Moreira record and substitutes trend: All the key stats from Lazio 2-2 AC Milan

It was a game of two halves at Stadio Olimpico on Saturday evening, resulting in the 2-2 draw between AC Milan and Lazio.

Lazio had the opportunity to set a new club record, with four wins to start the season in sight, but a second-half comeback by Milan squashed their dreams. The substitute Diego Moreira scored both goals for the Rossoneri, rightfully receiving a lot of praise this morning.

The impact that substitutes have had for Milan so far is one of the statistical takeaways from the game, while the Belgian also got to set a record of his own (at least with data going back to 2004-2005).

General stats

Taking a look at the general stats from the game, Milan came out on top in terms of possession with 66% against Lazio’s 34%. This was largely dictated by the second half, but they did see a lot of the ball in the first half as well, just failing to do much with it.

Lazio won the xG category, which isn’t strange when you consider that Matteo Cancellieri and Tijjani Noslin’s goals were both tap-ins from close range. Mattia Zaccagni also had a 1v1 with Mike Maignan, while Diego Moreira’s goals were hard to pull off.

Milan had a lot of shots at 16, so they did try a lot especially in the second half, but you have to say that a draw was a fair result all things considered.

Moreira makes his mark

Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah and Diego Moreira were all brought on by Ruben Amorim at half-time. While all three ended up playing an important role in the comeback, it was the Belgian who provided the finishing touch, twice.

As reported by Opta, at 22 years and 37 days, Moreira is the youngest Milan player to score multiple goals as a substitute in Serie A since they started collecting the stat (from 2004-05). In other words, certainly made up for the disappointing display against Juventus.

Amorim relying on substitutes

More can definitely be asked of Ruben Amorim in terms of how Milan start games, and above all their tactical approach. However, there is no denying that he has been able to make the right changes during the games, as shown yesterday too.

The aforementioned trio made all the difference and it’s not the first time that has happened this season. Out of the seven goals that Milan have scored so far, four of them have been scored by substitutes, while substitutes have also provided four assists.

If you count the own-goal against Venezia, which Ardon Jashari forced with his shot, that goal tally increases to five. That’s a very high % of the goals scored, but it does raise some questions (as said) about Amorim’s ability to pick the right starting XI, which is crucial.

To build on that stat beyond the Amorim era, according to Opta, only Lazio (50) have scored more goals with substitutes than Milan (49) in the last five seasons (since 2022-23).