AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli is looking more similar to Juventus’ Massimiliano Allegri than ever before, with the Rossoneri developing a habit of winning matches by a single goal.
As pointed out by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan have become very adept at winning matches by a one-goal margin this season, having won 1-0 on seven different occasions, the latest being last weekend against Empoli.
This has been a theme of Juventus under Allegri, and it is one that divides the fanbase. The Bianconeri comfortably acquired enough points to be in the top four of Serie A in 2022/23 but the points deduction took them out again, whilst this season they sit third, having been second for almost the whole campaign.
These are solid results, but it has been achieved with a host of narrow victories that do little to get Juventus fans excited.
Milan’s seven Serie A wins by a 1-0 scoreline is more than anyone else, with Juventus having six and Inter having five.
Milan have also won by one goal but with different scorelines on three occasions in the league, beating Roma 2-1, Udinese 3-2 and Frosinone 3-2.
It is hard to argue against winning matches Pioli will be aware that fans expect more entertainment on the way to three points than a 1-0 win tends to bring.
3 points is 3 points. In the end, that’s what matters. That’s what will bring Champions League football and Scudetto. better than playing attractively attacking football and scoring 3-4 goals but also leaking at the back, getting plenty of 3-3, 3-4 lose etc.
But if attractive attacking football is what we wanted, it’s no use changing Pioli to Conte. His football is not attractive – it’s horrible.
Motta and De Zerbi is better in this regard – but they are kind of a gamble – Motta is doing well under low-pressure situation at Bologna, and De Zerbi’s Brighton is in an downward trends – admittedly with a squad decimated by injury.
My crazy idea is to keep Pioli for one more season and try to poach Jurgen Klopp after 1 season. He will resign after this season end and will take 1 year of rest from football – and he won’t take any England job after Liverpool. He also familiar with rebuild job, having built Liverpool from mid table team to powerhouse with (relatively) low budget. Maybe he will also cherish a new challenge in a new country.
You’ve said it all my brother
I agree. Klopp is the best man for a radical build but it won’t be in August. Currently I can’t see anyone other than pioli doing any better plus he’s had a year with this pretty much new squad so could pay off next season if we manage to get a decent striker, DM and defender.
another gds pulitzer wining article
This is isnt allegri imitation but this is the italian job. Remember how capello one goal winning habit ? They winning serie A 1993-94 with only scoring 40 goals and only 12 conceded goals. They said its: corto stretto models. Tell me if im wrong. Thanks