Month: December 2020

A much changed team allowed the main players like Calhanoglu, Donnarumma and Romagnoli to get a rest.
Kalulu, Maldini, Colombo, Duarte and Conti all got rare starts.
Milan maintained a solid control of the game and Prague had perhaps two periods of decent possession in the middle of each half.
Kalulu impressed in the center of defense but Maldini and Colombo played like raw and inexperienced players.
Hauge scored the goal and made it look simple by beating the defender and goalkeeper in the far post. Dalot worked well on the left touchline to provide the assist.
Tatarusanu made two important save, one very late, to preserve the lead and allow Milan to win the group ahead of Lille who lost to Celtic.
Sparta had been down to 10 men for the final 13 minutes for a somewhat harsh red on Dominik Plechaty.
Leao made a come back from injury as a sub. Kessie and Diaz were also second half subs.
Barring the 34 year old Tatarusanu the average age of the starting 11 was just over 22 years.

The come back win versus Celtic and Lille’s win versus Sparta Prague mean that this last group stage match has little consequence. The outcome of this and Lille’s match in Glasgow can change which of Lille or Milan finish first and perhaps get an easier round of 32 match up in February in addition to a slightly bigger UEFA money bonus for winning an Europa League group. Despite that it seems necessary that this will be an opportunity to rest a great number of starters. The schedule that features seven matches in December almost requires it.

Indications are that the aforementioned rotation will happen with Romagnoli, Calhanoglu and Donnarumma left off the squad. Bennacer, Kjaer and Ibra are out injured but all are close to returns. Leao is in the match day squad and may get some minutes.

The likes of Kalulu, Duarte, Maldini and Colombo could get rare minutes. In Kalulu’s case this could be his first non-friendly action of the season. This level of rotation has left fans wondering who could wear the captain’s arm band. Based on who may start and seniority on the team this would fall to Castillejo. The Spanish winger has scored goals in the last two Europa League match days and scored last weekend at Sampdoria. Whether all this means he would remain a Milan player into next season should and is still open to debate. Kruni is another candidate for a start and is another that may have no place on the team into next year. it is also a possibility that Rebic gets to play and perhaps get into goal scoring form. The Croatian has been mostly solid but has not scored a goal this season.

The Czech team are certain to finish third in the group and will be playing for pride. Their recent league form has been poor and may see them more concentrated on their upcoming 1. Liga matches.

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The starting lineup carried a question or two as Diaz was preferred to Hauge. The latter had a starring role in the midweek game vs Celtic and was perhaps due a start. Bennacer missed the squad in what was called for fatigue reasons.
Diaz struggled to make an impact and the team looked indecisive and lacked a final finish. Rebic too was ineffective and missed a glaring chance which was saved of the goal line by Sampdoria’s Lorenzo Tonelli.
Still Milan controlled the possession better than the hosts.
Late in the half the ball came off Jakub Jankto’s hand when Hernandez headed the ball in the box. An unfair hand ball rule made Sampdoria fall behind when Kessie coolly converted the penalty.
Hauge came on in the second half and Milan increased their possession stat but again failed to convert.
The lead increased when Castillejo came on for Saelemaekers and with his first touch diverted the Rebic cross to double Milan’s lead.
Sampdoria attempted to get closer to Milan’s goal and had a few half chances. One the chances fell to Albin Ekdal whose shot after a set piece made it past the goal line. The goal line technology showed that Donnarumma reached the ball late. The same technology was used to deny Milan a third. The goal was yet another reminder of Milan’s struggles at set pieces.
A win away without some of the best and in form players was a welcome boost. so was the record of scoring a goal in 30 consecutive games.

Starting Lineup: 4-2-3-1

99

Donnarumma

2

Calabria

46

Gabbia

13

Romagnoli

19

Hernandez

8

Tonali

79

Kessié

56

Saelemaekers

10

Çalhanoğlu

21

Díaz

12

Rebić

Substitutes

Milan continued to win without Ibra in the lineup. A solid 2-0 win versus Fiorentina was followed by a come back midweek 4-2 win against Celtic . The Swedish giant was watching on the sidelines as the team on the pitch showed growth and confidence. Ibra will still miss another week or more and the injury list has another important player on it. Kjaer started versus Celtic when it seemed like a good opportunity to give the Danish defender a respite following many consecutive starts. As luck would have it he picked up a thigh problem and could miss around two weeks. Romagnoli, who on the surface likely didn’t need the rest as much, will now start with Gabbia. Another feature of the Celtic match was that Krunic was given a start and was partly responsible for the Scottish team taking a quick 0-2 lead.

Every coach seems to have his set of, arguably, stubborn ways and Pioli’s insistence in giving Krunic minutes may yet cost the team more points. The bigger issue perhaps is that however short Kjaer’s time on the side line is Milan can not afford to be missing central defenders. The January window, it is hoped, will bring depth and quality.

As for this visit to Sampdoria both Calabria and Theo will play as first choice full backs but in midfield Bennacer is not called up in what is described as fatigue. Tonali and Kessie will get the starts. After a slow start the former has been showing signs of adapting and growing. Hauge had an assist and a goal versus Celtic but that may not be enough to get a start at the Luigi Ferraris. Diaz along side Calhanoglu and Saelemaekers are favorites for the spots behind Rebic. The tactics will remain the way they have been the last few months but of course Rebic offers a different look than Ibra. The Croatian doesn’t seem very settled as an attacking focal point and will switch and move to open up space for Calhanoglu or others to work as a false 9 or a false forward.

Sampdoria are a relatively healthy team but Keita Balde is out injured. The team features several verterans in Antonio Candreva, Fabio Quagliarella and Manolo Gabbiadini. The team hasn’t won since late October and sits in the middle of the table.

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On matchday 4 Milan were unable to exact revenge on Lille for the 3-0 home defeat suffered on matchday 3. However the 1-1 tie, though disappointing, had good moments and showed that Milan remain on track without big absences that included Ibra.

Ibra is recuperating from his hamstring problem but could be back earlier than expected and as early as next week. Leao could be back next week as well. On the subject of come backs Pioli and Murelli have gotten the all clear as well. Having tested negative for the Coronavirus both will be on the sidelines and Bonera’s interim reign stands at three solid matches.

To advance to the knock stage of the Europa League Milan need to beat the struggling Celtic while Lille do the same to Sparta Prague. It would be a bonus if matchday 6 is relatively meaningless – although finishing first in group has its advantages.

The starting 11 could be slightly less predictable as most would expect improving Tonali to get another chance to adapt after starting and doing well vs Fiorentina. Somewhat surprisingly some claims have Krunic starting with Kessie instead. Up front Rebic, Diaz, Hauge, Saelemaekers and Calhanoglu are the candidates for starts. Castillejo is nursing a minor injury and is set to miss out. The back four could finally see Kjaer get a much deserved break with Gabbia providing relief to the surprising Danish defender. Donnarumma will play in goal, is finally nearing an extension – to 2024 – and will remain a Milan player for a long time if statements of affection are to be believed.

As mentioned Celtic have been struggling domestically and in deed in the Europa League. The Bhoys sit 11 points behind Rangers – albeit with two games in hand – in the Scottish Premiership. This past weekend Neil Lennon’s men also lost 0-2 to Ross County in the League Cup.

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