AC Milan ensured they will go into the final international break of the season in positive spirits after beating Torino at San Siro on Saturday night.
Milan needed to bounce back after losing 1-0 to Lazio last weekend, and after a slow start against Torino the game burst into life as Strahinja Pavlovic hammered in a shot from 30 yards off the bar. However, the lead would not last long as Simeone netted from a rebound before the break.
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The Rossoneri then took command of the game in the second half with Adrien Rabiot and Youssouf Fofana scoring in quick succession to make it 3-1. Vlasic’s penalty with a few minutes left halved the deficit, but Milan hung on for a big win.
It means the Diavolo now sit on 63 points and have reclaimed second place following Napoli’s win on Friday night. Below are five things we learned from the game, courtesy of Ivan Stoev.
1. A big upgrade
Pervis Estupinan did a fine job and stole the spotlight in the derby against Inter but he followed that with a howler of performance against Lazio, which showcased why Davide Bartesaghi has overtaken him in the pecking order.
Against Torino the Italian was back in the starting XI and the hierarchy again became clear. He was very solid in the defensive phase of the game, which was night and day compared to how Estupinan handled his defensive duties last week.
Going forward Bartesaghi was quieter with Milan attacking more through the middle and down the right hand side, but the left-back did well to help his side keep the ball in the final minutes of the game showcasing great composure.
One caveat was his decision making towards the end of the game where he could’ve squared it to Christopher Nkunku in Torino’s penalty area. Instead decide to do it all himself, which proved to be the wrong choice as he failed to hit the target.
2. Pavlovic paves the way
Strahinja Pavlovic has been great so far this season, not only in defence but also in attack. His constant runs down the left side of the box have helped Milan get out of tricky situations plenty of times.
This time it was no different, although the method was varied. The Serbian again led the way for his side after scoring a rocket of a goal from long range and then followed it up with brilliant defensive work.
The only negative was inviting that penalty which gave Torino something to cling onto. Despite it being a very soft call he could and probably should not have given the referee and VAR room a decision to make.
Other than that it was another very strong performance by the centre-back, who continues to go from strength to strength. If the temptation exists to switch to a 4-3-3 more permanently, he would surely be one of the two in the CB pairing.
3. A different team
We already talked about Adrien Rabiot’s absence against Lazio and how it impacted the game (and the result), and it’s more than clear how the Frenchman influences the game when he’s on the pitch, both on and off the ball.
On Saturday night he important goal in a decisive moment where Milan needed to take the lead to calm themselves down. As a reminder, he also scored a rocket in the reverse fixture to get his team out of a tricky situation with Milan winning that game 3-2 too.
In addition to the goal, Rabiot helped his side move the ball better and Modric also had more space to work with. It’s really crucial for Milan that the former PSG man is on the pitch and it further highlights the case for bringing more top quality players like him in the summer, ones Allegri wants.
4. Unlikely heroes
Pulisic has finally got himself involved in a goal after picking up the assist for Rabiot early in the second half. It was a lovely run inside the box to receive the ball and good execution to deliver for the midfielder who had an easy job tapping the ball in.
Could this be the turning point for the American, who has struggled a lot since the start of the year? His running and eagerness has been present but the efficiency was not there, and on the night it made all the difference.
Rabiot wasn’t the only midfielder to shine either. Fofana also played a very solid game as he scored the third goal after controlling the ball inside the box and finishing it with a well-placed shot, albeit one the goalkeeper might want back.
Fofana usually struggles a lot in the final third and it was refreshing to see him on the score sheet. If he can be as composed in the future then surely he can rack up some impressive numbers, given he also has 13 assists since the start of last season.
In addition to that he did lots of running between the boxes, which created space for the players around him and was key for opening up Torino’s defence. It was an excellent performance by the Frenchman, who might just be locking up that third midfield spot.
