The Reijnders paradox and pressing matters: Tactical analysis of Como 1-2 AC Milan | OneFootball

AC Milan required yet another second-half comeback under Sergio Conceicao, but they did eventually get all three points against struggling Como on Tuesday.

After a cagey and at times feisty first half, the alarm bells were ringing when Assane Diao fired the home side in front, cutting inside beating Mike Maignan with a low shot to round off a sweeping counter-attack.

However, that goal sparked Milan into life just like against Juventus and Inter in the Supercoppa Italiana. The equaliser came from Theo Hernandez’s scuffed first-time effort which looped into the back of the net, which was a record-breaking goal.

Then, Rafael Leao collected a brilliant through pass from Tammy Abraham and dinked it over the goalkeeper give the Rossoneri the lead, and that is how it would stay. Below is Rohit Rajeev’s tactical analysis.

Familiar issues

Sergio Conceicao faced the same issues as during the 1-1 draw against Cagliari, but this time got three points. Milan showed intent right from the start, unlike vs. Juve and Inter, as they chose to press high against Como using a man-oriented system resulting a corner in the first minute.

Como played a mid block but used man-to-man marking especially higher up the pitch, as we can see below where the front three players are being used to mark Milan’s back three.

Milan squeezed towards the sides of the pitch and stayed narrow to try and and overload the flanks as Cesc Fabregas’ men sat back in a five-man line in order to guard the centre of the pitch.

Even then, whenever Milan would press and win the ball back, quick counters like in the instance below could be seen.

As Milan wanted to press high and counter, Como would bait the press by executing slow passing moves and sucking the midfield line of Milan. Then, they would quickly shift gears and increase speed of their passing with the far side winger even tucking in and Patrick Cutrone as the tip of the attack.

Pressing matters

So how did Como’s goal come about? It starts with Milan initiating a press on the flanks creating a 4v3 but it was an incorrectly executed press, meaning that Como got out of it and were able to switch wide.

This created a 1v1 between Theo Hernandez and Diao. The Frenchman in the 2021-22 season was one of the best defenders in Serie A in isolation, but this time and for Zortea’s goal in the Cagliari draw he stood off a few yards, maybe due to lack of confidence.

The Rossoneri got their first goal from a set piece and once again massive questions must be asked as to why they persisted with short corner routines earlier when the ball into the box caused such trouble for Como.

With Como employing man-marking in their mid block, Tammy Abraham – playing as a ball-playing striker – dropped deeper and his man didn’t follow him. This intelligent move from the Englishman allowed him to be free to receive the ball between the lines.

The gap between the wing-backs and the centre-backs – due to the former marking Alex Jimenez – meant there was enough of a lane to slide a pass through.

The Reijnders problem

Ever since Conceicao took over, Tijjani Reijnders – who has been Milan’s shining light this year – has looked a shadow of his previous level. In addition to potentially feeling a bit of fatigue, it must be noted that the new coach is using him more as a No.10 or even as a second striker.

Against Cagliari, whenever Morata would pull defenders away from the centre of the pitch Reijnders would drop into that striker area, which quite frankly is not his comfort zone.

Given that the Dutchman is not the most physical and is more of a ball carrier and a passer, he seems better utilised as a No.8 in the double pivot next to Fofana. Since Conceicao cannot play Christian Pulisic as an attacking midfielder because of injury to Samuel Chukwueze, this might be a temporary fix.

Yellows aplenty

Analysing Milan’s yellow cards aside from the Morata one, there is something which suggests Conceicao might have a point regarding a lack of fitness in the squad. Three of the bookings were tactical fouls and one was a late challenge from Thiaw.

Are Milan fatigued and not in shape, therefore unable to keep up in transition? It is a possible explanation. Whenever Como would beat the press and get forward at speed, there was little opposition barring cynical challenges.

Striker issue

The problems up front are something that could be highlighted most weeks, so this time we will limit ourselves to saying that it was not Morata’s night. He completed only 43% of his passes (six out of 13) and lost possession 10 times in 45 minutes.

It seemed a little unjust for Abraham to be benched after his Supercoppa Italiana winner, given that he finds himself in more dangerous areas in the box even if he does sometimes miss chances.

By comparison, Morata had only one shot. He is meant to be the ‘playmaking’ forward who links everything together, yet the assist for the winner shows Tammy can do that too, all while at least getting into threatening positions.

Against Juventus, the Spaniard will be forced to serve a one-match ban after picking up too many yellow cards. It will be interesting to see Abraham tested from the first minute against a very organised Juve defence.