AC Milan have recovered from seemingly being in the abyss and have now won four games in a row without conceding a single goal in the process.
MilanNews recall Pioli’s words after the win against Atalanta last night after he was asked about how he engineered a turnaround in form: “It’s easier to maintain balance and serenity when you have two things: the unity of the group and the support of the club, of my managers. This has never failed and it was very important to me, I tried to help the kids overcome a moment that – I repeat – made us suffer a lot.”
He made some sizeable tactical changes, opting for a more cautious approach with the three-man defence that was criticised after the poor performance in the derby defeat to Inter, but gradually the team took a little step forward with each outing.
The first objective was to concede fewer shots on goal, protecting the central defenders and goalkeepers, and with each passing match the confidence was regained. During the win against Atalanta last night, the Rossoneri started defending up front again, pressing and playing high up the field.
Hojlund – the number one threat for La Dea – was dealt with by Malick Thiaw and one of either Pierre Kalulu or Fikayo Tomori neutralised the other threats. Intelligent readings of spaces are back, with Theo Hernandez pushing up to combine with Brahim Diaz and Rafael Leao, and then Junior Messias keeps finding himself in the area to score goals.
Pioli seems to have reorganised his team in a way that has them believing in their abilities again, and just at the right time given the Champions League last 16 second leg to come in eight days and a top four place to obtain.
