AC Milan are doing their best to keep up with the red-hot Napoli side and will be looking to extend their winning run to five games this evening. In the Scudetto race, there are four key points for Stefano Pioli.
The manager has been very successful since joining the club and he keeps innovating Milan’s game for every day that passes. In the Scudetto race, as Gazzetta Dello Sport highlights (via SempreMilan.it), he has four key points to rely on.
Clear principles
Pioli and his players have been working together for years. The 4-2-3-1 is their perfect setting. Some principles aren’t discussed: the width to be guaranteed, the attacking trio to occupy, the need to defend man against man in many positions on the pitch, the will to attack and keep the pace high. These never change.
Solid and reliable defence
Although Milan failed to do well in this aspect at the start of the season, only keeping four clean sheets thus far, the defence has still held up (bar the Chelsea games). Tatarusanu has done well in Maignan’s absence but that’s also thanks to the defenders, with all hands on deck recently. Gabbia’s performance against Dinamo is a great example of this.
Quality in every department
Milan have two players who can make a difference every time they have the ball at their feet: Theo Hernandez and Rafa Leao. In addition to the two of them, Ismael Bennacer is also trying to fit into the category. He will not start tonight, but could come on in the second half.
The unpredictability of the attacking trio
Milan’s attacking trio is particularly strange, as its shape of it seemingly changes from game to game. Rebic, for example, started as the right-winger last time out and Diaz’s role when he starts is certainly a bit special. But it adds to the unpredictability, making it difficult for the opponents.
