AC Milan’s defensive record was their strength in the Scudetto winning season, but it has become an area of concern early in the new campaign.
Tuttosport (via MilanNews) recall that Milan have conceded 20 goals conceded this season in just 16 games across all competitions, including 13 in 12 league matches, something that should lead to an examination in view of the games after the World Cup break.
The paper have looked into some of the reasons why the Rossoneri do not look as tight at the back starting with the injury problems that the team have had in the rearguard. With Calabria and Florenzi out until 2023 and Dest still adapting, Kalulu has moved to the right side, effectively meaning that Tomori, Gabbia and Kjaer have rotated as the centre-back pairing.
That means there has not been much continuity in the back four that Milan have been able to field, and it extends to a back five given that goalkeeper Mike Maignan has been missing and he is not only a technically extraordinary goalkeeper but also a real leader of the back line.
While waiting to recover all the injured players, all that can be done is to try and work on restricting the opponents that Milan face starting with Red Bull Salzburg, which will be a crucial match in a sporting and a financial sense given a win or draw will result in qualification for the Champions League last 16.
The return of Simon Kjaer to the starting line-up for the game against the Austrian champions will be key, given that his leadership and experience was sorely lacking in the defeat against Torino.
We are also worthless ar headers. So many goals let in from set pieces and almost zero scored. Kjaer is needed in this department and som is Zlatan.
It’s been a problem for years. The squad lacks height.
Kjaer is gonna get smoked for pace if he starts vs Red Bull
With Simon, Milan concedes an average of 0.2 goals per game. Without him? 1.3 goals. Sometimes it’s not all about speed when it comes to defending.
I’ll take that point sure. But Kjaer hasn’t been played in the big games now has he? Against Napoli he was hooked at half time because Kvar skinned both him and Calabria. He’s played all small teams so far. Samp, Empoli, Monza are all teams that can boost your stats. My point was Salzburg though. They’re quite energetic and their forwards are quick. Let’s see if he plays
And at halftime of that game, before Pioli took Kjaer out, Napoli did not even have a shot on target and Milan were dominating that game. It was taking Kjaer out that changed that game. Tomori and Kalulu need their pace because they often getting caught out of position. Kjaer’s positioning and anticipation is why he doesn’t need to have great pace.
“Kvar skinned both him and Calabria.”
LOL!!! Kvaradona was kept silent in the 1st half. He did basically nothing. Calabria nullified him easily (except for the one foul ABOVE THE HALFWAY LINE).
Kjaer wouldn’t be worried considering he will play with Kalulu and Tomori who have fast pace. Any speedster from Red Bull will face Kalulu or Tomori first and Kjaer will clean up the rest.
The lack of speed can be fixed with good positioning and reading/understanding the game. Kjaer does just that.
I remember posted here after the first giornata vs. Udinese about how we’d suffer on the high crosses this season if we rely on Pierre & Fik aerial ability / anticipation. Sadly it happens. Wonder what Thiaw will bring to the table given his height.
First of all we’ve played 17 games not 16. We did concede 20 goals. However, at this stage last year, we conceded 18 goals across all competitions. We’re 2 goals off last season’s performance 🤷♂️ I don’t get the panic
Because from the 2nd half of the season our defence was very impressive, and we won Scudetto by conceeding the least, not scoring the most. And we started this season with pretty much the same defending line up of that 2nd half of the season (apart of Davide got injured after some matches). Except this time around we conceed pretty easily. That’s the worrying thing.
Hmmm🤔 I’ll concede that point too. You’re spot on today Ibrahim 😅. We did do better in the second half of the season and I don’t think we can repeat that masterclass. I think a certain CDM is missing this season that’s why we’re leaking goals but I don’t want to cause controversy 🤭😂
Do u know there was a guy named Ibrahim Ba who used to play for Milan back in the day? I think maybe around 2005-08 ish somewhere there.
Agreed, not being pesimistis, but deep down somehow I feel the Pierre – Fik duo will miss its spark in the end, because it’s no longer a ‘surprise’ for the opposing team. They’re still young after all. Sometimes age correlates with stability. Moreover, this summer TW Maldini still seriously targeted Botman didn’t he. Because he knows better.
Oh please don’t get me started on that particular DM. Maybe I was the few firsts to state about that matter here, and that’s like wreaking havoc!
Of course I know him, this is surely not my real name lol. Knowing Ibrahim Ba, you must be a long time Milan fans too. Good to know.
Pretty much Milan opponents already found out Tomori-Kalulu weakness with crossing and they exploited this weakness over and over. It kinda fixed a bit when Gabbia or Kjaer plays.
More problem is so far Tomori has more downs than ups this season. Just look how easy he lost focus and made blunder with Chelsea second goal when Milan lost 3-0. Not sure what happened to him because his performance last season was amazing and he was also pretty solid in season 20/21. Maybe it have to do with World Cup where he didn’t got call by Southgate???
Maybe it’s time give Thiaw more playing time?
Maybe there’s a better pair for defense and how to deal with crossing with Kjaer-Thiaw, Gabbia-Thiaw, or Thiaw-Tomori….
hmm. Whats different from last season??? I won’t bring up his name because it will set off all the haters, but it starts with a K.
@K. And end withs an “essie”? 😂😂🤣🤣😂😂😭😭😭
Like Ibrahim said above, we started this season with the same defence as last year and still leaked goals. Hmmm wondered how could that be🤔😂😂😭
Funny that many members here triggered only by name. I’m sure many of us who believe we miss the ‘K’ word is not only for the sake of that player, but more towards the role. We didn’t find a suitable replacement for his role, yet we play with the same system, and still we want the same result? Let’s be real.
This is what I’ve been saying. It’s not the player Kessie, it the role Kessie. I couldn’t give a rats a$$ about Kessie, but I do know he was the muscle in front of defence that allowed those guys to clean up. Plus it’s hard to get past him.