We have reached the second international break of the season, a moment that allows for a clearer analysis of the year’s start compared to the early September break, which still offered a confused picture. Only a month has passed, yet for Milan many things have changed. From the uncertain side they were, a more aware and confident team is taking shape. It is still early for final judgments, but after six league games and two in the Coppa Italia, three key changes introduced by Max Allegri compared to last season can already be seen.
1) Spirit and mentality
In September Milan faced several matches that felt like exams and passed them with conviction. The first was away at Udinese, a team fresh from a win at San Siro against Inter and still unbeaten, on a historically tough pitch. The Rossoneri had the perfect approach and won 3-0. Then came Napoli: an outstanding game, both in terms of reading it from the start and for the sacrifice shown, as Allegri’s side resisted more than half an hour with ten men against the reigning champions and still won. Finally, Juventus: a match Milan deserved to win on points, but it ended in a draw. What stood out most was after the game, seeing the long faces of Allegri, Rabiot, Maignan, and Pulisic (among others) after a 0-0 in Turin. That shows the mentality of the ex Juventus coach: winning is the only goal.
2) The defense
On a tactical level, Milan’s biggest change is clear to everyone. In this opening stretch Allegri’s work on the team’s defensive solidity has been remarkable. In past years the Rossoneri suffered from serious balance problems and conceded too many goals. Today the team looks well set up, always aware of what to do, and currently has the second-best defense in the league with only two goals conceded (behind Roma). The last goal was a penalty, and the last one from open play dates back to the first matchday, Bonazzoli’s overhead kick.
3) Dependence on Leao
This remains a work in progress. Still, it is important to note that Milan played the entire month of September without Leao. The performances were convincing: four wins, eight goals scored. In past seasons it seemed that without Rafa’s contribution Milan had little chance. Allegri has instead shown that Pulisic can be decisive, so can Modric or Rabiot, and so can Saelemaekers, Fofana, and Loftus-Cheek, to name a few. Against Juventus, it was Leao himself who wasted chances to win the game, just as Pulisic and Gimenez had before him. Everyone knows they can be decisive, and they must be.
Source: Milan News
