GdS: Four games as clear favourites - what Milan must fix to seize schedule opportunity

"Milan, however, have been strong against their direct rivals, but weak against the so-called lesser sides. They lost to Cremonese, drew with Pisa, Parma and Sassuolo. They won against Bologna, Napoli, Roma and Inter. Against the top teams, they earned 2.6 points per game. Against the small teams, they have only managed 2. There is a huge variance in ball possession: against the big teams, they are at 39.6%, against the small teams, 59%."

"What does this mean? That Milan, when facing a team of their calibre, gives up the ball, sit deeper in front of Maignan, and manage to maintain a high level of focus. They don't concede. Against bottom-of-the-table teams, they are almost forced to control the ball and end up making individual errors."

"Milan, however, have better performances against smaller teams. They score more, shoot more, face fewer shots, have more expected goals and fewer expected goals conceded. It's logical, but the difference is on the defensive end. The errors from Tomori against Cremonese, De Winter against Pisa and Gabbia against Sassuolo speak volumes. Allegri will have to work on this in the coming weeks: keeping the levels high even against Verona or Genoa, because the league is clearly open to a breakaway."

AC Milan face a run of fixtures against four of the bottom six, presenting opportunities to gain ground in the table. The team has been strong against direct rivals but fragile versus lesser sides, with defeats to Cremonese and draws with Pisa, Parma and Sassuolo alongside wins over Bologna, Napoli, Roma and Inter. Milan average 2.6 points per game versus top teams and 2 against smaller teams, with possession at 39.6% versus big teams and 59% versus small teams. Defensive individual errors have cost results, and coaching focus is required to maintain levels against weaker opposition amid a congested schedule.

Read at SempreMilan