Among the intriguing notes from AC Milan’s preseason friendlies was Yacine Adli and the role that he was used in by head coach Stefano Pioli.
La Gazzetta dello Sport recall how at the beginning of August it seemed as though Adli was nailed on to leave. There was tentative interest from Ajax, while his agents received some enquiries from the Bundesliga and LaLiga.
It was expected that things would accelerate when the Milan squad landed back at Malpensa on August 3 after their USA tour and since then nothing significant has happened.
Pioli has changed formations to a three-man midfield and he actually deployed Adli in front of the defence as a classic regista-type player directing the play at the base of the midfield, which is decidedly different to what was expected when he signed from Bordeaux.
The plans of the management have not changed: Adli remains on the list of players who can leave if the right offer were to arrive, but he is not like Divock Origi and Fode Ballo-Toure who are being more obviously forced out.
There remains a possibility that Adli will stay as we reported yesterday – perhaps as deputy to Rade Krunic – mostly because for the moment he lacks a strong suitor.
Summer 2023 saw the Franco-Algerian take part in five friendlies for a total of 234 minutes, which is hardly nothing. The last game against Novara game some good signs which enthused the fans again.
Many are wondering whether it would not be worth keeping him because of his versatility and his obvious quality on the ball. Nonetheless, a change is needed from Pioli too and more trust.
The 23-year-old played 138 minutes last season spread over six matches and just one start. From Milanello there were reports filtering about problems with the intensity, of adaptation to the pace of Serie A, where quick feet are not enough if they are not combined with competitive fury and speed of execution.
Adli has vision and high-level technique, but tends to disappear from the scene when the opponents tighten their marking and when Milan are under pressure.
Everyone who watched the preaseason games last season knew this as well. However, instead on elevating the potential of CDK and Adli, the coaching staff was determined to ONLY focus on Brahim, with everyone knowing that he would go back to Madrid. Milan developed a player for another team, instead on focusing on developing own assets.
Exactly. Short-term performance over long-term development. And in some ways understandable. The problem was that they did not shift the strategy to the latter, even when the short-term performers did not perform.
Totally agree with diaz.
It’s not like he’s a baller.
He always runs like a headless chicken, and then fall from the minimum of contact.
He’s like a slightly better version of borini.
Sure he showed some glimpse of brilliance once in a while, but that just wasn’t enough, especially considering he wasn’t even a milan player.
I don’t know why pioli so persistent with mediocre player like diaz or even krunic.
Yup, Pioli is afraid of doing something new. Use Adli as deep lying playmaker. Once he used to it, he will be irreplacable
I totally agree, we also need someone who covers his works like a Gattuso por Pirlo, who can be that player that do the heavy work ? I don’t see a kessie like but Musah, and he define himself as a box2box, so I’m clueless but I want Adli as the playmaker from behind without any doubts, he is infinitely better than Krunic at that role
Finally someone who said it
Exactly…. Pioli missed it on that front, he would have given more trust, Patient and time to develop his own talent knowing that Adli is a direct purchase and not a player on loan.
If Sarri had this player in his hands, he would have become a top player.
Imagine Adli playing second fiddle to Krunic 😭😭, Pioli is a fraud.
Playing a 2nd fiddle to Krunic is an upgrade over just playing the fiddle while watching Milan games like the rest of us, only from a better seat
Adli is the next Messi in your eyes lmao