.jpg)
7 months ago
36 ARTICLE AD
“After the rain comes the good weather”. This proverb perfectly illustrates the current dynamic of AC Milan, which, at the end of a trying end to the first part of the season where numerous criticisms were poured out, in particular towards the coach, Stefano Pioli, is experiencing a start radiant calendar year. In the championship, the Lombard club extended its fine streak of invincibility by taking on Naples, reigning Italian champion, as part of the 24th day of Serie A. Well installed in the lead car, the Milanese team knows also a revival of form in the European Cup. If the Rossoneri failed to escape from Group F in C1 (finishing in 3rd place ahead of Newcastle but behind Dortmund and PSG), they got their Europa League campaign off to a good start. Opposed to Stade Rennais, Théo Hernandez’s partners left the Bretons no chance and won with a score of 3 goals to 0.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek dictated his lesson to the Bretons!
If the Frenchman shone against SRFC by providing an assist for Rafael Leão, another player from the Lombard squad left his mark on the match: Ruben Loftus-Cheek. After terrorizing Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League at the beginning of November, the England international (10 caps) shined in midfield. Thanks to a large volume of play, the 28-year-old made himself very available between the lines to serve as a launching pad for his offensive players. Alternating between a middle and high position on the meadow, the Milanese number 10 showed himself to be very skillful in his transmissions (100% successful passes) and dominated his peers with excellent heading. Shortly after half an hour of play, it was he who came to make Milan’s domination a reality. Managing to escape Theate’s marking, the Briton was on the receiving end of a cross from Florenzi and crossed his head enough to put it out of Mandanda’s reach.
Ambushing a deflected header from Kjaer and repelled by the Rennes goalkeeper, Loftus-Cheek scored twice with another devastating header after returning from the locker room, thus adding a seventh goal to his credit this season in all competitions. Before him, the last midfielder of the Milanese institution to have scored at least two goals during a European Cup final phase was Kaka (against Manchester United in the C1 semi-final on April 24, 2007). “It’s an incredible feeling. This is what I worked a lot on with the staff to better read the game and be in a position to score. When I’m in these positions, it’s just about me finishing the job and I’ve done it well so far. I just have to keep it up. I enjoy playing football”conceded the main interested party on the antennas of TNT Sportsdetermined to continue its momentum, while Euro 2024 in Germany looms on the horizon.
Italy? A winning bet for Ruben Loftus-Cheek!
Imperial in the air, active in recovering the ball and valuable in its use, all accompanied by a surly attitude on the pitch, Ruben Loftus-Cheek today ticks all the boxes, to the delight of Stefano Pioli. Admiring the Londoner, the Milanese coach even dared the comparison with a former Serie A star: Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. Having had the Serbian international under his command during his time at Lazio Rome (between 2014 and 2016), the transalpine technician believes that the two players share many physical and athletic characteristics. “Loftus-Cheek had some physical issues at the start of the year and didn’t train for a while. Now he’s finally okay. He is a quality player with extraordinary physical abilities. I didn’t expect him to be so offensive either: I had already faced him in the Champions League. It’s awesome. I trained Milinkovic-Savic and he reminds me a lot of him in terms of quality, physical presence and insertion”expressed the Italian coach on the sidelines of the match against Stade Rennais.
Considered one of the best talents to have emerged from Chelsea’s Cobham academy, Ruben Loftus-Cheek has never really managed to establish himself with the Blues. After making his big debut with the Blues in December 2014, the 28-year-old midfielder was constantly barred by tough competition in the London midfield, despite a successful loan from Crystal Palace (between 2017 and 2018) which notably allowed him to appear in Gareth Southgate’s list to play in the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Returning to Stamford Bridge after a new loan at Fulham, the native of Lewisshaw subsequently encountered repeated physical problems which considerably slowed down his momentum. As recently as the start of the season, the Englishman missed several weeks of competition. Since then, Loftus-Cheek has gradually carved out a place in Stefano Pioli’s starting lineup to such an extent that he has become unbreakable. Appearing 26 times for 23 starts (including 7 goals and 1 assist) with the Rossoneri in all competitions, the Englishman clearly won his bet by managing to forget his predecessor, Sandro Tonali, who took the opposite path in however, committing to Newcastle this summer. At the same time, Lombard leaders were left holding their noses by spending only €25 million for the Briton. An investment that has already paid off.
A fairly similar speech from the Italian coach was made by Gianfranco Zola in the columns of the Gazetta dello Sport. The former Chelsea legend is convinced Ruben Loftus-Cheek made the right choice in joining Lombardy. “He’s a great player and if he finds consistency in staying out of injury, he’s truly a top player… It’s always rewarding to compete in a different league, from my personal experience. Testing yourself in another country improves you and this applies to him too. Today it is even more complete. He scores more with runs into the box, freeing himself with dribbles or using his physicality… I had no doubt that he could be a revelation in Milan. I know him and I respect him, and I’m not surprised at all. I’m happy because he really deserves it.”, explained the former transalpine international. As such, the Englishman will have the opportunity to prove it once again during the Lombardy derby between AC Milan and Monza on the 25th day of Serie A, this Sunday. Note that in the event of a victory, the Rossoneri would take advantage of Juventus Turin’s draw in Verona the day before to climb onto the second step of the podium.
