In the three seasonal defeats of the Milan (four adding that of Europa League with Lille) there is a common denominator that could not be overlooked by Stefano Pioli. Every time the Rossoneri they did not score at least two goals, the defeat came on time: 1-3 against the you, 2-1 in the Coppa Italia derby against Inter, 0-3 against Atalanta and finally 0-3 again against Small. Which certifies two evidences: that Milan hardly manages to close the matches with a clean sheet (23 goals conceded in the league in 20 games such as Inter and Atalanta, but worse than Juve, Napoli and Verona) and that defending is not his bread. It is therefore logical that Pioli has decided to devote himself to attack. The Scudetto? Head down, and go as it goes.
The Milan from Bologna from this point of view it was an example, as well as an unpublished one, with Leao and Rebic together in the field to try to accompany a Ibrahimovic who for some games complains of loneliness The widening of the squad contributed to this change of course, with the inclusion of Mandzukic, and the return of Calhanoglu and the growth of condition of Bennacer, a man everywhere in the midfield but also a player able to support the attacking phase better than Tonali.
In short, what we saw in Bologna does not seem to be just a joke resulting from the absence of the Turk – against Atalanta, for example, replaced by the more defensive Meite -, but the consequence of a thought that wants to push the Rossoneri to play with greater weight in the last 30-40 meters, obtaining, among other things, the result of easing the pressure on a defense that, the facts show, something always concedes. In short, the ultra-offensive choice will have followed. Maybe with Calhanoglu to connect the departments, but in any case with the various ones Leao, Rebic and Mandzukic ready to support Ibrahimovic.
Certainly, with the squad that is almost completely recovering from injuries, the solutions available to Pioli are starting to be many and the possibility of varying players and form as well. Especially by measuring the minutes of the outsiders, from Saelemaekers to Castillejo to Rebic, Mandzukic and Leao, because they will be the players most called upon to guarantee balance and coverage during the folding phase. And for everyone, including Hauge and Krunic, there will always be minutes. Because Pioli wants players who feel they are an important part of the group and because the season only starts now. Between a Scudetto to pursue on offense and a Europa League to be honored to the end.
