AC Milan took another step forward in their preseason preparations as they drew 1-1 with Inter in a derby down under.
The game took place at the Optus Stadium in Perth after some more touching tributes to Franco Baresi. The Milan players took to the field wearing No.6 shirts after a rendition of ‘Nessun Dorma’, while there was a moment of silence after a jersey was laid on the centre circle.
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In what was an intense and hotly-contested game despite the ‘friendly’ tag, both goals came in the second half. Federico Dimarco was found alone by Nicolo Barella to open the scoring early on, then Christopher Nkunku won and converted a penalty inside the last 10 minutes.
Ruben Amorim had 13 players unavailable for the game for various reasons, yet he continues to learn about his squad. After the game he spoke of a need to improve in all aspects, but what are the three main things he can take from the draw?
1. Battery life
What was quite striking about this particular game is that it can more or less be split into equal thirds. Milan were the better side for the vast majority of the opening 30 minutes, then Inter had the better either side of the break, before the Rossoneri finished strongly after making many changes.
One of the big reasons behind this circles back to something Amorim considers a major part of his philosophy and his tactical ideas: the press. When legs were fresh, Milan got a lot of joy generating high turnovers in the Inter half, really putting them under pressure.
They did not make the Nerazzurri pay often enough when they did surrender the ball in dangerous areas, but the idea is that will come. The fact that the press seemed to be co-ordinated, effective and intense was a refreshing watch after last season’s bunker and low-block approach.
However, as mentioned, there was a 30/40-minute period where the players looked out of energy, like a teenager so excited with a new phone that they use all the battery too quickly. Against opponents with quality in ball possession and circulation, this will lead to dangerous lulls.
The idea of course is that with more fitness and with more practice, the pressing aspect of Amorim’s Milan will be refined. If they can do that, we might begin to see a team greater than the sum of the parts, like Stefano Pioli’s side in the lockdown period.
2. What if…?
Speaking of getting more out of what’s there, a couple of players stood out positively for their performances, to the extent that there might well be a reflection regarding where their immediate future lies.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek got a second straight start in the attacking midfielder role. Having looked like the only player up to it physically against Celtic, he had moments and flashes today which demonstrated just how useful he can be.
As always with Loftus-Cheek the question isn’t about what he can do in friendlies nor when he has his best games, it’s about the injuries and the inconsistencies. However, with his excellent hold-up and link-up play and obvious athleticism, it might be enough for Amorim to have a further look.
Rafael Leao certainly did his reported wishes to fight for a spot at Milan no harm either with a lively cameo off the bench. He looked far more at home in a wide left position compared to last season, linking up nicely with Goncalo Ramos on two occasions, and only lacking in end product.
Then there were Lorenzo Torriani and Ardon Jashari. Torriani made a couple of excellent saves to deny Lavelli and Calhanoglu, the latter being a beauty at full-stretch. Is he ready to be the deputy right now? Jashari came on and immersed himself in the battle, switching play with two excellent long balls, fuelling the notion he is starter quality.
3. Obvious needs
For all the talk about ‘new’ assets from within the squad, it is also very obvious that Milan need some help in certain areas. Generally speaking, the technical level of the team – in terms of first touch, composure under pressure, passing accuracy and other key attributes – does not lends itself to being a possession-based side.
In terms of individuals to unfortunately highlight for the wrong reasons, Fikayo Tomori and Matteo Gabbia were lost in No Man’s Land for the Inter goal as neither managed to take charge of a ball across the six-yard box. They also showed hesitance and sometimes sloppiness in build-up play.
They weren’t entirely at fault for the goal though, as Samuel Chukwueze showed the duality of the wing-back experiment. While he appeared an excellent outlet wide on the right versus Celtic, he was a liability defensively on this occasion, allowing Dimarco an uncontested finish. It is a reminder of the work he must do in the tracking back phase for this to work.
In addition to the Nigerian, Yunus Musah’s only meaningful contribution was hitting the post from a perfect cut-back when he had to score. Alphadjo Cisse had moments to surge into space but coughed the ball up a lot; Francesco Camarda battled but missed his only decent chance; and Pervis Estupinan looked off the pace.
