Some have accused AC Milan of being lucky this season regarding the number of penalties they have had and the fact they are top despite not being a title favourite before the season began.
As MilanNews reports, Milan are “winter champion” for the first time in a decade, and it is despite problems with injuries, suspensions and COVID-19 cases.
Milan boss Stefano Pioli was forced to field 16 different starting XIs in the 19 league games so far, and on only one occasion was he able to field his first choice line-up of Donnarumma, Calabria, Kjaer, Romagnoli, Hernandez, Bennacer, Kessie, Saelemaekers, Calhanoglu, Rebic and Ibrahimovic.
Only three times (against Inter, Udinese and Verona) was Pioli able to field the same eleven from the first minute: Donnarumma, Calabria, Kjaer, Romagnoli, Hernandez, Bennacer, Kessie, Saelemaekers, Calhanoglu, Leao and Ibrahimovic.
Milan have had numerous absences in the first few months of the season and very often it has hit the players who are key to the team, but Milan remain united and compact, keeping their winning mentality.
In recent weeks, there has been a lot of talk about the 12 penalties awarded to Milan, while very little is said about the 14 times the team have hit the woodwork. Verona with 12 and Udinese with 11 are the only teams close.
Therefore, the report concludes, Pioli’s team only deserve lots of applause for the first place in the standings.
