AC MILAN v SLAVIA PRAHA: THE DEBRIEFING

It is the first time since 2002, then named the UEFA Cup, that AC Milan have won a Europa League last-16 match. The first act against Slavia Prague brought about an important result, but qualification for the next round will be concluded in a week’s time at the Éden Arena. We analyze three things to come out of the 4-2 win over the Czechs in our Debriefing.

SET PIECES PROGRESS
AC Milan's best period of the game came at the end of the first half, in response to Douděra's momentary equaliser. The Rossoneri were able to take advantage of having an extra player on the pitch, taking a quickfire two-goal lead in the space of just 110 seconds. And they did it, in response to a first half hour characterised by Slavia Prague's high press, with two similar goals, both resulting from Alessandro Florenzi’s corner kicks: the goal to make it 2-1 was a short corner for Reijnders to rifle home at the near post, while the one for 3-1 was a cross into the centre of the area to reward Loftus-Cheek in stoppage-time. Two beautiful goals, in terms of execution and finishing. Progress is clear to see this season in dead-ball situations – in both attack and defence -, compared to the Rossoneri's recent past, and the European night adds another piece to other important moments of this campaign.

REACTING TO THE OPPOSITION
The match at San Siro had its moments, a two-goal lead lead at the end of the first leg is important but certainly does not warrant any relaxation. Another point to underline about the Rossoneri's performance was the ability to react to two countermeasures adopted by the visitors. Firstly, an unusual 4-2-3-1 formation for Trpišovský’s team this season. Then, the patience to build the play up centrally, following Slavia’s approach to apply pressure on our left side, often stopping Leão and Hernández’s plans in the attacking phase. With possession mostly kept high up the pitch and centrally, with Kjær, Gabbia and Tomori continuously involved, then Rafa and Theo provided a mature performance, allowing the game to come to them. The latter spent a lot of time (and successfully) in covering, while the former still made a big impact on the final result, carving out Giroud's goal and providing an assist for Pulisic.

A BATTLING AND DOMINATING MIDFIELD
Two of them found the net, while the third put in another strong display, full of character, in what has been a high-performing 2024 so far. In the spotlight after the victory over Slavia Prague are certainly the Rossoneri’s midfield three. For Tijjani Reijnders, it was his first European goal for us (and what a great first goal), while tonight’s finish for Ruben Loftus-Cheek was his eighth of the season, with seven of these in the opening months of 2024. Also starring was Yacine Adli, who didn't succumb to the Czechs’ high pressure of the Czechs when on the ball, providing time, space and order to AC Milan’s build-up play. The midfield trio at San Siro hadn't been seen together from the first minute for over a month – Frosinone v AC Milan on 3 February - but you wouldn't have thought so, looking at the connections and ease in playing together with and without the ball.It’s an important place to restart from in what is a busy period ahead of the break in mid March.

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