Halftime! Sloppy Milan find themselves down 2-1

Lineups!

Pre-Match Prediction

It’s fair to say every match from here on out is pivotal in deciding the fate of the 2018 campaign. Today is no exception, even at home against an arguable weaker side in Chievo Verona. Certainly they’re not a team to sleep on, but one should expect a comfortable and solid shift of work, given what both teams are currently fighting for.

Gennaro Gattuso will have AC Milan trying to bounce back from their woeful, if not ref-induced, loss in the Europa League this past week. The message to his players and staff will surely be to focus on the league for here on out, and good things could happen.

Add into the mix that Chievo Verona haven’t won away since September, and have struggled mightily to find the back of the net in all competitions, anything less than a comfortable three points will draw criticism, particularly with a rumored new contract on the line for Rino.

Milan will see out the day 3-0, with goals from Patrick Cutrone (2), and Hakan.

First Half

It was all Milan, all the time, in the opening sequences of the match. Milan came out patient, testing the lanes and breaking down Chievo Verona’s defensive lines slowly, dominating possession. That patience would eventually pay off as Hakan Calhanoglu would pounce on an opportunity. Franck Kessie’s cross would bounce off of the glove Sorrentino, and land at Hakan’s feet. No Verona defenders were to be found on the back post and Milan were up 1-0 early.

Chievo Verona showed some fight in the middle of the first half, climbing back into possession, and testing Milan’s back line. If only Chievo were a bit more clinical we’d have a much closer match on our hands. Milan kept to their script of attacking in threes down the sides of the pitch. My only issue with that tactic is it snails the counter and leaves Milan playing catch up in transition.

That’s exactly what transpired as Chievo stunned a nearly sold out San Siro...

Chievo then caught Milan as they were still shell-shocked from the first goal.

Milan need to be shaken at the half here. Here is where Gattuso earns a contract...