In the past few years, AC Milan have been rather inconsistent in terms of playing style and results. However, that has changed this season.
When Massimiliano Allegri was hired in the summer, he arrived knowing how he wanted his team to play. It would be Milan to change, rather than him making a switch in his style. Of course, this was a given, though, and it was what was needed.
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Expansive football had been tried and tested, but it did not work. So, the Rossoneri were adamant they wanted an Italian coach with knowledge of how to get through games and ultimately, win them, and they got that.
On social media, Allegri is regularly put alongside coaches like Mikel Arteta and Diego Simeone, coaches who may not provide high-scoring and high-risk football, but deliver results consistently, making teams play them, not the other way around.
Whilst it may be done in a jesting manner, Allegri is in the right company. Winners.
Experience pays
This weekend’s 1-0 win against Lazio was not the first of the season; it was the fourth from the opening 13 games. It was also the seventh clean sheet of the Serie A campaign, meaning more than half of the Diavolo’s game this season have been defensively strong performances.
Again, though, this was almost guaranteed to be an improved area when Allegri was appointed, which many probably did not expect when he arrived. Looking at last season’s defensive record, them being one of the stronger teams in the league comes as a bit of a shock.
But it shows the benefits of having a contextually experienced coach in charge of the team. Something which many called for during last summer, when experimental coaches were looking more popular than experienced options.
Beauty in boredom
So this is where one questions if there can be enjoyment in experience. For most, the result at the weekend matters most, but if you are scraping through games and snatching narrow wins, some may find it tedious.
Milan do not need to worry about this, though. There are, of course, a few moments where shakiness is experienced. Yet, the overall feeling watching this side is a positive one. Winning games their way, rather than profiting on the faults of other teams.
In a way, there is a lot of beauty in the perceived boredom that a 1-0 win may bring. For the Rossoneri, wins are comfortable, controlled and consistent. To many, boredom can’t arrive because the feeling is positive. Winning is what matters, and the Diavolo are doing plenty of that.
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