plans. I’m happy he’s back in the mix.
4. We had Gabbia, Thiaw, Tomori, Simic, Kalulu, Calabria, Bartesaghi, Jimenez. There was absolutely no need to meddle with this defense. They were more than capable, but bad transfers, constant rotation, and the collapse of the midfield is what led to this. Gabbia and Thiaw had a solid run together under Fonseca and I’d show Walker, Emerson, and Pavlovic the door before I turn on Tomori and Theo.
5. Cleary a big issue and it comes down to the fact that this is a poorly built squad. There is no system we can play sustainably because one injury or even a substitution forces a change in formation or players playing out of position.
So Champions League, Coppa Italia, and the trophy winning Supercoppa goals don’t count? Ok.
He can’t score if he’s not on the pitch. It’s not his fault he has gotten very few league starts. If you look at goals and assists per minutes played he leads the team. Tammy has been a good signing and they should try to bring him back.
Giroud was given a starting role. Abraham had to play back up to Morata and Gimenez. You can’t hold him to the same standards as Giroud.
If Abraham had the same opportunities as Morata, he would have like 8 league goals right now. He’s already shown he can score lots of goals in this league.
“1. I don’t what to fixate on Musah. He is only one of many signings that haven’t worked out the past two seasons.”
– There’s a difference between “not working out” and “being absolutely disastrous without doing ANYTHING positive ever”
“3. The Jovic situation is another example of poor planning on the part of the management. ”
– The blame is on the coaches. They choose who plays – not the management. The management did good in extending him.
Conceicao shouldn’t remain in the dugout after this season
The coach is killing the team with his substitution. When a team is control of a match, there is no need for change of players. Milan would have won against Fiorentina if Abraham was allowed to finish the game. Milan should recall Kalulu and Salaemaeker and sell Royal. Walker should go back to his club. Sell Thiaw and buy another center back. Musa has been costing us a lot of points and he should be sold.
If you watch last Milan game, he should make early substitution. musah show the horrible play. Milan can beaten 0-3 if he don’t make the early change.
I learnt 3 things.
1. Theo has found new ways to do stupid things. This time completely ignoring an opposition attack so that he can continue a pointless argument with the opposing full back. Just crazy stuff. At the end it was like the referee came over and gave them each a yellow on behalf of their coaches.
2. Jovic can solve the CAM problem in our perpetual 4231. Rjeinders could play there if our midfield did not implode every time he is not one of the double pivots. What are our other options for the CAM at this point. RLC who is never available, Felix who is a ghost in nearly all appearances or robbing Pulisic from the wing and forcing him into a position where he seems to under perform.
3. Finally it is official. Conceicao’s record is now worse than Fonseca’s. At end Fonseca had a managed 24 competitive games at a Points Per Game rate of 1.75 (W=12, D=6 & L=6).
After 22 games Conceicao’s record is now 1.59 Points Per Game (W=10, D=5 & L=7). Even if he were to win the next 2 games (Udinese (A) & Atalanta (H)) then he would still have a marginally worse record than Fonseca of 1.71 PPM after the same number of matches.
The worst part is that after a poor start, Fonseca’s Milan were improving. Conceicao has done the opposite. Good start but declining more and more despite getting an improved squad in January.
Conceicao can build Milan game with 1 striker or 2 strikers in middle of the game. He can make the rubbish player like jovic become the game changer. He’s lots of idea but the Milan composition players can’t do it. He make it with the remaining players that he didn’t choose it in the mercato.
The worst part is that after a poor start the game, conceicao’s Milan were improving. If Fonseca with this situation ?? He’s done. Resign
1. Theo is done. He simply can’t defend. Off the ball, he loses his man too easily. On the ball, he loses his man too easily.
2. Agree with others that Jovic should be a CAM and Tammy should remain the starter.
3. Pulisic is a winger. Pulisic is a winger. Pulisic is a winger. Say it 3 times.
4. Musah probably needs an extended rest, a new home or a new manager. And I’m a fan.
5. Calabria is a better left back than Theo.
6. Walker is not the player he used to be.
7. Other than Reminders, the midfield should be blown up this summer.
Don’t forget last Milan game, theo was the most Milan player that make shot on goal. Who supposed to be striker make it. Wheres is Milan strikers ??
Milan should play with 2 strikers
Reijnders
The next Tagline supposed to be:
5 things we NEVER learned
have always said 4231 is over. Milan should switch to 442 or 4312 twin striker to find more balance
“On the flanks, Walker and Hernandez were equally as bad”
LOL. Nope. Walker didn’t have a VIP-spot in watching Viola score goals like Theo. Walker didn’t stop playing to have a 30 sec argument with the opponent. Walker didn’t waste a brilliant chance by blasting the ball into the highest rows in the stadium instead of putting on a silverplate to a teammate.
Milan needs quality defenders who can easily read anticipated attacking moves from their opponents. They need a team leader at the defence. Though the best way to defend is to attack some Milan strikers are too selfish . The manager must understand his player’s potential and how to pair them . There’s a management crisis including playing formations .
If this pattern continues, it’s almost entirely coach’s fault ‼️❌❌❌
Milan should have fired after Lazio game, any coach would do better than Conceicao ‼️