2 weeks ago
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This weekend, AC Milan were at their best in the final 35 minutes of the game. Defensively solid and offensively aggressive.
Massimiliano Allegri knows how to sort a team, and he does so with the motivations of the Scudetto in the distance. Right now, he needs to qualify for the Champions League, but his components for success are there.
After all, the Rossoneri are solid defensively, with the second-best record in the league. However, they are also, at the moment, picking up points better than anyone else is.
Costacurta’s praise
It is too early to think too far into the future, but there are many reasons why you would. Rafael Leao’s showing, with the help of Santiago Gimenez, proved that he can be decisive, even if it has seemed like he couldn’t be recently.
Then, also, Luka Modric’s champion mentality is spreading, whilst Matteo Gabbia’s central role to the team is being shown more regularly. Today, Billy Costacurta sat with Gazzetta dello Sport to look at the Rossoneri so far.
Billy, does AC Milan’s record surprise you?
“Actually, no. From the start, I’ve said they can compete for the title: without the cups, they can only focus on the league. One thing that surprises me, though: I didn’t imagine the team could reach this level of maturity so quickly. It’s the thing that strikes me most: their focus.
“After the opening defeat against Cremonese, Allegri spoke of a lack of danger perception. I completely agreed, and I’d add that it also happened at AC Milan in years past: there were a series of errors in the details. Max made the problem clear and corrected it. Of course, the arrival of quality players also increases awareness.
“There’s more protection for the defenders, who, in turn, grow and feel more confident. There’s greater attention to detail. An example? Crosses are more difficult to come by, and fewer balls reach the penalty area, resulting in fewer dangers.”
In essence, were Modric and Rabiot, before their injury, decisive in defense as well as in build-up play?
“Our great Milan’s defense, without wanting to draw comparisons, was also helped by the rest of the team. I repeat, no comparisons, just to say that even today, the group works well together, and they support each other more.
“If you intercept the ball in midfield, it doesn’t reach your area. And it’s obvious that players like Modric and Rabiot, with their reading of the ball, intercepting the opposition’s moves, and their experience, are crucial.”
Modric certainly allows comparisons with the great AC Milan: how can you maintain this level after you’re over 40?
“Milan haven’t had a leader with that charisma for too many years; he’s been teaching football for twenty years. It’s no surprise either: from Boban to Ancelotti, everyone told me that, beyond being a player, he’s a fantastic person.
“Arriving in a group that needed revitalization and lacked personality was paradoxically positive: players like Luka and Rabiot thrive on it; they enjoy explaining football. It happened to me too; there was a phase in my career when I also felt like a teacher of mentality, and those were moments I fully enjoyed.
“Technically, the team has everything it needs to win, but it lacked leadership: not anymore. And let’s not forget Allegri; he, too, was decisive in changing everything.”
With teachers like this, will Leao finally be able to convince himself of his own qualities?
“The first goal against Fiorentina already showed an improvement: Rafa rarely found the back of the net with shots from outside the box. This time he did, but the goalkeeper can miss, but it’s crucial to hit the target. And the penalty is also something new.
“Positive or negative, it will depend on him. Positive because it can help him score 15-20 goals, giving him the knowledge that playing further forward can unlock his potential. It’s a way to approach the role with a new mentality.
“Negative because I wouldn’t want him to take his penalty and be satisfied with it. It shouldn’t take away his commitment.”
Also, because there’s no shortage of competition in the role this time: between him, Pulisic, Gimenez, and Nkunku, who are his starters?
“For me, someone like Leao can never be left out. But now I’m in a hurry: either he gives me answers or the others come in. Paired with Pulisic, they can threaten any defense. Such a strong lineup guarantees internal competition: Nkunku is a strong player and Gimenez is very interesting.
“He reminds me of Crespo in Parma. Even though Santi has a goal-scoring problem, he plays not well, but very well, stretching the ball and challenging the opponents, and knows how to communicate.
“Aside from the aforementioned super players, he was one of the most positive players on the team. And as Ancelotti said about Hernan: if you create chances, the goals will come sooner or later.”
To recap, who or what does AC Milan have to fear?
“Inter and Napoli are stronger, but they also have a European berth and the obligation to win. Milan aren’t. And Max’s style of play may not excite me, but he’s changed, too. The team today tries to provoke mistakes from the opposition; they no longer sit there waiting for them. For me, that’s a huge difference.
“They also bring many players into the opposition’s penalty area, apply more organized pressing, create opportunities for the opponent to make mistakes, and take advantage of them. There’s more room to steal the ball and more options for playing it. The goals confirm this.”
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