Thirteen months from 100 in the report card. Indeed, 101. The success of Verona returns to the Milan confidence after the internal draw with Udinese, a victory that comes despite the many defections and a squad available to Pioli reduced to the bone. But the 0-2 with which the Rossoneri leave Bentegodi also gives a statistical gem that certifies the growth experienced by the Devil in the past thirteen months: AC Milan has in fact passed the 100-point milestone from 1 January 2020, a feat so far only successful for three other teams in the five main European leagues (Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid). Continuity is the key word in the results, but not in the ways in which this milestone has been crossed.
ELEVEN CHANGING – Yes, because continuity is a word that the eleven owner has only known relatively in the field: one of the peculiarities of the Pioli management was an almost constant rotation of the teams employed. A choice often dictated by contingencies, between the search for a stable set-up and absences due to injuries and Covid: 19 times out of the 21 games in the second part of the season the coach changed the starting eleven between one match and another, trend confirmed play strength also in the current championship changing 24 times in 26 days. Absences and turnover, Pioli’s constant was the tactical disposition that gave certainty to the group: that 4-2-3-1 has become a trademark, a module assimilated by the entire squad and which has made it possible to maintain performance at constant levels at least until the beginning of this 2021.
BABY-GOL – 101 points, however, is not the only goal to make Milan smile, which sees positive responses also with regard to the line green stability on the market: young people give their contribution also in terms of realization booty. Leao and Brahim Diaz, Hauge and Saelemaekers up to Kalulu and the latest arrival Dalot: six players born after 1 January 1999 sent to the net by the Rossoneri, as he remembers choose they are at least three more than any other team in Serie A. An excellent signal, which is grafted into a broader discussion of cooperative of the goal, if we consider that with Krunic and precisely Dalot the goalscorers of the Devil in this league. Numbers that allow us to endure, even temporarily, the absence of a big hit like Ibrahimovic or a reinforcement that has not contributed so far as Mandzukic.
NOW THE CHAMPIONS – 101 points in thirteen months, 15 different scorers and 6 babies already scoring in Serie A 2020/21. Encouraging signs in view of the championship final and the future, but which do not allow Pioli and Milan to sit back and relax because after a first promotion it is now a hunt for praise. And praise has a clear name and anthem: the return to the Champions League, a cup that the Rossoneri have not played since the 2013/14 season. The coach and Maldini himself have stressed several times how the qualification for the top European competition was an important goal and to be achieved to certify the work done in the last year, the hiccup start of 2021 has allowed the various rivals to get closer and the race is now tighter than ever, especially considering the next double commitment of the Europa League with the Manchester United which can take away more energy from a group hoping to recover some pieces from the infirmary soon. Returning to hearing the Champions League anthem after seven years: Milan’s goal, the next goal to follow up on a year of full maturity.
@ AlbriFede90
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