In just 16 days, AC Milan faced Napoli three times and got gratifying results. Even if the possession rate is only 26% in this game, it will not affect the Rossoneri's super efficiency in counter-attacks.
Defensively three battles, the star flashed in attack, and after 16 years, AC Milan once again successfully stepped into the Champions League last four stage, and even had a chance to go further.
01. 0-7 shots in the first 20 minutes! AC Milan are under pressure defensively
a. The home team has the ball on both wings: Milan is a bit understaffed
Napoli put on a strong offensive posture from the beginning, pressing forward in the overall formation, and the wingers on the left and right wings rushed with the ball. Under AC Milan's 4231 formation, there is always the problem that the winger does not retreat in time, and the midfielder needs to cover too much area.
Fortunately, in these few times against Napoli, Leo's performance on the counter-attack was extremely good, and it also made the Rossoneri's overall strategy logical.
Shortly after the opening, Kvarachelia's strong inside-cut shot was still quite threatening. Dias was a step slower to retreat, and Calabria was still limited in what he could do alone.
Crossing the ribs by Krunic at the back helped somewhat, but in the end, the result of the defense was because the quality of Kvaratshelia's shot itself was not high.
Looking at the retreat this time, AC Milan because the winger is not in time, so the three in the middle of the midfield need more coverage and faster traverse.
Bennaser was alert and followed all the way to protect the rib space behind Tonali. However, when the Napoli winger cuts inward, AC Milan's formation disadvantage is still obvious.
Because AC Milan requires the back to move horizontally to protect the full-backs, then there is naturally a problem of the middle man being taken away. When the defender line shrinks the box, the opponent follows up in the middle, or the winger cuts inward, he can seize the space at the top of the arc of the box.
It's hard to blame Tonali for failing to jam this time, as Politano was able to hit a whole hollow surface of AC Milan's penalty area line even if he crossed to Kvaratshelia at the far end.
b. Napoli's attack: not a good use of space
From the statistics, it can be seen that Napoli not only has 74% possession, almost 3 times that of AC Milan. They also led 23-6 in shots. In the first 20 minutes, Napoli led 7-0 on goal.
Just the number of shots on target, both teams are 4-4, AC Milan shot 4 times the opponent, is the fundamental reason for winning the game.
When Napoli attack, their three-dimensional effect is not very good, and the combination of wing and center is average.
This time it crossed through the flank and gave the following Zelinsky a chance. The problem of AC Milan's empty line in the penalty area cannot be concealed, but fortunately Napoli has not used it repeatedly.
AC Milan's midfielders are still flexible and have strong running ability, but they are definitely not fast enough. In particular, winger Dias, who has more times of return defense, does not have the attribute of adduction in the middle.
Fortunately, Anguisa was suspended, and Napoli's shot from the back of midfield was also average, this time Zelinsky's shot chances were excellent, but the play was mediocre.
02. Behind the star's flash: midfield teammates "run and break their legs"
A. Leo's personal ability: Pioli is betting on this
Pioli has faced Napoli in the last two games, and the dominant idea is to bet on the individual abilities of Leo and Meignan, while requiring the midfield and full-back to run wildly.
Leo's performance is still worthy of the manager's trust, and although defensively there is almost nothing, and the success rate of passing is actually low, he has won 7 of 11 one-on-one matches, resulting in two excellent scoring opportunities, which is arguably the best on the team.
Napoli's central midfield is very strong and constantly gets second attacking opportunities. But if you don't score in front and rely on the back to put pressure on the high position, there will be times when you fail.
Pioli's AC Milan grabbed one or two chances. Te'o, Leo, Giroud and Diaz's four-man counterattack formation was clear and delivered a fatal blow.
Although Te'o's pass was actually a bit big, Leo still touched the ball one step faster and successfully created a foul to allow AC Milan to win the penalty.
Unfortunately, Giroud did not grasp it, otherwise AC Milan's promotion process would have been easier.
b. Win in three armies: Milan midfielder "runs and breaks leg"
Although Leo's flash of inspiration made him a hero. However, the reason why AC Milan can survive the star flash is the defense and running of the three military forces.
Especially the three midfielders and the full-backs on either side, their movement is amazing (Te'o is relatively poor, but the individual ability is also a little stronger).
Facing the menacing Napoli, AC Milan pursues the tension of the counter-attack, which requires the defensive end to do the groundwork.
With Diaz's return, the three midfielders in the middle have more room for front and pressure. Tonali rushed out this time and made a mistake on the other side.
Because Napoli missed a high pass and gave Leo a chance to counter-attack. The process of scoring the goal is a performance by Leo alone.
He accelerated past three men in a row, and Napoli's defensive lack of depth resulted in Leo's magical assist, and Giroud laughed.
This time the high pressure is also the basis for the running of the three midfielders. It should be said that the individual ability of these three people is not outstanding, but the basic technical skills are solid, and the running output is amazing, which gives AC Milan an advantage.
The first wave of counter-tackles came from the Olivier Giroud goalkeeper, and after the break, Tonali dominated the counter-attack on the spot. Olivier Giroud caught up with his left foot and failed to send the ball to the bottom of the net.
The old center has a lot of movement and can participate in rapid offensive and defensive conversions, but the shooting efficiency is not very high, but it is already very rare to play this part.
03. Napoli lost to themselves: Milan's defense was not very good
a. Kvaratshelia was not prevented: it was his own demons
Calabria worked very hard in the two legs of the Champions League last eight, but it really cannot be said that he prevented Kvarac Heria.
Strictly speaking, it is the opponent who gets the opportunity, but does not grasp it, and as the mentality changes, the game is more anxious. With 6 shots, 2 shots on target, 10 successful passes and 5 key passes that brought shots in a single game, Kvarachelia lost to himself.
This time after crushing Calabria, Kvarác Helia even had a chance to shoot from AC Milan's small penalty area line, but he flew away.
Looking at this opportunity, Kvarac Helia scored 1 and 2 before reaching AC Milan again, but the final kick was a bit rushed.
It should be said that his personal ability advantage is still relatively obvious, but Napoli has always been impatient, and did not hit the AC Milan defense partially concentrated, and the empty weakness behind him.
b. Meignan saves a penalty: a big deal
Napoli led 13-2 in the second half with a 13-2 shot count and was almost a half-time attack. AC Milan did not do very well in the face of the siege.
Thanks to goalkeeper Menion's bravery, the opponent only had two shots on target, allowing the Rossoneri to successfully qualify.
Tomori was whistled for a penalty for handball and there is some controversy. Because Tomori's hands are used to support the center of gravity, there should be no penalties according to the rules.
Fortunately, goalkeeper Meignan was brave enough to make a crucial save that saved the team and took a big break to Napoli's morale (Kvarachelia lost his normal heart).
AC Milan exposed an air defense problem in the last eight legs of the Champions League, and the key point was that the team needed a flexible central defender to cover the space in front of the penalty area.
But this combination is not conducive to high-ball air defense, and Pioli chose to give up part of the header protection.
Oliveira's header was dangerous this time, and AC Milan still had a bit of a problem with crosses or corners.
Thankfully, Napoli's goal came late and despite Osmeyne's header, there was not enough time left for them.
Conclusion:
From fourth place in the group stage of the Champions League last season to reaching the last four of the Champions League a year later, this AC Milan team on paper is an incredible achievement.
This is the result of the lives of the three armies, and the manager also has a certain amount of good luck in the process of betting on the right thing. Looking forward to the next round of 4, if there are no injuries, there may be a real chance to go further.