BIG STRIDES FORWARD

After the win over Cagliari, Stefano Pioli, a big cycling fan, summed up AC Milan’s current situation with a metaphor referring to Milan-Sanremo, an annual road cycling race between Milan and Sanremo in Northwest Italy: “We still haven’t made it up the Poggio di Sanremo, there’s more work to do”.  While it’s true that everything is still to be decided this season, it’s also clear that the Rossoneri couldn’t be in a better position heading into the final international break of the campaign. They’re leading a pack that is preparing to reach the peak.

The Diavolo remained unbeaten throughout February and March, displaying real solidity and maturity in the process. After the fantastic derby comeback on 5 February and a comprehensive victory over Lazio in the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia, the Rossoneri very much had the wind in their sails. However, disappointing draws against Salernitana and Udinese threatened to halt their momentum.

Nevertheless, there was a decisive response, with Mike Maignan not conceding a single goal in March and the team recording three consecutive 1-0 wins in the league against Napoli, Empoli and Cagliari. These results saw the Rossoneri move top of Serie A, meaning their destiny is in their own hands with eight matchdays remaining. As for the Coppa Italia, there’s still all to play for ahead of the return leg against Inter on 19 April. With AC Milan as the home side, the first fixture finished 0-0. Given that away goals count, a score draw would be enough for the Rossoneri to progress to the final.

There have been some fantastic individual performances in the past two months, proof that the growth of the group has a positive impact on results. While Olivier Giroud has taken centre stage with his five goals (all of which were decisive), Pierre Kalulu and Ismaël Bennacer are two players who deserve big praise. Game by game, the young French defender has shown himself to be a particularly reliable centre-back, and his goal against Empoli was reward for the progress he has made. As for the Algerian midfielder, he’s enjoying a brilliant run of form, picking up one MVP award after another. His goal in Cagliari was absolutely crucial and represents AC Milan’s starting point with the home straight about to begin.

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