AC Milan beating Cagliari 3-1 at the Unipol Domus sends a clear signal to the rest of the league: the Rossoneri are also in the Scudetto race.
Calciomercato.com journalist Daniele Longo writes how Milan seem far more complete and stronger than 12 months ago despite the farewells of Sandro Tonali and Brahim Díaz and the large rotation last night.
Milan took to the field with six out of 11 starters compared to the last game against Hellas Verona, but Stefano Pioli’s side obtained a fundamental victory and the head coach got the answers he wanted from individuals.
For example, the interpretation of the centre-forward role was certainly different compared to the classic penalty area striker but Noah Okafor has shown that he can also do well in Olivier Giroud’s place.
He got his first goal thanks to instinct, positioning and composure, demonstrating his technical and athletic skills particularly in the first half, but also with great room for improvement and an encouraging willingness to work.
In a season where Giroud’s management will be fundamental, the Swiss international can become a determining factor and the hope is that the goal unlocks him.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek did very well too. The English midfielder is showing that he is very much worthy of being at Milan game by game, and his 25-yard screamer was some way to net a first goal for the club. It looks more and more like Loftus-Cheek just needed a new challenge to make the leap in quality.
There were further encouraging signs from Yunus Musah too who is battling for a starting spot, and from Samuel Chukwueze. The Nigerian had some normal initial difficulties but is starting to demonstrate what he can do.
Tijjani Reijnders who lights up the field with his extraordinary ability to read the development of build-up play in advance and occupy of multiple areas of the pitch.
The feeling is that Milan have received players who are functional to the coach’s idea of play. They need time to grow tactically, as the derby showed, but in terms of mentality and quality they are there.
If we want to win scudetto, Pioli need to learn from Sassuolo on how to beat inter.
It’s just Cagliari (no offense to Cagliari)
seems like the media forgot the 1:5 defeat to Inter…
Let’s be honest 1-5 was a very generous result to inter even tho we got trashed
Let’s see how the narrative goes after our tough schedule ahead.