5 things from AC Milan's gutsy win over Frosinone
Welcome to the 5 Things recap by theScore's Anthony Lopopolo, which highlights AC Milan's performances over the 2018-19 season. Here's a breakdown of Milan's 2-0 victory against Frosinone.
Piatek ends his drought
Krzysztof Piatek had holstered his weapons for far too long. He was imprecise in the opening 45 minutes - the ball never seemed to settle at his feet - but the Polish striker continued to plug away until he found himself in scoring position. His goal was the kind Pippo Inzaghi would be proud of: a close-range finish off a scrappy broken play. Piatek can probably play better than he has over the past month-and-a-half, but with that goal, he broke the 30-goal mark across all competitions. That's an impressive feat.
Donnarumma inspires Milan
It's worth wondering how the match would've gone if Gianluigi Donnarumma didn't save that 49th-minute penalty. Ignazio Abate clearly tripped up Luca Paganini, putting his goalkeeper in a do-or-die situation that could've ended Milan's pursuit of a Champions League spot. But the 20-year-old, as he's done all season, came up with a big save in a crucial moment. He made another sprawling stop in the final minutes of regular time. There's no questioning it now: Donnarumma has won back supporters with his clutch performances. No player has been more important to Milan's cause this season.
Suso a key contributor
After months in hibernation, Suso stormed back to life, figuring prominently into Milan's attack. The agile Spaniard dispatched 13 crosses - many of them quality in-swingers that went begging across goal. Sometimes it may seem like Suso is too predictable, but there's a reason why defenders struggle to cope with his movements. He capped a fine performance with a wonderful free-kick that hit the underside of the crossbar on the way in.
Gattuso's changes pay off
At the time, it seemed like an odd substitution. Tiemoue Bakayoko was Milan's best-performing midfielder in the first half but made way for Patrick Cutrone shortly after the interval. It could've left Milan with a gaping hole in midfield. Manager Gennaro Gattuso knew the risks, and he was rewarded. Milan gained more width playing with the 4-4-2, and with Cutrone and Piatek up front, Frosinone had a more difficult time defending. The Rossoneri stormed the Canarini's backline in the minutes that followed and scored twice to kill the game.
Supporters show their love
Milan's average attendance has steadily increased over the years, but this season was different. No matter the results, the fans kept filling the San Siro. A million spectators from around the world flocked to the cathedral of Italian football to watch the Rossoneri, a reminder of the importance of this club in the context of European football. They showed their appreciation for the team and paid tribute to one player in particular. Abate, who's set to leave the club after a decade of service, was treated to a standing ovation toward the end of Sunday's contest, and considering how few players have deserved such applause in recent years, it was a lovely sight to see.