Monthly Archive: March 2021

The much talked about injury issue had the team starting with missing players.
Benevento had just beaten Juventus 1-0 and made three points here even more valuable.
Fiorentina controlled more of the ball in the early minutes but Milan opened the scoring. Kjaer’s almost looping pass found Ibra who just evaded the offside trap and beat Bartlomiej Dragowski in the Fiorentina goal with a bouncing shot.
Clumsy balls had Fiorentina having an edge in possession after the goal too. On Milan’s right side Dalot committed a foul and the resulting free kick was well converted and just beat Donnarumma on the near side. Erick Pulgar had made it 1-1. It wouldn’t be the last time Dalot struggled as a right back and gifted a good chance to the hosts.
In the 34th Ibra hit the crossbar on one of few Milan chances.
The game slowed down and was further delayed as Dragowski was replaced by Pietro Terracciano in Fiorentina goal after the Polish starter seemed to twist his ankle taking a goal kick.
The half time 1-1 score was no more than the game deserved.
The second half started poorly, again. Franck Ribery gave the hosts the lead soring easily from top center of the box. A crowd of Milan players were ball watching and Kessie for example facing goal not even realizing Ribery behind him.
Milan equalized soon after. A second corner in a row was tapped in by Diaz.
Castillejo and Bennacer came on for Saelemaekers and Tonali right after the goal.
The midfield improved with the arrival of the Algerian and Milan manged to take the lead again. A good anticipation by Tomori found Kessie who moved forward and the ball found Calhanoglu who scored with low shot that went in at the very far corner.
Krunic replaced Diaz for the final 11 minutes as Milan improved on the possession stats.
Fiorentina tried to push Milan back and Pioli decided to bring on Meite for Calhanoglu as the game was going into added time.
Ibra played the whole 90 and three very valuable points were added to the season tally.

Starting Lineup: 4-2-3-1

99

Donnarumma

5

Dalot

24

Kjær

23

Tomori

19

Hernandez

79

Kessié

8

Tonali

56

Saelemaekers

10

Çalhanoğlu

21

Díaz

11

Ibrahimović

Substitutes

A pair of 0-1 losses at home (to Napoli and Manchester United) added to the air of crisis and the very poor (home) form, not to mention an offense that has been non existent. In the case of the missing goals the injury problems point to the source directly. The team hasn’t been able to field a team with a proper forward due to the long injury list. As that list seemed to be diminishing it has grown again. Ibra is back, hopefully to stay healthy while accepting an invitation back to the Swedish national team squad, but the list now looks like:

Davide Calabria – knee surgery, out at least a month
Alessio Romagnoli – leg muscles
Daniel Maldini – leg muscles
Rafael Leao – leg muscles
Mario Mandzukic – leg muscles

Add to that Rebic’s two game suspension for his dissent red card at the end of the Napoli match and the team remains handicapped.

Most of the remaining problems are not in best form and this doubles the problems facing Pioli.

Donnarumma will of course start in goal. In front of him there is a question of either Kalulu or Dalot as right back. The former hasn’t really shone when given recent minutes. It is likely then that the latter will start with Kjaer, Tomori and Hernandez. The two pivots in from the back four is like to be Tonali and Kessie. Both Bennacer and Meite are available but the former needs to be brought back to action with care and the latter was at least partly responsible for Manchester’s scrambled goal during the midweek Europa League match.

The front four remains the most fluid. Diaz, Calhanoglu and Saelemaekers should be the likely starters but calls for Hauge to get a start circulate while Pioli might prefer to use Krunic. Ibra is the only true center forward available and this why the match day squad includes primavera’s Riccardo Tonin.

Fiorentina are relatively healthy but their 3 wins in last 10 matches have been over Spezia, Crotone and Benevento. This explains their 14th position in the Serie A table.

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Milan exited the often disliked Europa League by losing to Manchester United at home.

The 0-1 loss was not fully deserved nor was it fully mourned. Milan deserved better of the first leg 1-1 in Manchester but didn’t play better at home. The now familiar injury riddled mode was bound to hurt the team and having had to resort to Castillejo as a nominal forward was unlikely to end well. The whole 11 didn’t do much and were facing a team that while stronger physically was hurting as well.

