AC Milan were deservedly beaten by AS Roma last night in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final first leg tie at San Siro last night, and it has a lot to do with coaching.
Calciomercato.com have analysed the game last night and above all the tactical battle between Stefano Pioli and Daniele De Rossi, two coaches who entered the game with their teams playing well and full of confidence.
On the one hand we saw a well-organised team, impeccable from a tactical point of view, concentrated and combative. On the other there was a Milan without a soul and with few ideas.
The result of 0-1 feels the right outcome from a match that leaves everything open for the return leg, but which sees the Giallorossi as clear favourites to progress to the Europa League semi-finals.
With three different tactical moves, De Rossi won the match against Pioli by a landslide. The first: Stephan El Shaarawy on the right to keep Rafael Leao and Theo Hernandez in check, which worked very well.
The second: Romelu Lukaku was isolated in attack to keep the two central defenders busy, something which actually seemed to bring out the best in his hold-up play and ensured Roma were dangerous in transition.
The third move: a switch to a 4-4-2 in the non-possession phase with Lorenzo Pellegrini out wide, which limited the space for Milan to operate in as there was no room between the lines.
The still inexperienced Roma coach has proven to be an excellent strategist as well as an extraordinary motivator, and it gives Pioli plenty to digest.
