AC Milan made it back to back 0-0 draws in the Champions League group stages as they played out a stalemate with Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park.
Both sides had big chances in both halves to win the game, with Olivier Giroud perhaps having Milan’s best opportunity in the first half when he hooked a shot over from deep inside the box having been played onside.
In the second half as the game became stretched Samuel Chukwueze could have been the difference maker with two glorious opportunities, but in the end the teams had to settle for a draw.
It is another point and another clean sheet for the Rossoneri, who now sit third in the group with two points, two behind leaders Newcastle United and one behind PSG who they play away and home in the next two games.
Stefano Pioli made three changes to the starting line-up from the team that beat Lazio 2-0 on Saturday, with Malick Thiaw coming in for Simon Kjaer while Yunus Musah and Tommaso Pobega took Yacine Adli and Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s places.
Milan’s first opening of the game came inside four minutes as some smart work in midfield by Tijjani Reijnders saw him spin to beat the Dortmund press and find Pobega’s run in behind, but the veteran Hummels did well to recover and block the shot.
The home side got their first sniff not long after when a low cross into the box was cleared by Thiaw but straight to Malen, whose reaction effort glanced off his own man and went wide of the far post with Mike Maignan untroubled.
In the first 15 minutes it felt as though Milan were playing with the handbrake on, hoping for Dortmund to commit bodies forward and get swept up in the atmosphere, thus leaving spaces to exploit.
Thiaw had a half-chance just after the quarter-hour mark when a corner that had been won and taken by Christian Pulisic met his head around the penalty spot, though he looped the effort onto the roof of the net.
There were a three yellow cards before the 30-minute mark, the first two coming from holding back a man who had escaped. The first went to Schlotterbeck as he grabbed Leao after he spun his man, then Reijnders got one for grabbing Brandt and Emre Can went through the back of Giroud for the third.
Malen continued to look like Dortmund’s biggest threat, and Maignan was happy to see a low drive across goal from 20 yards out whistle past the far post that had him scrambling.
Maignan was called into action when Hummels got past Calabria’s attempt at a tackle and Füllkrug’s low shot was just about parried away. Moments later, a Calabria foul gave Reus a good shooting chance from a free-kick but he curled it over and wide.
The chances continued to be one-way traffic, and Brandt produced an impressive chest-and-overhead-kick from Can’s cross in the 35th minute, though it did end up going over.
Up at the other end, Giroud really should have made it 1-0 when a corner was cleared to the edge of the box and was sent back into a dangerous area where the Frenchman – who was in space but played well onside – hooked his shot over.
The Bundesliga side ended the half stronger, with Reus having space to shoot on the left side of the box but scuffing his effort slightly, then Bensebaini’s fierce half-volley was palmed away by Maignan at the near post. From the resulting corner, a flick-on was almost bundled in by Reus.
The final chance went to Milan though, as a link-up between Leao, Theo and Pobega saw the latter find the former who surged into the box, hopping a challenge, and seeing his drilled cross whizz in front of Giroud. The ball came back to Theo 20 yards out, who then fired wide.
Milan started the second half brightly, with Theo and Leao combining well down the left side resulting in the Portuguese winger having a cross diverted behind. A corner resulted, which Pobega flicked over the bar.
The Rossoneri had a very good opportunity to make it 1-0 from a move that Pobega’s run down the left started. His cut-back towards Giroud went through to the far post, and Leao fired it in Pulisic who turned with his back to goal and hit it straight at Kobel when his fellow wingman could have had a return pass.
Not long before the hour mark, Pioli elected to make a change as Pobega was withdrawn from the midfield in place of Yacine Adli.
With the game meandering towards a 0-0 draw that did little for neither team, the Milan boss made two more changes. Samuel Chukwueze and Noah Okafor injected some pace into the attack, with Pulisic and Giroud making way.
As substitute winger Bynoe-Gittens cut inside and blasted a shot over the bar then Chukwueze blocked a shot from Can, it looked like being a hairy last 15 minutes for Pioli’s men.
