Yacine Adli has patiently waited for his turn at AC Milan, and he seems set to get his first start of the season this evening against Cagliari.
La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) recall that when Milan told him that he wouldn’t have playing, he worked harder to try and earn a spot, because there are few players in the current squad who love being a part of the Rossoneri like the midfielder.
Adli is now expected to get his first Milan start since an away match against Hellas Verona 346 days ago. Having arrived at Milan a summer ago for €10m following a year back on loan at Bordeaux, last season ended up being a difficult one.
In the 2022 preseason he impressed but Pioli wanted more intense and physical players. Adli was thus limited to just over 100 minutes of playing time and was excluded from the Champions League squad list.
In summer 2023 some teams – Eintracht Frankfurt among them – called to ask for information but a Milan exit did not materialise. Yacine instead resisted and made it clear again that he intends to earn a spot.
In September, Pioli tried him as Rade Krunic’s deputy and – when Krunic gets hurt – he talked about him in his press conference: “Adli will have minutes.”
Yesterday the decision: he will be a starter. Compared to Milan-Verona there will be five changes and Adli is one of the two most interesting. The other is Noah Okafor, who will start as number 9 in place of Giroud, on the bench like Rafa Leao.
Adli who studied at the music academy and played the violin before learning the piano. His nickname ‘The Pianist’ suits him very well.
He created a foundation in his name for kids, he grew up studying Zidane and Juninho Pernambucano, he has a son and a daughter – Isaac and Alya – but on social media he is very reserved.
In the most difficult moment, instead of wallowing in self pity, he invited all his team-mates to lunch at his home, among red and black balloons, inflatables for children and a personalised teqball court.
Today he will have to play quickly, have ideas, not lose balls, be smart in winning back the ball and in transitions. It’s not a small task, but many even neutral fans will look on hoping he does well.
I would pay to know the backstory of this. If Pioli didn’t want him he would have left during the summer, so he probably promised him something. But he doesn’t play, so maybe he’s not good enough during practice. Then why Pioli wanted to keep him? This is so confusing.
Bro you’re telling me! I’ve been wondering the same thing. Is it Adli lack of ambito be a starter elsewhere so he stay here or is it promises from Pioli as u said..it’s the oddest thing. Getting a best of the rest player (like Reinjders) and then not play him 🤷♂️ and for so long too
This your moment Yacine. Show them
For me I feel he is too slow…he is a good player but slowness. Keeping him in the team is perfect but letting Charles was a mistake. Very young and very soon he will be a very good player. How I wished Milan signed that Belgian talent doku…
Adli.. Happy for you. True Milanista.. Hope he impresses and become regular replacing krunic
Adli is impresive last night. He playing like a little bit of Pirlo. Build from backline, long passing forward, short past, go backline and winning ball. I like it. Congrats Adlii….
For general, this new starting 11, was imppresive and promising for other Milan games this season. Even better from usually startting 11….