5. Allegri responds well
We had some criticism for the coach after the Lazio defeat, mainly because of the lack of early changes when the game was not going in Milan’s way. This time around the reactions were timely and made a difference.
The decision to drop Estupinan paid off well given that Bartesaghi was very solid on the left. Then, Allegri subbed off Tomori at half time after the Englishman earned himself a yellow and was therefore walking a tightrope.
Athekame, who came on for Tomori, was also much better both on and off the ball as he also picked up an assist, even if it was a relatively easy one. Again, when the 4-3-3 is used in game, he seems much more of a natural at full-back, with his size and top speed.
Following the second goal Milan also did not stop pushing which is usually what happens. On a few occasions that has been costly as inviting on pressure has led to dropped points.
1- I think Füllkrug’s good performance against La Viola and Lecce was a fluke, he was totally absent yesterday. I was wrong to believe that him and Pulišić would work (or even him and Leão).
Which means that we currently don’t have a functionning attacking pair. Maybe we should try a 4-3-3 and stop with this non-sense.
2- While his performance is far from stellar, I did like Athekame’s growth. He might become a somewhat reliable fullback in the future.
3- While I do like him overall this season, someone should talk to Saelemakers. At least get him to stop diving, stop being so heat-headed,… He is 26 but sometimes act like he is U20.
4- I think we should montior this Vlašić a little bit, watch more of his games to see if he can be useful to us in the future.
5- I find it interesting and a bit funny that we won 3-2 against Torino in both of our games and in both cases, our first goal was an absolute screamer.
Vlasic was almost a Milan player in 2021 as a replacement for Hakan. Milan know Vlasic very well.
Yes all this is true, Rabiot super important, Pulisic did well, etc etc. The one thing that really stood out to me during that 15 minute period was the shape and specifically, Modric. He played so far up the pitch in the spot I think most of us were expecting from him all year but he wanted to play deeper so that’s where he plays. Having him up front just turned pulisic and Rabiot into different beasts. he saw those passes that salad always misses and pulisic missed last week. He has the vision and ability to hit those all day and for 15 minutes Torino didn’t have any answers. When we play like that, it looks like the old Milan. The problem is, that leaves us very exposed and Modric probably can’t keep that up for 90 minutes but idk I’d like to see more of that. It’d be like a kaioken attack, good for short bursts.
“It’d be like a kaioken attack, good for short bursts.”
🤣🤣🤣
Brings back memories.
lol, Kaioken x20 would be Pavlovic up as striker!
This is a good observation. That 15 minutes from min 50-65 was the best offensively we have looked in many matches. We were playing fast and fluid and Torino didn’t know how to pick everyone up.
We have to use that formation — with Modric high and with wingers out wide — to our advantage in every match going forward.
If our fans can stop talking for a few minutes about switching to 4-3-3, take a step back, look at the full picture, they will realize that Milan have 63 points from 30 games this season playing in 3-5-2. Milan averages more than 2 points per game playing in a formation that fans want to go away from. And if are going to be honest, if Pulisic, Leao, Fofana, Gimenez at the start of the season, Fulkrug, Nkunku, were better at finishing big chances, Milan would have few more points and even be on the top of standings. How many penalties Milan players missed so far this season?
All that while having the best or 2nd best defense in the league.
The formation is not the problem at all.
In football, players are always going to miss chances and that’s why it’s sometimes better to create more chances so to make sure we score some of them instead of hoping that our players will be better at finishing than they’re currently are.
The 3-5-2 clearly suits our defenders and wingbacks, but also clearly mitigates our attack. Leão and Nkunku are clearly not strikers, no matter how hard Allegri tries to field them as such.
We’re currently 2nd (for now!) with 63 points in 30 games, which is certainly not bad considering our previous season and we could have more points if not for some misses, but we also could have won many more games at home against weaker teams had we played more aggressively. Yesterday we looked more fluid we Athekame came in and the formation essentially became a 4-3-3.