A smart (or well improvised) free-kick routine saw Leao stand up a cross to the far post that Theo met with a bullet header having arrived late, yet he couldn’t direct the attempt on target.
Chukwueze had his first sight at goal inside the final five minutes after Adli found him in stride down the right flank with a lovely pass, and the Nigerian curled his effort narrowly wide of the far post.
Another huge opportunity came a minute later when a free-flowing move saw Chukwueze put through on goal by Leao, yet Kobel stood up well to saw a weak low shot as he was falling over, then Reijnders sent a follow-up shot just wide from the edge of the box.
The teams continued to trade chances, and it was Nmecha’s chance to miss the target from a good shooting position as the seconds ticked away.
Lazy Leao or Leao the Leader? LOL. You decide.
Its not Leao fault if Pioli cant set up a proper tactics.
This. The side had no clue how to develop attacks in the first half. Things opened up more in the second half, but we still had no idea how to provide the final ball. Pobega was poor. Adli did well after coming on, which helped. But Musah was the pick of a poor midfield. I continue to be very impressed with him. Chukwueze the new CDK? He missed a golden opportunity. Why did he pull it back onto his left foot? Just hit it with the right foot inside the opposite post! UGH. Regardless, our inability to threaten the opposition’s goal is on Pioli. The guys looked bereft of ideas for 60 min.
Now we’re really left to rue not beating Newcastle, who put PSG to the sword. Of course, a mediocre PSG is going to put the nail in our coffin.
I’m not sure about it being Pioli this time. I’m not a very big fan of the coach. Today Leao, on most occasions, didn’t seem to develop the play well. He was triple teamed quite often. Even then, when he broke their line or received the ball with space he seemed to lack that last pass/bit to make us dangerous.
But thats the thing mate. Other coaches know that our attack is based on Leao, so they crowed him with players and Pioli does nothing about it. Its hard to deliver a good ball if you have three players constantly around you. Its hard to find space. Thats why for example Pioli should attack thru the middle sometimes and suprice the opposing coach. But he just keep pushing with the same thing which dosent work against better teams.
If a player is getting triple teamed it means there ought to be more space somewhere else. Rotate the ball quickly to the other flank, or push the RB up and have the RW cut into the middle to outnumber the opposition. Whatever. There are tactical solutions to this. Giving the ball to Leao and having him just run straight ahead isn’t a tactic.
Lazy Leao, I have been saying this since the start. I just can’t stand his “i dont care attitude” and his laziness and childish behaviour.
Another horrible performance. Pioli is the worst manager we’ve ever had. Only an idiot plays this Pobega and Giroud upfront by himself. No cohesion, no belief, no creativity and no manager.
I don’t blame Pioli for the draw. This one is solely on our chances and misses. We had a lot of well developed movement but we made to many simple mistakes.
You watched a different game then, buddy. We were shocking. A few chances created out of nowhere doesn’t change that. Yes, our players need to do more, but this is 90% of the manager, who is clueless in nearly every aspect of the game.
Worst manager we’ve ever had – who won scudetto and got us to CL semi? You weren’t around in Gattuso days obviously.
I don’t care about that. The guy is a fraud. Stick with him if you want, but we’re not going anywhere with that bald clown as our coach. Got us to the UCL semi and we probably had the two worst performances ever in that round of the competition.
It was Ibra magic to win the league, pioli was clueless last year in absence of him
Chuky is giving some cdk feels. He just can’t find the rhythm
He drblles good but he kind of seems slow. And lacks the end product.
Dribbles 2 much and for no reason
Beradi or orsolini?missed opportunity!!
It will come
Chunks is giving Chuks vibes. The guy conversion rate is too poor. His conversion rate just got little better last season. we always over rate left footed players.
I guess thats why transfermark valued him at only 20mil. Which is kind of low for a really good winger. But lets wait a bit its still early to judge him maybe he will improve along the season.
