AC Milan started the game on the front foot trying to keep possesion, playing from the back and searching for spaces on Manchester United’s half. On the other hand they weren’t shy to play longer balls behind MU’s defence, forcing them to be more cautious about their pressing game. AC Milan were playing out the ball with 7 players: Goalkeeper who iniciated build up, two central defenders which were close to Donnaruma, two fullbacks making the pitch wider and providing options for Goalkeeper/Central Defenders and a double pivot (Kessie & Meite) who were positioned between first and second MU’s defensive lines. Despite the brave start, AC Milan weren’t creating chances.
They lacked some injured players, which are vital for their attacking play (f.e. Ibrahimovic, a target man, who is able to hold the ball in attack, thus helping other Milan players to get in their right places on attacking phase). Milan had no real threat on the wings, partly because of Theo Hernandez absence who is given a license to attack and play like a winger in Milan’s attacking phases. Despite attacking inconsistencies, they were effective in their press, especially with middle block, setting up pressing traps on the wings and covering passing lanes to halfspace oriented United’s attacking players. Furthermore they were able to set up a high press when MU tried to play out from the back. This part of pressing was man to man oriented: the main aim while pressing was to win the ball, either by intercepting or winning it after a physical duel. Even the center backs were occasionally following their opponent into the MU’s half and trying to reach the ball before they did.
Something similar happened in the second half, mostly because of MU’s goal, which needed to be overcome with the same characteristics that helped Milan in the first half.
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