The first half was somewhat even with almost half chances exchanged and the second half didn’t see much change but a change made at half time immediately paid dividends for the visitors. Paul Pogba came on and showed the greater concentration and physicality to score the opener and only goal. While Milan’s defenders and midfielder were scrambling and falling in the box Pogba gained possession and had time to pick his spot to beat Donnarumma from close range.

Ibra was introduced to try to change the attacking look but other than offside 0 some of which were wrong – things didn’t change much.

The game ended and the aftermath was more focused on the possible length of Calabria’s absence than the defeat itself. The right back is to go under knee surgery and will be out at the very least a month but likely more.

Milan’s form has been disappointing and inconsistent. The first leg at Old Trafford was somewhat of a surprise in that Milan played a solid game and deserved the last minute tying goal. Both teams missed a whole set of players but in the end Milan came out of Manchester with an away goal and bigger hopes. Not that it mattered much in the weekend game versus Napoli. Milan once again depleted didn’t play well and lost a crucial three points versus Gattuso’s men.

Injuries have looked to be easing and indeed Bennacer, Ibra and Hernandez are back but a whole set of players are forced to sit this match out. Rebic was thought to be available and after his pointless dissent red card – and subsequent two game suspension for dissent – versus Napoli some hoped that he would be motivated to contribute in this match but the now somehow common ‘muscular issue’ will keep him out. He is joined by Leao in that list. Romagnoli missed the Napoli game and remains out as do Calabria and Mandzukic.

Ibra may not be able to start from the beginning or at least he should not be risked from the start. What this means however is not palatable to most Milan fans and observers. It means that Castillejo could become a false 9 of sorts and start with Saelemaekers, Calhanoglu and Krunic. Tonali is available and Bennacer is back in the squad but Meite and Kessie remain the likely pivot starters. At the back there is not much choice for Pioli other than Dalot, Tomori, Kjaer and Hernandez in front of Donnarumma.

Manchester United welcome a few players they missed last week as David de Gea, Paul Pogba, Donny van de Beek and Marcus Rashford are back in the visitors squad. Not all likely starters but the latter looks to be and could cause trouble for Milan’s sometimes poor and fragile back line and right side. Edinson Cavani will miss the match after initially being declared fit.

Follow the match as it happens, on the forum.

A team with only four, yes four, regulars faced Napoli at the San Siro. Not that Napoli were all healthy either but Milan missed all of Kjaer, Romagnoli, Calabria, Bennacer, Rebic, Saelemaekers and Ibra.
Teams had a few half chances. Calhaoglu found the ball but failed in an attempt to curl the ball in. Piotr Zielinski found a gap between Tomori and Gabbia but did not shoot well enough to beat Donnarumma. Leao won the ball well from Nikola Maksimovic from a long ball but in the same sense as Calhanoglu didn’t find the target.
Zielinski came close again when poor play on the right allowed Napoli to get into Milan’s box. Following a long passing play Leao tested David Ospina with a hard shot but it was right that goalkeeper.
The 0-0 half time score was reflective of missed half chances and poor play by both sides. Milan’s wing play was next to nonexistent.
Napoli took the lead early in the second. Castillejo made a poor pass high on the right that was taken by Napoli, after a quick pass the ball found Matteo Politano on Milan’s left side and he was too open and had too much room to run at Milan’s goal. He managed to beat Donnarumma.
Naoli controlled the ball better and had another chance, courtesy of Fabian Ruiz, which Donnarumma saved and the rebound was shot wide.
A triple sub followed with Calahanoglu, Krunic and Castillejo coming off for Diaz, Rebic and Saelemaekers.
In the 65th minute Leao had a good chance to tap in a cross but failed to do so.
Kessie was withdrawn as well, for Meite.
A bad Giovanni Di Lorenzo foul on Hernandez led to a freekick that Tonali shot well, it was headed on by Rebic and punched out in a good Ospina reflex save.
The indifferent to poor play continued and Pioli made his final change bringing on Hauge for Leao.
Milan had a penalty claim which VAR checked and didn’t give, the replay showed minimal contact on Theo’s calf. Between the claim and VAR’s check Theo got a yellow for a disputed foul on Victor Omishen up the pitch.
In added time Rebic was shown a straight red, in what most assume was something he said to the referee.
There was some amount of controversy, especially in the final minutes but the loss was mainly on poor play and would easily be a costly one.

