Each season has ‘sliding doors’ moments. For Rade Krunic, that moment came in mid-September. Just over two weeks before the market closed, Milan secured the signing of Sandro Tonali and the Bosnian seemed close to an exit.
As highlighted by Calciomercato.com, Freiburg came knocking with an offer of €8m for the former Empoli man, who was also courted by Torino. An important offer that, after a few days of reflection, Milan decided to scrap.
Then in the derby, after coming on in the first three games as well, Krunic got a little less than 30 minutes on the pitch. The midfielder was fielded in the attacking trio and his physicality helped Milan see out the game.
He did, however, miss a good chance to kill the game and he got to hear this from Zlatan Ibrahimovic after the game, in a good wat. The display, though, was enough to convince Stefano Pioli and due to Hakan Calhanoglu’s injury, he got the change again.
The move – against Celtic – certainly paid off as the No.33 opened the scoring with a great header after just 15 minutes. His first goal for the Rossoneri and a sign of what’s to come from him in the future.
Krunic’s mission is now to earn himself a third season with Milan. Paolo Maldini and Pioli chose to focus on him again and this term will be the decider. In fact, against Roma, he’s expected to start in the attacking role again.
READ MORE – Ambrosini on Tonali’s start at Milan: “Very important for him to get some minutes”
