MN: Energy, quality and sacrifice – Saelemaekers the symbol of what Allegri wants

Among the early-season success stories for AC Milan is Alexis Saelemaekers’ continued resurgence, a report has detailed.

As MilanNews recall, Saelemaekers is one of those players who has always shown glimpses of having a very high ceiling, in his first spell at Milan and then in subsequent loan experiences with both Bologna and Roma.

A magnificent evening against Inter has reaffirmed just how important the Belgian is, in a wing-back role that is tailor-made for him. Saelemaekers runs a lot up and down that right flank, and he has become the heart and soul of the team, and an emblem of what Allegri wants.

Allegri’s wild card

After the victory against Inter on Sunday night, Saelemaekers spoke in a post-match press conference and he began by responding to a question about the possibility of this group being able to win the Scudetto.

The coach has won a lot in his career, he knows what it takes to do it, and this year you can also feel the sense of family that was there when we won it [in 2021-22].” These cannot be empty words, especially regarding the coach.

Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

A relationship between the two seems to have blossomed, and no Milan coach has trusted him this much, perhaps aside from Stefano Pioli in 2020-21. Even in the Scudetto year, Saelemaekers was not an established starter, due to the arrival of Junior Messias.

Christian Pulisic’s winning goal against Inter was the result of a counter-attack, led by Alexis, who played a key role in providing the ‘assist’ to the American with a powerful long-range shot that tested Yann Sommer and produced the rebound.

The ex-Anderlecht man’s performance against the Nerazzurri was one of great sacrifice, and also of quality. Nobody is taking his spot for a while this time it seems, especially with Zachary Athekame injured.