Much has been said about this Milan side. They are a family, they have hunger, they don't give up, they are united, and they play beautiful football, just to name a few. They are also still breaking records and are behind Napoli only on goal differential in Serie A. In both training and within the matches, they work hard, but also have a lot of fun together. Playing football is natural for them, and they work really well together as a group. One pundit a while back described this team's style the best, he called it a "humble swagger."
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| Humble swagger |
Leadership starts at the top. In addition to the Milan culture and leadership that Maldini brought back, Pioli gave this team humility and hard work. He also worked hard to create unity by forming personal relationships with each player, then helping them to become united as a team. Many of the players have said that he is like a father figure to them, and that he has truly created a sense of family within the team. On the pitch, he developed a system to suit his players, rather than imposing his preferred system on them. He gave them an identity and allowed them to interpret it and improve themselves within it.
Despite the drama of referee calls, contract renewals and sudden departures that felt like betrayals to the fans, Pioli kept everything professional, and the players did not skip a beat, either. He's managed so many injuries in the past two years, it's incredible. Yet other than a dip in form after all of the stress of playing in Europe and with so many injuries last year, he has managed to keep this squad calm, focused, and improving every week.
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| Leadership swagger |
The swagger comes from players like Ibrahimović, who brings immediate legend status to the team and skills and goals that no other player in the world is doing. Or consistent, goalscoring swagger from a legend in his own right, Giroud. Or swagger from our injured Maignan, who is an incredible keeper who also plays like no one else. Leão brings swagger on and off the pitch, with his raw talent and fluid skills as well as his music and fashion interests outside of football. Theo Hernández brings both speed and swagger, in attack, he is one of the best left backs in Europe, if not the world.
The team is filled with young swagger, too. Brahim Díaz brings ridiculous amounts of skills, whatever he may lack in physicality, he manages to make up for in speed and pure magic. Tonali has become the ultimate young midfielder, with brute physicality, great ball control, and stunning skills. Even Kessié and Bennacer are still young, and their skills are also undeniable. In the back, we have young Tomori, whose speed and tackling skills are almost literally fire. And even our backup right back Kalulu brings speed and swagger when he gets some time, and can be a mean center back as well.
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| Humble style |
I could list all of the players and what they bring to the team, but I think it is obvious. Each individual brings their own unique talents and personality both on and off the pitch. But together, they are confident yet humble. There is trust and understanding and skills and joy. All of the things to make a team worth watching, a team that plays very entertaining football. A team with humble swagger.
This post inspired by the music of Us3's "Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)"
Reviewed by Elaine
on
10:00 AM
Rating:
