AC Milan rounded off a positive week with a 3-0 victory against Monza at the San Siro on Sunday evening. The result also further aided Milan’s hopes of Champions League qualification, as they are five points clear of fifth-placed Napoli, following the result.
It was a relatively straightforward performance for the Rossoneri, with very few negatives to speak of. In comparison, there are a heap of positives to speak about, from the quality of the goals to performances. There was much to be enjoyed for those in attendance at the San Siro. You can read five of our key talking points here.
So, with that being said, let’s dive into some of the key stats from the fixture.
Overall stats
Many suggested that the version of Stefano Pioli’s side seen on Sunday was the one closest to the side seen at the start of the Serie A season, and the stats also back this up.
The most vital stat of them all is the scoreline. Cliché, yes, but it needs to be said. On Sunday evening Milan were very good and deserved the scoreline which they won by. There can be complaints, of course, but the general game from a Milan perspective was one in which the Rossoneri did what they needed to and showed potentially their best self (at least whilst players are injured).
On the topic of goals, it is the highest expected goals (xG) total that the side has created since the 4-1 dismantling of Torino earlier in the season, in which the Rossoneri created 3.09 xG.
📊 The stats from the win against Monza pic.twitter.com/tX1KmAVzOs
— MilanData📊 (@acmilandata) December 17, 2023
The kid is alright!
After Tommaso Pobega’s injury, which caused him to be substituted, on came the much-spoken-about Jan-Carlo Simic. The youngster has been the topic of discussion for some time now, with him being in and around the first team regularly since November.
When he came onto the pitch, he proved why he deserved to be so. It is probably a good time to remind ourselves that he is only 18 years old because his performance reflected a player much his senior.
He displayed several great defensive qualities, making three blocks and winning both of his duels – one aerial, one ground. Additionally, he was very calm on the ball, which is a lovely trait for a defender to possess in the modern game.
Jan-Carlo Simić vs. Monza:
➤ 70 minutes
➤ 1 goal
➤ 26 passes
➤ 92% pass accuracy
➤ 2 shots
➤ 1/1 successful dribble
➤ 2 clearances
➤ 3 blocked shots
➤ 1/1 aerial duel won
➤ 2/2 all duels won[via @FTalentScout] pic.twitter.com/TTW2pEt1tJ
— MilanData📊 (@acmilandata) December 18, 2023
Additionally, he popped up with a goal, which rounded off a really good display from the youngster. Additionally, it puts him third among AC Milan’s youngest goalscorers, behind Alberto Paloschi and a certain Alexandre Pato.
18, 229 – Jan-Carlo Simic scored at the age of 18 years and 229 days, in the three-point-for-a-win era only Alberto Paloschi and Alexandre Pato have found the net at a younger age with Milan's jersey in #SerieA . Generation.#MilanMonza
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) December 17, 2023
Ale in the middle
On Sunday evening, Alessandro Florenzi played a brilliant all-round game. However, the key points will likely, and deservingly, be about his engine and work rate. The wing-back was seemingly everywhere for Milan, offensively and defensively, given he covered 10.65km.
Pioli opted to move the right-back to his preferred side, having started him as a left-back in recent weeks, likely due to the suspension of Davide Calabria. However, there may be shouts for the 58-year-old to consider Florenzi continuing there, even when Calabria returns.
Finally, he also contributed some goal threat for his side. He made two key passes, although this is not what will come to mind when speaking about his performance. Instead, his two shots on target, though they only had an xG of 0.08, had a combined xGOT (a metric that measures the likeliness of a shot on target resulting in a goal, based on the xG and the end location of the shot) of 0.78.
Oh so before this game everyone was tearing into Florenzi, calling him names and insultes, wanting him gone and now suddenly he is Flor-engine-zi? Is this article another way to further discredit Calabria as well?
Don’t know if this blog reeks from bipolarism or just deceitfulness.
Personally I’ve always liked both of them and even wanted Florenzi at AC Milan long time ago but for me he was absolutely one of our best players in the Monza match but overall i think he does well when fielded for us but unfortunately often has been set back by injuries, I also suspect that he brings a lot to the locker room.
Everyone loves him, humble, quiet, hardworking but his presence is important as he’s one of the senators in locker room. I really admired him from his Roma days as well, he was like Lahm of Serie A, played and performed anywhere put. Problem is some people have short memory and judge him by playing off his regular position last games on LB.
Yeah I think so too and probably also a major reason for bringing him in by M&M who knew him well before joining us. I agree and also always liked De Rossi as well who i also would have liked to see wear our shirt. Absolutely but that is probably also because people react on impulses and hype which then clouds their judgement.
I can’t see how people can hate guys like Florenzi and Kjaer. The leaders on and off the pitch.
It smells of American media culture, have you seen that disgusting guy Stephen A. Smith who calls himself a sports journalist, this page reeks of that my friendz and the “fans” are toxic as all hell, look out for a guy called Boulden, probably the biggest self loathing idiot you’ll ever meet in your life.