A draw is certainly not the worst result in the world against a side with Champions League pedigree like Red Bull Salzburg, but AC Milan did learn a lesson from their trip to Austria.
La Gazzetta dello Sport writes how a draw was the minimum target of the trip north and it was achieved. Chelsea’s current difficulties could change the theoretical hierarchy of the group a bit and Dinamo Zagreb may yet spring a surprise, but ultimately Milan have not lost any ground early on.
Milan knew how to react to the difficult moment when they fell behind as they steadied the ship and allowed their quality to show for the equalising goal. However, the performance was far from the deluxe version we are used to seeing and understanding the reasons is the first step to prevent it from happening again, especially in the Champions League.
Salzburg were very aggressive from the first minute and they were organised in their press too, while Milan – fresh from a very intense derby win over Inter on Saturday – did not have the energy to play through the press at ease.
In Italy, the Rossoneri are used to managing rhythms and asserting their own speed in the game which is often far faster than that of their opponents. In the Champions League this is not the case and therefore Milan must learn to deal with opponents who will match them for intensity.
One of the issues was that Olivier Giroud was isolated and Divock Origi (barring a splendid ball for Diaz) showed that he is not yet at 100% in condition or in cohesion with his team-mates.
Without a Plan B, Milan were reduced to seeing Rafael Leao marked out of the game, Charles De Ketelaere dropping deeper and only really Alexis Saelemaekers able to make meaningful influence (bar Leao’s assist to him).
Then there is another aspect which concerns and that the management of the key moments of the game. The draw in Sassuolo was put down to being a bad game because of the numerous rotations, but Milan must learn to manage the tempo and pick their moments to exert more energy.
Yesterday the first to suffer were Bennacer and Tonali, while Leao and Theo both seemed to suffer a bit of an athletic decline and the substitutions made meant the overall quality and threat of the attacking manoeuvres was lost.
The minimum was achieved as Milan avoided defeat, but every game at this level is a lesson and there is plenty for Pioli to chew over.
Keep playing the same XI and eventually we end up at mid table and crashed out of CLgroup
“a speed often far faster then that of their opponents”; that’s a nice joke.
People needs to understand and lower their expectations that this is the second season for Milan in Champions League after absents for so many years. With a young squad, we’re still behind in terms of experiences compare to many European clubs who plays regularly in Champions League.
Sure you can throw some criticism for players who plays bad. But remember again that many of these players are very young and can still improves.
Just give them some time instead of trashing them like they’re some kind of criminals.
First, Brahim Diaz should not have been in the UCL squad at the expense of Adli. This has nothing to do with how he played yesterday. The truth is Diaz can barely survive being bullied off the ball in Serie A, how is he going to cope in Europe?
Regarding rotation, the UCL squad is fixed until January. Milan can only hope key players don’t pick up injuries – especially in the midfield. There may be a need to move Calabria to the midfield as an option, because Pobega doesn’t look good enough. It maybe due to him still trying to integrate. Krunic is presently better – and that says a lot.
For the Serie A games, Vranckx, Thiaw, Adli, Gabbia, and Balo-Toure have to start playing and playing more, so that the UCL squad can be well rested. Also, hope there won’t be any injuries again, while Rebic recovers on time.
In fact, should be able to start one or two of the new boys against Sampdoria this Saturday. I think Adli should play as AM. Balo-Toure should start at LB. You don’t have to wait for Theo to get a card or pick up an injury. He should get rest too.
Maybe Pobega can start with Tonali. Hopefully, if Pobega settles into the groove, Vranckx can come in for Tonali while Bennacer get a late cameo.
Of course, it doesn’t always work like that. This is not PlayStation. All the best to Pioli as he figures out the right approach. Forza Milan!
I agree with everything. We need to separate our Serie A 11 and the UCL 11. I still think our 2nd string team beats all the other teams except like the top 4.
The UCL offers more $$$ and we HAVE to get to the rd of 16, even if league form suffers. Leao and Theo must get rest. All our starting outfielders need rest so we need to dig deep and play EVERYBODY…even Ballo Toure.
We need a completely new 11 for league only and another 1 for UCL. Tatarusanu, Dest, Gabbia, Kjaer, Toure…..Adli, Vrancx,Pobega, Messias, Diaz…Origi.
That should allow our main guys to rest. And this line up offers defensive solidity and all of them will be keen to impress and play well so why not rotate them all?
“because Pobega doesn’t look good enough. ”
How many matches has he played after his injury? How long did it take for Kessie to look even a decent midfielder after joining Milan? How long it took for Tonali? People seem to forget certain things pretty quickly…
So, @bb that’s the only thing you saw? What about this?
“Maybe Pobega can start with Tonali.”
Do you realize that this is an unusual season because of the FIFA WC in December and schedules are so tight? Every player is expected to hit the ground running.
My comments are not made to rubbish Pobega, after all he is a Milan player. He just needs to level up quickly because Milan is light in the middle. If any of Tonali or Bennacer are not available, whoever is called up needs to be ready and firing on all cylinders.
That’s a ridiculous idea. No teams do that, not even the ones who have a great bench, which Milan certainly do not. You think Milan struggle to score goals now, imagine a lineup without Leao , Theo or Giroud? There goes 90% of your goals. Not to mention Milan has no quality depth at Midfield. Without Bennacer and Tonali they would get detroyed. They don’t have that luxury.
@K, you didn’t see this?
“Of course, it doesn’t always work like that. This is not PlayStation.”