The match between AC Milan and Roma at San Siro on Sunday night is one that Yacine Adli will never forget, given that he opened the scoring in an eventual 3-1 win.
It was a fundamental victory in the race for a Champions League spot, given that Milan are now nine points above the team in fifth place, while the three protagonists where all French.
For Olivier Giroud and Theo Hernandez – who got the second and third goals – it was somewhat of a return to normality, but the same certainly cannot be said for Adli.
It was his first goal since joining the Rossoneri from Bordeaux in the summer of 2021, and his leap into the air in front of the fans showed just how much it meant.
Stefano Pioli commented on the performance of the 23-year-old midfielder at the end of the match, and he gave a bit of an insight regarding the journey he has been on.
“He did very well, he also got the goal and I’m really happy for him. He is a strong and intelligent boy, I have been saying since September that he is doing great things, he is deserving everything,” he said.
“Adli is winning the gamble, he is the one who agreed to change roles. Both tonight and Empoli are his two best matches. He is giving us good performances. I am very happy with the availability and commitment that he has always put in.”
The change of role
Going into detail, the ‘change of role’ which Pioli is referring to is the retreat of Adli’s area of duty from midfielder/attacking midfielder – his natural role until a few weeks ago – to a deeper role as a regista (deep-lying playmaker).
He is now in a position in front of the defence where he is called to dictate the rhythm of the build-up through quick vertical movement of the ball to free up the box-to-box players either side. Long balls to serve the wingers are also a pre-requisite.
Perhaps the archetypal interpreter of the role is Andrea Pirlo, who was a stand-out player for Milan, Juventus and the Italian national team for 15+ years at the highest level.
The Italian’s ability to dictate the pace of the game, his eye for a pass and his constant search to give his team-mates the best situations to excel were what made him so special.
Pioli spoke of Adli’s exponential growth in the last two league matches against Empoli and Roma, matches that we wanted to analyse to look for confirmations that we promptly found.
The numbers of ‘Il Pittore’
Against both the Tuscans and the Romans the French playmaker had one and two key passes respectively plus 94.8 and 91.8 percentage of passes completed overall, showing he was tidy yet threatening in possession.
He managed to find his team-mates with long balls eight times (four and four in the respective matches) to which must be added four successful dribbles (three against Empoli and one against Roma).
Looking at the defensive phase – which cannot be ignored given how far back he is playing – Adli had his best performance in terms of numbers against Roma, winning three tackles and making two interceptions.
What did our player ratings have to say on the two games? Below are the scores and the assessments.
Empoli (6 out of 10): “In the first half, he was a bit lazy on the ball and had too many misplaced passes. He improved in the second half, without a doubt, but in the end it was nothing more than a standard performance. He can do more, as we saw against Cagliari.”
Roma (7.5 and MOTM): “A lovely first goal for the club and a great hockey assist for the second goal. The MOTM award is indeed justified for the Frenchman, who controlled the midfield well and really showcased his all-round abilities tonight. He just needs to find the consistency moving forward to become a great asset for Milan.”
Winning the gamble
The first to believe in Adli was Adli himself. It is no secret that Pioli communicated to the Frenchman at the beginning of the season that he did not see him having a big role in his squad for the campaign ahead.
It is a decision that the Franco-Algerian did not take as final but instead was interpreted as a challenge. He categorically refused to leave Milan in the summer, with the promise of making the coach back change his mind with his work and his dedication.
Adli himself revealed some background the day after the game against Cagliari in September: “On the first day I spoke with Pioli and he told me that we would change the way we play and that I wasn’t considered. Then Tomori asked me what I would do and I told him: ‘I’ll stay here and you’ll see how I play’.”
His work was seen and rewarded by Pioli, who gave him more opportunities: “When Pioli told me to play in front of the defence, I told him “Let me play where you want me to be.”
And so here we are today, with the image of Adli celebrating his first goal of the season and the much-desired happy ending in front of the San Siro crowd.
He is VERY GOOD
Glad he won Pioli over. While Pioli was very wrong to bench him as long as he did (and he would’ve lost most players with what he told Adli at the start of the season) Adli has come a long way. Like the article alludes to, he is too slow to be a proper trequartista like Pirlo. And like Pirlo anyone can be a worldbeater at any position before they hit 20, like when Pirlo lead the U21s to a European Championship as a trequartista before his role was adjusted by Ancelotti. Let’s hope Adli continues to improve, really finds where he belongs on the pitch and sticks there.
