Memo Ochoa played his first official game with his new team Salernitana, and we wanted to give you our takeaways from the game. Overall we’d have to say that it was a positive outing for Ochoa. There were a couple of things we didn’t love, and unfortunately they did lead to the downfall of the team. Salernitana ended up losing the game 1-2 against AC Milan.
The opponent is something that we have to take into consideration. When you look at the final score without context of what happened in the game everyone would pretty much agree that it’s not the worst result in the world. After all, AC Milan are the reigning Champions and Salernitana are a middle of the table team that can find themselves in the relegation zone if they are not careful. Speaking of them being careful, it’s looking like Memo Ochoa is going to have his hands full if he wants to help this team stay in Serie A.
Ochoa Could’ve Done More In The 2 Goals
In the first goal Ochoa is just a tad late or early whoever you want to look at it. The problem is as a goalkeeper when you find yourself in that middle ground it’s hard to recover. The play is a through ball to Rafa Leao who Ochoa had already beaten in a 1v1 situation minutes before this play. Ochoa tries to cut him off outside the box, but Leao beats him to the ball. All Ochoa can do is force him wide which he does. Leao though puts the ball under Ochoa, and it goes in before any defenders can close in on it. As we mentioned Ochoa is caught either too far out or too far back depending on what you want to do.
¿Es error o no de Memo Ochoa? Salernitana cayo 1-2 vs Milan…pic.twitter.com/F1REFRVIaV
— Marco (@OlayoPastor) January 4, 2023
In the second goal, Ochoa makes a save, but in very typical Ochoa fashion he’s unable to catch the ball cleanly or punch out of harm’s way. Instead, he gives up a second chance opportunity with a ball right in the middle of the box. He does get up, and the play continues, and it’s not until a few seconds later that he’s looking for the ball in the back of the net. He could’ve done a bit more to get that first shot out of harm’s way though.
His Skills Were Fully On Display
Can Ochoa make it in Serie A? There were plenty of moments in this game when he proved that he could. He won a ton of 1v1 plays making very characteristic saves for him. That’s something that can certainly endear him with the fans. Just like we said that he could’ve done a bit more in the two goals we have to say that if Ochoa was not between the sticks for Salernitana they could’ve easily conceded at least 6 goals. Ultimately we would say that Ochoa’s debut was bittersweet. He showed off his skill set, but at the same time plenty of his deficiencies were on display.
El Show de Fransua Meme. (Memo Ochoa) pic.twitter.com/bYtuoyhJF7
— Balmori Uzumaki (@iBalmoriC) January 4, 2023
This Defense Is Subpar
This is something that we do have to point out to be fair to Ochoa. The Salernitana defense played a bad game across the board. It seemed like Rafa Leao and other AC Milan players didn’t have to do too much to find the backs of defenders who were constantly running towards their own goal. If this keeps happening this is going to be a problem for Salernitana.
Memo is not a player who is comfortable playing too far off his line. That was evident in the first goal. They need to work out some sort of compromise or make sure that attackers are not finding the back of that defense so easily. Also for Memo to find a spot in front of his line where he can feel comfortable. Of course, it was AC Milan, we have to see them against perhaps lower tier competition to judge how they will be able to compete.