It’s clear that Giroud is TOTALLY past it. Should have been sold to the US / Saudi over Summer. NO IDEA why he is our starting 9. At least with Okafor there is the threat of pace which draws two defenders – GIROUD can’t even finish a tap in next to goal. Leao is too inconsistent to EVER be considered world class. Sell him next Summer.
Giroud gives a lot . Age is not his ally atm, but at least he works for the team
Leao and Theo didn’t come to play today, there’s no other word for itz a lazy shift from both, both offered absolutely nothing going forward in the first half. The team was timid and toothless through the entire encounter and showed Dortmund way too much respect. If this is Pioli’s idea of playing in Europe then I don’t see us making it out of the group stages.
This is largely on Pioli
Yeah, both looks off and uninterested especially in the first half. And also including Pobega on the left midfield made it more miserable to watch the left flank performance.
If anyone can explain to me what on earth Pioli sees in Pobega I would be really grateful. He runs like a headless chicken and does not offer much neither offensively nor defensively.
Thank you. No one can – apart from a few goofballs.
Laeo is lazy! Chukueze is a mess. His he so poor converting chance. His right leg is died completely. Pioli need to start dropping Giroud to the bench. Not a bad performance but we are putting ourselves is tired situation.
Better luck against PSG.
Not bad?!? It was garbage.
Logically draw is excellent, because team did not lost and gained losing momentum but we managed to miss so many chances.
Giroud in first half, and Chukwueze after his shot Rejinders miss second is huge bad luck and huge loss.
But team needs to grow now more, and try to win at least one point against PSG.
With 3 points in 4 games we have chance to beat Newcastle – Borussia competition and take last train.
If we win at least 1 game against PSG – that means we already have strong team.
2 games with pobega as a starter ended up in the same result.
Milan have a habit if they can score a fast goal in first half, they usually able to score more goals easier.
That wouldn’t be the case with pobega as a starter.
Pioli again with the mid table team mentality who just play not to lose.
Is he scared because milan is in a tough group?
Evidently so.
In second half after adli and okafor came in, milan actually looked really dangerous on the counter attack.
But just like against newcastle, some selfish plays ruined their chance to score and win the game.
Those wasted chances from chuku and reinjders costed milan the points.
Reijnders at DM is one of the worst moves this fraud has done so far.
Yelling at Musah instead of Leao bc he has no balls to instil some discipline into the portugese
Milan is lucky not to loose at Iduna Park for real. Milan would have lost this one 3 goals to nill.
Wasn’t an easy opponent, was never gonna be easy facing the pressure from Dortmund fans from first minute to final whistle.
Chukwueze missed a golden opportunity.
Maignan should be MOTM.
Forza Milan ❤ 🖤
Most of the saves Maignan made were saves you’d expect any goal keeper to make, bar 2 or 3.
Milan had the clearer opportunities but didn’t take them
Our finishing in champions league is going to kill us. That should have been two wins out of two and yet we’re left worrying. Giroud, pulisic, chukwueze should all have scored. Calabria is absolutely awful this season. No matter who he goes up against, he gets burnt every time.
Change the default captain and you’ll see a team that plays with fire in their eyes. Calabria can’t handle a one on one situation. He’s a good sub at best.
Playing Reindjers at DM took a lot from the team. By the time Pioli switched him up, he was done.
Milan got the clearer chances too it must be said
And we got to see Adli play as mezzela. Now I believe I can confidently settle my argument…. “Pioli is a hinderance (at least has been thus far) to Adli’s career
I don’t think PSG will lose back to back champions league match… with this tactics from Pioli I predict another draw or lose from Milan
Chuk needs to get his head whacked by Zlatan to wake up and tell him he is playing for Milan now, no small-team BS.
Leao- GET HIM OFF THE TEAM. He is too inconsistent and doesn’t deserve to be automatic choice. Now our result depends on whether he tries to do silly things or not. Now, he is a burden to the team unless he decides to wake up.
Reijnders too needs to get his head whacked because he gets scared when finishing.
Okafor, far better than Giroud in terms of energy and intensity.
Adli, another great game. Play him more!
