Milan picked up a crucial win in their quest to attain Europe against Roma who saw their last hopes for a place in Champions league extinguished. Goals from Ante Rebic and Hakan Çalhanoglu helped Milan defeat their rivals 2-0. A most professional and enduring performance from the Rossoneri against a quality Roma side who ran out of legs towards the end. Here are a few key points and tactical notes from the game.
1st HALF
Both teams started in a 4-2-3-1 formation and transitioning into a 3-2-4-1 in attack and 4-4-1-1 in defence.
Milan defended deeper than they did against Lecce due to the threat of Roma’s technical attackers and pace. But they were still keeping a rather high line.
Roma were using a 4-4-2 in defence and chose to cut out passing lanes often forcing Theo to drop deeper to collect the ball or Kjær to put in long balls over the first 2 lines of press
The first chance of the match fell for Dzeko who headed the ball wide. A ricochet helped the ball into Kluivert who was unmarked as Conti had strayed forwaed to press Pellegrini. Kluivert ran towards the box and was being marked by Kjær when spinnazola made an overlapping run and Kjær was drawn out to the possiblity of Kluivert passing to spinnazola. Kluivert saw the space open up and put a ball in for Dzeko who headed it wide.
Milan’s best chance of the half came via a missed header of Hakan. Roma tried to restrict Milan towards the right wing, but after some good work by rebic he found bona in space who had Hakan behind him. Bona spinned and found Theo who was in acres of space towards the centre.
Meanwhile Hakan made a run into the bix, and when theos cross came in Mancini failed to mark Hakan as he was distracted by Rebic’s movement and Hakan was free to head the ball out for a goal kick.
A drab first half as both team cancelled out each other quite well. Chances were kept to minimum and it was about who can score first and endure longer.
2nd Half
With Roma becoming more tired playing only their second game after the pandemic break, their fitness was called into question. Pioli took this opportunity to take out an ineffective Bonaventura and a cautioned Samu Castillejo for Alexis Saelemaeckers and Lucas Paqueta.
The anticipation and work rate Rebic showed for the first goal was excellent as he intercepted a rather tired pass from Zappacosta and held off a defender before making a horizontal pass for Paqueta to advance and then put in a cross. The second goal was also good combination play by Hakan to draw the defender and then release Theo down the wing.
Roma did try to mount a comeback with Kalinic coming and trying to play the Dzeko role but it was too late and Roma didn’t have the legs in them . Overall it was a good match and a good win for Milan who play Spal on Wednesday
The Milan Blog 