AC Milan needed to make a strong start to the season given how difficult their early calendar is, and they have so far responded to the call.
As MilanNews writes, Milan started the season against two teams that in the recent past have put Stefano Pioli’s team in difficulty. Bologna held the Rossoneri to a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara last season, while Ivan Juric’s Torino emerged victorious in two out of three clashes.
Then it was Jose Mourinho’s Roma who in the 2022-23 season emerged with a 2-2 and a 1-1 draw against the Rossoneri, with late drama in both games and a collapse from Milan at San Siro that sparked a January slide.
The result? Three games, nine points, eight goals scored, two conceded and games dominated on both a technical and physical level.
The summer started with chaos after the exits of Paolo Maldini, Ricky Massara and Sandro Tonali, but it was followed by a good transfer window.
Ten players arrived but there was no impression of a frantic ‘Fassobelli’ style mercato, instead it became apparently that the targets were chosen according to a logic, a feeling that was then confirmed on the pitch.
Milan are compact, cohesive and above all fun to watch. Christian Pulisic has made contributions already, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Tijjani Reijnders form two-thirds of a new-look midfield which has passed all three tests so far.
We started to glimpse something in Bologna with the area being filled by the midfielders making late runs, then against Torino there was domination of the central areas, which continued in the capital.
This is the calm before the storm, though. After the break there are 7 matches in 21 days including the derby, the Champions League and various other big matches. These positive vibes must be continued.
Offensively they have looked much better, the passing and movement of Reijnders,RLC and Pulisic have made a big difference. I wouldn’t say compact tho. There has been a lot of space for the opposing team when they counter.
Pulisic and especially RLC are solid considering a had very little hope for them and i think the team will be more homogeneous and will continue their improvement as the season goes on and the new players knowing each other better and with benasser return and chukweze getting his form it’s expected to at least compete for the seria a and going far in the CL as the first couple of months will be the hardest and the team is passing with flying colours at least till now