AC Milan legend Andriy Shevchenko has explained that he likes the ‘spirit’ of this Milan team after they made it into the Champions League semi-finals.
Speaking during an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport this week (via Milan News), the Ukrainian former striker discussed his feelings about the current Milan side and the guidance of Stefano Pioli.
He seems to primarily enjoy the fact that Milan never give up in games and have changed their approach so they do not have all of the ball and can absorb pressure from other teams.
“I really liked the team spirit of Milan, the ability to suffer. This Champions League has shown that it is not the stars who win, but the team as a whole,” Shevchenko said.
“Pioli has changed something. His Milan is mature, even with so many youngsters. I liked Milan for the way they knew how to suffer when needed: I think of how much Giroud and Leao, two strikers, worked.”
Milan made it into the semi-finals of the Champions League by getting past Serie A leaders Napoli 2-1 on aggregate. Both legs saw Milan spend a lot of time without the ball soaking up pressure, with counter-attacks involving Rafael Leao being a theme.
His brilliant run in the second leg led to him putting it on a plate for Olivier Giroud to get what proved to be the decisive goal.
That’s Milan we fight till end up Milan 4 life