Milan‘s recent run of form came to a screeching halt in Firenze this past weekend, a result fans hope does not carry over to London in their crucial knockout tie with Spurs, writes Matt Santangelo.
After a horrid start to 2023 which saw the club play themselves out of the title race and into a rescue mission for the top four, Milan bounced back in the month of February with results more aligned with their previous Scudetto-winning campaign.
Amidst mounting pressure, Stefano Pioli was forced into making a significant tactical change, and one that brought cooler temperatures to an otherwise very hot seat. The switch to a three-man defence all but launched Malick Thiaw, the U-21 German international who moved from Schalke this past summer.
Thiaw’s 6-foot 4-inch frame has brought about a refreshing physical component that, combined with his strength and valuable aerial presence in the box, established balance to a backline that bled in goals all January. Together with the 21-year-old, Fikayo Tomori and Pierre Kalulu have formed a defensive trio that Milan rode back to positive form.
This past weekend, Milan paid Fiorentina a visit to the Stadio Artemio Franchi, a trip that really has not been kind to the defending champions of Italy over the years. Between the placement in the schedule for this fixture and the suspension of star man Rafael Leão, this one had the makings of a cagey affair.
As we saw, Milan really failed to ever shift into gear at all. The Viola proved the more assertive, confident and aggressive side, quickly transitioning into the attacking phase that Vincenzo Italiano structures his play style on.
It was an uncharacteristic performance from Milan given their recent form, far too easily seeing players run in behind the defence and calling on Mike Maignan’s number more often than Pioli would have liked.
If it weren’t for the Frenchman’s assured goalkeeping, this could have become a more lopsided defeat than the final 2-1 scoreline. Now focus must shift quickly towards Wednesday night’s crucial second leg in London with Spurs who will look to the home crowd to help galvanize their UCL term.
There is a concern for Milan in both the attacking department and midfield departments.
At times, there is a profound one-dimensional aspect to this team and how they drum up chances. If Leão isn’t on the ball taking on defenders and going on his mazy forays into the final third, the supply up to Olivier Giroud can become non-existent.
Theo Hernandez seems to have reclaimed form close to his world-class heights from last season, though his goal and assist outputs are not where he would want. If he is initiating those trailblazing runs along the left flank with the Portuguese, and causing chaos, chances will definitely come.
Then there are the midfield trenches where matches in this competition are mostly won.
Milan’s lacked a stable presence in this area of late, with utility man Rade Krunic perhaps in the best form. The pairing of Sandro Tonali and Ismaël Bennacer must rekindle the edge that made them so influential for large parts of the last season, dictating the match and closing down space to avoid the match escaping them.
Fiorentina did put a halt to Milan’s rebound, but Pioli’s men have shown enough resolve and character in recent weeks to withstand a very Jekyll and Hyde-like Spurs side currently facing a bit of an injury crisis.
Nothing has been conventional about this title defence for Milan. But if everything aligns, and the squad puts forth the right collective performance, the Italians could skirt on into the quarter-finals – a feat few saw coming.