AC MILAN v MONZA: THE DEBRIEFING

AC Milan got back to winning ways in Serie A and celebrated the Club's 124-year anniversary weekend in the best possible way. At San Siro, goals from Reijnders, Simić and Okafor swept aside Monza 3-0. Coach Pioli's side backed up their away win at Newcastle and move in the league after the defeat in Bergamo, jumping to 32 points in the table. We analyse three key elements and moments in the home win on matchday 16 in our Debriefing.

THE DEFENCE AND SIMIĆ'S IMPACT
Coach Pioli chose to rely on Kjær's experience and surprised everyone with his choice of Pobega from the start, entrusting him with the task of dropping into the backline to leave Hernández out wide. The injury to the number 32 messed the plans up somewhat, but it did allow us to "discover" Simić, who came on with personality and desire. This gave AC Milan a more compact three-man defence, and the Rossoneri - despite the emergency - managed to limit the Brianzoli's attack and dispel the taboo against opponent's lining up with a 3-5-2 formation. Mike Maignan once again made his contribution on earning the three points, in particular from Colpani, but the Rossoneri showed the necessary determination to bring home a clean sheet. A special mention for Jan-Carlo Simić: in addition to the goal, he consistently showed attention and confidence in every single defensive play.

GOALS AT THE RIGHT TIME
Three goals that all came at the right time. The Rossoneri got off to a flying start, breaking the deadlock just 2 minutes and 44 seconds in through Reijnders' weaving run. It is the Dutchman's first goal at San Siro - our fastest goal in this season's Serie A - proved vital in swinging the game into AC Milan's favour. The team didn't stop there, as six shots on target (ten in total) in the first half, which also saw Simić get in on the goalscoring act at the end. The two-goal lead allowed Pioli's men to manage the game after the break in a more careful approach, sitting back looking for spaces left open by Monza on the break. And when the visitors were threatening and looking more dangerous, Okafor struck to kill off any hope they had of launching a comeback and seal the three points. 

THEO EVERYWHERE, FLORENZI LIMITLESS ENERGY
The flanks, which saw Palladino's side constantly occupied with in both attacking and defensive phases, was AC Milan's main threat, at least on the eve of the game. Coach Pioli's selection gave the duo, Theo and Leão, to partner back up and, at the same time, definitely limited the visitors' solutions down the sides, where very few easy crosses were allowed. The Frenchman's position left Rafa the time and space to invent, and his boundless energy also allowed him to break Monza's rhythm and actions on several occasions. It was a similar story, but on the opposite side with Pulisic, for Florenzi, who was also a goal threat and only stopped by a great save from Di Gregorio. In the Rossoneri's success, there was lots of application and quality shown by Theo Hernández - who in the closing stages "guided" Bartesaghi like a true captain - and Alessandro Florenzi.

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