AC Milan vs. Sampdoria: Winners and Losers from Serie A Game
After failing to score in two consecutive Serie A matches, AC Milan returned to winning ways emphatically by putting four past a vulnerable Sampdoria en route to a 4-1 win at San Siro on Saturday evening.
Milan had started to look staid in their 4-3-3 system in recent matches against Juventus and Atalanta, so Sinisa Mihajlovic altered things as he faced his old club, who are now coached by Vincenzo Montella.
Mihajlovic brought in a 4-4-2 system and it worked to perfection as Milan ran riot with their most dominant performance of the season so far.
After a nervy start that saw 16-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma dither on the ball in the opening minutes, Milan took the lead when M’Baye Niang evaded his marker to square for Giacomo Bonaventura, who fired home from close range.
Niang then doubled Milan’s advantage in the 38th minute. Bonaventura was brought down in the box by Lorenzo De Silvestri and the Frenchman stepped up to score his first-ever league goal for the Rossoneri in his 36th appearance.
Niang celebrated ending his barren spell by adding his second, and Milan’s third, early in the second half after latching onto a misplaced Emiliano Viviano goal kick to slot home.
Before the game had even reached the hour mark, it had essentially become a training exercise as Milan passed around a dishevelled Sampdoria side that seemed to lack confidence.
Milan were in no mood to ease off, however, as Luiz Adriano came off the bench and volleyed home a fourth following an intricate bit of skill and lovely cross from Alessio Cerci.
Andrea Poli brought down Eder and the tricky Italy international converted the spot-kick he had won, but the goal was no more than a consolation.
Here are our winners and losers from a stunning Milan performance.
Winner: M'Baye Niang
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In his 36th Serie A appearance with the club, M’Baye Niang finally got off the mark for Milan. He took his first—a penalty—with composure before bagging a second, which was a testament to his awareness.
Yet, while the goals steal the headlines, it was Niang’s all-round game that impressed most.
The French forward, paired with Carlos Bacca in a front two, worked hard and created chances for his team-mates. It was his turn and cross that set up Giacomo Bonaventura for the opener.
Niang’s pace, skill and aggressive running posed a threat to Sampdoria throughout, and after deservedly winning WhoScored’s Man of the Match award, he will now be hoping to build on this performance by cementing a regular spot in Milan’s starting line-up.
Loser: Fernando
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Brazilian midfielder Fernando has enjoyed a strong start to his Sampdoria career since joining the club from Shakhtar Donetsk in the summer, but he endured a torrid evening in his team’s defeat to Milan.
He found life difficult at the base of Sampdoria’s midfield diamond, giving the ball away frequently and failing to build meaningful possession with his team-mates.
Not only was Fernando one of the worst players on the pitch, but he put in his worst performance in a Sampdoria shirt, according to WhoScored’s ratings.
If Vincenzo Montella is to register his first victory as coach of the Blucerchiati against Sassuolo on Sunday, Dec. 6 he will need a much more reliable showing from his deep-lying midfield dictator.
Winner: Milan's Tactical Development
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Since Sinisa Mihajlovic replaced Filippo Inzaghi in the Milan coaching hotseat in the summer, he has made many tactical alterations.
Initially, Mihajlovic tried to implement the 4-3-1-2 system he had used with Sampdoria previously but, following an embarrassing 4-0 home defeat to Napoli, he brought in a 4-3-3.
That system served its purpose well, enabling Milan to play with greater stability as they reduced the number of goals they conceded and restored their confidence with a five-match unbeaten streak.
That run ended last weekend against Juventus with an insipid showing as Milan lost 1-0 without threatening, prompting Mihajlovic to use a 4-4-2 against Sampdoria.
The latest system worked a treat as Milan routed their visitors with their best team display of the season so far.
Per Opta Paolo, the last time Milan had scored four or more goals in Serie A was back in September 2014.
Italian football writer Adam Digby commented on the game, saying: “Superb win for Milan, just the performance they needed as they return to form after last week. Huge confidence booster”.
Afterwards, Mihajlovic told Mediaset Premium (h/t Football Italia), “If we play like this, then we can beat anybody.”
On the basis of tonight’s evidence he may just be right. Finally, Mihajlovic appears to have found the correct tactic to take his Milan side to the next stage of their development as a team.
Loser: Vincenzo Montella
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Vincenzo Montella lost his first game as Sampdoria coach with a 1-0 away loss against Udinese last weekend, and things didn’t get any better for him against Milan.
His side looked completely devoid of coherence as they were torn apart by a well-organised, hungry Milan side. Italian football writer Gabriel Marcotti felt sorry for the coach, saying: “Feels surreal that a guy like Montella should be stuck managing this pile of junk”.
The 4-1 defeat was Samp’s heaviest of the season. It was also their third loss in a row, and their fifth game without a win. Montella has a lot of work ahead if he is to turn around a rotten run of form.
