The post-mortem has begun after AC Milan’s Champions League semi-final first leg defeat against Inter at San Siro last night.
Calciomercato.com write how the defeat has left a ‘bitter aftertaste’ because Inter were superior ‘physically, technically and tactically’ for the majority of the game last night, so much so that the Nerazzurri could have won by more than two goals.
Read SempreMilan ad-free and get access to exclusive news. Click here for a free trial!
For the third time in their history, Inter have beaten Milan three times in the same season with 1973-74 and 1994-95 to other occasions, and it shows how much Stefano Pioli seems to come into trouble against Simone Inzaghi.
There were some obvious flaws in the approach, starting with the fact that the Rossoneri lack the height and the adequate tactical countermeasures to counter the excessive power of Inter on set pieces, as seen in the opening goal after eight minutes.
Inter had the game won after 11 minutes and appeared in a far better physical condition compared to Milan, which does bring about questions regarding the mass rotation by Pioli in recent weeks that was done with the clear intention of reaching this semi-final in top shape.
Both in the Supercoppa final and in the Champions League quarter-final challenge against Napoli, a disoriented and mentally weak team took to the field and were rocked after a slow start, something that simply must be fixed in view of Tuesday.
Shameful to see how many tussles Giroud lost. Dzeko was far superior holding the play up from long balls and how Giroud lost all duels against Inter defenders. Had he been able to win and hold the ball for the midfielders to join Milan would have created better chances going forward. Giroud’s play from the long balls was atrocious. Backing up into defenders and falling down is unacceptable and Inter is using that effectively against our smaller defenders. Giroud is easily 2meters tall and yet incapable of using his height and strength
GIROUD HAS BEEN PLAYING EVERY GAME FOR US, WE HAVE NO REPLACEMENT, INTER RESTEDDZEKO AND LAUTARO DURING THIER LEAGUE MATCH, WE WENT ALL IN AGAISNT LAZIO, WE HAVE NO BENCH, GIROUD IS SUPPOSTED TO BE OUR BACKUP STRIKER HES 37, HE CANT PLAY EVERY MATCH IN TOP FORM, 1ST HALF OF THE SEASON SHOWED MANY GAPS, WE NEEDED 2 TO 3 PLAYERS IN JAN, CARDINALE DID NOTHING, WE ARE PAYING THE PRICE NOW
I agree with this. This squad SEVERELY lacks depth and quality. While I dont always agree with piolis tactics he also hasn’t been given any proper reinforcements. Imagine if Milan won the ucl with this squad by some fluke. It will be even worse in terms of spending. The mindset will be that this team is good enough to win it again next season.
Nothing stops him from doing the basics right. Controlling a ball and finding your man are assumed to be standard and mechanical at this level. He might not always score but for godsake at this level of the game we have nowhere to hide.
Squad depth is a problem, granted. But rolling over and die won’t keep us in the big league. Then we will have to go and play with the little provincial boys…you have to die with boots on guys…