news-engine

As is expected during preseason and the growing pains it brings, there were some good and bad signs from AC Milan’s draw with Inter. Last night we picked out three conclusions from the 1-1 draw in Perth, while our ratings from the game have more of a detailed breakdown of how each player got on. This morning, La Gazzetta dello Sport have thrown their own conclusions into the mix. Read SempreMilan ad-free and get access to exclusive news. Click here for a free trial! Improvements Compared to the friendly in Glasgow, Milan improved their high-pressing game, or at least executed it more convincingly and cohesively during certain stretches of the match. Initially, when looking to regain possession, the team set up in a 4-1-3-2, aiming to force the Nerazzurri into turnovers or long balls. It was a tactic that succeeded at times. For a squad accustomed to playing with a low block and defending deep in their own half last season, this represents a footballing ‘Copernican revolution’. Amorim can be pleased with this aspect, though greater consistency in the press is still needed. That element is currently lacking, but there were some decent vertical plays with the ball. Passing accuracy improved: against Celtic, errors by Strahinja Pavlovic and Samuele Ricci had gifted two goals to the Scots, whereas yesterday the team was more focused. The comeback was another positive: for the second time, the Diavolo fell behind but managed to equalise. It is only preseason and no points were at stake, yet the character and refusal to give up are exactly what the former United manager demands. On an individual level – with Mike Maignan and Pietro Terracciano absent – Lorenzo Torriani impressed between the posts, making good saves. Ruben Loftus-Cheek demonstrated his value as one of the two attacking midfielders, while Alexis Saelemaekers was sprinting down the right flank despite having just returned. We might even see the Belgian on the left, a position where he has been tested in training to help him learn the movements. For now, he has confirmed that he hasn’t lost the pace and bursts of energy that defined his game last season. Concerns During the build-up phase, the ball moves too slowly for Amorim’s standards. While the play starts from the back (as he wants) and the team avoids the long balls that go against his footballing philosophy, greater passing speed and more frequent switches of play are needed to open up gaps. Possession figures also need to rise: that is the key to how Milan intends to trouble opponents and pin them back in their own half. It was clear that fitness levels would not be optimal at this stage of the season. However, the drop-off early in the second half was stark. The Rossoneri fell behind Inter in terms of tempo, they conceded the opening goal, and a second could easily have followed. Work is needed to build up stamina and ensure the team arrives at the opener vs. Torino with better match sharpness. Making eight substitutions won’t be an option in Serie A. Among the individual players, the wing-backs were disappointing this time around: Samuel Chukwueze showed flashes in attack but was at fault for Dimarco’s goal due to poor defensive tracking. Pervis Estupiñán – who is fighting to prove he deserves a spot in the squad – struggled physically and failed to capitalise on his first opportunity to impress Amorim. The guiding light With Luka Modric at the helm, Milan came back to life. Granted, Inter fielded a few more youngsters, and the impact of the players Amorim threw into the fray during the final half-hour was greater than that of those fielded by Chivu. Nevertheless, Modrić’s introduction played a major role in the comeback. It was the Croatian who delivered the through-ball to Nkunku, allowing him to win and subsequently convert the equalising penalty. He also did an excellent job managing possession and bringing precision to the team’s build-up play. Luka told La Gazzetta dello Sport that he had long since decided to continue playing for Milan; that is why he stayed fit while on vacation. Despite having only two days of training under his belt he displayed his class during the derby in Perth. He is certainly not at peak fitness yet and needs to adapt to Amorim’s style of play, but with him on the pitch, the team immediately looked more confident in possession and more determined. It is no coincidence that Amorim and his team-mates regard him as a special player. On September 9th, he will blow out 41 candles on his birthday cake, having potentially played a starring role in the Juventus-Milan match just three days earlier. Such a birthday is a rarity in the football world, but then again, Luka is one of a kind.