Well Pirlo wasn’t a trequartista. He was a regista. His position was changed under Carlo for his lack of speed similar to Adli. If you ask me he only needs a Gattuso like presence next to him and he’ll be a marvelous regista just like Pirlo was. He’s more physically gifted than Pirlo was and I think he can do fine job for us. I’m really happy for him..
I agree with you. He played as a traditional #10 under Tardelli when they won the U21 Euros. In this time he never quite managed to breakthrough at Inter with Seedorf, Recoba and even Djorkaeff all managing that position better than he did. I was quite skeptical when we brought him in since we brought in Seedorf and Rui Costa, and Albertini still hadn’t left.
Pirlo was initially trequartista, and that’s why he couldn’t compete at Inter. He moved to Brescia and then it was actually Mazzone who made the decision to play him as a regista, behind Baggio. Ancelotti did the same as he put Pirlo behind Rui Costa. Pirlo perfected this role, and the rest is history.
I think we have a great player on our hands and it’s a shame he didn’t get to play more. His humble and patience traits are rare. Many players would have demanded out ages ago.
What’s the shame?
He’s here isn’t he.
How do you know a different approach would’ve lead to better results?
Have you coached a Scudetto winning side?
Guess what, it takes time to break into one of the best teams on the planet (top 3 in a top 5 league).
Calm the f*** down. Jeez, 1-2 good game and he is in conversation next to Pirlo lol
Give dude time.
He had bad games too. Difference is that he hasn’t secured his position unlike Leao, Theo, Reijnders. If those guys have bad game, they will start again in the next game but Adli won’t.
grande Pirlo start as SS or trequartista they even call him new Baggio, he also play & learn from the little Budha
You can tell the quality is there. He really does have similarities to pirlo and only time will polish his game. Needs more minutes to learn this new position but his heart and motivation is spot on. Work on being aware when somebody is going to challenge you and don’t hold onto the ball too long. I hope you have a glorious career in milan colors
We don’t need comparisons to Pirlo or Jesus (lol) or anyone else.
Adli is Adli.
His attitude has been amazing.
His passing has been hit and miss – mostly hit.
Defensively he’s been shaky but there was a massive improvement against Roma.
In fact his performance against Roma was near perfect.
So more of the same.
I agree, comparisons with past players do more harm than good.
Adli did a massive game vs Roma, but I’d like to see him do more of that before giving too much praise.
Agree, please just let him be. Just hope that he gets more and more playing times and experience. That’s all he needs. Of course he still has to do so much more on the defensive phase and how he holds up play. Comparing him to Pirlo won’t do any good.
Just like many of the members here who already made comparison between Kaka and CdK on his first match.
He could be way better midfielder, he should train his fitness, dribble, and speed, don’t forget to raise his weight and muscle, he needs to.
One misstep and the ”fans” will call to sell him.
It’s a shame that the coach did not take the chance to focus on his development last year already.
I just hope he can add more muscle without losing his skills and agility.
Putting a picture of Pirlo next to him ooooof..come one. Those things don’t do anyone any good..it’s like.thatncoach who compared him to Zidane smh. Just let him develop..who knows he might get benched for the next two months 🤷♂️
As I have been saying many many times over and over this kid is a huge talent – BUT – needs TIME. New position entirely with little playing time up to now. Now in the time to give him a fair chance. He will have ups and downs rest of season – no different than any other young player no less a player learning an entirely NEW position. Some were saying to sell him – Pioli himself told the kid there was no room for him. But he kept pushing and now the sky is the limit. He has the size, vision, creativity and skill to really be a great one at the position as the game against Roma showed. However it’s one game and NOBODY should be anointing him the next Pirlo just yet lol. BUT it is exciting to finally see another player in the red and black with the capabilities to control and game and spread the ball all around the pitch with his outstanding vision and flair. Bennacer aside, Haven’t seen that in a long while. Long way to go but I think with this kids work ethic and never takes no for an answer attitude – he will be a star for us. Another Maldini gem is right in front of us.