AC Milan picked up a 4-1 win over Cagliari on Sunday night, as Stefano Pioli sees the likes of Sandro Tonali and Brahim Diaz evolve along with his entire side.
The Rossoneri ran out 1-0 winners over Sampdoria last week in our Serie A season opener, and it was hoped that we’d finish on a positive note ahead of the first international break this campaign.
READ MORE: Milan player ratings vs Cagliari: Giroud decisive, Tonali and Brahim Diaz shine
Albeit there was concern after Cagliari equalised immediately after we went ahead, our reaction was exceptional as we scored three times with no answer before half-time and did well to control the game thereafter.
Pioli and the squad will now regroup over the break, or at least those who haven’t been called up for duty will do so at Milanello this week, and there are plenty of things to be positive about from what we’ve seen thus far.
Tonali coming of age early in the season
The 21-year-old had a pretty underwhelming first year at Milan last season, but ultimately the club showed faith in him and he made sacrifices to secure a permanent switch this past summer.
Albeit we’re only two games into the new campaign, the early signs are promising as Tonali looks to be more confident, imposing, physical and fitter in two impressing outings thus far.
There is a clear desire to not only get on the ball but to make things happen as he’s driving forward in possession and making probing passes rather than playing it safe. There’s a clear improvement already.
Brahim Diaz stepping up to responsibility
After taking the No.10 shirt and being assigned our chief creative spark in the final third, there was a lot of pressure on Brahim Diaz to deliver, especially with no Hakan Calhanoglu in the side and new signings yet to arrive.
Having scored the winning goal at Sampdoria last week, the Spaniard picked up an assist in this one as he is showing that he has the quality and ability to be decisive for us.
His biggest challenge now is to remain consistent and build on this start to become a leading figure for us week in and week out.
Giroud the ideal frontman for Milan
In order to be really effective, Milan needed a certain type of profile in a striker this summer to lead the line and fit into the side with the current player around him.
Giroud is ticking every possible box thus far, as he has the technical quality to bring others into play and link things up even with a deft first touch that he makes look so simple. Further, he is a big, physical presence in the box to target with crosses, and give him half a chance and there’s a very good chance he’ll score.
The French stalwart has all the attributes to be ruthlessly prolific for us this season, and it will be interesting to see what Pioli does when Zlatan Ibrahimovic is healthy again.
Maignan looking at home
He’ll be disappointed to have conceded on his home debut, but Mike Maignan has made a really positive start to life at Milan.
There were real concerns over the summer as we were losing an influential figure and big character in the side in Gianluigi Donnarumma.
However, although it’s still early to be handing out any major judgements, Maignan is making the process of filling that void look very straight-forward and comfortable, the same feeling his defenders probably have knowing he’s behind them and ready to do his job.
Pioli finding answers, side evolving
While the win over Sampdoria was a little bit scrappy, the victory against Cagliari was the polar opposite as Milan started to turn the style on and really cut through the visitors.
Milan need to find different ways to win games, as particularly when the fixture schedule becomes increasingly congested with the Champions League starting after the break, we won’t always be so fluid and clinical.
That said, if we can really settle into a pace and rhythm about our play, we’re capable of going from strength to strength as the season progresses with a foundation currently being set.
