The Rossoneri have granted only 11 shots in two games and are first in Serie A for XG suffered: they grant few occasions. After Cremonese and Lecce, however, the real tests arrive
Pavlovic, Loftus-Cheek and Saelemaekers, on this way, will begin to speak Livornese. Milan in Lecce was the team that Allegri has in mind: concrete, solid, almost never in danger. A couple of numbers confirm. Despite some concentration voids with Cremonese, Milan after two days gave only 11 shots between shots on goal, outside and rejected. It is clearly the lowest figure among the 20 teams of the championship. Napoli is at 17, Inter at 21. The Bologna opponent of the weekend at 27. There is another indicator to consider. AC Milan is the A team that gives less Expected Goals, let’s say less scoring chances: only 0.5 per game. A significant fact? Well, the minimum champion and the value of the opponents (Cremonese and Lecce) remove statistical value from the data, but a phrase echoes in the lead …
The icon sentence
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“Perceive the danger”. “Perceive the danger”. “Perceive the danger”. Allegri in the summer repeated the concept to bore. It is as if there were triangular road signs in Milan at the end of each corridor: they are the ones who report a danger in the street. Allegri wants that for Milan’s players become an automatic thought: asking themselves how opponents can be dangerous and act accordingly. In Max the offensive phase now affects much less. He cares to protect Maignan. So added a defender moving on to three pure plants – defense to five – and his players asked not to distract himself, mark and pay attention to the area. Tomori-Gabbia-Pavlovic for now are the owners: with them it has gone badly with the Cremonese and good in Lecce. There will be time to change. Koni de Winter, however, will soon have an opportunity and Odogu … who knows. On the left, meanwhile, be careful of Bartesaghi. Training will say.
Key men
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Yes, but how does Milan defend? AC Milan lowers, tries to protect the area and asks everyone’s hand with the exception of Leao, who has – let’s say – a half exemption from the defensive phase. With the Cremonese the team raised the pressure, with Lecce less. AC Milan often defends tight, with Saelemaekers precious in the double work: without the ball, she defends in the whole band, with the ball it is the third striker. And again, Modric in front of the defense can have some problems but Fofana definitely gives him a hand. And Rabiot, who is always considered for the offensive contribution but also makes himself heard in his half of the field, will weigh. Overall, for now, it works.
Post-Pause tests
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Does all this have value? Well, let’s say relative. He shows that the mentality has changed compared to certain nights with Fonseca and Conceiçao, but Milan must be tested in continuity and with superior opponents. The post-national recovery comes to put everyone to the test. AC Milan before the October break will have Bologna at home, Udinese away, Naples at home and Juventus away. Overall, an excellent quartet. Maignan will see closely Castro, Orsolini, MCTominay, Hojlund, De Bruyne, David, Vlahovic, Opennda, Yildiz and Yes … it will be a nice test. Mike in the break for the October national teams will go to Iceland and, at that point, will know if his Milan still gives a lot or is protected by a safe. On the plane, he will see that in the team chat there is a message from the coach: “Guys, I recommend. To perceive …”. Yes, Mister, we know: the danger.
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