Milan top of the table.

 Yes, you read the title correctly. No, there was no typo. According to ESPNFC’s twitter account, round 4 was the first time since 2012, that AC Milan had ended a matchday in sole possession of 1^st place. To say that this comes as a surprise to even the most faithful Milan fans is an understatement, but if the unpredictability of 2020 is any indication, then Milan’s position at the top of Serie A follows the script precisely. Chalking up the Rossoneri’s success solely as 2020s doing seems a bit harsh however, discredits all the hard work Maldini and Co. have been  doing since the last year, not to mention the fastidious work of both coach Pioli and his players. In short, there’s more to Milan’s position than the aberration that is 2020. With that said, let’s delve into 3 key reasons for the Rossoneri’s early success in Serie A. 

 

1. BROKEN CLOCK FINALLY PROVING RIGHT

In 2017, Milan’s then directors, Marco Fassone and Massimiliano Mirabello, spend over 200 million £ completely overhauling the roster, in hopes of bringing a new revolution to the Rossoneri. Needless to say their plan was a complete and utter disaster as Milan’s struggles continued, culminating in an even worse standing with Financial Fairplay stipulations. For a long while it looked as though all 11 of their new signings that summer would be busts, as incalculable as those odds seem. By the start of the 20/21 Serie A season, only 4 of those signings remain with the club in the form of Hakan Calhanoglu, Franck Kessie, Matteo Musacchio and Andrea Conti. As the famous saying goes, “even a broken clock is right at least 2 times a day”, the incompetent regime of Fassone and Mirabelli, finally seem to have come good on 2 signing from that year. Calhanoglu’s play, really since the restart last season has been nothing short of amazing. At times he’s looked a man possessed, specifically with the ghost of Ozil past and his Ivorian teammate may even be trumping his play as for the last 5 months, he has legitimately made a claim for top 3 defensive midfielder in the world. Such is their level of play as of late. Their play has been integral to Milan’s success as of late and with them being some of the longest tenured players at the club, it’s important that they continue leading the way for their younger teammates. 

1. THE DOUBLE PIVOT

 

It may seem a simple, ‘not thought out’ reason, but for fans who have been following Milan for years and the different iterations of the 4-3-3, which includes the revolving doors of wingers and ineffective Registas, we understand how important the adaptation to the 4-2-3-1 is because we’ve been clamoring for it for years. Since Pioli has decided to use the African duo of Bennacer and Kessie in the double pivot, the Rossoneri have been virtually unbeatable and it’s no coincidence. Both players are vital to the team’s operation, as their tireless running is able to provide support to both the attack and defense throughout the game. They have been utilized to stymie opposing players, effectively stopping attacks before they even start. This was exemplified in the Derby Della Madonnina, where the Algeria was used to neutralize Inter’s midfield talisman, Nicolo Barella. The decision to transition Kessie from a box-to-box mid to strictly a defensive midfield has paid dividends as the double pivots accentuates the Ivorian’s strengths (stamina, strength, tackling) while mitigating his weaknesses (decision making, vision). Both players are given greenlight to attack at points in the game however, as evidenced by Kessie’s game tying goal, in their 4-2 victory against Juventus. 

1. FAVOURABLE SCHEDULE

It’s not my intention to strip credit away the team, but there is no denying how team friendly Milan’s schedule was to start the season. Milan’s favourable schedule has no doubt played a part in them being 1st in the table thus far. Their first three matches were against Bologna, Crotone and Spezia, the latter two being newly promoted sides. All victories, Milan used those fixtures to catapult them to top of the table, while also building their confidence for the Inter Milan and Roma fixtures which were to follow. With that confidence, Milan was able to obtain 4 points from those two perennial top 5 sides. While some may say Milan got it easy and were lucky to have such a favourable start to the season, it’s these fixtures against newly promoted and bottom of the table sides that have routinely troubled Milan in the past and prevented them from obtaining top 4. 

Milan’s early success has prematurely prompted thoughts and dreams of an unlikely Scudetto challenge by many fans. For a fanbase that’s become so used to underwhelming performances and disappointing table finishes, it’s refreshing to be able to dream about a possible Scudetto, but expectations must still be managed and tempered. Being 1^st after 5 rounds is exciting, but with over 80% of the season still to play, a lot can change by the end of the season.