Milan were unable to return to their winning ways with a lacklustre draw against Chievo Verona at the Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi.
The Rossoneri are licking their wounds after another poor performance away from home which saw them take only a point against a rigid and compact Chievo. The Verona-based side came close to winning the game with a goal disallowed late, but Milan will be kicking themselves over missed opportunities.
They are now 11 points off Roma and are sitting six points behind fifth placed Inter. Alarm bells are also ringing for the Diavolo, after dropping five points out of a possible six against two very beatable sides away from home.
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Once again, no cutting edge
Missed chances, a lack of creativity, the list goes on.
Milan were poor and did not deserve to come away with three points this past Sunday. However, the chances were there and not taken. Siniša Mihajlović‘s men had a stranglehold on the game, with the possession heavily in their favour for large portions of the 90 minutes. Primarily, time and time again the ball would be fed out wide to Keisuke Honda and Giacomo Bonaventura, or a marauding fullback whose ball across the face of goal would be met by a Chievo defender.
Carlos Bacca and Jeremy Menez failed to get in good positions to score and the best chances fell to Ignazio Abate and Andrea Bertolacci in the space of seconds. Abate made a blistering dash up the flank and was in behind before slamming his shot against the bar. His rebound fell to Bertolacci, who with the goal beckoning, could only steer his effort against the upright.
Bonaventura marginalised, impacts attack severely
Milan’s most dangerous and consistent player of the campaign has been Bonaventura. Today was an example of a player who could not get himself into the game, was constantly backed into corners and had no space to work any of his magic.
Usually, he is creating chances for the strikers, today he was in the back pocket of Fabrizio Cacciatore who defended valiantly. Mihajlovic has had this headache of a lack of creativity when the 26-year-old is out of form or absent from the squad before. Honda performed valiantly on the right, however, the impact Bonaventura provides cannot be matched by many in the Milan squad – exemplifying the need for reinforcements next season with Mihajlovic having to find someone who can provide the same attacking support.
Chievo showing signs of improvement
A solid defensive performance from Chievo cannot be swept under the carpet.
The Gialloblu set out to frustrate Milan and did just that with a fantastic effort in defence and even in attack, where they tested Christian Abbiati numerous times. Big credit must go out to Rolando Moran who has down a super effort at Chievo this season with limited resources and a squad lacking spotlight quality.
However, players such as Bostjan Cesar, Valter Birsa, Riccardo Meggiorini and Lucas Castro must get the recognition of being among the solid performers last night. However, the loss of Alberto Paloschi has left a gaping hole in attack with Chievo still lacking an out and out striker, which will surely be addressed come summer-time.
https://youtu.be/WK4kGgow0WU
Midfield struggling in the loss of maligned duo
Milan were without their first picked midfield duo in the form of Riccardo Montolivo and Juraj Kucka and the effect was profound on the rest of the side. Montolivo, still out with a niggling Achilles injury and Kucka who got injured in the warm-up, left Milan with Andrea Bertolacci and Andrea Poli to pick up the scraps. Bertolacci did not play badly, however, his tendency left Milan open defensively due to the robust nature of Poli – who exposed Milan to numerous counter-attacks. Montolivo and Kucka have solid chemistry in which they can dictate who attacks and defends at what given time, proving the need for the two to be in the starting XI.
Bertolacci is still yet to show the Milan fans the reasons as to why he was so over-paid for. Maybe if he had dispatched his fantastic chance to take the win the pressure would be off a little. Poli’s patience is running thin and now in his third season at Milan has shown very little. Expect him to be shopped around at the end of the season due to his value which other clubs would look at with a keen eye. Thus, maybe a start for Jose Mauri or Manuel Locatelli could have been justified due to Milan’s plan for the future which they feature heavily in.
Milan must find a consistent partner for Bacca
Ever since M’Baye Niang went down injured, Milan have been on the lookout for a partner for Carlos Bacca. Balotelli was tried and failed. Menez was next as a late inclusion due to Kucka’s injury and provided little to nothing. He was soon withdrawn after 60 minutes with a lack of match fitness still a major factor. Up next was Luiz Adriano, who was given 30 minutes and did not do nearly as much to prove that he can be that man to partner Bacca. The options are running thin which Milan have in their arsenal, however, they have to look at focusing on one and running with that idea. Jeremy Menez is still the viable candidate and due to his prolonged absence, his fitness is still low and needs time. It will be interesting viewing to see who Mihajlovic goes with against Lazio, stay tuned.
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