Unbeaten and impermeable: Milan’s ridiculous record with Rabiot continues

Adrien Rabiot returned to the starting line-up for AC Milan against Inter on Sunday night, and the positive trend with him continued.

As Calciomercato.com write, it had been 44 days since the last time that Massimiliano Allegri had been able to name Rabiot in the starting XI due to a muscle injury, and it came in the biggest game of the season so far.

The French midfielder clearly won the duel with Nicolò Barella across the board, with a performance of great intensity and quality in both phases. The former Marseille man – even at 80% – is a player capable of making the difference. He also helps those around him, especially Luka Modric.

The ‘duke’ returns

The post-derby excitement overwhelmed even a seasoned veteran like Rabiot, who was among the most active in the post-match celebrations with the Rossoneri fans.

Rabiot then created even more hype on his Instagram profile by posting his best snapshots of the match with the caption: ‘The Duke is back’. This was his first real nickname, even before ‘Crazy Horse’ or ‘Vagabond’, as Allegri called him at their first meeting at Milanello this year.

Photos: Giuseppe Cottini + Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images

Rabiot brings physicality, leadership and the essential balance needed to avoid conceding goals. With him on the pitch, the Rossoneri have played six competitive matches – five in Serie A and one in the Coppa Italia.

His record speaks for itself: five wins against Bologna, Udinese, Napoli, Inter and Lecce in the Coppa Italia, and one draw with Juventus. The zero goals conceded from open play in that stretch tells another story, with Kevin De Bruyne’s penalty the only time Milan conceded with Rabiot out there.

Some would argue that it is a coincidence, and of course it is a whole-team effort to keep goals out and win the biggest games. Yet, as the games pass by, a consistent theme emerges: when Adrien Rabiot plays, AC Milan are at their best.