Analysis of a Title-Winning Match: AS Roma v AC Milan

Overview
Milan arrived at the Stadio Olympico needing a point from the match with Roma to clinch their first league title in seven years and duly obliged; this 0-0 draw ended Inter’s five year-reign as Serie A champions, handing the title to Massimiliano Allegri’s side with two league games to spare.

This is now the third game in succession Milan have failed to score against the Giallorossi, but they will care not; with 66% Possession, the visitors were happy to control the game without really threatening Roma. In a match devoid of any real incident, both teams had just 5 Shots each.

Milan mustered just 1 Shot on target all game, Zlatan Ibrahimovic with his only effort of the 90 minutes. For Roma, Francesco Totti came into the game in red-hot form with 10 goals in his last 8 games but was a peripheral figure throughout, with not a single attempt all game.
 
Line-Up News
Both sides made three changes from last week’s line-ups: Roma drafted in Matteo Brighi and Fabio Simplicio for the suspended pair Daniel De Rossi and Simone Perrotta, with Jeremy Menez making way for Rodrigo Taddei.

While Roma’s absences were mainly enforced, Milan’s three alterations were down to increased availability; Mark Van Bommel and Zlatan Ibrahimovic returned from suspension, while Gennaro Gattuso recovered from injury. Out went Massimo Ambrosini, Antonio Cassano and Matthieu Flamini respectively.

Player Positions
Totti (10) cut an isolated figure up front for the hosts, with only one other player- Rodrigo Taddei- pushing forward with any sort of regularity. With so much of the game taking place in the middle third (and with Milan chiefly in possession) the Roma midfield contained much of the visitor’s play but subsequently found it difficult to ever break forward and threaten.

This was the first time Ibrahimovic and Robinho had started as a front two since 18th December last year, ironically in the reverse fixture at the San Siro. An indication of how little movement or variety they offered up front is shown in the Average Position; they were so close that Ibrahimovic (11) slightly obscures Robinho (70). Clarence Seedorf (10) offered the visitors more of an attacking threat, player higher than Kevin Prince-Boateng in the hole.

Shot Zones
The majority of both sides’ Shots were long range efforts that rarely ever threatened; only 3 of all 10 attempts were on target. Roma’s 5 Shots were from all taken by  different players, whereas Milan relied on their front three for every effort. Prince-Boateng, in particular, was the guilty party; he had 3 Shots and not one was on target.

Pass Types
On average, Roma have 53% Possession at home but Milan made sure their hosts saw as little of the ball as possible, making almost double the number of Passes than Vincenzo Montella’s side (600 to 320). The 500 Short Passes made is a perfect indication of how content in possession the Rossoneri were, as they made just 12 Crosses for a 84% Pass Accuracy.

Star Player Comparison
We  highlighted Juan’s importance to Roma in yesterday’s Preview article and there was no surprise to see the centre-half was a pivotal performer for the home side once again. Juan’s display was down too some outstanding defensive stats; he won 5 Aerial Duels (the second best had 2), made 11 Clearances (Nicolas Burdisso, his central defensive partner, made 6) with 4 Interceptions, 2 Tackles and Blocked 2 Shots. He also kept it safe when on the ball, with a 86% Pass Accuracy and, with an overall rating of 7.87, Juan was our Man of the Match.

Clarence Seedorf was Milan’s best player, with a ranking of 7.82. The Dutchman troubled Roma plenty; he had the most Dribbles (4) and his 5 Crosses were the highest of the match. Seedorf saw plenty of the ball, too, making 59 Passes from 87 Touches, with a 90% Accuracy. He also chipped in defensively, his 4 Tackles not bettered by any other player.