A BRICK WALL

Seven wins from eight games played, second place but hot on Juventus' heels. The Rossonere beat Roma at Vismara and though the performance may not have been spectacular, they kept themselves within touching distance of league-leaders Juve. Yet there are still plenty of reasons to be cheerful: Valentina Giacinti's magnificent form, Vero Boquete's decent debut and Refiloe Jane's consistently good performances. However, there is one aspect that may have gone rather unnoticed. This is the performances from Maurizio Ganz's defenders.

Let's analyse the stats: eight games played, just four goals conceded - never more than one in a single game - and four clean sheets. The goals they have conceded have come from the penalty spot (against Juventus and Napoli) and two deflected headers (Pink Bari and Inter). No matter who plays, the defence is solid. In the first four games of this season, Ganz preferred to deploy a back four, in keeping with the tradition of last year. After the defeat to Juventus at San Siro, he decided to change it up; Empoli 0-3 AC Milan saw a switch to a three-at-the-back system.

Both Francesca Vitale and Giorgia Spinella have lined up alongside stalwarts Laura Fusetti and Laura Agard; three starts for the former until her sending off against Napoli, a start against Roma for the latter. The 3-5-2, which was adopted to give Bergamaschi and Tucceri Cimini more license to join the attack, is working - despite it still being in the testing phase. Valentina's absence through injury has given an opportunity to Federica Rizza, who has played brilliantly in a role that is not suited to her - especially in defence.

Fusetti and Agard's performances up to this point of the season have been of constant benefit to AC Milan, who, while still looking to play a more exciting brand of football, are continuing to pick up results. They are the brick wall, which Juventus struggled to break through, needing a penalty at San Siro. The league is currently on a hiatus until 6 December, when the Rossonere return to face a stern test: Fiorentina. Before that, though, they have a Coppa Italia fixture - with two games in a week - to contend with. After the Cup tie, the Rossonere will be able to recharge the batteries, recover and get back on the march. 

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