AC Milan’s prime 4 hopes had been in all probability already over going into the Lazio recreation, however they got the ultimate guillotine chop in probably the most brutal of how.
Lazio took a deserved lead within the first half when Mattia Zaccagni was readily available to fireside dwelling a rebound from Adam Murisic’s shot. When Strahinja Pavlovic bought halfway by way of the second half, it appeared like job achieved for Marco Baroni’s males.
And but, with six minutes left, Rafael Leao stood up a cross for Samuel Chukwueze to go in an equaliser. There was nonetheless time for a bitter sting although as Mike Maignan was adjudged to have fouled Gustav Isaksen contained in the field, with the penalty transformed by Pedro within the 97th minute.
The end result signifies that the Rossoneri are actually ninth within the league desk and never solely are the highest 4 hopes positively over, however any hopes of European soccer in any respect are beginning to look slim.
Acquainted defensive shortcomings
When Milan drew 2-2 away in opposition to Lazio earlier within the season, one of many targets got here from Milan not executing their zonal press precisely.
On Sunday we may see Milan making the identical mistake once more with Tavares discovering house between Milan’s line unmarked, on account of Matteo Gabbia and Alex Jimenez not selecting up a person or any house.
A method of beating a mid block is to discover a by way of ball since there’s a important hole between the keeper and final line of defence.
There must be synchronised actions for this with the striker who ought to be able to make the run and midfielder needing to identify the run and time his go. Dia on this sequence is performed onside by Gabbia.
Lazio tried to make decoy runs however Milan caught to their zonal marking and cleared the nook.
Ineffective build-up construction
Now right here is an attention-grabbing statement: Milan underneath Conceicao use a 2+2 whereas constructing out from the again. It’s an uncommon base to construct from, as managers are likely to want a 3+2 or a 2+3.
Now have a look at how Lazio suffocate Milan with their urgent, however extra evident than that’s how the Rossoneri’s construction in possession shouldn’t be conducive to build up by way of the central areas.
Milan’s excessive line bought uncovered once more as Marusic out paced Theo Hernandez to get into house to shoot, earlier than Zaccagni bought to the rebound from Maignan to faucet in.
Milan’s central development was restricted with Fofana being outnumbered by Lazio’s two ahead gamers. This prompted Conceicao to deliver Joao Felix in and push Tijjani Reijnders again, and the instant change could be seen.
No assistance on the counter
When Milan counter, the positioning of the gamers is worrying. There are zero indicators of clever runs to both stretch the defence or create passing choices for the ball-carrier.
Credit score to Lazio for the defending too, which Milan may find out about, however the forwards merely should execute higher for an efficient contain-and-counter type.
At 1-0 down Milan shifted their formation on the ball to a 2-4-4, but as soon as once more we should return to points in possession.
Fofana has no passing choice and the construction to construct out stays restricted, so he has to modify it through lengthy ball to Pulisic. His mis-hit go gave Tavares an opportunity to counter assault resulting in a shot on track for Lazio.
Lastly ,with Pavlovic despatched off it pushed Conceicao to take off Fofana for an additional defender. This created an enormous hole between the second and third line of defence.
Thus, it turned a basketball match, and Milan had been finally downed by a buzzer-beater.