Longoni urges Allegri to find better style after ‘unacceptable’ first half vs. Como

Journalist and columnist Andrea Longoni has stressed that AC Milan cannot afford many repeat performances like the one against Como.

Cesc Fabregas was keen to point out after the game how dominant his side were in terms of the balance of play. They had 68% of the ball, a higher Expected Goals number, over double the total shots, twice the amount of shots on target and double the corners.

Of course possession and passes mean very little if you unable to convert chances into goals, and that is what happened. The fact that the ‘big chances’ metric shows 2-2 suggests that it really could have gone either way in actual fact, though Mike Maignan’s heroics tell a different story.

An ‘unacceptable’ half

Longoni published his weekly column for MilanNews and he addressed the discussions that have surrounded Milan’s performance away against Como, with a warning fired to Massimiliano Allegri.

“Milan are right there, with significant scenarios still potentially achievable. And this is the best news of the Rossoneri’s season. The victory in Como represented a crucial turning point: without the three points, Inter would have escaped and the Rossoneri would have ended up in the mix for a Champions League spot.

“This objective hasn’t been achieved, but it’s better to approach it with a few more points than their rivals. Given yesterday’s results, a victory tonight against Lecce would be equally important. Nothing more needs to be said. Allegri’s team is called upon to turn things around once and for all against the smaller teams.

Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

“The usual debate about game-playing and results-driven tactics, which has fuelled the last few hours, has honestly become tiresome. It’s now a war between factions. We need to analyse matches for what they are.

“Milan’s first half on Thursday was unacceptable: the coach’s strategy of waiting was exaggerated, with a team that was too passive, at the mercy of their opponents. After that, being able to turn a game around like that is certainly a quality: closing it out and winning it, even more so.

“Allegri has turned Milan around this year with an extraordinary effort. The standings in this regard are a testament. However, I believe that excessive waiting is risky, and that this team needs to develop a better style.

“Because without it, you can’t always win matches. A much better defensive phase is also needed. Too many, and repeatedly in recent matches, chances were conceded to the opponents: this is not an Allegri team. To reach the final stage, he must improve these aspects.

“After that, if you have champions on your team, everything is easier. It wasn’t hard to understand: with a real coach and a few strong players on your team, you get satisfaction.”