GdS: Two players, 55 trophies – how Milan added winning experience to the midfield

AC Milan’s summer business has transformed the midfield from perhaps being the biggest doubt to the greatest certainty.

As La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) recall this morning, the 2021-22 Scudetto win was followed by a slow campaign, with a Champions League spot snatched at the last second, aided by Juventus’ 10-point penalty. The team, it was said, had been lacking in energy, satiated by the previous season’s title.

The team’s eighth-place finish last season was instead blamed on a lack of concentration, a lack of motivation, and very little accustomed to winning. The summer transfer window filled the void: between them, Luka Modric and Adrien Rabiot add 55 trophies, so they never got bored of winning.

Humble Modric

The paper claims that Modric showed up at Milanello with great humility, without letting the weight of his trophy cabinet be felt. The former Real Madrid player has three Croatian league titles, a Croatian Super Cup, and two other domestic cups.

From Madrid, he brought four LaLiga titles, five Spanish Super Cups, and two Spanish Cups. He also brought an Intercontinental Cup, five Club World Cups, as many European Super Cups, and – above all – six Champions League titles, making him a joint-record holder.

This is not to mention his long list of personal accolades, with the Ballon d’Or at the top, and the captain’s armband for Croatia, earned with 188 appearances, 28 goals, and a silver medal at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, celebrated in Zagreb as a victory.

The ageless champion – who turns 40 on Monday – showed up with great willingness. He was moved when he first greeted Rafael Leao at San Siro, as young players are when they enter the stadium for the first time.

He said that at Milan ‘everything is perfect’, letting the imperfections settle in the dressing room. He then added that “AC Milan is one of the greatest clubs in the world, so we can’t settle for mediocrity but aim to win.”

His younger team-mates cannot help but be influenced by his charisma. Luka is a different leader than Ibrahimovic: Zlatan would publicly correct Leao, encourage him, and try to push him to give his best. Modric takes a different, more silent approach: will this be the right one to convince Rafa?

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Adrien’s experience

Rabiot’s trophy collection stands at ‘only’ 21, but with a particularly strong Italian presence. Adrien has fewer titles than Modric, but he has the advantage of knowing how to win the top Italian trophies. At Juventus, he won the Scudetto in 2019-20, the Coppa Italia twice (one of which he won under Allegri) and the Supercoppa.

His other triumphs were with PSG: five league titles, two French Super Cups, nine domestic cups, and a Nations League with France. Beyond Leao, there’s another group of youngsters looking for inspiration: Jashari, Ricci, Atekhame, and Odogu are the best examples.

The soft attitude criticised last season is no longer excusable. The transfer market has intervened to correct the mistake: the club has focused on players who can increase their quality, professionalism and experience at the top. Especially in the ‘super’ midfield department.

Personality is needed. Rarely during last season’s struggles was there a leader who could carry the team with character and attitude. Not even Reijnders, whose goals had helped lift the league table, but not morale.

The others

The summer reinforcements weren’t just about talent, but also a winning mentality. Starting with Allegri, then continuing with the players.

Ardon Jashari achieved a double in one year in Belgium as the best player in the league and the national cup. Pervis Estupinan lifted the Europa League with Villarreal.

Christopher Nkunku is a three-time Ligue 1 champion with PSG. His victories also include seven French Cups and Super Cups, two German Cups with Leipzig, a dominant Conference League title with Chelsea and the latest Club World Cup, again with Enzo Maresca’s side.

He’s won three of the five major European tournaments: only trophies in Spain and Italy are missing. Milan are offering him the opportunity to immediately update his tally.