It’s been a disappointing start to the season so far from a Rossoneri point of view. After the hard lessons from the beginning of the last campaign, many would have imagined that Gennaro Gattuso’s side will commence the league in a most impressive way, but it’s been far from that.
The Rossoneri have only mustered just a win from four games and sit in 12th position with five points. Despite playing a game less than their rivals, the Diavolo have lost five points from winning positions against Napoli and Atalanta. It’s not much of a big deal looking at the opponents involved. The Rossoneri have failed to beat Atalanta in their last four games at the San Siro and Sunday’s game seems to be an improvement on the two zero defeat they suffered at the hands of the Bergamo side last season. It’s also demonstrate the current level of the most successful Italian side in Europe.
On 21th of October, Milan play away to Inter at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. The Diavolo must win their next three games and put an end to their unsettling start before Derby della Madonnina.
A big reason for their struggles is their defensive deficiencies, a problem, that plague them last season. If they can cut out the errors that blighted them in the first round of the previous campaign, Milan can, and should improve on their performance last year. The Rossoneri are yet to keep a clean sheet after conceding six goals in four games.
Tonight, Gattuso’s men play away to Empoli, who lie in 17th place with a four points tally. Aurelio Andreazzoli side has lost three games from five games, recording just a win and a draw so far this season. The last time the Milan visited the Stadio Carlo Castellani, they triumphed by four goals to one, and they will be looking to repeat such performance this evening to lift the mood around the team and provide hope to fans.
After the match against Empoli is a tricky away fixture to Sassuolo. The Mapei side are currently third in the league rung with 10 points after winning three games and a draw after five matches. The key figure in this encounter will be Kevin Prince Boateng. Boateng spent his best playing years with the San Siro outfit where he won the Scudetto in 2010 with current Milan Boss Gennaro Gattuso. The former Milan midfielder has brought more energy and bite to Sassuolo’s attack, scoring three goals in five appearances for his new club. Sassuolo play seventh placed Spal this evening away from home and hope to continue on their impressive start to their league campaign so far this season.
On the 7th of October, Milan will look to take advantage of Chievo Verona wretched situation in the league when they play them at the San Siro. Recent history suggests that, Milan do struggle against teams in the bottom half of the league table. Last season, newly promoted side Benevento, managed to secure their first point of the season against the Rossoneri after Benevento goalkeeper Alberto Brignoli scored a late equalizer from a corner kick.
Milan must be at their creative best when they play against Inter on the 21st October, as Lucciano Spalletii’s team is beginning to find their stride after an incredible turnaround against Spurs in the Champions League. Inter have won three games in a roll now, and are looking the sum of their parts after their hard earned two one victory over Fiorentina last night. They’ve leapt into fifth position after with 10 points from six games. There is a wave of optimism surging through the Nerazzurri, hence Milan must win their next three games to keep up the pace with their city rivals. .
One player yet to catch light this season for the Rosoneri is Hakan Calhanoglu. The Turkish international is yet to give his best performance after a blistering man of the match display in the 5-1 win over Fiorentina at the end of last season. The Former Leverkusen playmaker has not registered an assist or a goal in the last three games, and the next three matches give him an excellent opportunity to break the duck. He together with Jack Bonaventura is supposed to be the hub of the team’s creative play.
Despite showing the ability to score goals, Milan struggle to put games to bed. Failing to secure three maximum points from these games may put a dent in their champions league hopes. Gattuso is staring at the prospect of a second season without Europe’s top tier football. Milan can make a significant step up if they can chisel some positive results out of the next three games before the Milan Derby.
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