What We Learned – AC Milan 1 Sampdoria 1

What We Learned – AC Milan 1 Sampdoria 1

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AC Milan has salvaged what could be a crucial point in the race for European places this season with a 1-1 draw against fellow continental hopefuls Sampdoria on Monday morning.

Roberto Soriano’s well taken opener just before the hour mark was cancelled out by a spectacular effort from Dutch hard man Nigel de Jong to earn the Rossoneri a share of the spoils in a match which was surrounded by speculation that long time owner Silvio Berlusconi is about to sell the club.

A pre-game protest staged by fans encouraging the Italian media tycoon to sell his majority share of the club to a Chinese business consortium seemed to lift the Milan players who took control of the match in the early exchanges.

But it was the visitors who took the lead just after the hour mark though Soriano.

A fantastic through pass from veteran striker Samuel Eto’o opened up the space for the attacking midfielder who duly slotted home into the corner past Diego Lopez to open the scoring.

Milan responded 16 minutes later, however, with a mixture of brilliance and an element of fortune going the way of the hosts.

Having put Sampdoria under pressure with a succession of corner kicks, the ball was not cleared adequately with de Jong, whilst having his back to goal, electing to produce a spectacular bicycle kick. It took a deflection off Alfred Duncan and into the back of the net past Emiliano Viviano.

Milan very nearly stole the three points late on after substitute Suso got himself into a dangerous position but his effort cannoned back off the post to ensure the points were shared at the San Siro.

Good in possession but unable to take chances

Statistically, the match against Sampdoria was one of Milan’s best performances since the turn of the New Year, holding 58% possession and having 26 shots on goal to Sampdoria’s 11.

In midfield, de Jong was strong, making a number of crucial interceptions with Marco Van Ginkel also impressive in the deep lying playmaker role.

Up forward, however, Milan lacked a clinical edge, something that has been missing from Inzaghi’s men all season. Alessio Cerci and Jeremey Menez looked dangerous in the build up but were unable to capitalise on opportunities with Mattia Destro quiet yet again before being withdrawn with an injury.

With not long to go in the season, every match is now like a final for the Rossoneri and they need someone to step up and take the load off Menez, who has been the club’s only consistent goalscorer all season.

Eto’o impressive in behind the front two

One intriguing tactical move from Sinisia Mihajlovic was to employ veteran hit man Eto’o in a free role sitting behind the front two with the former Inter, Barcelona and Chelsea striker proving to be a real point of difference for the visiting side.

Aside from providing the assist for Soriano’s opener, Eto’o was a constant threat for the Milan defence, weaving in and out of challenges whilst opening up space for teammates with fantastic passing throughout the match.

With age catching up on the former Cameroon captain, this new role could prolong his career at the top level similar to that of legends Francesco Totti and Alessandro Del Piero. The latter two players went from flamboyant wingers to become iconic number 10s who would rely on skill and experience rather than speed and flair to be effective members of their sides.

Seven points behind with eight games remaining… Can Milan qualify for Europe?

It has been the question which has persisted all season, can Milan qualify for Europe?

This season has been somewhat of a roller-coaster for Pippo Inzaghi and his side who started off the campaign brightly before falling off horribly during a mid-season collapse at the turn of the New Year, before picking up form again in recent weeks.

If Inzaghi is to save his job for next season, Milan must qualify for Europe and with the club sitting seven points behind the final qualification spot with eight games remaining, there is some hope that the Rossoneri can make up the ground should they pick up maximum points from their remaining matches in Serie A.

With the Milan derby to come next week and fixtures to come against Napoli and Roma before the conclusion of the season, it remains to be seen whether Milan does possess the quality required to realistically push for a top five finish this campaign.

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