A blistering start from Cagliari was enough to earn themselves a point against a lacklustre AC Milan side as they drew 1-1 in Sardinia.
AC Milan Held Against Stern Cagliari Side
Early Pressure From the Home Side
Cagliari’s intentions to not give Milan a moment’s peace were evident in the first five minutes. They worked the ball quickly and dangerously from kick-off, before blazing a shot over the bar. If this was a warning that Milan were in for a difficult evening in the Sardinian heat, then it was not heeded.
The breakthrough came after just five minutes; Pavoletti surged in behind Romagnoli, only to see his effort fantastically swept aside by Donnarumma onto the post. The rebound fell kindly to Joao Pedro, whose scuffed shot squirmed under the despairing Donnarumma for a 1-0 lead.
We have a goal in our Live and FREE Facebook game! João Pedro puts @CagliariCalcio ahead against @acmilan. Watch now – https://t.co/1zlGvqN05d pic.twitter.com/SNvzm15HOr
— ELEVEN Football (@ElevenSportsFB) September 16, 2018
Cagliari were determined not to let Milan pass the ball unchallenged. They pressed the Rossoneri back four, who found it difficult to work the ball towards their dangerous attackers. Cagliari could have been out of sight after six minutes when Barella seized on a loose ball from a corner and lashed a shot against the bottom of the post.
Milan Looked Utterly Unconvincing
Cagliari’s aggressive defensive press naturally wained as the first half unfolded, and both sides dropped deeper to avoid being hit in behind – not that Milan often threatened to do so. Despite intricate passing in the midfield, and surging runs from Kessie, they only threatened to equalise on two occasions in the first half.
Both of these opportunities fell to veteran Bonaventura, who shot waywardly on each occasion. A free header from a Calhanoglu cross sailed wide, and then the equaliser should have come from a half-volley. Instead it sailed over the bar, after a pinpoint Calabria delivery.
Milan’s best attack so far, Bonaventura just gets under the great ball in from Cagliari, too much power and he knows it too. pic.twitter.com/I3l2dwMAPd
— Para (@Paracelsus) September 16, 2018
Despite the sweltering evening heat, Cagliari did not let up. Castro motored all over the pitch. Barella had the cool head and calm touches needed when Cagliari looked to maintain possession in their own half.
Gennaro Gattuso, the Milan manager, was a player who snarled and barked his way around every blade of grass. Evidently, he wanted his team to exhibit some of this energy in the game. This never really materialised in the first 45 minutes, as was best shown by the movements of the two strikers on the pitch.
Cagliari’s Farias persistently ran down the channels, dragging Romagnoli with him. At the other end, Milan’s Higuain cut a frustrated figure as he was left to feed on scraps. He continuously dropped deeper and deeper to receive the ball.
An Argentinian Touch of Class
When he did get a chance early in the second half, however, he showed his potency. Despite initially losing the ball, a surging run from Kessie meant it dropped to the Argentine. He rounded Cragno and slid the ball in from a tight angle to open his account in Milan.
Must be the day for big names opening their accounts at their new clubs. Gonzalo Higuain with his first for @acmilan and it's one each with @CagliariCalcio. #SerieA #Higuain #PureFootball Watch now on Facebook – https://t.co/fo7Ctb1zSy pic.twitter.com/5yQbzE33ie
— ELEVEN Football (@ElevenSportsFB) September 16, 2018
For the next 20 minutes, Milan were in complete control. They moved the ball with a vigour and sharpness that was completely lacking in the first half. Despite not creating many clearcut chances, it was difficult to see them not scoring a winner.
Cagliari sat back and invited pressure, but Milan failed to capitalise. The build-up from Biglia and substitute Bakayoko was measured, and yet consistently failed to threaten. Suso flashed a shot wide that Bonaventura could not stretch out and turn in, and Cagliari seemed content with maintaining this stern defence.
Cagliari offered little else going forward. On the rare occasion that Sau or Castro found themselves up the pitch, they had no support and were quickly swarmed by the Milan defence.
Game Meanders to a Close
After such an enticing opening 20 minutes, the final 20 was markedly different. Cagliari seemed content to play out a well-earned draw, and looked comfortable doing so. Milan, on the other hand, clearly wanted to take all three points back North with them, but could not break down the Sardinian wall.
Suso’s whipped effort was saved well in added time, and Higuain’s header was flicked uncharacteristically wide, but that was the last of the excitement. A 1-1 will suit Cagliari, who have enjoyed a more impressive start to the season than Gattuso’s side. If the Rossoneri cannot find the cohesion they currently lack, any Milanese challenge for the Scudetto can only realistically come from the blue half of the city.
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