Now the idea isn’t to abandon the 3-5-2, but at least try a 4-3-3 or something else when we play against teams that are going to park the bus.
Next season, we will see what we should do depending on which player will come and go.
You can be more aggressive playing in 352. Inter have scored 20 more goals than Milan in the same formation. The formation doesn’t stop them from scoring.
Don’t you need a striker even if you play 433?
So if Milan doesn’t have a striker, if Leao and Nkunku are not strikers no matter how much Allegri tries to field them as much, who is going to play as the striker in 433?
On the flip side, What would the switch to 433 done to the defense? Do you think that Milan have the CBs and fullbacks good enough to play with 4 in the back?
If Maignan doesn’t make that great save on Simeone in the 2nd half, we are talking about a draw or worse. They were very shaky defensively once they switched to 4 especially on the right.
I don’t know if it’s fair to compare us to Inter. Inter is a fine tuned machine that has used the 3-5-2 for years and brings players tailor made for that system.
Truth is, we don’t have the players for any system whatsoever, any formation we can think of leaves gaps somewhere.
Füllkrug and Giménez are strikers, they’re crap but still strikers. A front 3 with Leão-Füllkrug/Giménez-Pulišić would be more potent than just 2 out of 3.
I don’t think Milan has good defenders or fullbacks, that’s probably why Allegri uses a 3-5-2 to begin with and that’s why I just suggest to use a 4-3-3 in some games when we’re more compelled to attack. A 4-3-3 against Inter or Napoli would be su!c!de right now, but could have worked against teams like Hellas Verona or Cremonese or Pisa.
“If Maignan doesn’t make that great save on Simeone in the 2nd half, we are talking about a draw or worse. They were very shaky defensively once they switched to 4 especially on the right.”
But they were also very shaky in the first half. Truth is, Torino outplayed us for most of the game.
Fulkrug came in January, Gimenez have been injured most of the season, Leao missed a month and has been in and out because of injuries, Pulisic have been mostly injured for the last 4 months, RLC missed time and is currently out, Jashari missed half of the season, Rabiot missed a month, Gabbia have missed some time and Milan currently only have 3 CBs, all of that, with a small squad, and Milan is 2nd with 63 points after 30 games, but all the talk is about switching to 433, a formation that had Milan finishing 8th last season with the same 63 points after 38 games.
Allegri for most of the season didn’t have enough attackers to field for 352, but fans keep calling for 433.
If Milan don’t have ‘good’ defenders or full backs or any strikers how come they’re second?
At what point do you change your opinion when confronted with facts?
Or is it just endless complaining and thinking you know better than a 6 x winning Scudetto coach?
“If Milan don’t have ‘good’ defenders or full backs or any strikers how come they’re second?”
3 reasons:
– Milan’s excellent midfielders in Rabiot and Modrić.
– Allegri is overall overperforming with this team, despite some underperformances here and there.
– Napoli, Juve,… blowing it
A team being well ranked doesn’t mean every player is good. Just look at Barcelona, they’re first but their defense is atrocious.
What does “over” or “under” performing even mean?
The team is performing at the level it is performing end of.
And teams don’t win matches with one or two players. All players contribute to the win. This is elite sport.
The reason I take issue with this constant criticism of a team in 2nd is because this is exactly what was the undoing of the last Scudetto winning side (that apparently also “over-performed”).
It’s all just meaningless opinions with the aim of seeking “improvement”.
Well the last cycle of “improvements” saw Milan drop from 1st to 8th.
“What does “over” or “under” performing even mean?”
Anyone with IQ over 100 should know the answer. Honestly. Not trying to offend you but those things are as simple as 1+1=2.
Milan fans don’t stop complaining.
I learnt that it is possible to see a Milan home game at the San Siro, where the opponent wears a kit that looks more like our home kit.
🤦♂️
We were out played in the 1st half. Lucky to be level at half time.
