AS Roma, under the guidance of head coach Daniele De Rossi, grabbed an important 0-1 victory at the San Siro against AC Milan. On one side, we saw a well-organised team, impeccable tactically, focused, and combative. On the other, there was a soulless Rossoneri group with few ideas.
The result is the normal summary of a match that leaves everything open for the return leg, but sees the Giallorossi strongly favoured to advance to the next round in the UEFA Europa League competition.
With three tactical moves different from the usual, De Rossi decisively won the game against Pioli: El Shaarawy on the right to keep Leao and Theo Hernandez from making any moves high up the pitch, Lukaku isolated in attack to keep the two central defenders busy alone, and then ready for the through ball, and the switch to a 4-4-2 formation when not in possession, with Pellegrini as a high winger. The young Roma coach has proven to be an excellent strategist as well as an extraordinary motivator.
At San Siro, the two most in-form teams of the championship faced each other, as evidenced by the numbers gathered by both in the month of March. The difference was in the game preparation, with Milan totally incapable of adapting. And here the blame lies with Pioli, who has failed in all the important appointments of the season: a badly lost derby, a home defeat against Juve, and a decisive Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund. The impression is of a one-dimensional team unable to adapt to the opponent. Yesterday, Cardinale left the stadium visibly upset by Milan's ugly and deserved defeat. And now Pioli risks a lot...
Source: Calciomercato.com
