A battle for Europa league places ensured on Sunday as Milan went to San Paolo to take on Gennaro Gattuso’s men. Milan were the favourite after coming down from 2-0 to beat Juve. Here is the tactical analysis
1st Half
Milan as usual set-up in thier 3-4-3 in posession with Paqueta set to tuck in give space to conti to make overlapping runs while Hakan and Rebic took up the half spaces on the edge of the penalty. At times Ibra would drop off to relieve pressure off the midfield and while paqueta took up his momentary #9 role. In defence Milan were in a 4-4-1-1. Milan took man to man marking while ibra was free to press the centre backs of Napoli who were bringing out the ball from the back
Napoli meanwhile attacked in a 3-5-2 or a 3-4-3. Depending upon which flank they attacked from which was mostly in the left wing the winger would tuck inside while the advanced Midfielder or mezalla would occupy the wideman role. Insigne would also cut inside to give space to Mario Rui to make overlapping runs.
In defence they defended in a 4-4-2 in a different set up. Depending upon which flank Milan would bring out the ball from the centre back would be pressed by a mezalla. For example if romagnoli has posession he would be pressed by Fabian Ruiz while Lobotka will occupy his position and make it a narrow and tight 4-4-2
The understanding between Mertens-Insigne-Callejon is fundamental to Gattuso’s attacking play. Insigne and Mertens would often swap positions and this unpredictability made Milan’s defenders unable to track the attackers movements. Either they would have an inter play and whip a quick diagonal ball out to Callejon who would make deep runs or they would cut inside and have the full backs make crosses for them to score.
Napoli’s pressing was also quite agressive. They would have a narrow block overloading the centre and when Milan tried to attack on the wings they would create a 3v2 situation and dispossess the player while Mertens came inside or dropped to start a counter
Milan’s goal came from a good passing combination coupled with good movement. Romagnoli quickly switched the play to Conti who found Paqueta occupying the half space. Paqueta draws out Kalidou Kouilybaily creating space for Rebic to run into. He then is found by a brilliant ball by Bennacer. Callejon misses the run of Theo, and Di Lorenzo is drawn away by Ibrahimoviç. Theo blasted the ball into the box
2nd Half
Milan subbed in Saelemaeckers for Paqueta and the impact was almost instant.
But then Napoli took the lead with a good bit of individual skill and passing movement. A poor pass by Rebic was intercepted by Kouilybaily who found Mario Rui who made a run while Mertens was on the edge of the box. Rui drew nearly 4 players including Kessie who lost his man Fabian who played a quick horizontal ball to Callejon. Mertens made an unmarked run into the box and met Callejon’s cross and a poor bit of keeping from Donna made sure Napoli took the lead
A clever run from Bonaventura made in which Maksimovic fouled him was given as a penalty which Kessie converted into a goal
On the onset of the 70th minutes both side looked tired. Milan after a gruelling run of fixtures can be happy that they took 7 out of a possible 9 but are still far away from being safe. Milan have Parma, Bologna, Sassuolo before facing Atalanta. I feel our results against Parma, Sassuolo and Bologna would shape our bid for Europa league qualification.
Side Note
In my analysis of the match against Juventus I had noted that Paqueta as a winger does not work. The only reason I seen him starting is because of injuries to Samu and fatigue for Saelemaeckers.
A rather immature 5 minutes from Saelemaeckers saw him sent off making Pioli hoping to see Samu Castillejo fit for the encounter vs Parma
Gattuso’s side look a different breed but not unfamiliar from the Milan in 2018/19. He has them playing a mashup version of SarriBall and his Gattusoball tactics. With technically better players it is good to see his career blossoming
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