AC Milan 1-0 Girona: Five things we learned – unlikely duo step up but Leao steals the show

SempreMilan

·23 January 2025

AC Milan 1-0 Girona: Five things we learned – unlikely duo step up but Leao steals the show

AC Milan took another important step towards securing a top eight spot in the Champions League by beating Girona at San Siro on Wednesday night.

It was not an entirely dominant performance from Milan who rode their luck at times, but the only goal of the game came late in the first half through Rafael Leao as he showed one of the few bits of composure.

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He collected a pass from Ismael Bennacer and fired a shot into the roof of the net from inside the box, which in the end was enough for the three points. A first clean sheet under Sergio Conceicao was certainly a plus, and now the Rossoneri are sixth in the table with a game to go.

Speaking of Conceicao, after the game he praised the reaction of the players after the defeat to Juventus but admitted there is still a lot of work to be done. Below are five things we learned from the game.

1. Some magic from Mike

With the game being a must-win in the pursuit of direct qualification for the last-16 phase, Milan had little room for errors. Having conceded in every game since Conceicao’s arrival, the rearguard definitely needed to show signs of improvement.

Finally Milan were able to keep an opponent out and a big contributor to that was Maignan, wearing the captain’s armband again. The Frenchman has let in some questionable goals in recent games, where he could’ve done a bit better on less threatening situations.

However, against the LaLiga side he put a very high price on his goal with two huge saves before and after Milan’s opener, which proved crucial in the end given his side won by a one-goal margin.

The paradox with Maignan is that he seems to be on hand to keep out the chances that look very dangerous, while some other areas – like shots at the near post – seem to go in too easily. A balance would probably put everyone at ease.

2. Keep on surfin’

Whilst Maignan was decisive between the sticks it was Leao who was decisive at the opposite end of the pitch. The Portuguese was central to the majority of interesting attacks throughout the game, causing real issues for the young talent Alejandro Francés.

Of course he scored the winner with the only real bit of composure, after a good run and a powerful finish inside the box. Yet, he should have had at least one other goal involvement given that he teed up Theo Hernandez with a cut-back that he somehow scuffed onto the bar.

Leao has evidently improved under Conceicao and it seems that he can only get better from here. His movements have changed drastically especially when drifting centrally, through which he had a chance to score before he actually did before Gazzaniga saved well.

The Portuguese winger joked after the game about how playing on the same side as where the coach stands can be ‘hell’, while Conceicao spoke of the encouraging signs he has seen and the desire to turn Leao into a ‘world class player’ In short, a feeling seems to have quickly blossomed.

Image: AC Milan

3. Rock solid duo

Strahinja Pavlovic ended up in the starting XI after not playing since Conceicao’s arrival, and all while rumours that a move to Fenerbahce for a figure of €20m or more were circling.

The Serbian could have had his mind elsewhere, he really seemed keen on proving he has a place within the squad and the performance against Girona grew as the game went on, after starting a bit like a rottweiler chasing a tennis ball.

The stats line is impressive: Pavlovic had five clearances, two interceptions, three tackles, three ground duels won, three out of three aerial duels won and completed 91% of his passes plus three long balls.

Pavlovic also covered well for Theo at times too, who has not having the best of nights but was lucky that his left-sided partner at the back was on his game. The only issue with Pavlovic has been his ability on the ball and under pressure, but he seemed to iron some of that out.

If he continues to improve in that aspect then there’s no denying that – coupled with his defensive abilities – he has a high potential. Matteo Gabbia also did well alongside Pavlovic winning most of his duels as well as positioning himself well, so both played a part in the clean sheet.

4. Bennacer is back

Ismael Bennacer has been back from his injury for over a month now but against Girona it was the first time we actually saw the player we know and love, so to speak, as he commanded the midfield in both phases of the game.

In his first few outings since returning, Bennacer was perhaps a bit guilty of letting the game bypass him in the most intense moments, while also being a bit careless and untidy in possession.

Offensively he provided the assist for Leao’s goal with a lovely through ball. As mentioned, the attack started from him as he won the ball back in the middle of the pitch with an aggressive recovery, then he had the vision and passing precision to feed the Portuguese.

It was a really encouraging performance by the Algerian, who has lots of qualities that are fitting for Conceicao’s tactics. We are sure the coach would be happy to have a completely fit Bennacer in the middle of the park, not least so Youssouf Fofana and Tijjani Reijnders can maybe get a rest.

Photo by Maciej Rogowski/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images

5. Theo giveth and taketh away

It was another poor performance by Theo Hernandez, who got lucky on Girona’s offside goal because he was slow to close down Bryan Gil and would have been at fault if Milan didn’t manage to win the game because of that.

In addition to that particular moment, he was sluggish throughout the game but fortunately the Spaniards didn’t manage to take advantage of it in the same way that other opponents have in recent weeks.

Sometimes Theo is able to counteract a shaky defensive performance by contributing at the other end but he also struggled to get going in attack. He missed a big chance missed in the first half after Leao set him up brilliantly, leaning back and snatching at it rather than getting his head over the ball.

In the second half he had a chance to double the lead but took a bit too long and placed his shot wide from short distance, lashing it into the side netting. Theo and Leao were both on form against Como and prior to that in the Supercoppa final, but it needs to be more than the odd game.