MN: Milan are a goal machine post-lockdown – the trend must continue vs. Inter

By Isak Möller -

Ahead of the derby against Inter, it’s time to take a look at some important stats. Milan’s post lockdown numbers are incredibly positive, especially with regards the goals scored by the players coached by Stefano Pioli.

As highlighted by MilanNews.it, the Rossoneri have gone from being a team with enormous difficulties up front, to a goal machine that has averaged 2.72 goals per game since the resumption of the league.

In the post-lockdown period of last season, the Rossoneri scored 35 goals in 12 games, resulting in the best attack of the top 4 European leagues. Other noteworthy stats concern the players individually.

Hakan Calhanoglu had a hand in 14 goals, six goals and eight assists, second only to Leo Messi with 15 in that period. Zlatan Ibrahimovic became the oldest player in Serie A history to get double digits (10 goals) in just six months.

Milan, therefore, ended the season unbeaten: they haven’t lost since March and have registered nine wins and three draws, thus reaching 30 points. And with the new season, Milan’s attacking ability hasn’t weakened at all.

Six games – three in the league and three in the Europa League – resulting in six wins and 14 goals scored. Ibrahimovic and Calhanoglu are still key: three goals for the Swede before the forced stop, four goals and an assist for the No.10.

The Rossoneri have restarted from the two certainties that characterized the finale of last season, and despite the period of emergency, the prolific attack has led Pioli and his men out of many thorny and complicated situations.

In the post-lockdown period, the Rossoneri showed that they can score and obtain positive results even against the big teams: two goals against Roma, three against Lazio, four against Juventus and two against Napoli.

Undoubtedly these are the numbers of a team that finally is undergoing an important change and acquiring full self-confidence. Often, in the past years, the players have crumbled when taking on the big teams.

Milan are now preparing for a very important test, probably the most important one faced so far. The derby is a separate game, disregarding predictions and logic, so it makes the test extra interesting.

Undoubtedly, Inter are a mature team that already last year proved to be worth a lot. However, at the start of this season – also due to some absences – their defence has been exposed more than once.

The numbers, as always, remain numbers and it’s only the pitch that speaks, but these 49 goals in the last 18 games can’t be a coincidence. Pioli most likely won’t have Ante Rebic at his disposal, but Calhanoglu and Ibrahimovic and Brahim Diaz will surely trouble the Nerazzurri.

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