Cagliari 0 v 1 AC Milan

 

AC Milan travelled away to Cagliari hoping to take 3 points and solidify and potentially boost their lead at the top of the table today. It may not have been attractive, but Milan found a way to get the 3 points.

The match followed a familiar pattern and habit when versing small clubs with AC Milan controlling much of the first with many opportunities which some from Giroud and Diaz that should have been goals. Despite Milan’s strong start , Cagliari battle hard and were able to cause Milan a lot of trouble down the wings .

Bennacer and Kessie did well to control much of the match with both providing attacking and defensive duties with Bennacer particularly influential. Leao tried to get himself in good positions but was often double teamed and tried to do it all on his own. That symbolised Milan’s first half with players trying to force a penalty or run through the box as individuals only for Cagliari defence to withstand it.

The second half was different tone with Milan employing a more fluid passing game, with many more players becoming more influential with Messias Jnr and Diaz becoming more effectively involved. Brahim was a mixed bag this match as too often he was bullied off the ball and his passing was either too heavy or too soft for it’s targets, he however did a lot of defensive pressuring in the forward half to win back the ball. It was thanks to his pass that Giroud used his strength to hold off a defender and flick the ball to Bennacer who slotted it home in the corner. Of all Milan’s opportunities tonight that would be the most difficult and the one that converted into a goal. 

Rebic introduction on the field change the dynamic of the match with his constant pressuring resulting in turn overs from the Cagliari defence and he was constantly providing solid attacking runs. Any other game Rebic may have connected with a pass to shoot it past the keeper or he would have assist to Calabria who in the dying minutes shot it directly into the goal keeper in a one on one opportunity. 

The second half was a much more positive display with a more fluid attacking game plan, it was disappointing to leave Cagliari in the game as they also had a couple of late opportunities which could have caused this to be a draw. AC Milan need to kill these games off as these smaller teams are still capable of catching you as Spezia so wonderfully illustrated.

 

Player Ratings

3. Bennacer
The man was everywhere tonight, fulfilled his defensive and attacking duties and even scored the winner.

2. Theo Hernandez
Though he could not provide a goal or assist, he was constantly pushing in the attacking half and though he overdid his runs , any other day he could have scored.

1. Tomori
Even though this could have easily been Kessie, Tomori kept his composure in defence and was often used to help start an attacking movement from the back.