Yacine Adli has revealed his belief that he is being repaid for all of the sacrifices he has made, including learning a new position as a deeper-lying midfield player.
Tijjani Reijnders was not available for the game given that he picked up a yellow card against Frosinone thus triggering a one-game ban and it the first game he has missed all season.
A change in midfield was needed as a result, with Adli keeping his spot in the double pivot and being joined by Ismael Bennacer who was fit enough to start again after recovering from an adductor problem.
The former Bordeaux man certainly did his part in contributing to a clean sheet, meaning that Theo Hernandez’s first half goal was enough to earn the win for Milan and move them 17 points clear of Napoli in the table.
Adli spoke to Sky Italia to assess what was a hard-fought three points in front of over 73,000 fans at San Siro, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.
Does winning mean Milan have some consistency?
“I think we are working in the right way at the moment. It may be trivial but we try to think from game to game and we are doing it well. We want to continue like this.”
Is it a case of sacrifices being repaid?
“I think I’ve always believed in my work, I’ve never given up. I’ve always given everything, and now I’m being repaid for all the sacrifices I’ve made.”
How are you feeling in the defensive phase?
“I’m working on my defensive phase. I think it will never have the contribution of the top players, but I try to give balance to the team even if we play differently. I always try to give a filter, sometimes it’s not easy, but today went well.”
Great player but still not a defensive mid. His forte is pushing forward. But he sacrifices his natural position to play for this team which is laudable.
And thats why he will never be anything more than average. Instead of perfecting his thru balls as an AM which is his speciality, he is wasting time on learning how to defend at this stage of his career. Will he become Kante or at least Kessie as a DM ? Absoloutley not, he wont even be a deep playmaker like Pirlo cause his talent is different and its only wasted as a DM. As an AM he actually had the talent for something more, well two years down the drain now. But yes his sacrifice is laudable, however i fell that the coach should take out the best from his players acording to their skill set and not just fit them in random positions where he needs a player.
The problem is that Adli never truly was a pure AM. He has the vision for it but not the speed nor physique. This position is quickly being phased out of modern football as number 10s now have to either be out wide or more like an extra CM who puts pressure on the defense. Adli isn’t fast enough for AM but his vision and distribution is enough ti make him a decent DM. His height means he can utilize his body in that position too.
I followed Adli a bit during his last season a Bordeaux and they often used him as deep lying playmaker where he also looked much more comfortable.
Rossi, and why are you saying he will never be anything more than average. When it’s your top class coach Pioli who changed his position and his way of playing in the first place.
PS: don’t forget how Andrea Pirlo turned out, he was also asked to change his playing position to a deeper-lying midfield player, and look how he turned out.
Just as you said, a player can shine with the existence of another player, given a good team and coach that understand his abilities. Some of you might forget that Pirlo have Gattuso as his “shield” in Milan and Italy, while in Juve he have Vidal. The problem is in the last few games, Adli is paired with Reijndeers who have similar traits, their physical vulnerabilities were exposed in the match against Bologna.
I wouldn’t write off Adli’s progress ATM as with Napoli match, although he wasn’t shining, but I see his positioning is improving. Sure he won’t be a classic DM like Kante or Kessie or Pirlo, but why being pessimistic for him as a deep playmaker in his own style? So far he delivered and we are on a streak.
I know we are missing those traits that Tonali and Kessie brought to us, but there won’t be any change until next summer. I am enjoying and interested in watching Adli Bennacer and Reijndeers in the system that Pioli is using, which is 2 deep playmaker with one physical AM in RLC. I have never seen this system in football before.
He is doing just fine in the DM position. Keep getting at it and he will be able to up his game. People could give him a 20,000-word analysis on how average he is, he might skim through the first paragraph and then go on to practice and play even more minutes. People really think what they post on the internet is powerful. Please punch me in the face with your words, I am waiting for it.
Really like this player. He’ll be benched as soon as both Tiji and Bennacer are fit and available at the same time.
I think Pioli will played him a lot even if Benna and Reinders are fit to start.
@Rossi, Pirlo was never a deep lying playmaker until he was converted to the position and he turned out to be one of the best in the world in that role. I believe if Adli perfects the defensive side of his game with the vision he already has, he will be very much better than playing as an AM
Forza Adli 🖤❤️
I think if he is allowed a bit more license to roam forward during matches, he’ll be able to contribute a lot more.
Against Napoli it seemed like he wasn’t allowed to cross the halfway line..
FORZA ADLIIIII !!!!!