Month: February 2021

  • Notes On A Relatively Easy 4-0 Win Vs Crotone

    Still dealing with absentees in Diaz, Tonali, Bennacer and Kjear out and with Calhanoglu only able to be on the bench.
    A good passing movement involving Calabria, Leao and Ibra led to the former shooting the ball in but Ibra was called offside in the action.
    Crotone threatened, got the first corner of the match and came close.
    In the 11th minute Theo collected the ball deep and made one of his famous runs all the way to the Crotone box, Leao’s eventual shot was well blocked.
    The game settled into somewhat tame half chances but the deadlock ended in the 31st minute with an excellent one two with Leao freeing Ibra who finished very well for the lead.
    The half time score was 1-0 with Rebic doing very well and Saelemaekers poor on the opposite side.
    Castillejo came on for Saelemaekers for the second half kick off. The start of the second was relatively quiet until the 61st minute when a good take away led to Leao almost beating Alex Cordaz in the Crotone goal. Right after the chance the Portuguese was subbed out as Calhanoglu made a return to thhe pitch.
    Moments later Rebic and Hernandez made their way through the left wing traffic, the latter crossed low for a wide open Ibra who tapped the ball in on the far side for one of his easiest goals.
    It didn’t take long for Milan to score again. Hakan took a corner and Rebic jumped well and headed it somewhat easily and just over a minute later the Croat made it 4-0 when Ibra’s shot was punched out and fell to Hakan, the Turkish international crossed to Rebic who shot it in this time.
    Mandzukic and Hauge came on for Ibra and Rebic.
    The game moved towards the 90 with a few more half chances as Romagnoli and Calabria got yellows. The latter will miss the week 22 match at Spezia due to yellow accumulation.
    The 4-0 was the season’s biggest margin for Milan.

  • Week 21: Milan – Crotone

    Starting Lineup: 4-2-3-1
    99
    Donnarumma
    2
    Calabria
    23
    Tomori
    13
    Romagnoli
    19
    Hernandez
    18
    Meïté
    79
    Kessié
    56
    Saelemaekers
    17
    Leão
    12
    Rebić
    11
    Ibrahimović
    Substitutes

    Just as it looked like Milan could return to semblance of a full squad the problems have resurfaced. Other than Gabbia, who has now returned to training after 8 weeks away, and Kjaer who is still a week or two away it seemed that the team had gotten everybody back. Late in the week those hopes were shattered. Bennacer and Tonali have been excluded from the call ups. The former, worryingly, is said to be suffering from bronchitis. The latter, much like Diaz, is still struggling with injury and all are out of this week 21 match. Furthermore it is said that while Calhanoglu is included he is not fully fit and looks to start on the bench.

    That leaves the squad short again. Meite and Kessie should be the two pivots in front of Calabria, Tomori, Romagnoli and Theo. The latter has been in relative poor form and there was more reason for concern in the week 20 match at Bologna. Donnarumma remains in goal of course but up front will see Leao, Rebic and Saelemaekers play behind Ibra. It would the second game in a row where Leao and Rebic get in the starting 11 at the same time. The match at Bologna wasn’t the most convincing and as exemplified with Theo’s aforementioned form the team was less fluid, less direct and too sloppy. Calhanoglu and Bennacer make a difference in the shape and movement of the game and their once again absence is unfortunate. The two penalties were another reminder that Ibra should let Kessie take the penalties. The Ivorian tank is cool and calm unlike many other spot takers.

    Hauge’s controversial exclusion from the Europa League squad might be a good motivating factor for the Norwegian and Pioli would be wise to unleash him as an early sub. The 21 year old was Milan’s top scorer in the Europa League group stage with three well taken goals.

    Crotone sit in 20th place with zero away wins, let’s hope Milan have left the days of gifting lowly teams with points in the past. Junior Messias, Crotone’s second top scorer behind Simeon Nwankwo, is suspended due to yellow cards accumulation.

    Follow the match as it happens, on the forum.

  • January 2021 Transfer Window

    Milan concluded the winter 2021 transfer market similar to the way the summer 2020 window was conducted. The strategy seems to be the control costs while addressing some of the problem areas and in particular adding depth. Not much has been spent, most deals continue to look to the future both in terms of money spent and squad age. Of course Mandzukic is an older veteran at 34 but Tomori and Meite are 23 and 26 respectively. If the options are be taken up later in the summer they will consume a large portion of the budget.
    Of those leaving Conti had promised the most but the old injury issue has stalled his playing career and Calabria has more than solidified his spot at right back.