AC Milan’s prime 4 hopes have been in all probability already over going into the Lazio recreation, however they got the ultimate guillotine chop in essentially the most brutal of how.
Lazio took a deserved lead within the first half when Mattia Zaccagni was readily available to fireplace dwelling a rebound from Adam Murisic’s shot. When Strahinja Pavlovic acquired halfway via the second half, it regarded like job executed for Marco Baroni’s males.
And but, with six minutes left, Rafael Leao stood up a cross for Samuel Chukwueze to move in an equaliser. There was nonetheless time for a bitter sting although as Mike Maignan was adjudged to have fouled Gustav Isaksen contained in the field, with the penalty transformed by Pedro within the 97th minute.
The outcome signifies that the Rossoneri at the moment are ninth within the league desk and never solely are the highest 4 hopes positively over, however any hopes of European soccer in any respect are beginning to look slim.
Acquainted defensive shortcomings
When Milan drew 2-2 away towards Lazio earlier within the season, one of many targets got here from Milan not executing their zonal press precisely.
On Sunday we may see Milan making the identical mistake once more with Tavares discovering area between Milan’s line unmarked, on account of Matteo Gabbia and Alex Jimenez not choosing up a person or any area.
A technique of beating a mid block is to discover a via ball since there’s a important hole between the keeper and final line of defence.
There must be synchronised actions for this with the striker who ought to be able to make the run and midfielder needing to identify the run and time his move. Dia on this sequence is performed onside by Gabbia.
Lazio tried to make decoy runs however Milan caught to their zonal marking and cleared the nook.
Ineffective build-up construction
Now right here is an attention-grabbing remark: Milan below Conceicao use a 2+2 whereas constructing out from the again. It’s an uncommon base to construct from, as managers are likely to desire a 3+2 or a 2+3.
Now take a look at how Lazio suffocate Milan with their urgent, however extra evident than that’s how the Rossoneri’s construction in possession just isn’t conducive to increase via the central areas.
Milan’s excessive line acquired uncovered once more as Marusic out paced Theo Hernandez to get into area to shoot, earlier than Zaccagni acquired to the rebound from Maignan to faucet in.
Milan’s central development was restricted with Fofana being outnumbered by Lazio’s two ahead gamers. This prompted Conceicao to convey Joao Felix in and push Tijjani Reijnders again, and the fast change may be observed.
No assistance on the counter
When Milan counter, the positioning of the gamers is worrying. There are zero indicators of clever runs to both stretch the defence or create passing choices for the ball-carrier.
Credit score to Lazio for the defending too, which Milan may find out about, however the forwards merely must execute higher for an efficient contain-and-counter type.
At 1-0 down Milan shifted their formation on the ball to a 2-4-4, but as soon as once more we should return to points in possession.
Fofana has no passing possibility and the construction to construct out stays restricted, so he has to modify it by way of lengthy ball to Pulisic. His mis-hit move gave Tavares an opportunity to counter assault resulting in a shot on the right track for Lazio.
Lastly ,with Pavlovic despatched off it pushed Conceicao to take off Fofana for an additional defender. This created an enormous hole between the second and third line of defence.
Thus, it grew to become a basketball match, and Milan have been finally downed by a buzzer-beater.
