After a period in the wilderness, Jens Petter Hauge re-announced himself on Saturday by scoring a late equaliser against Sampdoria.
Today’s edition of Tuttosport (via MilanLive) talks about the reasons for the difficulties encountered by Hauge in recent months, which essentially began after the Christmas break. The Norwegian’s performances did dip, so much so that he was excluded from the squad list for the Europa League knockout stages.
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Hauge could have been useful given that he scored three goals in the group stage including two winners to help the team finish top, but there is also a physical and athletic factor behind the sudden drop in form.
As explained by the coach, Hauge joined Milan last September just as the season was ending in Norway. In practice, the young winger did not take any holiday and/or preseason; he finished the season in his home country and immediately joined Milan where the work to adapt was hard and intense.
It is no coincidence that Hauge exploded at Milan as his athletic condition was enough to power through any possible fatigue, but when it began to take hold some lethargy emerged. Obviously adapting under normal conditions to a new league and a new country is difficult, but inn Italy more tactical and physical football is played and Hauge struggled in a tough moment.
Nonetheless, the goal against Sampdoria as a substitute is the signal that Milan could have him back and firing on all cylinders for the grand finale.
If a player is not put on the pitch, how can he prove himself ? And not on the pitch for a few minutes, please.
Whether or not you agree with JPH being left out of Europa, his reaction and work since has revealed a stellar attitude. Yah, you can say Pioli may not like him for no reason, say JPH coulda been the deciding factor in Europe this year, but you can’t claim that Hauge has done anything other than work hard to be back on the pitch.
That makes me all the more excited to see him coolly knocking one in.