Stefano Pioli has ended up back in the dock for some of the choices he made during last night’s defeat to Atalanta in the Coppa Italia.
This morning’s edition of Tuttosport (via MilanNews) writes that after yesterday’s elimination against Atalanta, who won 2-1 San Siro, some choices by Pioli have also ended up in the crosshairs of criticism.
The Rossoneri coach decided to change formation, lining up his team with the 3-4-3, i.e. the same game system as the Bergamo side used. Thus, the decision was taken to try and mirror the opponent rather than perhaps playing to Milan’s strengths.
If at the beginning things went quite well, with a good first half for Milan who did not given anything to Atalanta and also took the lead through Rafael Leao, in the long run this choice did not pay off.
In the second half Gian Piero Gasperini’s side really raised their level and they probably ended up progressing deservedly, net of the controversial refereeing decisions, heading back to Bergamo with a semi-final berth secured.
Although there are three central defenders available, once again Pioli has decided to deploy Theo Hernandez in that position, with the very young Alex Jimenez acting as the left wing-back.
And it is precisely there that Gasperini short-circuited the Diavolo: the Atalanta coach in fact systematically made his team aim for the Spaniard, who got into difficulty and caused the penalty that proved to be the winner.
Added to this is that the Frenchman’s drive was lacking in the attacking phase (though he did miss a late chance), so much so that it is no coincidence that Leao’s goal arrived in Theo’s only outburst in the left-handed lane.
Why Pioli decided to change from the 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 that had seen his side rebuild well after the last defeat against Atalanta is something only he knows, but a trophy has vanished as a result.
“…so much so that it is no coincidence that Leao’s goal arrived in Theo’s only outburst in the left-handed lane.” Well, Theo had one amazing chance, and he definitely wasn’t at the back when it happened. Random sentence, not true.
In the 1st half we had a lot of possession and territory but were lacking a cutting edge and consequently didn’t create chances.
It seems to me that our guys were running hard to have this control. In the 2nd half our levels dropped.
This is partly due to tiredness but it’s also due to our style of play, which is all about running hard and not controlling the midfield with calm considered passing.
RLC has talent and had some brilliant games like v PSG but more often than not he is ineffective.
Musah does not do well on the right.
Our midfield lacks quality, simple as that.
We need to sign a true regista who dictates the tempo, and forces our team to play smarter.
Then we could play Bennacer and Reijnders as Mezzalas, where their talents are most effective.
At this point I see Adli, RLC and Musah as backups, albeit expensive backups.
We need someone in the mold of a Xabi Alonso/ Casemiro/ Kante