Then for the next 25 minutes were really strong. Athekame and the slight formation change made a big difference.
Even though Fullkrug did not deliver much. I still think it helps everyone around him to know their role and play in a particular way. By having that target at the top of the attack.
Agree about the kit!
Fiorentina is making the scudetto race interesting.
Yeah!!!
Are iNTeR collapsing? If we can get our sh*t together they’re there for taking…
Yeah, we “only” need to win against Napoli, which is in a 4 games winning streak, in the Diego Armando Maradona…
I’m not scared of Napoli – especially in Naples where we usually beat them.. If we were playing Verona at home I’d be sh*tting myself…
Agreed. More nervous about the likes of Sassuolo.
Napoli is perfect for Corto Muso. That’s how we beat them the first game.
And in the supercoppa they smoked us.
Let’s not act like this is an already won game, it will be far from easy.
A win against Napoli would be a huge way to start the chase
I think we’ll do it. inter meanwhile have Roma and then Como, and with their form they’re likely to drop points again..
Milan are not going to play 433. I’ve accepted that…when is everyone going to realize that Allegri is Allegri? We’re in 2nd place!?! Not great, but not a disaster either.
2nd place isn’t ‘great’?
After finishing 8th last season?
If Milan do manage to win the Scudetto this season none of your moaners should be allowed to celebrate.
You don’t deserve it.
Didn’t you switch to a Como fan because Calabria wasn’t good anymore or something? Maybe you shouldn’t cheer either?
I probably don’t deserve to celebrate either.
But at least I acknowledge that.
Whereas the people who have been slagging off the players all season will celebrate the loudest and then immediately get to figuring out which of those Scudetto winners they want to get rid of (for not being “Scudetto winning material”).
Had we been a bit more aggressive and fortuitous we might actually been leading the league.
Any who lets see where we we end,
Ce La Vie
Something I learned:
Two of our forwards despite not being in-form and battling chronic injuries with limited minutes, Pulisic and Leão, have scored the vast majority of goals by forwards, in this Serie A season. Otherwise, the non-attackers have scored slightly more than the forwards.
Our Serie A goals came from:
1st. Leão: 9
2nd. Pulisic: 8
3rd. tie, Nkunku, Rabiot: 5 each
5th. Pavlovic: 4
6th. Loftus-Cheek: 3
7th. 4-way tie, Bartesaghi, Modric, Fofana, Saelemaekers: 2 each
11th. 5-way tie, Athekame, De Winter, Estupiñan, Füllkrug, Ricci: 1 each
So, goals by forwards: 23 (of which, 17 by Rafa and Puli)
Goals by non-forwards: 24
It’s interesting that the two players more heavily criticized by the fan base, Rafa and Puli, scored the vast majority of our goals by forwards.
It is also interesting that the non-forwards scored more goals (although by just one) than all forwards put together, which shows that our 3-5-2 is not exactly conducive of prolific results for the forwards.
The great thing about this season is that Allegri has helped narrow down the areas where the team needs to be improved.
By the end of last season the wreckers in charge had managed to completely destroy the foundations of the team. It was unclear where to even begin.
By the end of this season it seems Milan now only need to improve in one single area – they need a striker.
People are calling for new defenders but Milan have the strongest defence.
People are calling for new midfielders but midfield has been an area of dominance.
Unfortunately all of the strikers and attackers have struggled. Leao and Pulisic have rarely been fit or on form but have done reasonably well in terms of goals and assists.
There are however specific moments we can look back on to see where the Scudetto was lost (or not!).
There were specific missed chances in games that should’ve been won against Cremonese, Pisa, and Parma x 2.
Pulisic was on fire until he got hurt. He’s struggled to regain form post-injury but to say that overall he has struggled is not accurate
Are you telling me that the players whose job is to score goals have scored the vast majority of goals?
WOW, that’s mind blowing.
How dare anyone criticize them!
We should instead criticize the full backs and center backs for not scoring enough.
