AC Milan won against Hellas Verona, but there is still a lot of work to do. The big loss in the derby is not easy to forget and Pioli is on a mission to redeem himself in the coming league games.
The absence of Fikayo in the derby was deeply felt, as the English defender, in this early part of the season, has returned to levels very close to those reached in the championship-winning year two years ago with the Rossoneri.
As pointed out by Calciomercato.com, the former Chelsea man was the best on the field in the Champions League opener against Newcastle, attentive in defense and precise in construction against Verona: Tomori has reclaimed his old form, it seems. Pioli smiles because he knows the value and importance of the English defender inside out. Fikayo possesses unique characteristics among the ranks of the Rossoneri defenders and is the one most comfortable with Pioli's style of play.
With the Englishman on the field, Milan finds it easier to defend aggressively with the defensive line consistently high, almost up to the midfield. The mistakes made and the criticisms received have served as a stimulus to work even harder. After all, Tomori is an intelligent young man and an ambitious professional who understands that in football, the present always counts more than what you achieved in the past. And every day, every single training session, can become an important step in the process of technical and tactical growth.
It's true that certain trains change your life. Tomori quickly boarded Milan's train. From being the fifth choice at Chelsea to an immovable starter with AC Milan, the transition was swift. Not to mention the trust shown in deeds with an investment of over 30 million, including fixed and bonus components. Fikayo sensed it from the very first day, as well as the love of a fan base that he himself described as unique in a recent interview. These aspects, combined with a strong desire to redeem the latter part of the previous season, led the '97-class defender to not delve into the interest shown by PSG between May and June. Before sealing the deal for Lucas Hernandez, the French champions had tested the waters with Tomori's agents without receiving any positive response. It's a courageous choice that now needs to lead to personal and team satisfaction. Tomori has returned to greatness, and now it's Milan's turn to do the same with him on board.
