There were few expectations heading into the friendly against Liverpool. However, AC Milan showed that they are more than capable of performing.
Getting too excited over a friendly is a danger, of course. However, Milan were solid and made the most of their chances, whilst also keeping Liverpool at bay. Impressive, yes, despite the fact that its relevance to the season is little.
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Gazzetta dello Sport, this morning, states that it is a showing of ‘Allegri’s Milan’. The ideas have manifested onto the pitch quickly, and the team have bought into his style. Compact and balanced, alert and capable, the Diavolo ‘passed with flying colours’, the paper writes (seen below).
Defensively sound
Whilst Liverpool had most of the ball and had more shots, they failed to really create much danger. It was never a case of the Rossoneri bowing to their opponents, at least consistently. There were chances, of course. However, it was not a one-way street.
Fikayo Tomori, Malick Thiaw and Strahinja Pavlovic worked well in the backline, whilst the paper also gives solid scores to Samuele Ricci, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Youssouf Fofana.
A 5-4-1 shape limited space for the Reds’ midfield, and sacrifices were made, as seen by Rafael Leao’s deeper positioning. With that, they found confidence and belief in one another.
Regeneration
The goals were scored quickly, with the Rossoneri counterattacking strongly. However, there was a clear need for a ‘box-striker’, to allow this system to blossom more beautifully. Leao impressed, as did Alexis Salemaekers and Christian Pulisic.
In fact, the Portuguese was involved in the two opening goals for Milan, showing just how good a performance he had. Pivotal.
As a team, there was more of a spark than what they had shown last season – again, pre-season needs to be remembered; however, this is Allegri’s forte. He makes players better, and then teams grow with it.
Tomori, Thiaw, Loftus-Cheek, Leao, Noah Okafor, Pavlovic. Each had previously shown issues, but as Gazzetta write, they seem reborn, regenerated, revived under Allegri.
The win is great but it’s a friendly and the media has been overdoing it. Last year with Foncesca we won all the friendlies and once the season started we all know what happened next.
What is evident from this win is that our team is build for counter attacks but I’m not sure how this team will manage against smaller teams. We don’t know how to break a defense.
I also would rather have Adli in the team who knows how to give long balls than Musah or Bondo. Not saying he would be a starter but Musah and Bondo are not better.
I guess any win against Liverpool is worth savouring, but expect a completely different outcome if the teams meet competitively. This was just a fitness exercise.
Pre-season or not , there is no doubt that Allegri’s Milan will be more compact then the previous coaches sides and that is a relief.
One thing I would like to comment on is that the article indicates a box-striker is needed. Is this really the case? Who would have to be replaced? Leao in a CF position can be a game changer and Pulisic behind him really works.
The 5-4-1 is working because it is giving a strong platform with 3 midfielders who can defend and support quick counters, however this system works best with mainly two roaming and dynamic forwards not classic no.9’s who give reference points and are predictable.
For some games Allegri will probably switch to a 4-3-3 where you can have a no.9 ( Gimenez) or Vlahovic ( as he’s always linked in the media).
My thoughts are they should go for kolo Muani who would be very good in a 4-3-3 with Pulisic and Leao and also very good in the 5-4-1 alternating up front.
Centre forwards are overrated unless your name is Haaland or Kane.
“Compact” is a nice way of putting it haha 😂
Oh we’ll see lots of compactness in the season don’t worry 😅
Can’t expect champagne football on a beer budget.
Ah alas, touche 👌
These games are practice. If you want to take something from the games look at the Arsenal game. 2-3 shots on goal for the game. They are a team ready to go and have played their system several years. LFC had a bunch of new players and the second half played a bunch of second teamers. The game was tied at halftime. Draw conclusions at your own risk.