AC Milan 1-1 Cagliari: Fonsecian football remains in Conceicao’s Serie A return | OneFootball

AC Milan, frustratingly, were held to a draw by Cagliari at San Siro on Saturday night. After an early second-half goal from Alvaro Morata, the Rossoneri found themselves level shortly after.

In the leadup to the game, Sergio Conceicao was very vocal about the need to move forward in his first Serie A game, after winning the Supercoppa Italiana. However, the Rossoneri have often struggled to break down teams like Cagliari, so it would certainly be a big test.

Throughout the season, the Diavolo have often found it difficult against low-block teams, with a number of different solutions tested to no real avail.

After the 3-3 earlier in the season, an improved performance was needed, and after the success in Saudi Arabia, there was some confidence that a positive result could be on the way.

Unfortunately, the first half was rather lacklustre and very similar to previous games. A bright opening overshadowed by the team gradually fading as the half continued. Big chances did not happen regularly, with both teams feeding off scraps.

The second half began brightly, and Milan got their reward within the opening six minutes through Alvaro Morata, but the jubilation did not last long as Zortea equalised minutes later.

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The first few minutes of the game started how a lot of the Rossoneri’s had this season – Milan, the more dominant side and full of energy, however, there seemed to be a little more purpose in their possession, which had often been the downfall under Paulo Fonseca.

Within four minutes, the Diavolo made their first real chance of the game with Yunus Musah slipping Tijjani Reijnders into the Cagliari box. Unfortunately for the Dutchman though, he misjudged the path, and Cagliari were left unscathed.

Minutes later, the visitors made their first chance of notice. A ball came in from the right-hand side and Viola attempted to acrobatically volley it towards goal, however, it flew over the bar.

Caprile was first tested in the opposition goal shortly after, as Rafael Leao made an attempt from range, but the shot was straight at the new signing meaning he wasn’t tested.

Fikayo Tomori’s importance to Conceicao’s style was also proved in the opening fifteen minutes. With the Rossoneri’s backline sitting very high, the visitors showed signs of being able to break away, but the Englishman was quick to neutralise any threat.

Against Verona before Christmas, the Diavolo struggled to inspire from deep with Reijnders playing in a more advanced role, but this was not the case against Cagliari. Instead, Milan looked rather inspired going forward, with variety in their attacks, which again was lacking against Verona, but under Fonseca generally.

It was not just a case of showing more going forward, but also defensively. The Rossoblu struggled to break down the defensive structure of the hosts, but when they did, it seemed that there was slightly more willingness to regain possession of the ball.

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For example, a ball floated in towards the back post was won by Davide Calabria, but instead of letting the ball go for a corner, the Italian ensured that the ball was cleared away. Small differences, but noticeable ones indeed.

The following 10-15 minutes of play could be likened to a chess match. Both sides struggled to find an opening but to no avail. Very tedious indeed, and a similar trait that Fonseca’s side had against low-block teams.

Calabria did come closest to finding the checkmate, and after a poor ball by Youssouf Fofana, the visitors broke away on the right. A chance seemed imminent and the ball was delivered into a dangerous area, but Calabria made a world-class challenge to stop the chance.

The visitors came close again shortly, but a nice shot from Felici was saved magnificently by Mike Maignan.

As first 45s go, there was a lot left to be desired, and there were certainly some Fonsecian elements to the team still. Again, the Rossoneri struggled to break down a low block, despite early bright signs, which only can be classed as a frustration, given it is not a new issue.

Milan started the second half as they did the first, brightly, and they almost took the lead in the first minute. After a free-kick, the ball fell to Christian Pulisic who volleyed towards goal with his second touch, but the attempt didn’t hold too much threat.

It would be the Rossoneri who got themselves ahead in the game, after a beautiful ball from Theo into the box into the path of the darting Pulisic. Unfortunately, his shot was saved well by Caprile, but it rebounded off the post, into the path of Morata, who finished easily.

The lead would not last long though. Cagliari worked the ball on the edge of the box, finding Zortea who released a shot which bobbled over the outstretched arm of Mike Maignan. 1-1.

Shortly after the goal, Conceicao opted to make his first change of the game, bringing Tammy Abraham and Alex Jimenez onto the pitch for Yunus Musah and Davide Calabria, needed changes from a slightly limited bench.

In the following 10 minutes, the game reverted back to its first-half state, both teams dallying around the box, with no real threat of a chance being created frustratingly.

Milan were left wanting a penalty just after the 70th minute, as Alex Jimenez broke through, however, he was brought down by Felici just inside the area. Should the roles have been reversed, it almost definitely would have been a foul, but the referee did not give it a second look.

Five minutes from the end of normal time, Conceicao once again looked to the bench, bringing on Futuro attacker and debutant Bob Murphy Omoregbe for Rafael Leao. With the Portuguese wincing slightly and limping, it may be something of a concern going forward, but hopefully not.

The Futuro attacker almost got an assist shortly after coming on. After driving down the right-hand side, he broke into the box and found Abraham in the six-yard box, but the Englishman could not convert.

With the last kick of the game, the Rossoneri won a free-kick, but Theo fired into the path of Caprile, and the threat was nullified.

A very quick return to Earth after the jubilation of the Supercoppa, there is a long distance to go before Milan are back fighting at the top of the league, that is for sure.