Ranking AC Milan's Top 5 Players for March 2016
March 2016 saw AC Milan’s 12-match unbeaten run in all competitions come to an end. It saw the club go three Serie A games without a win. Consequently, it also loosened their grip on sixth place and European qualification for next season.
It was, in short, a poor month. The 2-0 defeat to Sassuolo and the draws with both Chievo and Lazio meant the Rossoneri dropped seven of a possible nine points in league action, heaping pressure on the team and coach Sinisa Mihajlovic.
The sole positive was Milan’s progression to the Coppa Italia final, thanks to a clinical 5-0 semi-final second-leg victory over Lega Pro side Alessandria, though even that was to be expected.
Unsurprisingly given the paucity of quality team displays, few individual players stood out on a consistent basis throughout March. However, here Bleacher Report ranks the top five Milan performers in a disappointing month.
All statistics via WhoScored.com unless otherwise stated.
5. Luiz Adriano
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In March, Luiz Adriano made his first league start for Milan since January. After coming off the bench against Chievo, he started the Rossoneri’s clash with Lazio at the San Siro, hoping to impress enough to earn a regular spot.
Prior to that game, he told Milan Channel (h/t Football Italia), “I want to assist my teammates tonight. … I hope I'll score. We always have responsibilities going forward. We'll try to give our best, by contributing to the team effort towards victory.”
The Brazilian didn’t score, but he did set up his team’s only goal, holding up the ball well before playing in Carlos Bacca to finish.
After almost leaving the club in January, Adriano may have just resurrected his Milan career.
4. Giacomo Bonaventura
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After impressing through the first half of this season with his creativity and incision in the final third, Giacomo Bonaventura was in a bit of a rut in early March, something discussed in this post.
The attacking midfielder was booked in both the defeat to Sassuolo and the draw with Chievo, evidencing his frustrations at being unable to impact either game. However, he returned to his classy best against Lazio, where he was confident and ambitious, attempting six shots, of which three were on target.
Milan have found it difficult to break defensive lines of late, and if they are to secure a top-six spot, they will need to rediscover their offensive mojo. Bonaventura will be key to this.
3. Andrea Bertolacci
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Andrea Bertolacci has struggled in his debut campaign with Milan. Entering the final stages of the Serie A season, it remains unclear where exactly his best position is within Mihajlovic’s tactical plans.
The 25-year-old has been used as an outside midfielder in a midfield trio, as well as a pivot and a box-to-box player in a central duo. But, as yet, he has not stamped his mark.
March was as close as he has come to doing so. He started every league game, earning the man of the match award against Lazio, and seemed to get more involved. Indeed, in each fixture he made more passes than his season average of 37.3 per game.
2. Keisuke Honda
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At the start of 2016, Keisuke Honda’s Milan future was up in the air. But in March, he continued to cement his position as one of the club’s most improved players.
In four fixtures, he contributed 10 key passes, set up a goal against Alessandria and was the man of the match against Chievo.
The Japanese playmaker has found a home on the right side of Mihajlovic’s midfield four, and with his work rate, well-placed crosses and increasing confidence, it’s no surprise that the club is considering offering him an extension to his current contract, which expires next summer.
1. Alessio Romagnoli
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Alessio Romagnoli continued his transition from hot prospect to potential world-class centre-back in March, putting in a series of solid showings to win back his regular first-team spot.
The 21-year-old had lost his place in the starting lineup to Cristian Zapata, though the move proved short-lived. The Colombian looked flustered in the defeat to Sassuolo before being taken off for his younger team-mate on 68 minutes.
Romagnoli scored his first goal for Milan in the first cup win over Alessandria and showed off his technical ability in the draws with Chievo and Lazio. Against the former, he was accurate on an outstanding 93.3 per cent of his 75 passes. In the latter, he made more passes than any other Rossoneri player, reaching his intended target with a solid 86.2 per cent of his passes.
He made his intentions clear when asked about his future with the club in an interview with Milan News (h/t Football Italia), saying, ”I hope to become a symbol for Milan, as this is a huge club and I want to remain for as long as possible.”
On the basis of his form in March, Romagnoli has every chance of resurrecting his club’s fine defensive traditions in the long-term push for a return to the top of Italian football.
