AC Milan 1-0 Cagliari: Match Review

Milan started 2017 with one of the most frustrating of games to date.

However, it ended in brilliant fashion. The Rossoneri enjoyed a lion’s share of the possession and a shot count heavily favoring them, but were unable to put one past statistically the leakiest defense in the Serie A in Cagliari until the 88’ when Bacca slotted home a lovely ball from Lapadula.

Cagliari had few good chances as the Milan defense was up to par, leaving Donnarumma with almost nothing to do but a few punches, and a save here and there.

Milanisti were left to wonder a few things such as why Cagliari center back Bruno Alves wasn’t booked until the 94’ when he surely deserved to be sent off much earlier, and why the most creative player in Bonaventura was taken off so early. Easily the biggest question mark was around the play of Niang, as he was relatively ineffective and squandered chance after chance for the Rossoneri.

In the midfield, the birthday boy Locatelli put in the most assured performance of any player and is rightfully our man of the match, with a close second from Gabriel Paletta who put in an excellent defensive display.

This was a must win game for Milan as the rest of the giants in Serie A came away with all 3 points, and had it not been for the late sub in Lapadula putting in his usual full-hearted performance, Milanisti would’ve be left frustrated and out of Europa league contention as well.

Milan will host Mihajlovic and Torino in four days time on January 12^th for the Coppa Italia round of 16 as the Rossoneri look to advance further into a tournament they found themselves in the final of last campaign.