AC Milan are having more problems this season defending set pieces after Stefano Pioli pledged to work on them following difficulties in his first couple of seasons.
MilanNews write how Pioli said on the eve of Milan’s first game of the new season against Udinese last August that better results are expected after a change in approach to how the team attack and defend set pieces.
“In my opinion, we made a better proposal to the players, so we also expect better results. It’s not just the height that counts to being more dangerous on dead balls, it’s not just who goes to take them, it’s above all a question of attitude, of determination, of having the necessary desire to score goals even dirtier, to go on second balls, on a spike or even on a tackle. We are working on it and we clearly expect improvements, I see very motivated players in this direction,” he said.
Looking at the data, however, it is clear that Milan are continuing to struggle to keep out goals from set pieces while their struggle in scoring them at the other end also persists.
The list of goals conceded either directly from set pieces (or crosses) or from a failure to clear the danger that results is below:
➤ Milan 4-2 Udinese: 0-1 Becao header from a corner
➤ Milan 4-2 Udinese 4-2: 2-2 Masina header after a cross from the right
➤ Chelsea 3-0 Milan: 1-0 Fofana after a corner
➤ Chelsea 3-0 Milan: 2-0 Aubameyang after a cross from the right
➤ Sampdoria 1-2 Milan: 1-1 Djuricic header after a cross from the left
➤ Torino 2-1 Milan: 1-0 Djidji header from a free-kick
➤ Milan 1-2 Napoli: 1-2 Simeone header after a cross from the left
➤ Salernitana 1-2 Milan: 1-2 Bonazzoli after a cross from the right
➤ Milan 2-2 Roma: 2-1 Ibanez from a Pellegrini corner; 2-2 Abraham from a free-kick by Pellegrini
➤ Lecce 2-2 Milan: 2-0 Baschirotto after a cross from the right
➤ Milan 2-5 Sassuolo: 1-3 Berardi from a corner from the right
➤ Inter 1-0 Milan: 1-0 Lautaro Martinez from a corner from the left
In total that is 13 goals conceded from set piece and crossing situations. While Mike Maignan’s absence and Ciprian Tatarusanu’s inability to command his area do not help, the defenders must mark their men better as they did in the second half of last season, and be first to any second balls that arrive.
