AC Milan produced a superb performance as we swept Torino aside on Wednesday night in a 7-0 win as we edge closer to sealing a place in the Champions League next season.
Goals from Theo Hernandez (2), Franck Kessie, Brahim Diaz and Ante Rebic (3) secured all three points, as we put on a clinical display in front of goal and were ruthless in our approach and attitude from start to finish.
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It was exactly the level of performance that Stefano Pioli would have wanted to see, and it’s hoped that we can replicate it one more time on Sunday as we face Cagliari knowing that a win will be enough to secure a return to the Champions League.
Great character shown from squad
After back-to-back defeats to Sassuolo and Lazio last month, Milan were staring at our season collapsing in front of us as we risked throwing all our hard work away in the last stretch.
Since then, we’ve beaten Benevento, Juventus and Torino, scoring 12 goals and conceding none.
The turnaround has been exceptional, and the character and resilience of the players and Pioli deserve to be lauded. The job isn’t finished yet, but we’ve done brilliantly in the last three games.
Rebic steps up in a big spot
Losing Zlatan Ibrahimovic for the upcoming games off the back of the win over Juventus was a real blow. Given his quality, experience and leadership in leading the line, he has played an integral role for us this season.
However, Rebic ensured that we didn’t miss him on Wednesday night, as although we had to adjust our approach and style of play to suit his strengths, he produced a clinical performance to lead us to victory.
The Croatian international has really stepped up in the second half of the season, with his goals firing us towards our objective and it’s hoped that he can deliver one more big performance on Sunday.
Kessie continues to dominate
The midfield powerhouse that is Il Presidente continues to play a pivotal role in the heart of the side.
It took real character to step up and put away his penalty after missing on Sunday, but that was just part of yet another stellar display.
He covers ground effortlessly and his tireless work ethic sees him pop up everywhere, while he plays such an important part in both phases of the game for us. A real driving force.
Pioli gets it spot on again
The attitude, approach and tactical set up has been on point over the last two games as Milan have taken the game to the opposition and come away with deserved wins.
We’ve been aggressive, energetic, positive, organised and disciplined, and that doesn’t just happen on the pitch.
It takes a lot of hard work from the coaching staff to prepare the team, and Pioli has done his job brilliantly to get us back on track. One more to go though.
One more win, nearly there
As stressed by all concerned after the full-time whistle in midweek, there is no time to celebrate this win as we’ve got one more victory to obtain to finally achieve our ultimate objective this season.
It’s been a gruelling, up and down season. From looking like possible Scudetto challengers to risking falling out of the top four altogether, it has been a real journey.
Now, it comes down to 90 minutes of football against Cagliari on Sunday. Pioli and the players have to replicate this same attitude and performance level at the weekend, and if they can do that, it gives us an excellent chance of picking up all three points that we need to really start the celebrations.