On Monday night, AC Milan waved their Scudetto hopes goodbye in Naples, after a 1-0 defeat to Antonio Conte’s Napoli.
Before the game, it seemed the media believed this to be the game to decide the Scudetto challenger and it probably was. Both teams set up keen to avoid losing and chances were few and far between. Yet, it is undeniable that there were opportunities to score.
Nevertheless, the loss to the Partenopei means that Milan are almost definitely done in the Scudetto context, thanks to Matteo Politano’s goal. Instead, they now must ensure that they qualify for the Champions League.
Here are five things we learned from the game.
1. Bartesaghi the culprit, again
It was a fairly even game up until the goal, with a draw looking like the fair result. You could argue Milan had more moments where they could’ve taken the lead and Napoli didn’t really threaten Mike Maignan.
However, it was Politano who gave the home side the lead after 79 minutes, after a typical error from Davide Bartesaghi. His marking was non-existent, giving Politano all the time to take the shot and beat Maignan.
The youngster has unfortunately been in this situation one too many times and it feels like criticism is fair, given he struggles to learn from his past mistakes. In a game like this, his focus should have been much better as his error proved costly in the end.
2. Slow and predictable in the middle
With Luka Modric and Adrien Rabiot both on the field, Milanisti would have hoped for a bit more creativity in the middle of the park. Yet, Napoli managed to close down the empty spaces really well, allowing little to nothing for the Rossoneri.
That being said, the duo did play a decent game with little to no individual errors and some good moments. In the end, it wasn’t enough to break down the hosts defence and the team lacked the courage needed to get something out of this game.
In addition to Modric and Rabiot, Massimiliano Allegri also fielded Youssouf Fofana who had a singular good moment in the first half, a lovely through ball for Nkunku. Then, he went missing for the rest of the game.
The Frenchman offered little to nothing going forward as he failed to use the space in between the lines and was also rather unconvincing in the defensive phase at times.
Overall it was a very mediocre outing for the trio, one to forget from them.
3. Nkunku struggles, Fullkrug on his way out?
It was an interesting pairing to start the game. Although, it was probably necessary if both Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic weren’t fully fit.
Nevertheless, Niclas Fullkrug offered little to nothing. He was too slow and when he did get on the ball, he didn’t make anything out of it, often losing it straight away. It’s probably obvious by now that the German will be heading back to West Ham. He has been underwhelming, to say the least.
Christopher Nkunku wasn’t much different, although he was more involved than his German teammate. The Frenchman was livelier down the left flank and found himself in some good position inside the opponent’s penalty box.
However, all the good movements were erased by his inability to finish the attack. He wasted two very good chances and for a player that cost roughly €42 million this is simply not good enough.
It’s dreadful, if we’re being completely honest, and if the Diavolo were to find a club interested in the player they’d probably be wise to cut their losses whilst they can.
4. Too little too late
Napoli improved a lot in the second half, even prior to the goal and Allegri was slow to react with his substitutions. In the end, most of the players who came on were livelier than the players they replaced.
Yet, Pulisic had less than 20 minutes and Leao had less than 10. There can be no denying that it was a very slow reaction from the coach.
It did, however, highlight how poor both Nkunku and Fullkrug were given that Leao and Pulisic managed to get on the ball straight away. They tried to make something happen instantly, but it was very difficult with very little time left on the clock and Napoli defending a lead already.
If both were introduced prior to the goal things might have been different, especially given that the Rossoneri were trying to play on the counter, even if they lacked the players to do so.
5. Allegri completely messed it up
The coach has been great throughout the season and it looks like the Rossoneri’s objective to return to the Champions League will be achieved. Given all of the injuries and the lack of depth throughout the season, it is great news.
With that said, against Napoli, the coach really got it all wrong.
Even if Fullkrug and Nkunku were the obvious choices, due to Leao and Pulisic’s fitness levels, the coach should’ve subbed the two on much earlier. If it were 0-0 when they entered the field, who knows what would’ve happened.
On top of the substitutions, Massimiliano Allegri’s men did not look like they wanted the win and seemed more interested in not conceding above anything else.
We’ve seen this throughout the season, but we haven’t criticised it as much. Yet, the Diavolo have probably wasted a few points by trying to avoid defeats, rather than finding the courage to go forward and grab three points, especially against the lower ranked outfits.
Against Napoli, it didn’t really matter if Milan were to get a point or none. It was probably the last game that could’ve prolonged the hope for a title race and a win would’ve been a great morale boost.
So, the lack of courage and energy to go forward and take something from the Maradona was baffling and it’s down to Allegri and his instructions. This time around he got it all wrong.
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100% I agree with Ivan in all points mentioned . Again Allegri subbed way too late !
This article was refreshing, as criticism of Bartesaghi, Nkunku, and Allegri seems long overdue. De Winter doesn’t deserve a free pass either.
Bartesaghi has had some bad moments this season defensively but he wasn’t at fault for the Napoli goal.
It was an unfortunate situation with De Winter deflection perfectly setting up Politano for a shot. Fullbacks are not staying wide in that situation. Bartesaghi was where he was supposed to be.
I agree with your analysis of the Napoli goal but it doesn’t require the caveat that “he’s had some bad moments” this season.
He’s been a key part of the strongest defences in the league this season – his breakthrough season.
Has he been occasionally beaten or caught out of position?
Is he human?
Tomori bashing is over, now it is Barthesagi’s time.
