AC Milan Fight Back at Lazio as Luka Modric Struggles With Frantic Tempo
AC Milan rescued a 2-2 draw at Lazio after a disjointed opening 45 minutes left them two goals down, but the recovery also exposed the limits of Luka Modric’s role in a match played at a frantic tempo.
Milan’s first-half structure left Modric exposed
Milan were second best at the Stadio Olimpico before the break, losing simple possession and allowing Lazio to move through their defensive shape too easily. Matteo Cancellieri and Tijjani Noslin punished those lapses as the home side established a 2-0 lead, while boos could be heard from the travelling Milan support.
Ruben Amorim said the absence of control particularly affected Modric, whose usually reliable distribution was interrupted by several unusual mistakes before he was substituted. The Croatian midfielder had been operating close to the centre-backs, creating a deeper build-up line but leaving less room between Lazio’s lines.
Amorim’s assessment was that Modric needs Milan to retain the ball with greater care. In his view, a contest repeatedly swinging from one team to the other does not suit the veteran midfielder’s strengths.
The surroundings added to the unusual feel of the occasion. Lazio supporters were continuing their protests against the club’s board, leaving the Olimpico notably subdued. Gennaro Gattuso said the empty atmosphere recalled matches played during the COVID-19 period, although Lazio’s players still imposed themselves in the physical contests before half-time.
Half-time changes shifted the contest
- Lazio took control in the opening period, with Cancellieri and Noslin scoring to put the hosts 2-0 ahead.
- Milan made three substitutions at the interval, including the introduction of Yunus Musah to add mobility and pace in midfield.
- Diego Moreira, who had struggled in Milan’s previous match against Juventus, scored twice in two minutes to bring the Rossoneri level.
- Milan then controlled far more of the second half, completing a comeback that earned a point rather than allowing a damaging defeat.
Amorim said the difference between the two halves was principally one of energy. Milan had surrendered possession too cheaply in the first period and allowed opponents to beat defenders with too little resistance; after the restart, he felt the side competed with far greater intensity and control.
Musah’s arrival was central to the adjustment. Amorim explained that Milan needed additional speed in the middle of the pitch, while the altered positioning reduced the number of players required to start attacks from deep.
Possession must become penalty-area threat
The draw offered encouragement in the response led by Moreira, but Amorim believes Milan remain short of the attacking connections required in the final third. His concern is not simply the amount of possession his side have, but where they use it.
Milan have often kept the ball too far from the opposition box, Amorim said, and must find more ways to create chances inside the area. Crosses can be one route, but he wants greater variation, including runs from Christian Pulisic and Alpha. Ramos, he added, is expected to improve as the season develops.
Key takeaways
- Milan overturned a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 after an ineffective first half.
- Cancellieri and Noslin gave Lazio their advantage before Moreira’s two-goal burst restored parity.
- Modric struggled in an open, transition-heavy match, with Amorim linking his difficulties to Milan’s poor ball retention.
- Musah’s half-time introduction gave Milan the running power that had been missing in midfield.
- The result underlined the need for Milan to turn territorial possession into more sustained danger around the penalty area.
