Milan-Manchester United 0-1: goal in the Pogba e Red Devils ai quarti in the Europa League

A goal from the Frenchman at the beginning of the second half decided the Meazza match after the 1-1 draw in Manchester. Milan eat their hands for untapped opportunities and the mess that generates the fatal goal

No one came to expect the perfect match of 2007, but the mess in the area that generated Manchester United’s goal early in the second half is a gift that the English really didn’t need. Also because Milan, albeit full of bandages and plasters, had again led the first 45 minutes with personality and authority and thus found themselves biting their hands for wasted opportunities. After the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, United beat San Siro 1-0 with a goal at the start of the second half by Pogba, who had just entered, and flew to the quarterfinals. A shame because the first round had told us that the company was within reach and, in part, this challenge also proved.

–

False nine

—

Pioli had to manage the usual medical devastation once again, and there is really no way of returning a more streamlined dimension to the absentee list. With Ibra just back after four games observed from outside, the Rossoneri coach hoped to be able to count on at least one between Rebic and Leao. Nothing to do, the result of the last checks has removed them from the scene, the first for the usual inflammation in the hip and the other for a thigh injury. Result: with Zlatan still not suitable from the beginning, the choice in the heart of the attack fell on Castillejo (the alternative was Diaz), obviously with deliveries from a false nine. Behind him Saelemaekers, Calhanoglu and Krunic. No call-up also for Calabria (he will be operated on the medial meniscus of the right knee) and Romagnoli (for the captain injury to the calf), replaced by Kalulu and Tomori. Solskjaer lost Cavani a few hours before getting on the plane to Milan and had to give up Martial, but compared to the first leg he recovered a big shot like Rashford from the first minute and Pogba for the bench. Delegations from center forward to Greenwood.

–

Rings without goals

—

The first half, despite the Rossoneri absences, followed the same red line as the first leg. First ten minutes in marked English colors, with the ball constantly between his feet and Milan unable to get out of his median also due to serial errors in support (horror start for Hernandez, with three gifts in the first seven minutes). United insistent especially on the right side, with James and the insertions of Wan-Bissaka, but not very good at triggering Greenwood. Rashford? Practically not reached and forced to an abundant phase of coverage on the very inspired Saelemaekers, aided by the Kalulu raids. Milan began to shake off the weight of English pressure around the quarter of an hour, with a shot by Kessie that almost acted as an encouragement signal. And around halfway through the fraction it went from being a team that was only trying to anesthetize the game, to a proactive interpretation. At 24 ‘Calhanoglu – still off, still far from an acceptable condition – left a great opportunity so great in the middle of the area on an English distraction. Leisure that has increased from then on: errors in support, little pressure, little conviction. And so the Rossoneri finally broke up, slipping into the spaces that Castillejo tried to open to his teammates with his movements. Before, a gluttonous counterattack between the Spaniard and Kessie was not completed, and in the last four minutes there were two more occasions: a right from Saelemaekers, who found himself free to shoot at the end of a good maneuver, and a cross from the Belgian for Krunic’s right-footed shot, who hit badly and sent wide from a decidedly inviting position. Important rings and clear messages to the opponents.

–

Decisive Paul

—

The second half began with Pogba on the field in place of Rashford, also as a position: high and wide on the left. A move that paid off immediately because it was the Frenchman who changed the result with a shrewd right touch in the area after a series of Rossoneri messes in front of Donnarumma. Above all stands out the inability of Calhanoglu first and Meité immediately after to free the area. An icy shower that dampened the Rossoneri’s enthusiasm and allowed United to gain meters. Saelemaekers tried again with his right foot (Henderson’s smanacciata) and at 20 ‘Pioli made the first two changes: out of Kalulu for Dalot but above all Castillejo for Ibra, who soon clarified his presence in the area with a shot of head to tower over Shaw who called Henderson to a half miracle. In reality it will turn out to be the only concrete ring of the Swede, still far from the best condition. Pioli then also included Diaz (for Krunic), giving bottom to all the offensive options available, but the second part of the second half became a too frenetic and not very lucid search for the goal by Milan, while on the other side Pogba has continued to hold his teammates by the hand with an all-out capital test. A decisive entry, which changed the inertia of the match and tactical face to the English, even if in the recovery minutes an intervention by Wan-Bissaka on Ibra in the area is absolutely punishable with a penalty. Milan greets Europe, even if most likely it is only a goodbye. Now there is only the championship and a Champions area to be defended at all costs.

–