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AC Milan’s unbeaten run has now stretched to 22 games, and the comparison with one year ago is a stark one.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport write this morning, certain images have become quite familiar to fans: the team celebrating goals in front of the supporters, Massimiliano Allegri heading straight for the tunnel with a smile (often after shouting), and Player of the Match awards going to those in a Milan shirt.
On Tuesday night, after a convincing 3-0 win over Bologna, Allegri and the players were the first to appear for their post-match interviews, and then they immediately headed back to Milano to resume their weekly schedule.
Yesterday was a day of light training, then there will be three days of rest. On Friday 13th, the team will restart their league campaign with yet another away game – in Pisa – the third consecutive and the sixth in the last eight matches.
With seven wins and five draws, Milan have remained unbeaten in their first 12 away league games of the season, the first time since Serie A returned to 20 teams in 2004-05. Along with Bayern Munich, they are one of only two teams still unbeaten on the road in the current five major European leagues.
A streak to extend
The run can be extended and is the true basis of the team’s strength. Milan, with 14 wins and 8 draws, have remained unbeaten for at least 22 consecutive games in a single Serie A season for the first time since 1992-93, then a streak of 23 matches under Fabio Capello.
That was a Milan equipped to win in Italy (in an 18-team league) and in Europe, unlike the current one, which is still under reconstruction. However, some similarities are permissible.
The defence finished as the least-beaten, having conceded 34 goals in 32 games, just over one goal per game. Today’s Milan has the third-most solid line, behind Roma and Como: they have conceded 17 goals in 23 games, an average of 0.7 per 90 minutes.
The top scorers back then were Van Basten and Papin with 13 goals: today’s team lacks a single true striker, but both Pulisic (with 8) and Leao (with 7) are among the top scorers. In place of the young Boban, his first season in the Rossoneri’s top flight, is now his compatriot Modric.
Capello’s Milan lost twice in the league, while Allegri’s side were defeated by Cremonese in their debut and has remained undefeated so far.
Further impressive numbers
Other areas show the turnaround too: for only the third time in the three-point-for-a-win era, after 2003-04 (58) and 1995-96 (50), Milan reached 50 points on or by matchday 23.
They are already 15 points better off than at the same point last season, leaving the team seven points clear of the fifth place, which means that a top four spot and a return to the Champions League is looking more and more secure.
To widen their margin, or simply maintain their lead, Milan must correct their form against lower-ranking teams. In their next match, they will face Pisa, who snatched a draw at San Siro. Then they will hope that Pulisic and Leao are back to their best at the same time, something Allegri has barely had.
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