4 hours ago
35
AC Milan find themselves one point off top spot after 10 games, and this is making some fans dream about a possible title charge.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) write this morning, not having European competitions is a significant advantage for Milan over the teams around them, one that Napoli were able to draw upon last season under Antonio Conte.
Speaking of which, Milan have beaten Napoli, Roma and Bologna this season and have drawn away from home against Atalanta and Juventus. Their only defeat – in the opening match against Cremonese – might have been a blessing. So, can Milan dream?
Why yes
The first reason is simple: Luka Modric. He arrived from Real Madrid and took up a new position (as a Regista) in a new league, one that Milan can dedicate themselves entirely to, with the offshoots of the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana to manage.
Modric is like Calhanoglu for Inter and Lobotka for Napoli. He is a player that Juve lacks: someone who receives a pass under pressure, maintains creative possession, calms his team-mates and anticipates the play like a chess master.
Modric increases the collective output and leads one of the richest defenses in Serie A, with the attacking Rabiot, plus Fofana, Ricci and Jashari who can play as box to box players, plus the somewhat forgotten Loftus-Cheek. No one has so many options.
The second reason is Massimiliano Allegri and his work. Milan needed to restructure the defence, and he seems to have succeeded by playing a deeper defensive line and compacting the space between the departments.
He’s still lacking in attack because, even if we risk being proven wrong, Leao’s central position can only be temporary. However, Leao is responding with decisive plays, less fuss and more pragmatism.
Allegri, perhaps sometimes questionable in his attacking strategy, knows how to manage a Scudetto-winning team and is able to reassure a talent from whom, once and for all, no one can expect the continuity of Fofana.
The third reason is actually a game coming up. The Diavolo know how to react and react, and are practical, as we saw against Roma. They don’t score in bursts, but they have the fourth-best attack in the league and the third-best defence, with Maignan back in top form.
We’re halfway through the first round and there are only two high-ranking opponents left to play before the midway point: Inter and Como. The derby, after the break, will tell us much more about the ambitions of Milan.
Why no
There are many positive signs boosting the atmosphere, but it’s best not to forget that Inter and Napoli are superior to all the other contenders in terms of their experience and their squads, which have the depth to compete in Europe.
Milan’s big problem is the attack. The power of the four Nerazzurri strikers (Lautaro, Thuram, Esposito, and Bonny) guarantees Chivu goals, even with rotation. Napoli have some physical issues, but Hojlund (at times explosive), Lucca (inconsistent) and Lukaku (when he returns) reassure Conte.
Allegri, however, is unable to solve the Gimenez conundrum, devastating for Feyenoord but absent for Milan. He has not gotten Nkunku to click yet, someone who was lethal in front of goal for Leipzig. Neither have scored a league goal yet, and despite Leao and Pulisic’s form, this isn’t enough.
The second doubt is about the system. Where does Leao perform best? Milan’s problem, so to speak, is that to maintain a three-man midfield and defend with three central defenders, Allegri resorts to his beloved 3-5-2.
This penalises the most important player (along with Modric partly) in Leao, who is better roaming out wide. The goal against Roma came from the left. Sooner or later, a decision will have to be made on whether to persist with the current system, or evolve into a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1.
Finally, there is Milan’s squad depth, or lack thereof. Psychologically, Milan must become more resourceful: they conceded big chances against Atalanta and Roma, which opponents will not always miss. Furthermore, the abundance of the midfield isn’t matched by the same wealth in other areas.
Tomori, Gabbia and Pavlovic are the starting centre-backs with only De Winter as a reserve. Saelemaekers is doing a great job, but Bartesaghi is a teenager, Estupinan is injury-prone and Athekame is raw and other second string players aren’t convincing.
Up front, too, there are no alternatives. In January, the squad will need to be bolstered with defenders and midfielders, expenses that are investments if the Champions League is to be reached.
English (US) ·