Milan wins at St. James Park but does not avoid exclusion from the Champions League. The Europa League awaits the Rossoneri.
Thanks to a good show of pride, Milan managed to overturn the result and take hometo a prestigious victory from St. James Park. An unexpected reaction from Pioli’s men, who at half-time appeared empty, weak and without ideas. The coach’s game plan, evidently, was to wait for the opponents and restart in the first half and to give everything in the second. The plan evidently failed due to a lackluster physical condition and the tactical positioning of some players. Then a more convincing second half from the Rossoneri, woken up by a result-saving save from Mike Maignan at 1-1. The goals from Pulisic and Chukwueze are the right reward for a team that still had the merit of believing in qualification until the 94th minute.
Leaving out of the most important European competition due to unfavorable head-to-head matches hurts. Especially if, going back a few weeks, you get to think back to the home match against Newcastle and the away match in Dortmund. Two games well played by Milan, decidedly too imprecise in front of goal, who on points would have deserved the victory. Tonight’s two prestigious victories and the home win against PSG were not enough to get through to the round of 16. Many regrets, many missed opportunities and some games not up to par (PSG and BVB at home). Milan are out of the Champions League with a lot to complain about. Who knows if this experience could allow a group that is still so young to be able to take the long-awaited, final step.
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Newcastle also ends the experience of returning to Europe with some huge regrets. After a half-time and a half dominated and after sensationally coming close to doubling their lead on at least a couple of occasions, the men led by Howe were guilty of inexperience, allowing Pulisic to equalize and ending up losing at the end. The Magpies thus leave all European competitions, despite having qualified for the round of 16 for 60 minutes. A team full of talent and excellent individuality which however is struggling to find continuity, with seventh place in the Premier League serving as witness. So many regrets for Newcastle, forced to leave Europe in the worst possible way.
The entries from the bench were finally decisive. Okafor, Jovic e Chukwueze, who had just replaced Giroud, Pulisic and Musah, engineered the perfect counterattack for the 1-2 goal. In fact, the great ball-and-chain exit was followed by excellent management by Jovic, bold in aiming for the goal and lucid in giving the ball back to the Swiss, very good at serving Chukwueze on the run to make it 2-1. An excellent signal for Pioli and for the fans, who, until now, had rarely seen substitutes come in with the desire to change matches. We will have to start from here, with a team aware of having alternative solutions to the usual suspects.
The Europa League is, historically, a competition that is not very similar to Milan. In fact, in its hundred-year history, the Rossoneri have never been able to win the former UEFA cup. If the Champions League has always been Milan’s home garden, the same thing cannot be said for her younger sister, considered almost more of a nuisance at Milanello. Milan, on paper, have an adequate squad to try to get to the end of the competition, despite being very tiring from several points of view. Last but not least, having to play on the Thursday before a championship weekend. If nothing else, an extra stimulus. Without Europe, Milan could have considered their season practically over already in December. The Rossoneri, therefore, have a duty to believe in it, the Europa League could be an affordable competition.
2023-12-14 08:44:35
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