Theo Hernandez was among many players to struggle for Milan during the period after the World Cup break, but now he is showing signs of being back to his best.
La Gazzetta dello Sport recalls the 56th minute of the game between Monza and Milan on Saturday evening when Theo went on a sprint of more than 50 metres – almost the length of the pitch – but was unable to convert Rafael Leao’s feed.
Nonetheless, that was another sign that the Frenchman is coming back from a shaky period in which he did not seem to be at his best physical condition which thwarted the usual explosive attacking play and even called his defensive qualities into question.
Theo could and should have had a hand in a goal when he found Sandro Tonali late on inside the who saw an effort stopped and then De Ketelaere failed to convert from close range. This year the left-back has scored two goals and produced three assists, yet remains the defender who has shot the most on goal with 37 attempts.
He has been dribbling less than usual – 13 successful one-on-ones against Parisi’s 29, for example – but he churned out 30 key passes. Last season he finished the season with 65% dribbling, speaking of which there is the partnership with another audacious dribbler in Leao on the left side.
The ‘Theao’ duo is a consolidated axis with the Portuguese winger who is now playing a bit further up with the new system, while Theo is being used as a wing-back just as he was in the French national team.
In the last three games the feeling is that the former Real Madrid man has returned to his level, as seen in the assist for Giroud against Torino, his great performance in the win against Tottenham and a good outing in Monza.