Starting Lineup: 4-2-3-1

99

Donnarumma

5

Dalot

24

Kjær

23

Tomori

19

Hernandez

8

Tonali

79

Kessié

7

Castillejo

10

Çalhanoğlu

33

Krunić

17

Leão

Substitutes

Following the poor showing in the derby and the two games versus Red Star the team responded well to beat Roma, it proved a false dawn of sorts as the team disappointed versus Udinese. Expectations fell but Milan did well to beat Verona and kept it up to tie Manchester United in another VARce (new fully deserved term to describe video assistant refereeing) of a game.

The injury crisis eased earlier in the year but plunged into the deep end into February and March. Calhanoglu, Hernandez and Rebic should be back for this match and perhaps Bennacer, Ibra and Mandzukic could return within the next week or two as well. Romagnoli missed the Europa League game at Manchester and seems to be nursing a bruised leg, he could be back shortly too. A healthy team, if it indeed ever occurs, can finish the season strong and secure the much needed top 4 spot.

For now though important players are missing and Napoli have their own missing players too in Andrea Petagna, Hirving Lozano, Kostas Manolas and Faouzi Ghoulam.

Due to aforementioned absentees Pioli has had to resort to Leao playing as the lone center forward. The oft rightly criticized won the corner that led to Kjaer’s last minute headed goal in Manchester but barring few minutes of good movement has done little in recent weeks. Behind the Portuguese Krunic and Calhanoglu will likely line up with Castillejo. Saelemaekers showed signs of getting back to form however and could start in place of the latter. Meite is another player looking to be improving but may return to the bench to accommodate Tonali. Partnering Tonali will be the player who has fully earned the ‘President’ nickname. Kessie has been an ever present world class midfielder for most the past year and a half. Tomori and Kjaer will start as central defenders with Hernandez on the left and possibly Dalot on the right. Calabria is another not able to take part and although Kalulu seems the more logical choice Dalot is the likelier to be on the team sheet. Donnarumma will add to his number of appearances with another start.

Latest prematch news from Sky is that Kjaer also needs to sit this one out, he will be replaced by Gabbia if needed.

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Romagnoli, with a bruised foot, joined Ibrahimovic, Mandzukic, Calhanoglu, Hernandez, Bennacer on the injury list.
Manchester United missing many key players as well with David De Gea, Donny van de Beek, Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford and Edinson Cavani among those not taking part.
A somewhat balanced start had Leao having a goal ruled out for offside, correctly but one which the assistant referee waited until the goal was in the net to raise his flag eventhough Leao had touched the ball seconds before.
Anthony Martial forced a save from Donnarumma.
Kessie thought to have scored from a half volley after a good by Milan but his goal was seemingly ruled out for hand ball after a VAR review.
The game was somewhat open and not lacking pace.
In the 39th minute Donnarumma’s outstretched hand didn’t reach the headed on ball and Harry Maguire missed what was one of the easiest tap ins at the far side of the goal. His tap in hit the post.
Half time came with questions and a 0-0 tie.
Early in the second United scored. Donnarumma did not judge a long pass well and Tomori was perhaps just as nonchalant. Amad Diallo headed in Bruno Fernandes’ shot over Donnarumma and in.
Half chances were created with Krunic coming close. United’s Daniel James had lots of space but shot wide. Castilljo and Tonali came on to change the look a bit and later Kalulu replaced Calabria who seemed to be injured.
The game looked destined for the 1-0 loss but a well won corner, probably Leao’s best action of the game, was headed in for a goal by Kjaer. The last minute goal had the Danish defender moving well in the box and beating Dean Henderson with a hard header.
The 1-1 result was well deserved.

An inconsistent Milan remains decimated by absentees. Facing a Manchester United team somewhat in a similar situation in the English Premier League doesn’t really come at a good time.

All of Ibrahimovic, Mandzukic, Hernandez, Bennacer, Rebic and Calhanoglu are missing and remained in Milan. Add to that Romagnoli seems to have suffered a leg issue and may not start. A Donnarumma, Calabria, Tomori, Kjaer, Dalot back line is the likely line up as there is little other options available. Dalot is on loan from Manchester United and should be relishing the chance and Tomori has some familiarity with the Premier League being on loan from Chelsea.

Tonali is in the squad but could be rested for upcoming matches in favour of Meite. Meite did ok vs Verona. Perhaps Kessie needs the rest but the Ivorian has been the star and strong man of the team.

