AS Roma – AC Milan: Diligent Roma Defeat An Ineffective Milan Side (2-1)

While Milan’s intentions still remain unclear, Roma is slowly molding into the picture Paulo Fonseca has in mind – a high pressing and patient, yet incisive, team in possession. In contrast, Stefano Pioli’s men were unable to threaten a solid side, naively falling into the hosts' traps and offering no signs of improvement from the previous managerial spell.
Tactical analysis and match report by Kareem Bianchi.

AC Milan’s misfortunes under Marco Giampaolo’s short-lived managerial spell is generally considered a tragic event. If excessively close wins against teams in the bottom half of the table had raised doubts around the compatibility between the manager’s demands and his players, the sense of powerlessness in the side became ever more evident as Giampaolo’s situation built up to the climax.

There was no sign of improvement on the horizon, so Giampaolo was sacked and Stefano Pioli took over. The appointment, itself, did not seem based on foresight and the new manager’s record – two sackings and an eighth-place finish with Fiorentina in the last three years – further deflated even the mildest of optimism. Furthermore, the coach’s debut game at Milan did little to lift spirits, as it resulted in a 2-2 draw against Lecce.

Meanwhile, Roma have been through ups and downs with Paulo Fonseca in charge. Injuries have slowed down the players’ learning process and four consecutive draws required a reaction after controversies interfered with the team’s success. Consequently, everything seemed to be in place for a match between two sides that had a point to prove.

Fonseca only replaced the suspended Justin Kluivert for Diego Perotti from the unfortunate Europa League match . . .