AC Milan stopped the rot with a hard fought point away at Torino over the weekend, George Rinaldi asks is one point enough for the Rossoneri faithful despite improvement?
After two successive defeats, Sinisa Mihajlovic’s team have finally made some progress. A 1-1 draw with Torino halted the losing run and sees the Rossoneri sit just below mid-table, eight points behind league leaders Fiorentina and five points above the relegation zone.
Last week, and pretty much each week since the beginning of the season, we have focused our view on the struggling defensive displays from AC Milan. Ignazio Abate made another glaring error against the Granata, with individual errors continuing to cause Mihajlovic concern. Yet, let us look to the improvements of the Rossoneri, with the fact Carlos Bacca is scoring goals and Andrea Bertolacci actually resembled an accomplished footballer at the weekend.
The Italian cost Milan €20 million from Roma this summer, and looked like a foolproof purchase, having excelled during his three years with Genoa. Come October, and the Milanisti couldn’t be more frustrated by their new acquisition. The brilliance of Giacomo Bonaventura had taken the heat off some dismal showings, but finally it appears the good side of Bertolacci is ready to grace the San Siro turf.
So far, Bertolacci has acquired a 74 per cent pass accuracy, a 48 per cent accuracy in aerial duels, and created one chance for his teammates. During the match with Torino, the 24-year-old was successful with 70 per cent of his passing, and it was also the game in which he created his only chance – an assist for striker Bacca.
It’s an improvement, considering his 65 per cent pass completion during the match against Fiorentina. A lot of Milan’s problems have come via the midfield. Yes, we have harked on about the defence, but if there was a consistency in midfield, Milan would have a stronger platform to build upon.
So, with Bertolacci improving, it means more chances will fall to the feet of 29-year-old forward Bacca.
The Colombian has been the shining light for the Rossoneri thus far alongside Bonaventura. His creativity and goals have handed Milan seven points during the current campaign. Had he not found the net, the Rossoneri would be in the relegation places on three points.
For Bacca is the key to Milan’s success. Feed him and he will score. Rather unsurprisingly, the next highest goalscorer is Bonaventura on two, who also has the most chances created. Second to him in chances created? Carlos Bacca.
Take out these two and Mihajlovic is left with a gaping hole in his side. Luis Adriano is yet to kick on from his one and only goal versus Empoli. There really shouldn’t be any excuse for his lack of goals, having played in every single match so far, albeit a short-lived appearance away to Udinese.
Everything Milan need to climb the table and start to become a fraction of the team they were 10 years ago is there already. It is silly errors, players underperforming and a side devoid of confidence costing the Milan faithful from celebrating victories, rather than settling for a point away to Torino.
When looking to their next three matches, an older Milan side facing Sassuolo, Chievo and Lazio would target nine points. Now, possibly four would be seen as an achievement. Mihajlovic needs to change that outlook, and it needs to change now.
Not only the players but the most blames also goes to the keeper bcos 90%of the goal the team concided is frm is unseriorness just bcos he has no tackler