Torriani is definitely number 2 now..
Im still on the opinion that Tomori, RCL and Leao should be moved on, one form a technical aspect and secondly because I don’t see them renewing their contracts, it’s best to cashoit3on3 them while we can.
Tomori has been error prone for a long time now, his decision making is poor coupled with his technical limitations, we should definitely sell.
100% – according to some on here Tomori should be kept just because Liverpool want him (supposedly)… Like a top club’s never made a dumb transfer decision before…
Yes, because you need fast defenders to play in a high back line. Milan has 1. Tomori.
Tomori’s best season was 4-5 years ago on our Scudetto run. Season after season, we wait for him to replicate that but it just never comes. He already hit his peak. So yes, it’s only logical to let him go. Same goes with Leao.
What is there to learn really ?
We were using players many of which will probably be sold, loaned or just outright never used again regardless of their performances.
We (and inter) are still on vacation mode, some of our players still aren’t here. We made like a 100 sub, which is a luxury we can’t afford in a real official game. And we have dozen of examples that performances in summer friendlies have no correlation whatsoever with what will happen the following season.
Play the game so that we can get ready, and then forget about it.
Preseason games are pointless for this reason.
Really the only good thing that can come of it is a player convinces the management to keep them.
If it’s a player who was signed e.g. RLC then it only takes one or two decent performances.
Youth players need to back to back hat tricks to avoid being sent on loan….i remember the club was desperate to ruin Cutrone’s career with a loan until he forced them to keep him by scoring goals in pre-season.
The club eventually got their way and ruined his career by forcing him out. You just can’t allow these youth players to distract from the important business of the transfer market.
Its becoming clearer every day that leao is going to stay. Especially after this inter game you can see this is exactly the style he wants to play, barring high press.
Unless the premier league or gala make an insane offer its looking more like he wants to remain and milan want to keep him. Now too all the players are basically coming out asking for him to stay.
He will certainly look back at his best if he stays but im only for it if he renews his contract by another year or two. Because if he has a great season and a year remaining on his contract he can be worth 80m but teams will only offer 40m.
It actually amazes me how allegri never even though of putting out this formation last year. Its clear as day the group we have is far more suited to attacking style rather than defensive. Milan looked good in spurts so lets hope it continues to get better
A lot of players have been here long enough so a good or bad performance in a friendly will not change my mind about them. I want to see what players like Torriani, Comotto, Jashari, Kostic, Cisse, Camarda can do. Nothing spectacular so far but all seem good enough to play (maybe not start yet) for the first team and this is a chance for them to get rhythm and confidence. Torriani made some good saves today but he seemed a bit flat-footed at times. Is this a regular thing? I haven’t seen that much of him.
After this game the 2 most important positions are another CB who can play from the back and a left wing back because Estupinan really needs to leave.
For the midfield and AM only once we sold Bondo, Musah,RlC and Leao
Torriani proved a long time ago that he was ready that he is ready to take over for Mike when it’s time. I feel kinda bad for him as he is most likely gonna rot on the bench and we won’t ever see him fulfil that potential. I hope w can laon him out until Mike inevitably joins Bayern
Am I the only one who’s worried about this defense next season? Watching this lot play a high line/ trying progressive passes is going to turn my hair white… Seeing as we made the dumba$$ move of hiring Amorim we need a top wingback on the left and right and another center back at a minimum….
No, you’re not alone. There’s a reason Pioli and Allegri played a certain way, and that’s bc of our defense. We’ve had essentially the same level of defenders since 2019 and we are vulnerable. Except for that little spurt during the scudetto season, which was partly due to the amazing midfield work of Kessie and others, it’s been an average backline. They do not have the passing skill of a Silva or the aggressive ability on and off the ball like a Mexes. I think we’ll need to score at least 2 every match to win but a lot of the times we’ll need 3 goals for all 3 points. That’s how shaky it looks. Given this is preseason with a new system that’s a 180 from Allegri’s, but we know these defenders and their capabilities.
Exactly- I don’t get why it’s so hard to buy decent defenders – like when we pivoted from Botman to CDK… We’ve got Gila which is great but he’s not going to be able to do it all on his own…
No but you are worried about Tomori instead of being worried about Pavlovic – Gabbia. Tomori is the one that can actually play a high back line, and can track back as he is fast. But Pavlovic with his bad positioning and Gabbia that is slow will be a huge problem. With Estupinan on that side as well…
Are you worried (about a preseason performance) or just got itchy feet?
There must be something shinier out there, isn’t that what you tell your wife/partner?
Looking at an extended highlights package as I was unable to see it live but a couple of things stood out. I’m not sure if it was just the highlight it seems we are more aggressive in our pressing. I’m also quite stunned that he let Torriani start. It’s better than previous years of lip service paid to pretending we field youths. I know it’s only a friendly but I seriously believe Torriani is our future.
RLC is going to do his usual shtick. Look good in preseason and make us feel he’s turn his 15th corner. He’ll get injured as usual as per every season (surprise surprise, right?) and be the usual waste that he is. Not sure what ppl see in him.
Also I’m not sure that sort of pressing attacking game will do well against cunning Serie a coaches. They’ll exploit the living daylights out of those spaces being created. But hoping for the best still
mike is still on vacation and not with team in australia. so torriani playing doesnt mean anything.
Ah yes good point. Somehow I thought we still had the “experienced” backup
Judging by most comments on here people seem to hate RLC more than the Turkish scum over at inter….
What I see in him (as probably the only person who doesn’t hate the players who play for the club passing itself off as AC Milan) is he scored 10 goals in his debut season so that’s his baseline.
It’s up to the manager who is paid millions each year to get him back to that baseline.
In fairness to the manager he’s got a squad of 30+ players and about million players on loan so he might get distracted.
What a time to follow football….
Stfu. And fo support Como.
You like everyone? RLC had one good season and faded right after. Always injured. Every year. And u come here talking like u like all the players
Didn’t you want to get rid of some players in your previous posts? But we all come to expect the hypocrisy of a guy who claims to be a fan the has to “wait and see” if he still supports the team for the upcoming season. Gtfoh
“What I see in him is he scored 10 goals in his debut season so that’s his baseline.”
You mean in that season where he basically played as a support striker ? I that what you mean ? We need him as a midfielder.
Either way RLC, when he is not injured, has poor passing, he can’t defend, poor stamina, strangely weak for such a big guy.
He used to be able to score from headers, and he can run with the ball, that’s pretty much it.
Slažem se za Tomorija i Estupinana da treba prodat pod hitno !!! Međutim za leaa se nebi složio !! On je jedini opasnost za bilo koga kad krene po krilu ! Jučer je nespreman sam trebao zabit kad je ismijao igrače Intera u obrani !!! Ne zaboravimo da trenira tek tri ili četri dana u Australiji nakon povratka s odmora !! Lani je bio forsiran kao centarfor cjelu sezonu , a sam je rekao da mu to ne odgovara!!! Plus bio je i povrijeđen dugo vremena !! Imam osječaj da če počet pljuštat ponude za njega !! I ako ga prodamo za 50 mil BIT ČE TO OGROMNA POGREŠKA !!!
The excessive reliance on individual transitions (both physically and tactically), highlighting the physicality of players like Loftus Cheek, proved insufficient to close gaps when the collective effort waned. Falling into the trap of failing to manage physical exertion over the course of 90 minutes, starting the match with a high, exhausting press without a backup plan to offset the physical toll in the second half, reveals a stark contrast in performance between the two halves. Initially, Milan displayed strength and dominance, followed by a defensive retreat, a sharp physical decline, and a loss of focus under the pressure of Inter counter attacks.
The continued phenomenon of “physical decline in the second half” makes it easier for stronger opponents to anticipate the game scenario and wait for Milan fatigue to strike. Furthermore, poor physical preparation, limited rotation options on the bench, and delayed tactical interventions through substitutions to revitalize the midfield and flanks serve as an early and costly warning (instead of a loss), exposing the limitations of the physical system before the start of the league.