The journey of AC Milan in the Europa League is off to a very good start. The Rossoneri win convincingly: Rennes beaten 3-0 with a fine performance.
Italian Pundit and journalist Luigi Garlando discussed last night's match in La Gazzetta dello Sport, focusing specifically on Stefano Pioli's work and Ruben Loftus-Cheek's performances.
"In 2024, Stefano Pioli's record in all competitions tells us of 7 victories, 1 draw, and 1 defeat. A remarkable change of pace that has brought the launched Rossoneri within one point of the struggling Juventus in the league. Symbolising this maturity is the third goal by Leao. The Portuguese received a backheel pass from Theo Hernandez and finished the triangle into the net with a volley. That backheel made sense and had practical utility, unlike the famous one attempted by Rafa on September 19 against Newcastle, which was much less effective. That night, Milan shot 25 times towards the goal without scoring. Yesterday, with 8 shots on target, they scored 3 goals, hit the crossbar (Leao), and forced the goalkeeper into a couple of miracles. Growing, maturing, also means being concrete."
Garlando continued:
"And above all, balance. In the most difficult moments of the season (the derby and in Paris), Milan has shown itself dramatically vulnerable to transitions, unable to regroup after losing the ball, long and disjointed, and unable to provide cover in front of the defense. Yesterday, despite the need to attack to secure passage to the next round at home, they conceded very little to a team, as mentioned, in good health, which thrives on quick counterattacks. But perhaps, by constantly repeating that they were about to play the most important game in their history, the Bretons believed too much and entered the field numb with emotion. The defense, once again in emergency mode (Gabbia, Kjaer), has not conceded a goal for the second consecutive game. It had been since September-October that Maignan had not achieved two clean sheets in a row."
On Loftus-Cheek, Garlando said:
"Loftus-Cheek's brace, the protagonist of the match and one of the best examples of Pioli's excellent work. The Rossoneri coach had to rebuild the midfield with new, foreign players, and with a very ambitious idea of play that does not involve fixed positions, but rather functions in motion. It was natural that he would encounter difficulties at the beginning. But hard work pays off, and those who know how to do it, with the right knowledge, sooner or later, always find the solution. Among Pioli's many virtues is precisely that of finding the most congenial position for each player and of nurturing individual talents. Loftus-Cheek, a physical, horizontal, and vertical attacking midfielder, is the latest confirmation. He had already done it with Calhanoglu, Tonali, Leao... Someone might object: 'Yes, but what about De Ketelaere?' Charles is not the exception, he is the rule. Without Pioli's work last year, there would be no De Ketelaere today, as Gasperini has acknowledged on several occasions."
This was relayed by PianetaMilan.it.
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