Honestly… At first putting him on the throne and as soon as he makes mistakes throw the stones. Typical media behaviour.
“At first putting him on the throne and as soon as he makes mistakes throw the stones. Typical media behaviour.”
LOL. Nope. The lad made a mistake and gets called for it. No need to create conspiracy theories. You play well, you get praised. You mess up, you get bashing. Simple as that. Bartesaghi lost his man and we lost. Not a conspiracy by the media.
This has got nothing to do with conspiracy.
I think anyone who’s followed this team since the beginning of the season hasn’t learned anything new they didn’t already know after the game. This team is performing according to its maximum capacity and is about right to be 3rd.
Allegri has over performed with this bunch and has definitely made mistakes along the way but considering where we came from last season, anyone calling for his head is out of their mind.
This team will always only do as well as what the management decides to do. Will they reinforce Max with everything he asks? No. And Max won’t talk back and that’s why they hired him.
We’ll probably stay in CL next season too and won’t be anywhere good enough to challenge for the title next season either because that’s how little faith I have in our management.
“This bunch”….nice way to describe the players in the team that you allegedly support.
If they don’t meet your lofty standards maybe find another hobby.
You’re a broken record player.
And people on here are broken records endlessly slagging off the players.
But apparently it’s the person defending the players who is the problem.
“nice way to describe the players in the team that you allegedly support.”
Oh the irony! The self-claimed Como-fan comes to sempremilan to bash the actual Milan-fans while putting himself on the pedestal for being the perfect example of a true fan. 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Milan have the best midfield in the league, if not best attack on paper but the coach deliberately kill the moral of the attackers by his system
1. Play for draw ? Enjoy the loss. When you don’t care about winning, the one in front of you will.
2. I will never understand why Allegri started with our 2 worst attackers. They neither provide offensively nor defensively.
3. Bartesaghi still has a LOT to learn.
4. Whoever brought Nkunku has to be brought in front of a judiciary court and serve some time in jail.
1. When did they play for a draw? The game was quite open really as both teams tried to go for a win. Napoli defended well and there was some poor decision making in the final third an some bad touches.
2. Allegri is a 6 x winning Scudetto coach who sees these players every day and made the decision to start two players who at this stage in their careers (anfter multiple transfers thanks to their agents) are plying for AC Milan . They had some good moments but mostly missed the killer touch (which happens to journeymen). If anyone is to blame it’s their agents and the ridiculous transfer market (I mean why didn’t the club just keep any two of the last 16 strikers it’s signed instead?). These two will be gone soon to be replaced by another two who you can complain about.
3. What does Bartesaghi need to learn exactly? How to overcome the laws of physics? Tell me how exactly is a human (outside of the Matrix) supposed to react to an unexpected flick from his own player from a few yards away straight onto a volley from a yard out? Tell me smartarse?
4. See my reply to 2. Nkunku is one of hundreds of transfers the club has made in the last 20 years (all as demanded by fans like you) so what do you expect? You’ll get another 2 strikers this summer to add to the list of at least one striker that Milan has signed every single season for over 20 years. And you’ll make the same comment about them. This is what passes for discourse these days. Like a really sh$t version of Hollywood gossip about who is saying who.
Are you an angry person?
What ridiculous BS comments did I just read????!!! The Como-fan sure must be trolling here. Right?!! 😀 😀 😀
Nope. Up until Napoli’s opener I could not really see how we would be able to score a goal. To say Milan was playing for a win is a bit forceful. Yes, the game was open on both ends but we did not do enough to say that we tried to win. Napoli tried a lot more for a win.
A defeat away to Napoli happens.
This is not what has cost Milan the Scudetto. Losing to Cremonese and Parma (6 points) and drawing with Pisa and Parma (again)) (4 points) cost Milan the Scudetto.
10 points dropped against teams Milan should ON PAPER have beaten.
It’s certainly not a cause for panic. The team is really very close to being Scudetto contenders. They will need to sign a striker this summer. History tells us that the only successful strikers to be signed in the last 20 years came with experience: Ibra and Giroud.
Lewandowski fits that mould.
That’s all that’s really needed (except for maybe a back up left back to replace Estupiñán).
As for the digs at Bartesaghi – seriously has anyone actually ever played football? That happens multiple times in games (usually from goal kicks) where the ball get deflected off other players which changes its trajectory. There really isn’t anything that can be done to stop it but normally it doesn’t land perfectly on the foot of an attacker who is 5 yards out and hits a wonder volley to score against the team that he has a freakishly good goal scoring record against.
The goal won’t happen if Bart tracks his man and is aware who was in his zone. He was literally ball watching at the cross.
When you are only scared of losing, you may end up losing. I cannot stand this way of playing football based on fear. Hope he gets us to top 4 and goes to Real Madrid or national team.
Let’s all be honest , the results Allegri has achieved this season have been impressive , especially when comparing with the previous two seasons. They wouldn’t be third without the coach.
Having said that , Allegri leaving for the NT might be an opportunity for the club . We cannot judge Allegri on this one season as it’s clear the team lacks creative attacking players who can turn a match in a moment but it does seem that the coach is a transitional influence needed for the short term who doesn’t have the right characteristics to build an entertaining side that the fans are perhaps expecting. This only applies if they can find the right coach and there are not many coaches who can elevate this team from Allegri’s foundation.
So many indisputable facts provided by the author.