AC Milan have reset themselves mentally over the summer, and this has culminated in several things. However, there is one above all.
Last night, after nearly 500 minutes of football, Milan conceded their second goal of the season. A record which, frankly, is ridiculous. However, this is something that Massimiliano Allegri is well known for.
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In the past, he has regularly highlighted the need for results over entertainment. Though sometimes the pair go hand in hand. For example, the previous two games to last night’s clash saw six goals, three in each.
However, Allegri will smile at the opposition goal count, rather than that of his own team. The most important thing is defensive stability. Something which the Rossoneri are relearning after a year, if not longer, without it.
Milan’s new mentality
The goal last night was a sloppily given away penalty in the 60th minute. Last season, the team may have capitulated. Not this Diavolo, though. Instead, Allegri’s men dug deep, fighting for each other and ensuring they protected their goal, and, in turn, the result.
Matteo Gabbia’s role in this, as well as Luka Modric’s, have been highlighted. Perhaps, though, the biggest sign of this was from Mike Maignan, before the ball was even officially rolling.
As Calciomercato.com reports, before kick-off, the Frenchman was involved in a discussion with Claudio Filippi, the goalkeeping coach. Then, the coach kicked a ball towards the goal, Maignan abandoned the conversation, and ran to prevent the ball from going in. Even if it meant nothing in the grand scheme.
That right there was a sign of the mentality ingrained in this team. During the warm-up too, during a conversation, at any time, Milan have to be aware of a threat to their goal and prevent it.
Dizer que o pênalti foi mal concedido e tolice foi pênalti claro
Maignan is not going anywhere. He will become Milan legend and Leao too. Maignan is a great keeper and the captain. Every year I and my family have decided to give him part of his pay rise to remain in Milan.
Chelsea or Man U should look elsewhere for their goalkeepers not my captain fantastic. Last night my wife said after the red card that Maignan is ready to die to prevent Napoli from scoring and he never disappointed
Maignan is staying FOREVER.
We need Magic Mike to stay!
we have few missing pieces left that can be easily fixed in January… ST can wait I guess with Puli’s current form; but CB (Lucumi) and a wingback (Maehle; or preferably Bellanova would have been ideal but I don’t think the latter will be feasible…) would fix the depth issue until the end of the season
That was the THIRD goal of the season. We conceded two against Cremonese. The goal Napoli scored was the third.
Basic facts here folks, not difficult journalism.
I’m sure Maignan knows the count.
The article was talking about after the forest game of the season