Sandro Tonali is spending a good start of his second season with AC Milan. The Rossoneri management signed the player permanently from Brescia after the loan spell, and after much negotiation. It appears, though, that the club executives were right to bet strongly on the Italian young midfielder.
Manuel Locatelli, moved from Sassuolo to Juventus this summer. The talented player was a player at Il Diavolo and is a Primavera product of the club. About his sale to Sassuolo back then, Paolo Maldini, in an interview said the following:
"I arrived when Locatelli decided to go to Sassuolo, so we satisfied his request. He wanted to leave. Here, at Milan, those who want to stay remain. Manuel’s path was not suitable for that type of team and that experience did him well."
Since then, Milan has moved on in midfield. Yesterday's match, however, a battle between Tonali and Locatelli was very much anticipated.
As pointed out by Calciomercato.com, Sandro Tonali came out victorious in the midfield battle as he dominated against Locatelli. The Milan player continues to prove his worth as he has won many duels last night.
The former Brescia star has matured mentally, physically and has shown how important his set-pieces are. There is much more awareness and confidence from his part, which can be seen in how he handles himself on the pitch.
The website concludes by saying that Tonali's great continuity in performance is "a clear message also to the competition of important players such as Kessie, Bennacer and Bakayoko".
