Yacine Adli has dreamed of a night like this many times, and when he was stood under the AC Milan fans celebrating his first goal it was the realisation of that dream.
Calciomercato.com speak about Adli’s breakout night in the 3-1 win against Roma, recalling that last season he spent months and months on the bench waiting for an opportunity that was never granted to him.
The fans called for him to get more opportunities while Adli remained patient and worked hard behind the scenes, and that’s what made his first goal at San Siro with the Milan shirt such an emotional moment.
There is a message that comes from such a night though: Adli is an example that testifies to the idea that always believing in yourself completely – even when you are the only one who does – can bring its rewards.
Stefano Pioli gave a key to understanding Adli’s situation in his post-match press conference: “Adli is winning the gamble, he is the one who agreed to change roles.
“Both tonight and in Empoli are his two best games. He is giving us good performances. I am very happy with the availability and commitment that he has always put in.”
Adli is a player with a high level of intelligence: he reads a lot, he informs himself, he plays the piano. He is also like this on the pitch because he understood that his weak points such as his speed and physique did not allow him to play in his favoured role of attacking midfielder.
Or at least, not in the interpretation of the role in Pioli’s schemes and perhaps not in a role like Serie A either. Instead of accepting defeat, he agreed to try a new role and so far it is proving to be a worthwhile gamble.
