So far, AC Milan have been largely impressive this season. However, they also must be aware that the difficult challenges are yet to start.
There can definitely be questions about the first Milan game of the season, and there can probably be some about the three that have followed since. However, they are more individually-based, rather than as a collective.
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In fact, after the league defeat to Cremonese, there were certainly a few who feared that nothing much had changed. The results since then, though, prove that almost everything has.
A paradoxical timing
Win, win, win, and a win in the Coppa Italia this week. The Rossoneri sit third in the Serie A rankings, only a win off the top spot, which is currently occupied by Napoli. So, this weekend offers a chance to establish themselves as a Scudetto contender.
However, it is also the start of a challenging period. As Calciomercato.com writes, there are two ‘high-profile’ games ahead of the break: this weekend’s game against Napoli and then Juventus just before the internationals.
Two very difficult fixtures, but there can be suggestions that they arrive at the right time for the Rossoneri, creating a paradox. It is almost like a video game, how things become more difficult for the Diavolo, a progressive step system over the first six games in Serie A.
Bologna and Udinese were passed with flying colours, and Allegri’s tactics are proving to be right for the club. Now, it must be seen if they are right for the top.
Napoli, so far, are perfect in Serie A, four games, four wins. However, they are not a perfect machine, and Antonio Conte has looked to ease expectations, perhaps, in the past few weeks. Elsewhere, they come into this game with injuries. So, this is another factor that goes into the game’s favour.
Allegri vs. Conte, a story in itself, will be a game of tactics, as it so often is. It is the first ‘huge’ test for both teams, and both, really, need to prevail. It really will be a ‘test of truth’.
Napoli are overrated imo – commentators were saying they’d beat Man city but I knew they’d lose and they should’ve drawn against Pisa… My only issue with the fixture is that we’re playing at home instead of in Naples where we seem to find it easier to slap them around..
Yes, they were “weak” even last season, and in the end they won the Scudetto. Conte always wins the games that his teams should lose. But against City they got an early red card? Of course they lost.
They Barely won the Scudetto.
They won by just one point, despite having no European commitments at all last year and being dumped out of the Coppa Italia early on in the season.
Conte has a thing for making his teams look “bad” but then winning anyways.
Napoli might be overrated but they’re champions. We were 8th and so far we just managed to win against teams we should be beating anyways. It’s an improvment, yes and we should celebrate it, but let’s not pretend we’re the best team in Italy before playing Napoli, Juventus, Inter,…
They got lucky vs Cagliari as well.
👌
It is ideal, the team had some weaker opponents to come together. Now the real test come. Time to show how good you are.
We got to stay humble,.it would.go a long way..lets not get ahead of ourselves here. Napoli is like Jekyll and Hyde. We should play as if it was City, Real.or PSG. They could spring a surprise on us and Conte is diabolical when it comes to these battles with Max.. he’s only lost once to him. Be weary guys, be very weary!
True – there’s the Conte factor – I’m confident though. Midfield will be critical and ours is better imo..
I’ll say I’m quietly confident but I’ll have to temper the enthusiasm until I see the boys can deliver against a pesky team like Conte’s. I know he’s going to over saturate with tactics.
I believe midfield battle & taking chances will be decisive..I love Milan