Three in a row [Newsletter]

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Dec 04, 2024

It sounds crazy to say, given we are in December and near the halfway point of the season, but Milan have won three consecutive games for the first time under Paulo Fonseca’s guidance. Even though this was achieved against Slovan Bratislava, Empoli and Sassuolo, the Rossoneri have certainly got themselves a much-needed confidence boost ahead of the big Atalanta game.

Tuesday’s clash at San Siro ended up being a 6-1 goal fest and while Sassuolo are not the best of opponents, they are currently topping Serie B. As such, most of us expected a closer game - especially considering the starting XI rotation - but Fonseca’s men got everything right on the night. The ticket to the quarter-final (vs. Roma or Sampdoria) was thus comfortably sealed, while also resting some key players.

The latter, of course, was crucial given that Milan will be up against Atalanta away from home on Friday evening. Sure, Tijjani Reijnders still got to play a decent chunk and Christian Pulisic was subbed on despite the big lead, but the likes of Youssouf Fofana and Rafael Leao were taken off already at half-time. All in all, it’s safe to say Fonseca got the balance right for the game.

Atalanta will play their opening Coppa Italia clash in two weeks, more specifically December 18, so this is certainly a bit of an advantage for the Bergamo side. On the other hand, their league game against Roma took place on Monday and unlike Fonseca, Gian Piero Gasperini wasn’t able to make loads of rotation. In fact, it was a rather hard-fought 2-0 win despite the Giallorossi’s poor state (15th in the standings!).

The feeling is thus that we could have a good game on our hands, provided that Milan don’t tap into their inconsistency (once again). Most fans would agree that it’s now or never for Fonseca to show that his side can compete against a big team, and most importantly keep a good run of results going. A defeat could still be accepted, even if reluctantly so, as focus will be on the approach and execution of the game.

Taking a look at the standings, Milan are currently ten points behind league leaders Napoli and six points behind Inter in third place. It remains to be seen what will happen to the Nerazzurri’s game against Fiorentina, but it’s clear that three points on Friday would be of huge importance for the Rossoneri. Also because it would end Atalanta’s impressive eight-game winning run (= big confidence boost).

For now, though, let’s enjoy three wins in a row for the first time this season. Again, the opponents have not been of the highest calibre but consistency of any kind matters a lot, which any football player will attest to. Every training session gets a little bit easier, and as such, Fonseca increases his chances of getting through to the players.

News Bulletin

➤ The month of November ended well for Milan Futuro with a 1-0 victory against Torres in the Coppa Italia Serie C, booking a place in the quarter-finals. However, the dire league form continued with a 3-0 loss to Ignazio Abate’s Ternana on Sunday. Daniele Bonera was honest in his post-match assessments, but his job is apparently not at risk yet.

➤ Milan Primavera’s hopes of getting back into contention for top spot were dealt a blow on Monday night as they lost 3-0 to Roma at home. Federico Guidi's old side scored twice in quick succession early in the first half to take command, and it leaves the Rossoneri down in seventh as the Giallorossi leapfrogged them.

➤ Luca Bianchin of La Gazzetta dello Sport boldly reported that Tijjani Reijnders' renewal is 90% done, and the midfielder's words to Ziggo Sport - after a question from Milan icon Marco van Basten - seem to have confirmed the news. He will get a pay rise, and snub interest from Chelsea, Real Madrid, Spurs and others.

➤ More details are continuing to emerge regarding the 125th anniversary celebrations for the Genoa home game. There will be a full stadium display involving the fans, club legends honoured before the game, a special kit worn for the match itself and also new Hall of Fame inductees.

➤ The latest transfer rumours include reignited interest in Warren Bondo, Valencia coming in for Alex Jimenez, a scouting mission to watch Reda Belahyane, Arsenal being keen on Rafael Leao, and Giuseppe Pezzella being observed up close in Saturday’s game.

➤ Our features over the past week include: an analysis of the situations of loanees Charles De Ketelaere, Yacine Adli and Pierre Kalulu including why they were allowed to leave, a look at how Leao's role under Fonseca has changed and the data that shows it, Malick Thiaw's resurgence after a difficult season and of course a tactical analysis of the Empoli game.