HAUGE AND HIS BROTHERS: GOLD OFF THE BENCH
Focus
63 minutes played this season and he's already scored two goals. 63 minutes spread over various games are not enough to properly judge the qualities of a player. And yet, an important attribute to have in football is constant readiness. Jens-Petter Hauge's impact on AC Milan has been anything but shy. The Norwegian played 19 minutes against Spezia and then ten minutes against Celtic, scoring in added time to make it 3-1. Then came a brief break due to a positive case of coronavirus.
Upon his return, he came on for the final twelve minutes of the home defeat to Lille and the last three minutes of the draw against Hellas Verona. Until yesterday, when he replaced Ante Rebić and, on the verge of the final whistle, killed the game off with a brilliant solo effort; a quick flick to take it past Manolas and he lifted the ball over Meret and Koulibaly and into the back of the net. The definition of "Carpe Diem".
Jens-Petter's contribution off the bench (for now) is and will be, worth its weight in gold for the Rossoneri. In a similar fashion, one who perhaps hasn't played too much is Brahim Díaz, who didn't play at the San Paolo. The Spaniard has still managed to have an impact, whether he starts or comes on part-way through a game. He has scored three goals this season: one in Serie A against Crotone and two in the Europa League, against Celtic and Sparta Prague. It would also be remiss of us not to mention his impact off the bench against Udinese and Verona; he served the ball on a platter for Ibra to equalise against the Gialloblù at the death.
Diogo Dalot distinguished himself in the Europa League as a starter (goal and assist) against Sparta Prague and off the bench in the Serie A fixture in Udine. There's also Rade Krunić, who scored his first AC Milan goal (from Castillejo's assists) in Glasgow and has always put in the maximum effort. Sandro Tonali, for his part, is learning from Bennacer and Kessie, building confidence and minutes game by game. In order to go far, it's essential for everyone to contribute off the bench throughout this season. Even if just for a few minutes, much like Hauge.
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