Maxi Allegri is working his magic with Milan once again
Massimiliano Allegri’s arrival in Milan during the summer of 2010 proved to be a seismic move for one of the most successful clubs in Italy.
By the end of the 2010/11 season, Milan had claimed their first Scudetto since 2004, before Allegri led the team to the Supercoppa early the following season.
Since then, the Rossoneri have won just three trophies – a single Serie A crown alongside two Supercoppa titles – which for a club the size of Milan, is proof of just how far the mighty have fallen.
Last season, an eighth place finish was the club’s worst since finishing tenth in 2014/15 and a change was needed ahead of the current campaign.
Step forward Allegri. After two successful stints with Juventus, the 58-year-old returned to the San Siro.
Early indications suggests he is brewing something special once again in Milan.
AC Milan are in the mix for another Serie A title
Prior to the clash against Roma last weekend, Milan had won five and drawn three of their first nine league games.
The only defeat came against Cremonese on the opening weekend of the campaign, but Milan have gone from strength to strength since.
A 2-1 win over Napoli is the obvious highlight, yet the clash against Roma proved Allegri and his men are right in the mix for a first Scudetto since 2022.
With only five goals conceded after nine games, the capital side boasted the best defensive record in the top flight. In contrast, their attacking output was the worst out of any team in the top half of the table.
As such, this intriguing tie would give further indication of whether both teams had the stomach for a title fight.
In the end, the game was settled by a single piece of magic from defender Strahinja Pavlović, who covered nearly the whole length of the field to get on the end of a wonderful assist by Rafael Leão to score the only goal.
Goalkeeper Mike Maignan saved Paulo Dybala’s penalty with just ten minutes to go. This could certainly turn out to be a vital one come the end of the season.
After ten matches, the Rossoneri occupy third in the table, a solitary point behind leaders Napoli.
The feel-good factor has returned to the San Siro. Maintain this sort of form over the coming months and Allegri could be well on his way to leading Milan to only a second Serie A title since 2011.
His summer signings have certainly played their part, including one veteran who is enjoying an Indian summer of his own…
Luka Modrić is rolling back the years at AC Milan
It was a busy summer in Milan for the new manager. Out went the likes of Malick Thiaw, Tijjani Reijnders, Theo Hernández and Noah Okafor, who made a combined 151 appearances between them.
Despite losing a plethora of experience, Allegri was undaunted. In came Christopher Nkunku, Koni De Winter, Adrien Rabiot and Pervis Estupiñán among several others.
Luka Modrić was the standout arrival, however and has demonstrated that age is simply a number.
The Croatian midfielder ranks in the top 6% for chances created per 90 in Serie A this season when compared to other midfielders (2.26), while also ranking in the top 6% for touches per 90 (83.21) and the top 8% for interceptions per 90 (1.54), underlining his class when both defending and going forwards.
Against Roma, Modrić completed seven passes into the final third, while recording six ball recoveries. After a season with Real Madrid which many felt would be his last at the highest level, Allegri is managing to eek every ounce of magic out of the 40-year-old maestro.
While the veteran is pulling the strings for a Milan side, having players such as Leão and Christian Pulisic in front of him had his made his job easier to showcase his creative talents.
AC Milan’s attacking stars are spearheading title charge
While Nkunku and Santiago Giménez have just one goal each this season, it is the outputs of both Leão and Pulisic which could fire Milan to Serie A glory.
Indeed, the American began the campaign in superb fashion. Helped by having Modrić generating chance after chance, Pulisic scored four goals and grabbed two assists across his first five league matches.
Despite missing the last four Serie A games due to a hamstring injury, the 27-year-old still ranks first in the league for shots on target per 90 (1.9) and second for goals per 90 (1.11) this term.
In his absence, Leão has been the focal point of this Milan side. Since returning from injury against Napoli in September, the winger has notched three goals and an assist.
He has been deployed in a more central position, but Leão is embracing this change.
The Portuguese star ranks in the top 7% for shots on target per 90 when compared to his peers (1.75), along with ranking in the top 14% for fouls won per 90 (2.99), proving how much of a menace he truly is when in full flight.
Allegri stated that Leão “has extraordinary qualities” following a pre-season friendly against Liverpool. If he continues this rich vein of form, Milan will be in a great place over the coming months.
Having led Milan to trophies before, Allegri clearly understands that success is the bedrock of this great club. He took a risk returning in the summer. So far, it appears to be paying off.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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