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Since I didn't have the opportunity to record last night, here are my thoughts from Milan's 4-0 victory over Crotone yesterday.
#MilanCrotone a thread
#MilanCrotone a thread
1. Rafael Leao in the number 10 role.
Due to the absences of Hakan Calhanoglu and Brahim Diaz, Pioli had little options for the role behind the striker.
Pioli tried this last time out against Bologna and Leao's performance left a lot to be desired however against Crotone he was far more impressive.
Pioli tried this last time out against Bologna and Leao's performance left a lot to be desired however against Crotone he was far more impressive.
That being said it is still clear that he struggles in that position and despite getting the assist he didn't seem to know which positions to pick up.
It is understandable though given it is the 3rd position he's played this season.
It is understandable though given it is the 3rd position he's played this season.
Leao typically performs well in spaces where he can run into and dribble at defenders but he did pick out a few very good passes including his perfectly weighted through ball for Zlatan's first goal.
Brings me to my next point
Brings me to my next point
2.Hakan Calhanoglu is influential.
By now it's no secret that Hakan makes the team tick. If you've watched Milan in 2020 you can understand that he is one of Europe's biggest creative forces.
And a second half cameo in which he notched up two assists shows how much Milan have missed that creative force.
And a second half cameo in which he notched up two assists shows how much Milan have missed that creative force.
The team gel around him and he more often than not provides the creative spark that takes Milan's attacking threat to the next level.
It is vital for his form, to hit the ground running and I hope he can get going before the derby vs Inter in a couple weeks time.
It is vital for his form, to hit the ground running and I hope he can get going before the derby vs Inter in a couple weeks time.
3. Milan finally show their ruthlessness.
It has been a rare occurrence that Milan put smaller opposition to the sword - as they should be doing.
And it isn't because they can't dominate the opposition. It isn't because they don't have an extra gear.
And it isn't because they can't dominate the opposition. It isn't because they don't have an extra gear.
Throughout the season they've shown they can beat top opposition, Napoli & Inter for example, and Lazio even though they faced a great obstacle with regards to player availability and fitness.
Why can't we do that against smaller teams?
Why can't we do that against smaller teams?
The performance against Crotone is the perfect tonic to get back to their blistering form of early last season.
Particularly after a string of poor results in the league and Coppa.
Spezia and Red Star should be played in the same manner.
A statement of intent.
Particularly after a string of poor results in the league and Coppa.
Spezia and Red Star should be played in the same manner.
A statement of intent.
4. Meite Improves.
Meite has drawn his share of criticisms. Some of it is fair, a lot of it was needlessly reactionary.
People fail to realise how difficult it is to come to a new club, then be tasked with playing a foreign position, and then having to face red hot Atalanta and Inter.
People fail to realise how difficult it is to come to a new club, then be tasked with playing a foreign position, and then having to face red hot Atalanta and Inter.
No one can excuse those performances but we can't oversimply why it wasn't working.
In the Crotone game he had a frustrating first half. His positioning and movement was really poor.
This is Illustrated by Theo having to come in field to collect the ball from the CBs.
In the Crotone game he had a frustrating first half. His positioning and movement was really poor.
This is Illustrated by Theo having to come in field to collect the ball from the CBs.
The second half saw a more composed Meite, picking out some very good passes and diligence in midfield allowed Kessie to drive forward, showing confidence in Meite as defensive cover.
Confidence is key.
Milan fans shouldn't compare him to the likes of Bennacer and Tonali.
Confidence is key.
Milan fans shouldn't compare him to the likes of Bennacer and Tonali.
For one he's a different player but secondly he's not at their level, and wasn't brought in to replace either of them.
Expectations may be high at this stage and it's understandable but we as spectators need to be realistic when it comes to passing judgements this quickly.
Expectations may be high at this stage and it's understandable but we as spectators need to be realistic when it comes to passing judgements this quickly.
5. Tomori has plenty of room for growth.
In the complete opposite manner to Meite, Tomori - when thrown into the deep end - didn't sink, but instead took like a duck to water.
A phenomenal debut performance in the Coppa Italia vs Inter cannot be understated. He was simply incredible.
A phenomenal debut performance in the Coppa Italia vs Inter cannot be understated. He was simply incredible.
He has carried this form through and looked comfortable next to Romagnoli in defence, the pair compliment each other's traits.
Tomori's willingness to track back and his aggression makes him an ace at the back, a different profile to any of Milan's current centre backs.
Tomori's willingness to track back and his aggression makes him an ace at the back, a different profile to any of Milan's current centre backs.
This however doesn't mean his game is perfect.
His positioning can sometimes be costly against superior opposition. And this is where Simon Kjaer excels.
Kjaer doesn't rely on his speed when defending, but rather his defensive awareness.
Tomori needs to improve there.
His positioning can sometimes be costly against superior opposition. And this is where Simon Kjaer excels.
Kjaer doesn't rely on his speed when defending, but rather his defensive awareness.
Tomori needs to improve there.
He still has a lot to learn, and he's shown that he has all the tools to improve. In time he will, particularly with Romagnoli and Kjaer as his mentors.
The €30M price tag is steep but at the end of the season he may well be worth much more.
The €30M price tag is steep but at the end of the season he may well be worth much more.
