Milan, Thiaw explained by the data

The young Hojlund guessed the hint after just one minute. Djimsiti throws the ball, the Dane runs towards the ball and Thiaw dominates him, jumping on top of him. So for the whole first half. The German wall swept the challenge with the Dane, who came out without flashes due to the close marking of the former Schalke, security of the “new Milan”. Pioli launched the three-man defense and he took the central position, undermining Tomori on the left side after a series of good performances. In short, promoted.

Numbers

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Thiaw plays as if he has been playing for ten years. He does it with the experience of a thirty year old although he is only 21 years old. Born in 2001, he was born on the same day as Joel Matip – August 8 – a reference to inspire. The German swept the match in data, passes and headers, but also in one-on-one wins with the roar of the San Siro, which has now taken him under his wing. Behind the silent disposition, masked by ice eyes, hides a boy with a driving personality and great charisma. After all, his name in Arabic means “king”. In fact, his numbers are higher than the other central players: Kjaer, Tomori, Kalulu and Gabbia. Thiaw averages 5.65 defensive pars, 3.7 head pars per game, 5.65 aerial duels won, 2.7 tackles and even 7.39 general won. Tomori is at 5.48, Kjaer at 2.95, Gabbia at 4.96, Kalulu at 4.1. The German has only played 8 games, it’s true, but his performance is very high.

At the top

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It’s not over. According to data compiled by Sofascore, Thiaw is averaging 3.25 saves per game. Tomori and Kalulu do not reach 2, with 21 and 24 games. The percentage of duels won is 73.9%, while the English and French defend with 69% and 63%. The data relating to the dribbles conceded is also significant: Thiaw’s is 0.13, while Tomori and Kalulu follow with 0.29 and 0.33.

With the former Schalke on the pitch, the percentage of clean sheets is 37.5% – see the four consecutive clean sheets -, while with Tomori and Kalulu it drops to 23.8% and 20%. The latest data is in the construction: Thiaw has an average of 0.30 key passes per game. Against the Goddess he made one. Well, even if it needs to be set up, but give him a tip, put him in man marking and you’ll have the Thiaw that bewitched Pioli and all of Milan. The defense holds. And this time Malick is in charge. Destiny is in the name.