AC Milan have run into various difficulties this season but one of the running themes has been their ability to dig deep and find late goals.
La Gazzetta dello Sport recall how Sandro Tonali’s goal against Lazio last weekend and and Rafael Leao’s winner against Fiorentina yesterday prove that Milan are finding a way to get three points by fighting right until the end.
It is not a coincidence when it happens several times, and the Rossoneri have scored 17 goals from the 75 minute mark onwards, which is out of 61 in total or 27.8%. Head coach Stefano Pioli has given a lot to his young squad in two and a half years tactically but also psychologically, including the message about fighting to the end, regardless of the result.
The other goals include Ante Rebic’s equaliser away against Juve (76′), Brahim Diaz netting for the win at Spezia (86′), Rafael Leao scoring the third goal that protected Milan from Atalanta’s comeback in Bergamo (78′) plus the penalty by Franck Kessie and Gunter’s own goal completed the comeback against Verona (76′ and 78′).
Ismael Bennacer got Milan the win in Bologna (84′), Ibrahimovic secured a point at Udinese (92′), Olivier Giroud manufactured a turnaround against Inter (75′ and 78′), Rebic saved the Rossoneri against Salernitana (77′) and then the last two goals mentioned above against Lazio and Fiorentina. No matter what the clock reads, Milan keep fighting.
That’s the Milan spirit!
I think it’s more about Milan ‘ability’ to substitute Brahim Diaz, and finally play with 11 players at the end of the games.
If Pioli succeeds in winning the title by starting Diaz in most games, it will paradoxically make him a legend.
Maybe his tactic is to wait for opposition to be tired and than play our actual players. I still wonder why he’s keeping Rebic on the bench and not playing him from the start either AMC or RW. Even Benacer is more capable of AMC than Kessie.