MN: Personality, passing and a goal – Ricci seizes chance to impress Allegri and Gattuso

Sometimes it takes a run of games for a player to settle and fully demonstrate their abilities. That seems to apply to Samuele Ricci.

As MilanNews recall, Milan were held to a draw for the second straight game last night versus Atalanta, losing ground at the top. This isn’t the time to think about the table because there is still a long way to go, and there were certainly some positive things to take from the night.

One was the performance of Ricci. The midfielder has been spoken about a lot in recent weeks, even in terms of the national team. As luck would have it, the player had a great performance right under Gennaro Gattuso’s eyes at the New Balance Arena last night.

A possible breakthrough?

Speaking to TeleLombardia after the match, Ricci said: “I always try to do my best, sometimes it comes out better, sometimes it doesn’t. Obviously, this is a period where I needed to regain some form because I was coming off a period where I didn’t play much, and these matches have helped me. The important thing is to always be able to help the team.”

That must be precisely the goal, at a time when Allegri is struggling to shape his midfield into one that can control games, especially in Adrien Rabiot’s absence and with Luka Modric being asked to work overtime. Ricci must raise his performance level to prove to the coach that he is a starter.

In a midfield that generally struggled, the Italian stood out. He completed 37/38 passes (97%) including 24/25 in the Atalanta half and 14/14 in his own half. He also completed 3/3 long balls, with a key pass and four clearances to his name too.

Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

Absences are giving him opportunities, but his qualities are unquestionable. Beyond that, Ricci must develop his leadership in a midfield like the Rossoneri’s, which has some fixed players and others who can change.

It is clear that Ricci can bring the freshness and work rate that Allegri requires, especially in certain matches. Goals aside – and he got his first last night for Milan with a beauty – the former Torino captain is working well and improving his condition, as confirmed by the coach himself.