By: Rohit Rajeev

AC Milan came from two goals down to rescue a point against Lazio in an entertaining game at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday.

Milan went behind for the first time all season when Matteo Cancellieri snuck in at the far post to turn in a low cross. The setback became a hole to climb out of later in the first half when Koni De Winter cleared a ball off Tijjani Noslin’s head and it went in from close range.

Changes came at the break and they gave Ruben Amorim’s side exactly what they needed. Diego Moreira – playing on the left this time – scored a brace inside three minutes to level the game, and with both being lovely strikes.

There were half-chances for both teams to win it, but in the end they would have to do with a point apiece, keeping the Rossoneri’s unbeaten run ongoing. Below is Rohit Rajeev’s tactical analysis from the game.

Set-up and shape

Amorim chose to make three changes to the starting line-up from the team that drew with Juventus last week. Samuel Chukwueze came on at right wing-back, Adrien Rabiot dropped back into the double pivot, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Alphadjo Cisse were named the attacking midfielders.

Milan showed their intentions early by trying to press high up the pitch, going man to man.
Modric and Rabiot joined Loftus-Cheek, Cisse and Ramos in pressing Lazio higher up the pitch.

The lack of chemistry between RLC, Modric and Rabiot meant the centre of the pitch was often left vacant.

With Lazio’s 4-3-3 morphing into a 5-2-3 out of possession, they were able to clog the centre and consistently create numerical advantages. This left Cisse isolated in the middle, as we can see here, where he is effectively 4v1’d.

Lazio would often bait Milan into pressing by playing backpasses. This created a huge void in the centre, which Lazio were quick to exploit. Belahyane would sit back while Provstgaard moved wider, allowing Tavares to occupy the central space.

Mifield issues

At times, Milan’s midfield was almost completely non existent. Lazio also instructed both wingers to stay wide, taking them away from Milan’s pressing zones.

Tavares’ dribbling would then attract Milan defenders, creating space for him to switch the play easily.

SempreMilancom

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