5 Talking points on the Milan derby

1-THE TEAM HAS PUT UP WITH ADVERSITY

After the first victories against Cagliari and Crotone, and then against Udinese and Spal, the Red and Blacks started giving the impression to lose intensity when facing stronger opponents. Against AS Roma, we saw a positive change regarding the team’s attitude and in the second half of the derby, the boys stepped up even more. Besides certain individual mistakes at the back, the team reacted as prompted. They pushed forward and attacked deeply and with confidence. In the second half, the boys took control of the game and for the first time this season, they dominated an opponent who is ranked in the top positions of the league.

2-THE SEASON IS NOT OVER

It’s never a good sign to lose after playing so well as the team did in the second half. Indeed, it’s quite disappointing for the fans. Nonetheless, the defeat against Inter had nothing to do with the Red and Blacks attitude, rather to the derby’s unpredictable nature. The team showed grit and determination when attacking in the second half, and most continue like this, even if the results have sometimes been too harsh. There are thirty matches ahead and ninety points in play, everything is possible. AC Milan’s initial settlement crisis might be the downfall of other teams along the way. Football is capable to turn everything around, to transform joy into disappointment and vice versa.

3-MORE ATTACKING OPTIONS

In the second half of the derby, the Rossoneri displayed a positive performance and showed new positive aspects up front. Suso and Bonaventura played well together in a 5-man midfield, as Jack and Ricardo Rodriguez combined well on the left, while Musacchio and Borini did the same on the right. The team managed to create spaces all over the pitch and produced several clear scoring chances through neat combinations between the players down the flanks.

4-SUSO SHINED AGAIN

The penalty given to Inter in the 90th minute was a pity, especially for Suso who could not celebrate at the end of the match as he deserved. The Spanish had scored twice in the first derby of last season and had made two assists in the second clash against Inter, allowing Romagnoli and Zapata to score. Until now, Suso is the only Red and Black to sign in three different Serie A matches this season: Crotone, Cagliari and Inter. The Andalusian -who recently renewed his contract with AC Milan- found the back of the net also against Austria Wien, standing out as one of the most important and decisive players in the squad.

5-BONUCCI, BIGLIA AND KALINIC

Until now, they haven’t shown their best level of quality for different reasons. The captain has not embraced the season yet as an AC Milan player; the Argentinean midfielder, after suffering an injury in August, has had to travel and to play a lot without being able to train much; and the Croatian striker, who is recovering from an injury in his left adductor, was the last Rossonero to join the squad after the season had already started. These three are the most experienced men signed by AC Milan this summer. They are true professionals, quality players very important for the team. Bonucci, Biglia and Kalinic still need some time and most of all they deserve to be encouraged and supported by all our Red and Black fans.