AT THE BREAK: A GLASS STILL HALF FULL

Club football is on hold for the final time in 2025. It's over to international matters, with friendlies and the final push for qualification to next summer's World Cup. So, it's the right moment to take stock of the Rossoneri's situation as it stands. Their last five games saw AC Milan extend an unbeaten run in all competitions that has lasted since August. Two wins, both at San Siro (Fiorentina and Roma) and three draws (Pisa, Atalanta and Parma) that have left the odd regret given that we lead in all three of those games.

A point for improvement from these 450 minutes of league football since the October break is most certainly the defence, with just one clean sheet (against the Giallorossi, and Maignan saved a penalty in that game). In the wake of the Parma game, Massimiliano Allegri outlined how, in games where we have the lion's share of possession, we tend to suffer lapses in concentration and defensive intensity. It's certainly something to work on for the return of the league, especially given that we will have more squad members available as they return from injury.

However, the glass remains half full. A continued unbeaten run, the reliability of an attack that keeps scoring despite absences, and the grit and solidity of a team that is able to successfully carry out tactical shifts during a game and adapt to an ever-changing situation on the pitch. These are just a few of the positives from the last couple of weeks, which we need to repeat once we come back from the break, as we have a tricky run coming up, with the derby and a double header (Serie A and Coppa Italia) against Lazio.

We should also make a mention of the contribution made by certain individuals, and it's difficult to ignore the contribution of one Rafa Leão, who has scored four times in our last five games (Pisa, Parma, and a brace against Fiorentina) and set up Pavlović's goal against Roma. The Serbian has also played well over the past month. The Rossoneri's number 10 has taken another step up in terms of his mentality and impact on the game, carrying the team on his back. Other key contributors have been Italy internationals Gabbia and Ricci, who are in the Azzurri's squad for the coming week, and Alexis Saelemaekers, who is increasingly productive in the offensive phase.

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