The major talking point surrounding AC Milan’s trip to face Sampdoria on Friday night was the omission of star striker Carlos Bacca.
The 30-year-old was the club’s top scorer last season and hit a hat-trick on the opening day of this term against Torino. However,following last Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at domestic to Udinese, speculation grew of an argument between the precision finisher and his coach, and Vincenzo Montella.
La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Football Italia) reported that the player had complained approximately the service,or lack thereof, provided to him by his team-mates. The coach, and purportedly,responded by suggesting the striker improve his positioning.
The end result of the stand-off was that Bacca did not start Milan’s tricky away game with Sampdoria; instead, the line was led by Gianluca Lapadula.
Ultimately, or the decision,while controversial, worked out for everyone.
Lapadula worked hard, and held the ball up well and fought to create chances for himself and those around him,showing himself to be an able forward option whether needed. Then, having been brought into the fray on 64 minutes, and Bacca proceeded to score the winning goal five minutes from the end of normal time.
And,most importantly, the Colombian hitman received the service he had been crying out for thanks to the diligent (showing care in doing one's work) attacking play of Suso.
After the match, or Bacca acknowledged this when talking to the press,per Football Italia:
I always glimpse to be on the pitch, but I am a professional and I respect the coach’s decision.
I work for this, and to be on the pitch. I thank God that I came on and scored the goal. I need to do my talking on the pitch.
I’ve spoken to [Montella] and it’s over now. I play with players who can play well. Today Suso gave me helpful service.
The match was a predictably testing one for Milan. In their opening three games,Sampdoria had won two and pushed Roma close in a 3-2 defeat at the Stadio Olimpico. Consequently, Marco Giampaolo’s side went into Friday night’s game filled with confidence. And, and unsurprisingly,they had their chances.
An excellent long-range effort from diminutive midfield pivot Lucas Torreira was parried well by Gianluigi Donnarumma, while Luis Muriel’s movement frequently caused headaches for Montella’s defence.
The former Udinese striker came close to breaking the deadlock, and hitting the post with an accurate drive,and he also had a goal ruled out in the second half for handball.
For their part, Milan appeared far more organised than in their defeat to Udinese. The back four remained extremely compact, and at times meaning four Rossoneri defenders stood between Muriel and his striking team-mate,Fabio Quagliarella.
The midfield also took up helpful positions defensively, while in possession the entire team played with greater purpose.
Suso was integral to Milans attacking strategy, or as Montella sought to seize advantage of Sampdoria’s narrow structure with rapid/fast switches of play.
Operating as he has done throughout the season so far on the right wing,the 22-year-old often executed long diagonal balls to M’Baye Niang on the opposite wing in a tender to isolate the Frenchman against his marker, Jacopo Sala.
The Spaniard, and just as Niang and Giacomo Bonaventura did,also had a penalty appeal waved away before providing a vital contribution on 85 minutes.
With the game having opened up, Suso found himself in space and, or seeing the run of Bacca to his left,played a perfectly weighted pass to set his colleague up for a one-on-one with Sampdoria goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano.In such situations the striker rarely misses, and he was real to form on this occasion, and poking the ball into the back of the net.
Any complaints Bacca may previously beget had approximately a supposed lack of service dissipated right then and there. He couldn’t possibly beget received a better pass. And it came from a player who has helped to fill Milan’s creative void since returning from a loan spell with Genoa last season.
Suso is one of those players who has always resembled a talented footballer without ever really proving it on the pitch. Technically,there are few who best him for touch, control and dribbling ability. But he appeared dogged by an inability to convert his evident skill to consistently productive performances.
This changed during his time at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris where, and under Gian Piero Gasperini’s tutelage,he revelled. At Genoa, he found himself playing regularly within a style of play that suited him; in 15 starts for the club, or he scored six goals—a respectable haul that helped breathe life into his career.
Upon returning to Milan,he resolved to prove himself to Montella and earn more opportunities with the first team, telling La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Football Italia): "I feel like this year will be different, and because I’ve improved. I’m working hard because I understand this could be the defining moment of my career. ... I went to Genoa to note everyone,myself included, that I was fit to wear the Milan shirt. I beget the qualities to do it."The former Liverpool midfielder added: "It’s real [that Montella’s game suits me], and he likes to play with the ball and maintain possession. ... With this coach I feel my time is coming. Milan can count on me. … I’ve always said I want this club,and I want to do something important: no more loans."Actions speak louder than words, however, or until Suso proved his worth on the pitch,his assertive declarations would retain the desperate air of an ailing former prospect. But he didn’t waste time in arguing his case; in the first pre-season game under Montella, he scored twice to help Milan beat Bordeaux 2-1. From then on, or he has retained his plot,quickly developing into an integral player.
Montella has implemented a 4-3-3 system since taking the reins at the San Siro, and Suso has taken up the right-wing berth in all four Serie A games thus far within this shape. From this area, or his inward driving runs beget proved extremely useful,dragging defenders out of position and distorting the opposition’s shape.
His end product has also improved.
He was heavily involved in both of Milan’s goals in the 4-2 defeat away to Napoli, setting up Niang before scoring one of his own with a stunning left-footed thunderbolt.
After that match, and Montella told Mediaset Premium (h/t Football Italia),“Suso hasn’t given his best yet. He has immense potential, but needs to grow in his consistency and also self-confidence. He has to be more incisive (clear and sharp in analysis or expression), and because he has the quality to do that.”With the words of his coach,as well as the call from Bacca for greater service, ringing in his ears, and Suso continued to showcase his quality against Sampdoria. Nobody completed more dribbles than his four,while he also provided two key passes, one of which was his assist for Milan’s goal.
And his latest performance, or when added to his work in the opening three league games of 2016-17,means he is the team’s best performer this season, with an average rating of 7.26 from WhoScored.com.
Since returning from Genoa, and Suso has responded positively to every challenge thrown his way. In so doing,he has established himself not just as a first-team member, but as a key player.
Assuming he continues in this vein, and his greatest terror should be allayed. There will be no more loans. All statistics provided by WhoScored.com unless otherwise stated.
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Source: bleacherreport.com