The leaders wastes and passes with Bennacer but the rossoblù never die
SENT TO CAGLIARI. Cagliari collects the third defeat in a row. AC Milan also feast at Unipol Domus and continue the race to the top of the standings. A Bennacer’s goal was enough to knock out the Quattro Mori. A lot of will on the part of Mazzarri’s team but too many errors in the circulation of the ball and in defense. If we add that some players, Joao Pedro, Bellanova and Lykogiannis above all, have expressed themselves far below their potential, we have the explanation of a knockout that hurts and keeps the island team in a far from ranking position. how quiet. Milan deserved the three points for the opportunities created, if the crossbar had not said no to Pavoletti in the 90th minute they would have received a reward for having believed in it until the end. Now comes the break, there is time to rearrange the ideas and think about the last eight races, all finals to be played with a knife between the teeth.
Surprise. Mazzarri dusts off Lykogiannis and gives him a starting shirt. The form varies and alternates between 3-5-2 and 3-4-2-1, with Marin often placing himself on the same line as Joao Pedro, behind Pavoletti. He is outside Deiola, while Baselli watches the race on TV, stopped by Covid. Messias plays in Milan and not Saelemaekers, Giroud starts in attack, Ibrahimovic starts from the bench. Kalulu preferred to Romagnoli.
Chills. In the first quarter of an hour Cagliari risks capitulating three times. The defense dances if caught in speed. The Rossoneri move a lot without the ball and give no reference points. Mazzarri’s team is determined, wins many duels but fails to build dangerous actions. Some decisions made by Di Bello leave something to be desired and infuriate the Cagliari bench, in particular Mazzarri who often protests with the fourth official. The game is balanced, even if the leaders give the feeling of being able to score every time he attacks. On the pitch there is a lot of imprecision in the plays, on both sides. The rossoblùs try to find depth but on the right Hernandez (who occasionally turns into the bull who tries to break through the fence, without succeeding) gives nothing to Bellanova and on the other hand Calabria is relentless on Dalbert. Physical duels between Lovato and Giroud on one side, Tomori and Pavoletti on the other, with the defenders always winning.
Same cliche. The second half starts like the first half. Milan immediately dangerous a couple of times with Leao who makes Pioli despair because he misses the simplest things. Cagliari are in the game, they understand that the Rossoneri have limits and try to raise the center of gravity. Many long balls on both sides, choices that facilitate the work of the defenses. Milan lights up in an instant and Bennacer hits with a volley on which Cragno remains motionless.
Pinwheel. Mazzarri removes Lykogiannis and puts Deiola in. In Milan Rebic for Leao (an irritating performance from the Portuguese) and Krunic for Diaz. Inside Zappa too, Bellanova moves to the left, an attempt to try to break through on that side. Cagliari is not an arrembante, on the contrary it risks being conceded several times by the second goal. Inside also Pereiro and Keita for the 4-2-4 of desperation. A few minutes also for Ibrahimovic. Convulsive ending. Cagliari are not lucky, in the 90 ‘the crossbar denies Pavoletti the equalizer that perhaps would not have been deserved, but it would have been the reward for having believed in it until the end. A bit of a brawl at the end when Tomori and Maignan get high. A few pushes but then everything goes back to normal.