5 Things we learned after Milan vs Chievo
It’s was fundamental to secure three points yesterday after the ugly Europa League exit and Gattuso with his boys fully delivered.
2018 AT VERY HIGH SPEED
After the winter break, AC Milan played 14 matches in 56 days, exactly 1 game every 4 days. From the Cagliari v AC Milan match on January 21 to the game on March 18, the team climbed the standings, qualified for the Coppa Italia final and had a significant experience against Arsenal in Europa League. One thing for all: after 4 Europa League games played on Thursdays, AC Milan have always won the tough league games on Sundays, against Samp and Chievo at San Siro, against Roma and Genoa away.
SECOND HALF OF THE SEASON, 25 POINTS: WHAT DOES THIS MEAN
In the first 9 matchdays of this second round, AC Milan won 25 points. A number that is in line with the last 3 seasons, but in those cases during the whole second round: 24 points in the whole second leg, last season, 28 points in the 2015-2016 second round, 26 in the 2014-2015 season. Rino Gattuso and the players will have to work hard to continue to keep this very high and very important pace.
CALHA BLOSSOMING
It is no coincidence that Hakan Calhanoglu scored in two matches in a row, both in London and at San Siro. In two very different contexts, against a European top team and against a tough Italian side that was fighting for its own ranking also playing good football. It is the sign that Calhanoglu, whom many judged as the best player against Chievo, fully recovered his fantastic form.
OUR FORWARDS’ GOALS
It’s the first time this season that one striker scores in three games in a row: Cutrone in Rome, Andre Silva in Genova, both Cutrone and Andre Silva against Chievo. It was a long-awaited moment. Suso, Bonaventura, Calhanoglu and Borini’s goals, were important, but in the decisive moments it’s up to them. The forwards. And they are presenting themselves, with heart and head held high.
WHAT’S NEXT…
AC Milan come from 8 wins and 2 draws in the league. There was a similar run in the 2012-2013 season, in that case from January to April: 8 wins and 6 draws. The positive results were interrupted by Juventus, in Torino, on April 21, 2013, with a penalty scored by Vidal. This is the next challenge. The squad that won against Rome’s teams at the end of February can be the master of the match in Turin. Resting first, then working and then… the target, just as coach Gattuso says.
