World News – United States – AC Milan’s new depth held undefeated

AC Milan ended the 2019/20 season in impressive form, unbeaten in their last 12 Serie A games Stefano Pioli’s side have proven themselves to be in the legitimate top six and was finally able to qualify for a place in the Europa League Despite a historically short pre-season, Europa League qualifiers and a barrage of injuries and positive COVID-19 tests, Milan managed to extend their streak and currently climb to the top of the Serie A standings with 13 points from five matches

One of the most important factors in Milan’s continued form has been their reliable group of bench options, which provided crucial performances as several of the Rossoneri’s starting XI ran out of time

Perhaps the most important development was Davide Calabria, who became Milan’s main right-back as Andrea Conti recovered from knee surgery Calabria were almost sold during the transfer window, but the 23-year-old has improved his form significantly and earned his place in the squad The full-back has become a more consistent one-on-one defender, while attacking the right wing more effectively

Another defensive revelation was Matteo Gabbia, who was at one point the fourth center-back of choice last season.The young prospect was Milan’s only realistic option to partner with Simon Kjaer at the start of the campaign, Captain Alessio Romagnoli absent due to leg injury

Gabbia is another player who has been in better shape than last year, and Milan have conceded just four goals in six starts That said, the 21-year-old must become a more consistent player coming off the bench for Romagnoli or Kjaer, because he still makes too many mental mistakes on the back line

Offensively, the sudden absence of Ante Rebic and Zlatan Ibrahimovic came as a shock to the Rossoneri, the Swede with the coronavirus, while Rebic dislocated his elbow in a violent collision However, although ‘they missed their two best forwards, Milan’s frontline remained dangerous, with Rafael Leao, Brahim Diaz and Alexis Salemaekers each taking advantage of their opportunities in the starting eleven

Leao in particular has been impressive, taking over Rebic’s duties on the left wing The Portuguese striker provided two goals and three assists in just 224 minutes of Serie A action Leao provides a quick and powerful presence in the left channel, and he can also drift inside and play as a second striker.He needs to become a more constant passer, but when he’s in top form he has the ability to pick up a match

Of course, Milan’s most intriguing new player has yet to fully integrate the squad Sandro Tonali, one of Europe’s most coveted young talents, arrived at Stadio San Siro this summer and is brimming with potential.The product Brescia is renowned for his passing ability and intelligence on the pitch, while being considered by some like the second coming of Andrea Pirlo

Tonali has the ability to play as a deep playmaker or as a box-to-box midfielder as he had to play all over the field last season for his struggling Brescia side The 20-year-old will need to become more comfortable in Pioli’s 4-2-3-1 system, as well as improve his defensive sense, but he should eventually be able to challenge Franck Kessie and Ismael Bennacer for a starting position behind Hakan Calhanoglu

Milan’s new depth comes at the perfect time, in the midst of what will clearly be another season impacted by Covid With five substitutes per game, Europa League fixtures, virus-related injuries and absences to fear, the Rossoneri will definitely have to line up more than a few different line-ups

In the face of these complications, Pioli and Milan supporters must remain confident in the knowledge that the club’s backup brigade is much more capable this season than in previous years

The new post-AC Milan depth was first undefeated on Forza Italian Football

AC Milan, Serie A, Udinese Calcio, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Stefano Pioli, Matteo Gabbia, Jens Petter Hauge