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AC Milan clinched their first win of the pre-season earlier today, beating Liverpool 4-2, and there were quite a few positives for head coach Max Allegri. We have picked out three things we learned from the game.
Consistency has been a theme for Milan so far this pre-season, with Allegri opting for the same players (more or less) while also avoiding multiple subs at half-time. For the game against Liverpool, he only made two changes compared to the Arsenal defeat.
Sure enough, the players were able to redeem themselves from Wednesday’s game as they found the back of the net four times. First Rafael Leao, then Ruben Loftus-Cheek and finally Noah Okafor X2. While two goals were conceded, there were defensive positives too.
Below, I have picked out three aspects that I think Milan fans should focus a little extra on, from the evident counter-attack approach to the performances of the underappreciated.
Simple but effective
Without a doubt, this is the main takeaway from the game. Liverpool enjoyed a whopping 69% of the possession, while they had 18 shots against Milan’s 10. Now this is where it gets interesting. The Reds had seven shots on target, but the Rossoneri managed to muster up eight.
Then, when you look at the most important metric of them all (i.e. goals scored), it’s clear that Milan were a lot more efficient. With three counter-attacking goals scored, this was the deciding factor of the game.
Lacking a proper striker, Max Allegri decided to field Rafael Leao up front once again with Christian Pulisic slightly behind. The two were able to combine and thanks to Liverpool’s highline, created by their dominance in possession, they found space behind the defence.
Apart from the fourth goal, we saw the same strategy every single time Milan found the back of the net. Quick transition, smart passes, good link-up play and very good finishing. Simple but effective, in other words, and it was a tactical masterclass from Allegri.
It should be remembered that Milan had the same ‘style’ in a lot of their games during the Scudetto season, as well as the season after, which certainly amplified Leao’s qualities. The manager has already started well in this sense, therefore.
Value in the underappreciated
Considering that Okafor found the back of the net twice, while Loftus-Cheek got in on the party as well, it would be silly not to mention their ‘outcast’ label. The Swiss international already has one foot out the door, while the Englishman has been heavily questioned in recent months.
However, if anything, the game against Liverpool proved that some of Milan’s players have just lacked confidence. It’s only been two games under Allegri but Loftus-Cheek is looking like a completely different player, or at least like the player he was when he enjoyed the most success.
Okafor, meanwhile, didn’t have the best of games against Arsenal but picked himself up and scored a lovely goal today. These performances were very good examples of why it’s important for a new coach, in this case Allegri, to assess each player (where possible) before a decision is made.
You could even throw someone like Alexis Saelemaekers into the discussion, even if he’s coming off the back of two good loan spells. With the right role in the team, players can find the freedom to shine and Allegri is showing that.
That being said, one performance doesn’t change anything in the grand scheme of things, so we still need to tread carefully, but at least RLC has now amassed two good displays.
Leao on fire
We have to end with a section for Leao. Allegri has made it very clear that the No.10 is a crucial part of this Milan side and as has been highlighted by many, this is sort of the last season for the winger to show what he’s actually made of.
Based on today’s performances, it could end up being a very good season for him. The first goal was stunning, not only scoring from a relatively narrow angle but also with his weaker foot. 9/10 last season, he would have tried to cut inside there.
Once again, it also comes down to finding your role within the team. We all know that Leao is a fantastic counter-attacking player, and that is exactly what he got to focus on against Liverpool. It won’t always be possible for Milan to have that approach, of course, but it helps to build confidence.
Most of you will probably also agree that aside from the goal scored, and even the assist for RLC, the fact that he made the right decision more often than not is a huge step in the right direction. Wasteful and inconsistent were the adjectives last season, but now they can perhaps be decisive and electric.
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