Maignan hasn’t scored a goal or provided an assist either.
No, I simply meant that the non-forwards scoring more than the forwards suggest that the preferred formation, 3-5-2, obviously doesn’t favor the forwards. We all know that. We often improve when we switch mid-game to 4-3-3. In most teams on Earth, the forwards score more than the midfielders and the defenders. Not at AC Milan. Given that our forwards are not exactly horrible players, as evidenced by their success in previous seasons where they were among the top 3 in the entire Serie A league for top goal contributions (the other one being Inter’s Lautaro Martinez), obviously there was a drop in effectiveness once we moved to 3-5-2. Whoever doesn’t see it, is blind. Sure, there was also an improvement in defensive stats by moving to this formation. That is also undeniable and does have an impact on results, as we were leaking goals all over the place, last season. But may point was the goal scoring effectiveness, and it was a valid point.
AND the point about Rafa and Puli remains. They are top contributors to the team, but still, attract the most criticism. One, because he’s perceived as being lazy. The other one, because he is American.
See, even Puli, who is often the player with the most kilometers covered in a game, and who works his heart out for the team, and has lead the team in number of assists in the last three seasons (not this season, in which Fofana has more assists than Puli; but it’s been an atypical season marred by injury for Pulisic – and for the other forwards) was accused of being lazy (by the poster named Z) and selfish (even accused by a teammate). Pulisic is the ultimate non-lazy and non-selfish player, but was still accused of these non-existing shortcomings.
If this is not unfair criticism, I don’t see what else would qualify as such.
Your example of Maignan is a fallacy known as slippery slope. Of course his lack of scores and assists are not in function of the formation, as he is a goalkeeper (funny enough, Maignan has had assists, with long passes to forwards, in the recent pass, but that’s the exception rather than the rule, of course). Why are you making such a ridiculous and extreme point, to counter what I said which was quite sensible?
1. The formation is not conducive of success for our forwards. This much is obvious.
2. The two top goal contributors to this team, are the two top most criticized players. That is obviously unfair.
So, I make two obvious and justified points, and you counter with this ridiculous slippery slope regarding Maignan?
Insert rolling eyes here.
I never thought this team was ready to win the scudetto. But, does anyone think this team has improved since the season started? How Inter plays the 3-5-2 is very different then how ACM does. They push up higher and have their midfielders playing more aggressively. There are more option for passes with how they play that formation. They also often press hard after losing the ball. This allows them to keep their players forward. From what I’ve seen one wingback does drop back to help with coverage. Their wingbacks to be blunt are better than ours. If ACM loses to Napoli they are then is third place and Como is coming on. Como seems to have put their self-destructive mistakes behind them.
Pavlo’s defensive game has improved a lot under Max as his flexibility to contribute in attack. With the right guidance he could be as good as Calafiori.
Hopefully not that good or else we’ll lose him. Remember, Calafiori was purchased by Arsenal. Players who reach that level are poached by the wealthy clubs of the EPL, La Liga, or the lone stars of Ligue 1 (PSG) and Bundesliga (Bayern).
Sometimes people berate our players (not you, though; you’re a good poster; I’m talking of others) without realizing that if they were close to perfect, they wouldn’t be playing for us; they’d be playing for the clubs that can afford them.
Some of here are good at criticising our team always. I believe AC Milan have performed beyond expectations this season, and much credit goes to our coach, Massimiliano Allegri. Compared to last season, the team has clearly improved. We shouldn’t be too quick to criticize, especially since this is his first season back. He has brought more balance and stability to the team. The fact that our attackers are not scoring as much is understandable at this stage. Let’s learn to appreciate the progress and give him the support he deserves. Forza Milwn
“Solid in the defensive phase”.
Remind me how that first Torino goal came about?
This Bartesaghi glazing needs to stop. Who was it that reacted too late to stop Simeone from scoring against Mike?