AC Milan got all three points against Salernitana this afternoon and it was thanks in part to a rejuvenated right flank consisting of Davide Calabria and Alexis Saelemaekers.
MilanNews writes that 95 days after that cursed match in Empoli when both Calabria and Saelemaekers sustained injuries, they both returned to the field from the first minute in this afternoon’s match in Salerno, so head coach Stefano Pioli got back two fundamental players in his tactical scheme.
Having the captain back at right-back is huge, as Pioli can once again rely on a player who has improved exponentially over the last few years. His condition is not yet 100% – as his withdrawal in the 72nd minute showed – but the most important thing is that the performance was solid.
The same argument made for Calabria can also be said for Saelemaekers, who had already given some positive signs in friendlies against Arsenal, Liverpool and PSV. His dynamism on the wing is never lacking, providing quality and work rate.
For Bonazzoli’s goal he didn’t follow the striker’s movement which deserves mentioned, but up to that moment he never lacked a contribution in the defensive phase. He too will need time to get back in the best possible physical condition, but Pioli can feel a bit more secure with his right flank back.
That Bonazzoli goal wasn’t entirely his fault tho – it should be Kalulu that mark the striker, not him. Kalulu just see Bonazzoli fizzed to the far post and didn’t mark him at all.
Both not perfect but if they can continue this performance and keep improving, maybe we won’t need any new RW right now after all, and can buy a new one, the one we really want and not panic buy – next summer. Someone like Madueke/Angelo maybe.