We are only two games into the season, but Stefano Pioli’s AC Milan side have certainly not started with the handbrake on.
As Calciomercato.com write, the summer transfer window has addressed one of the issues that Milan have had for the last few seasons which was an over-dependency on the left side, in particular Rafael Leao.
The signings of Christian Pulisic and Samuel Chukwueze were aimed at replacing the already-departed Junior Messias and the now ostracised Alexis Saelemakers, to improve the quality and depth on the other wing.
Has it worked? The pitch is saying yes, given that in the six goals scored by the Rossoneri, Leao has no goals and one assist to his name, which came during the win over Torino last night for Theo Hernandez’s first goal.
Leao is therefore no longer the only source of threat for Milan, given that the ‘chances created’ stat sees the Portuguese at the top with five, but closely followed by Giroud and Loftus Cheek with four, then Reijnders and Pulisic with three.
Analyzing the portions of the pitch occupied by the Rossoneri players in the two matches it clearly emerges how Pioli with his game tends to the left.
The presence of a full-back like Theo Hernandez obviously helps, but Leao attacks the byline much more strongly than Pulisic. Milan are therefore still betting a lot on Leao, and rightly so because of his undoubted quality.
