AC Milan 0-1 Atalanta: 5 issues we realized – indivudual errors and lack of stability
AC Milan wanted a win towards Atalanta of their pursuit of a European ticket however as an alternative, they had been introduced right down to earth. As at all times, we’ve highlighted 5 takeaways from the sport.
It was a fairly boring begin to the sport, with little or no occurring within the first half apart from a Luka Jovic shot (went large) and the nice counter-attacking alternative for Rafael Leao. The winger received dispossessed too simply and .
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Then, within the second half, Milan tried to convey a bit extra depth going ahead, however that instantly opened up more room for Atalanta on the counter. Certainly, within the 62nd minute, Ederson made it 1-0 after a beautiful assault from the away facet.
The Rossoneri then did not trigger correct points for Atalanta, with their solely shot on course being extra of a go, and the sport led to defeat. Under are 5 issues we realized from the sport…
1. Lack of stability proves pricey once more
Milan have been dreadful towards sides above them within the league this season. Given their place within the standings, at the moment ninth, which means there are 8 groups towards which the Rossoneri have had lots of struggles.
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In opposition to Atalanta, it was made apparent why because the workforce lacked any form of stability all through the sport. Within the first half, the Rossoneri had been those defending for almost all of it and on the few events they did go ahead, they weren’t medical sufficient to make a distinction.
Photograph by Marco Luzzani/Getty Pictures
Then, within the second half, when Milan did attempt to assault extra correctly, there was no stability between the defence and assault. The workforce received uncovered too simply on counter, giving loads of area to Atalanta to punish them.
Youssouf Fofana was an excellent instance as , however then when Milan tried to use strain, he wasn’t adequate in transition. He usually misplaced the ball, permitting Atalanta to counter, after which he wasn’t in the appropriate positions to cowl defensively.
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It’s additionally truthful to say that the assault did not create something worthwhile, whereas the midfield didn’t fairly hold the ball sufficient to convey calmness to the sport. General, it’s going to be a really busy summer time for the administration with many elementary issues to repair.
2. Inconsistency is right here to remain
It at all times appears to be seasons of ups and downs in terms of Rafael Leao. When he’s nice, he makes the followers overlook his poor performances even when they had been current, however then he dips and the cracks turn out to be so evident.
It has been no totally different this season, throughout which we’ve seen loads of ups and downs from the Portuguese. On condition that he has managed double digits in targets and assists for 4 seasons in a row, you’ll think about that the numbers would have been even higher with consistency.
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Perhaps he won’t ever discover it, and Milan would possibly have to face the details after they re-evaluate the squad in the summertime, particularly if an enormous supply had been to come back in.
Specializing in the sport towards Atalanta, although, he actually ought to have stepped up and scored that probability within the first half. Bellanova caught as much as him and dispossessed him simply. You’d count on much more from Leao in that scenario, given his tempo and physicality.
3. Jimenez and Pulisic wrestle on the appropriate
The Spanish children did okay, all issues thought of, as he mixed effectively along with his teammates and had a few good moments in assault, regardless of the shortage of hazard created. Nevertheless, he struggled a bit on the again, particularly towards Ademola Lookman which form of diminishes his efficiency.
Photograph by AC Milan
Christian Pulisic, alternatively, was poor in each facet of the sport as he just about had one profitable dribble all sport and contributed with nothing in assault. He was additionally very excessive up the pitch on Atalanta’s objective, so it was a sport to overlook for him as he introduced nothing to the desk.
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Briefly, as a complete the right-hand facet wasn’t precisely sturdy for Milan and it confirmed, with many of the assaults going via the left.
4. Jovic not sufficient
It’s true that the Serbian missed an important probability within the first half, but it surely’s truthful to say that he was the most effective attacking participant for the Rossoneri as he continually mixed along with his teammates, dropped again to assist in the build-up. Generally, he simply appeared extra motivated to make one thing occur, successful lots of duels and choosing up free balls.
That being stated, Milan want extra from their striker (sure, a objective could be good!). So if that probability within the first half had gone, we might have been speaking about heavy reward for the striker. Now, nevertheless, the query marks stay concerning his contribution and he’s in all probability heading for an exit in the summertime.
5. Three on the again has some positives
General, it was a sport to overlook given the end result, struggles within the assault and the general strategy. Nevertheless, the three-amn defence did work fairly effectively for an enormous a part of the sport, no less than if we exclude Atalanta’s objective.
Photograph by AC Milan
For starters, each Hernandez and Jimenez had been much more lively on the flanks. Particularly the Frenchman has picked up the tempo in current weeks, as he appears to benefit from the freedom on this new formation.
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Then, Matteo Gabbia, Fikayo Tomori and Strahinja Pavlovic did effectively to comprise Atalanta for almost all of the sport. The Serbian may have finished higher on the objective, that’s a reality, however the counter was actually good by the away facet and there have been lots of particular person errors within the build-up to that objective.
Then once more, aside from the objective, Mike Maignan had little to do which is fairly spectacular given the attacking energy Atalanta has.