SLAVIA PRAHA v AC MILAN: THE DEBRIEFING

AC Milan will be involved in the Europa League quarter-finals. The last time this happened was in 2001/02, but the competition was called the UEFA Cup back then. The Rossoneri have deservedly progressed through two knockout rounds so far, and they’ll soon discover their next opponents on a journey that could lead to Dublin, the city that will stage the final on 22 May. In our Debriefing, we look at three factors that contributed to the 3-1 victory over Slavia Praha.

CONTINUING TO LEARN
The match at the Eden Aréna was AC Milan’s 40th in 2023/24, and, on Czech soil, the team once again showed their ability to learn from mistakes and deal with difficult situations. A strong Slavia start was expected - as was the case in the previous round against Stade Rennais - but Pioli’s side, who were in an excellent position following the first leg, were able to manage the moment and didn’t allow themselves to be affected by Maignan’s injury and the opening 20 minutes where little football was played. On the domestic front, Coach Pioli’s men haven’t conceded from open play in three matches (Atalanta, Lazio and Empoli) since their defeat to Monza - Koopmeiners scored from the penalty spot for La Dea - while their European journey has seen them grow game by game. Indeed, there were some clear improvements in the round of 16 tie compared to the knockout round play-offs. This is certainly encouraging as we head towards spring, which will hopefully be full of satisfying performances and results.

LANDING ANOTHER DOUBLE BLOW TO TAKE CONTROL
Just like in the first leg, AC Milan were able to land a quick double blow on their opponents in the Czech capital. At San Siro, with the score at 1-1, Reijnders and Loftus-Cheek both scored from corners within less than two minutes of each other. In Prague, meanwhile, Pulisic and Ruben found the net in quick succession following moves down the left and not from dead ball situations. Different types of goals but another clinical showing from this AC Milan side with an abundance of attacking potential. Five against Stade Rennais, seven against Slavia: that’s twelve goals in four Europa League matches for Coach Pioli’s men, who have scored more than once in five consecutive European outings. In doing so, they’ve shown how prolific they can be in Europe, too.

CHRIS AND RUBES, FROM COBHAM TO MILANELLO
From Italy to the Czech Republic, back on the same scoresheet a week later. Christian Pulisic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek both arrived at AC Milan from Chelsea in the summer of 2023. Not only were they reunited with former teammates Olivier Giroud and Fikayo Tomori, they also had the opportunity to further deepen an understanding developed during their years at Cobham. In Rossoneri colours, both are enjoying memorable seasons full of goals and high-quality moments. The American and Englishman have respectively scored eleven and nine goals in all competitions, a total of 20 between them. In this respect, Pulisic has thus already equalled his personal record (achieved in 2019/20) in a single campaign playing for a team in one of the top five European divisions. Meanwhile, considering only matches in Europe, Loftus-Cheek has become the most prolific AC Milan midfielder in a single season since Kaká in 2006/07. Big numbers from two players who are indispensable members of an AC Milan side that wants to continue to grow. And the former Chelsea duo are helping the Rossoneri do just this.

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