Experience is crucial in order to win in Europe, especially at the business end of competitions, and AC Milan can count on a few players who have been there and done it.
As Tuttosport (via MilanNews) writes, the term ‘experience’ can be overused and ambiguous, but it essentially translates into players who have already played on the biggest stages or won some trophies at some level in the past.
On the first point, the Rossoneri have some boxes ticked because most of the team played in the Champions League semi-finals last year and the new arrivals also have great experience. Furthermore, in the current squad, there are six players who have won a European trophy.
Winning mentality
Olivier Giroud, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Christian Pulisic were protagonists on the continental stage with Chelsea. The constant was the French striker, who won the Europa League with Sarri (2017-18) and the Champions League with Tuchel (2020-21).
In 2018 Giroud was the competition’s top scorer with 11 goals, one of which came in the final against Arsenal. Three years later the Frenchman, despite playing only eight games, scored six goals in their run to the trophy.
Loftus-Cheek also featured in the UEL-winning campaign in what was the English midfielder’s best season to date given that he scored double figures in goals under the Italian coach.
In the run to the Champions League win in Porto, meanwhile, Pulisic was part of the squad and he contributed with two goals in 10 games.
There are three other players who have won: Theo Hernandez in 2017-18 won the Champions League with Real Madrid, Luka Jovic won the Champions League in 2021-22 with the same club and Samuel Chukwueze won the Europa League with Villarreal in 2020-21.
Experience + form
The important point, looking at those who have won trophies, is that these are crucial players in Pioli’s plans, or in any case in good form. For example, three former Blues represent three-quarters of Milan’s attack and – together with Leao – are the top scorers this season.
Then there is Theo who is back to being his best in 2024 and is one of the leaders of the dressing room, while Chukwueze is the man of the moment as he has provided a number of good displays following a tough first few months.
The only two goals the Nigerian had scored before his first league goal in Verona were in the Champions League, as if to demonstrate a certain feeling with the European atmosphere.
Finally there is Jovic who proved to be a fundamental twelfth man from December onwards and he showed his best in the Europa League with the Eintracht Frankfurt shirt.
