Yacine Adli has found himself as a key part of Stefano Pioli’s plans once again, and he demonstrated his character on Saturday during the win over Udinese.
MilanNews write that the match against Udinese left a bittersweet aftertaste because while the comeback was exhilarating and the three points should be celebrated, the Mike Maignan incident soured things.
Looking at on-field matters first, Adli has become a new resource for a midfield department that is low on numbers currently. His vision, technique and sacrifice make him a worthy replacement for Ismael Bennacer, involved in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Moreover, his pressing, tackling and knack for recovering balls show that he has almost fully adapted to a deeper-lying midfield role, a dedication to the two phases of the game that makes him unique in Pioli’s repertoire.
Adli is much more than what he shows on the pitch though. During the disgraceful scenes seen at the Stadio Friuli, the midfielder was the first player to run after Maignan down the tunnel and comfort him. Then, following suit, were Theo Hernandez and all the others.
Not only that: when Noah Okafor scored the winning goal, sending his team-mates and the fans into ecstasy, everyone went to hug the Swiss forward. Everyone, except Adli.
He ran, again, towards Maignan to support him and share in the celebrations with the goalkeeper, before Alessandro Florenzi – who took the corner – joined them. Adli lives and breathes Milan.
Adli is hero most talented man in ACM squad,sharing that place with Reijnders.I can only hope that ACM will keep him for long long time .I’ll say it once more… in 2 years he’ll be one of the best 6-ers in the world .Intelligent,very strong tecnicaly,great wiev,fantastic solutions,max precise in building up (he’ll improve his def abilities no doubt),fast thinker.Wish him injure free seasons in Milano
I agree, give him time, he will blossom into a type of Pirlo that we haven’t seen ever again after his retirement. We will revisit this post in a season or 2. Forza Adli
Adli is an example for any young player. I wouldn’t have faulted him for leaving a year ago but he not only chose to stay but also kept taking responsibility outside the field.
If he is allowed to grow he will be a future leader of this team without a doubt
I really appreciate players who love the club. Players that take pay cuts to join us, that work hard and don’t tolerate laziness from their teammates, that don’t cause drama when it comes to contracts or the coach’s choices…etc. That’s why I was very disappointed to see Tonali and Diaz go.
Adli seems to be the poster boy for that love but to be fair, we have many players like that. I think it’s down to the environment that Maldini, Massara, Boban, Ibra, and Pioli created. I think a lot of our problems this season have been down to a lack of clarity in the summer market which became a rebuild instead of an upgrade. The result has been a struggle to find a right tactical balance, but the spirit is still there.
You can have your opinion on the player, about his defensive skills etc, but the man than he is becoming and has shown himself to be is just another proof that this guy is something different.
Forza Adli. Keep going.
On Adil. I must weldone Maldini and Masara for the signing.
Adli is definitely a feel good story at Milan. He shows Milanismo through and through, and what it means to want to be at Milan.
I still question him as a 6 though. I wouldn’t mind trying him in pace of RLC with Benny at the 6.
Florenzi’s effort was impressive too. I haven’t seen his path caught on any of the camera angles that I have seen. But he actually beat Adli to Maignan to hug him first. He must have sprinted from the corner flag straight to Mike without a thought of doing anything else.
That was class from both of them and makes me happy to be a Milan fan.
True.
LOVE this kid. Always said he has the talent just needs time. We will be handsomely rewarded.