The biggest challenge remains up front as there are simply not many bodies available. There is talk of Saelemaekers, Diaz, Krunic and Leao as starters but Castillejo starting on the left and leaving Diaz on the bench is one other option for Pioli. Krunic was probably the star of the Verona match and if he can replicate the good play and the free kick goal he scored Milan stand a much better chance of winning this match up. A lot of Milan’s fate will rests with Leao too. The Portuguese has been poor and very poor at times and needs to get more involved and needs to find the space and execute.

This is the 11th time the two teams face each other in European competition and the teams have split the previous 10 matches with five wins each. The previous meetings feature memorable goals such as Kaka’s 2007 goal in Manchester in which he split the opposition’s defence in what is acknowledged as one of the best goals ever. As mentioned Manchester United miss several important players. Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford, Edinson Cavani and Donny van de Beek are all likely out. Bruno Fernandes, one of the stars of the past year, is the danger man for the English version of the Red Devils.

Follow the match as it happens, on the forum.

A decimated squad missing Ibra, Mandzukic, Calhanoglu and Rebic plus Theo Hernandez, Hauge and Tonali faced a solid unbeaten in four Verona. Romagnoli made the starting 11 but it was Kjaer who sat on the bench with Tomori partnering the captain. The lineup was almost makeshift with both Castillejo and Saelemaekers.
The early minutes were somewhat quiet and the best chance fell to Verona when a header back to him looped over him causing a heart stopping moment. Donnarumma looked to limping right after.
Moments later a good Calabria cross was met with Leao just out the 6 yard box and he headed hard just over.
Small fouls and whistles dominated the subsequent minutes.
A surprise followed. Krunic was brought down at the top left of the box. The two players – Castillejo and Krunic – lining up to take the free kick were not the inspiring. Krunic took it and shot well and beat Marco Silvestri in the top far corner.
The first half finished with little more of note.
Milan came out much more determined early in the second and soon doubled the lead. Good movement and passing play down the left wing had Saelemaekers leaving it for Dalot who placed a shot into the near top corner and had many surprised.
Verona made wholesale changes that included withdrawing Antonin Barak and Mattia Zaccagni. The desired effect did not arrive, at least not immediately.
As the game dragged on without much drama Hauge came on for Castillejo.
Verona got a few barely half chances but Milan defended well and made timely clearances and interceptions. Krunic, Meite, Kessie, Calabria, Romagnoli and Tomori all deserving credit.
Goals from unexpected sources provided a solid 2-0 win, one many didn’t expect.

Starting Lineup: 4-2-3-1

99

Donnarumma

2

Calabria

24

Kjær

23

Tomori

5

Dalot

18

Meïté

79

Kessié

7

Castillejo

33

Krunić

56

Saelemaekers

17

Leão

Substitutes

The response type win at Roma turned out to be false dawn, at least for its subsequent match. Milan struggled against a Udinese team that spent a long time parking the bus while remaining solid and compact. Milan did not threaten anywhere near enough and though without players like Ibra and Calhanoglu still missed a lot more quality. A sleep inducing first half produced little and any positive change after half time was limited. It was Udinese who threatened with better chances, one of which was saved off the line by the captain. Romagnoli made a return to the starting line up after sitting at Roma. In end the team got a point under the luckiest of circumatances with a very late Udinese hand ball.

Shortly after the midweek game versus Udinese it was thought that Romagnoli would keep his starting spot but that has now changed with Tomori looking to be back with Kjaer, Calabria and perhaps Hernandez. Late news has Hernandez as a big doubt. The same late news has Tonali as a doubt too. Further up the pitch it is an even deeper crisis. Ibra, Calhanoglu, Rebic and Manduzkic are all still out. The leaves Leao and Emil Roback as the only center forwards available to Pioli for this match at Verona. The former has been among the flops of the last match and indeed recent weeks and the latter is a teenager with zero experience who has been in questionable form for the primavera. This may be the chance for Hauge or perhaps he is not 100% either. The number of unavailable players has reached crisis levels and the starting 11 will make for a chaotic setup. All this likely means that both Castillejo and Saelemaekers get starts. In between them it is a choice between Diaz and Krunic and Pioli may continue baffle many by choosing Krunic.

Verona are in some ways a more solid version of Udinese with a solid defensive set up and a stingy back three. Verona acquired Kevin Lasagna from Udinese in the January window and have Antonin Barak on loan from the the same team. Both will present dangers for Milan.

Follow the match as it happens, on the forum.