AT THE BREAK: POSITIVE SIGNS TO BUILD ON

Just before the break ahead of the October international games we found ourselves contemplating the start of the season. This start was defined by memorable moments - as a result of convincing performances and important results - surprising setbacks, mixed with situations that we needed to improve on and the need to find a degree of continuity game by game. This alternation re-emerged in the six matches from the end of October to the start of November, a period of games worth analysing and understand given the moment that we find ourselves in. 

Seven points in four matches - given the postponement of the Bologna clash - in the league against Udinese, Napoli, Monza and Cagliari; maximum points from the two Champions League fixtures with two 3-1 wins over Club Brugge and Real Madrid. These results have a possible interpretation in the things that Head Coach Fonseca has repeatedly said, above all after the European games, highlighting how we perform well with greater adaptability and "confidence" against teams that "make play", defending zonally and conceding spaces. 

Something worth analysing, during the seasonal break, are the team's displays against tightly held opponents, playing individual match-ups in defence and with a higher reluctance in maintaining possession. The position play of the Rossoneri is much more defined compared to the start of the season, we will need to the raise the level of our defensive displays and ensure continuity in our performances, knowing that there will be opportunities to enable the group's growth, this is a way in which we can improve our league standings and achieve high profile European goals. 

In the Champions League, however, we will be back in action knowing that we are the only side so far to have played against seeded teams from the first and second pots, as shown with the calendar in the summer: the standings are close and no goals are out of reach for us in this new and unprecedented phase of the tournament.  We will need to call on our most in-form players like Reijnders and Leão when it comes to the big match on Saturday 23 November against Juventus. Forza Milan! 

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