So much money spend on mids and our mid still looks average. Cant create nothing and that miss from Reijndeers smh. Its the same thing over and over again just pass to Leao.
Wow I wish we won the Newcastle game but in all, I have a feeling we will win Newcastle,I don’t know about psg yet but am confident of winning Newcastle the table still very much open for any one here currently looking at the standing we still have a huge chance of going through just win one of your game against psg then we good to go Milan psg might still go through it’s not a prediction it’s a spoiler irrespective of poili incompetence to read games and make some selection.
We should have won this game. We missed way too many dangerous opportunities.
Pioli did well to shift mentality when he brought Adli in. Changing to a 4-2-3-1. We created quite a few chances from that change.
We created quite a few chances without it being from an opponents mistake. We were extremely defensively sound. I think only 1 somewhat dangerous chance against out net.
My only criticism is why Pobega?
Switched to 4-2-3-1 with Musah and Adli in the double pivot and Reindjers in the infamous Pioli “ghost role” right Infront of them. Reijnders just vanished from the game.
Then back to 4-3-3 again with Musah holding and Adli and Reindjers ahead. There was one move where Reindjers should have laid a ball off to Adli…and we’ll be off
Pioli shot himself in the foot AGAIN. For 60 or so mins he played with 10 men. Slowpega couldnt keep up with the pace. The guy just can’t run. Leao has got to move more without the ball. He has such a big potential but he just got to work a bit harder. Ask for the ball, move around and create space. He can go past anyone in the world and makes it look easy, but he’s got to move and stay focused. Positive note, thiaw and tomorri were just great again. Musah was good until the 60th min or so and then he got tired. He ran his sucks off. Reinders did what he was told to until adli came on. Adli, what the hell, calm opened play and defended. Definetly should have started. He is becoming a good good player. Pulisic was good in the 1st half and some of the 2nd, then he got tired. Anyways. Could have won it but we didn’t loose. Dortmund is very strong in their home turf. Slowpega starting is the reason we didn’t pick up all the 3 points in my opinion. Anyways, onto the next one. Forza MILAN.
Musah started giving away cheap balls and missing easy tackles at that point. Needs more minutes under his belt to reach top 90 + minutes form
he covered the most ground of any player (12km). Imagine RLC in that situation…he has played but only one 90 min.
Here we go, “GET HIM OFF THE TEAM”. Thank god you are not a coach.
Leao is a very talented player but he will never be a world class player . Is to lazy, superficial and self-sufficient. Sell for100+ millions and bye bye.
Chuckwueze is a limited player, average at best, a failed transfer.
Giroud almost an ex player, we need a young , strong and consistent new striker.
Theo Hernandez , one big game and ten next average performance. Sell for 60+ millions. We should not have missed the opportunity to bring Carlos Augusto for 13 million euros.
Pioli logic= play slow midfielders behind the strikers to put pressure on their defense, or build up play. First krunic and now slowpega. But these players can’t pass and for sure just can’t run. Se thing with ladt season. He tries for a few games than he sees that it’s not working. Only to come back to it after a few games. What a coach.
I think new castle will go through to the round 16 either as number 1 group or as a runner up. The other ticket is for psg, Dortmund and milan to compete. It could be milan or psg thrown into europa league..
If Pioli keeps relying on a 37years old Giroud as a starter , we will definitely bow out of the Champions league. In the CF role, Okafor can stretch any defense with his pace as long as they play the ball to him. If Pioli wants Milan to qualify for the knockout stages Okafor needs to start. Milan is the only team in this season’s champions league relying on a 37years old striker.
Giroud should not be starting, however I blame Pioli who seems scared to make changes. Giroud has never been a prolific striker even at a younger age, so its difficult to comprehend why he’s leading the Milan front line. Secondly, he’s hardly involved in build up play due to his lack of mobility and therefore limited to capitalizing on aerial balls or penalties. Okafor and Jovic should be ahead of him, as they will bring more to the table upfront. Giroud may have scored some important goals in the past, but that is not enough now as he’s not consistent.