AC MILAN v FROSINONE: THE BRIEFING

It’s a delicate moment, and an important match awaits. At San Siro, the Rossoneri will host a Frosinone side who have impressed in their first season back in the top flight. The newly promoted side are playing well, currently find themselves in a comfortable position in the table and could cause real problems. The team need to respond and produce a performance full of character, one which is worthy of AC Milan. In our pre-match analysis, we take a closer look at the aspects that could decide the upcoming clash.

SOLUTIONS IN DEFENCE
The injury picked up by Thiaw against Borussia Dortmund has, on a numerical level, deepened the Rossoneri’s problems in defence: Fikayo Tomori, who is walking the suspension tightrope, will be the only centre-back available for the match against Frosinone. Irrespective of who starts on Saturday evening (Jan-Carlo Simić could be in the line-up), our backline will have to pay close attention to a young and dynamic attack. Di Francesco has plenty of options and is in charge of a team that have had eleven different goalscorers during the opening 13 matchdays. Soulé is Frosinone’s main threat, but the Ciociari have several players capable of inflicting damage, including Cheddira, Cuni, Reinier, Ibrahimović and Kaio Jorge. With the Diavolo short on numbers, a real team effort full of focus and sacrifice will be needed defensively.

GAINING CONFIDENCE
AC Milan have two players who are gaining confidence and really getting up to speed after taking a while to settle in. Here, we’re talking about Luka Jović and Samuel Chukwueze. The former has shown some very encouraging signs in the team’s last two matches, providing the pass for Theo which led to the penalty against Fiorentina, hitting the post later on in the same game and also creating another opportunity against Borussia Dortmund. The Nigerian, meanwhile, finally managed to score on what was a difficult European evening and was among the best performers against the Germans. Even if the Rossoneri are struggling somewhat, this duo are finally finding the spaces and producing pieces of play that could help their teammates overcome this difficult spell. They’ll likely be joined by Pulisic in attack against Frosinone, against whom they’ll be expected to build on their recent performances. 

MENTALITY, BALANCE AND AWARENESS
On Tuesday, AC Milan were dealt two big blows. They responded to the first (Reus’ goal soon after Giroud’s penalty miss) with an equaliser from Chukwueze. The second - Thiaw’s injury followed by Bynoe-Gittens’ finish - proved to be a knockout punch: the team tried to get back on their feet but lost balance and were left exposed to BVB’s fierce counter-attacks. If they’re afforded the same amount of space as the Germans were, Frosinone could also inflict damage. This is why AC Milan need to approach Saturday evening’s match fully aware that there’s still a long way to go in the league. Coach Pioli’s men mustn’t get caught up in trying to score too early; instead, there needs to be the required balance to limit the visitors’ counters.

The AC Milan PUMA Kits for 2023/24 are available: buy them now!