This is very much the case of two points dropped rather than a point gained. The result is a shame because we had a chance to close the gap on both Milan and Napoli and we fucked it up.
With hindsight, I think it is easy to say that Çalhanoğlu should have taken the second penalty. It would have made sense for him to do so given that he was amped and in the zone. Martinez did not look comfortable stepping up to take it. His unease was written all over his face. For me, what is telling here is that we handed him a contract extension last week but his output does not match what we are paying. Six games without a goal and minimal involvement in this morning's game is pretty telling. I would also like to add that if he is not comfortable taking penalties, then he simply should not be in the equation to take them. Regardless of whether he is our leading striker, best striker, highest paid striker: if he is not up to the task, then he should noty be anywhere near the spot.
What really struck me about his performance this morning is how much of a side show he has become. When he was playing alongside Lukaku, he was very much front and centre. Their understanding with each other and working together was truly special. Martinez and Dzeko do not link up and appear to have zero understanding of each other. Essentially, our main striker has been relegated to playing a bit-part.
Missed penalty aside, there was also the goal line clearance in the first half. I think Barella took the shot and it was saved by Traore (not certain of this). More often than not, those kind of chances usually end up in the back of the net. At the end of the first half, with the second half still to play, I wondered whether we had just missed the best chances of the game.
I thought Dzeko was pretty quiet but I do not think that was solely on him. I think he is playing too deep and the need for him to drop into midfield so he can be involved in the game is telling because he is playing too far from our opponents penalty box to be in the goals.
In terms of positives, I though Perisic was good today. I often watch him and wonder at his trickery and competitiveness. The guy always puts up a fight and does not like being beaten by his direct opponent. It makes me wonder whether Dimarco is capable of holding down a first team spot or whether Perisic will be sorely missed.
Also, I have to mention Darmian. I really respect him. The guy is nothing but solid and hardworking. Admittedly, I wish we had a better attacking option on the right but I can not fault him. He gives everything when he is on the field and more than anything I am thankful for the security he brings despite his age and obvious lack of pace.
Çalhanoğlu was brave and gutsy today. He played like he had a point to prove and was determined to have his say on the pitch. For a player who is renowned for being inconsistent and mentally fragile, I respect how he stepped up to take the penalty. When you think about it, he was a better candidate than Martinez for the second because he had already taken one and scored and was playing with a huge chip on his shoulder. That is exactly the type of player we needed to step up, not our lead striker who is presently low on confidence, going through a scoring drought and hit and miss when it comes to penalties. Personally, I feel Izaghi should have intervened and insisted that Çalhanoğlu take the penalty.
The only other thought I have is that we are meant to be going into these top of the table clashes with direct rivals with a very bloody mindset and fire in our stomachs. Under Conte, the players were well and truly up for it. They played to win. It was almost as if there was no other option. However, under Inzaghi, I feel that dogged determination, the fight and the desire to get three points is not there for the entirety of the game and that very much shows in our results.
I do not know if it is fair to compare Inzaghi to Conte. Making the comparison is similar to comparing chalk and cheese. However, another significant difference is the anger that followed when we needlessly dropped points. Under Conte, the team seemed to always respond. But under Inzaghi, the team lacks the anger, intensity and intent that we had last season.
What hurts most about this game is that a positive result was well an truly in the grasp of our hands but we gave it up. The only thing worse is that we did not play like Italian Champions. We played like a team that was seven points from the summit of the Championship. We gave Milan too much respect.
This match is a good example of why we will not be Champions of Italy come May 2022. A team that is timid, prepared to accept results as opposed to fighting for them, squandering, wasteful and fails to take its chances cannot expect to be a contender for the Championship, or anything else for that matter.