Bitter Sunday, extremely bitter for Milan. An evening in which the Rossoneri should have shown the drive necessary to aim for a major comeback against Inter, but instead it turned out to be a nothing. A foggy performance from the team, who stalled in the match that should have given the Rossoneri the confidence needed to keep pressuring Inter. Instead, the trip to the Olimpico proved indigestible. A collectively poor performance, made worse by the absence of Adrien Rabiot in midfield, which weighed heavily.
It was the pre-match risk, the main concern.
A concern that soon became reality. Adrien Rabiot shifts the balance for Milan: he does so both when he plays and when he’s absent, because last night his absence was very noticeable. Ardon Jashari, although improving, cannot guarantee the same omnipresence as the Frenchman, perhaps the most valuable piece in Massimiliano Allegri’s technical-tactical machinery.
Quality, quantity, timing of runs. The guiding light alongside Luka Modric, an indispensable part of Milan’s midfield. This will have to be another point for the Rossoneri management to consider, because an adequate alternative to the Frenchman is needed, as relayed via Milan News. The numbers are striking: without him, the points-per-game average drops from 2.42 to 1.40, an abyss without him. An abyss that will have to be repaired, because seasons are long and never has it been more evident than in this championship how crucial it is to have a deep squad.
Jashari and Ricci still need to develop; without Rabiot, it’s a different Milan, and yesterday was yet another demonstration of this. Next season, there will need to be ready replacements, more alternatives in a midfield that struggles without the Frenchman. Massimiliano Allegri knows this and is fully aware. The 'wild horse' cannot be missing; he plays an important role in the Rossoneri’s system. His absence does not, however, excuse last night’s collective performance, but it is clear that countermeasures will need to be found.
