Milan secured a 2-0 win over Lazio at San Siro, four days before the Champions League semi-finals against Inter: Football Italia editor Lorenzo Bettoni highlights the three talking points from the San Siro match.
It was a must-win match for the Rossoneri who got the job done in the first half thanks to Ismael Bannacer and Theo Hernandez’s goals. However, not all that glitter is gold given that the Rossoneri star Rafael Leao sustained a suspected adductor injury in the first half and must be assessed ahead of European fixtures against Inter.
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So, how did Milan react and what did we learn from their home win against Lazio?
1 – Leao blow
Silence suddenly fell on San Siro when Leao stopped running after just 11 minutes due to a suspected adductor injury. The news was particularly bad for the Rossoneri knowing that in four days they’ll meet Inter on the same ground in the first leg of the Champions League semis. However, the Rossoneri’s reaction was impressive. Not only they broke the deadlock a few minutes later but also continued dominating the game, scoring the second through Theo Hernandez who completed another eye-catching coast-to-coast.
Apparently, Milan didn’t miss Leao. Alexis Saelemaekers fulfilled his task on the left flank after replacing the Portuguese star. Milan were unpredictable, they pressed high for the whole game and to say that they deserved to win it’s an understatement. However, it may be different on a Champions League night, especially considering that Leao has already been vital in the Diavoli’s European fixtures this term. Napoli know something about it.
2- Poor Lazio
Surely most Milan fans thought Lazio would cause more trouble for Stefano Pioli’s men on Saturday afternoon. The Bianconcelesti’s 4-0 win in the reverse fixture was one of the lowest Milan points this season and the Rossoneri had surely more pressure than Maurizio Sarri’s men coming to this match. A defeat would almost certainly mean the end of the Diavoli’s Champions League hopes. However, Milan were always in control, also thanks to Lazio’s attitude. The Capitolines showed little of what they’ve accustomed us this season. Too many vertical passes, especially in the first half, sterile possession and blatant errors like the one from Marcos Antonio that led to Bennacer’s opener. The strikers were disappointing too. Mattia Zaccagni started despite not being fully fit -the Italian hadn’t trained on Friday – while Ciro Immobile was left alone up front, losing almost every duel against Milan defenders. Lazio remain in the top four despite today’s defeat, but Juventus can leapfrog them on Saturday if they beat Atalanta away.
False 10
Many, including Paolo Maldini and Pioli, thought the Rossoneri needed a new attacking midfielder last summer to bolster their options and improve their unpredictability up front. They signed Charles De Ketelaere who has so far failed to justify his €32m price tag. Nevertheless, what has emerged quite clearly throughout the season and also during Saturday’s win over Lazio, was that all the Rossoneri needed was another ‘False 10’. It was a role played by Franck Kessié last season, before a free transfer to Barcelona. A central midfielder playing in an advanced position to make the team more dynamic and help teammates press high.
Milan’s midfield was phenomenal against Lazio, and it wasn’t only Bennacer. Tonali put in one of the best performances of the season, Rade Krunic was almost everywhere and was a key player in the build-up. The same trio is expected to start again on Wednesday when duels in the middle of the park will be even more crucial to emerging victorious against their city rivals in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals.