With the pearl to Reijnders of Verona, the Frenchman has joined Pulisic at 5 winning passes of the season (2 to the Dutchman, 3 to Leao), collected in the last eight games. At this moment he is the real essential
Journalist
December 22 – 10.44am – MILANO
When he explains what the coach is asking of him, the answer sounds rather banal: “He asks me for a balance between attack and defense”, says Youssouf Fofana about the tasks that Fonseca entrusts to him. Normal deliveries, for a midfielder. But there is great awareness, bordering on presumption: “This relationship is necessary, and I am that relationship”. Then he goes into specifics: “He basically asks me to be aggressive, to be aggressive, to win the ball and make my teammates play.” Fofana is actually a boy who is anything but presumptuous, but that awareness of being one of the cornerstones of this Milan gives him confidence and attitude at the same time. That is, what the vast majority of comrades lack.
too much haste
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Fofana is the big transfer coup of the Rossoneri summer of 2024. The only one, in the current state of affairs, to have fully deserved the transfer to the sender, unlike the other four new faces entangled – some more, some less – in various problems . In July, many had cataloged him with excessive haste (and lack of knowledge) as the classic barrier in front of the defense, suitable for winning the ball back and restarting the action. What many didn't know is that those restarts would have passed a lot through his feet. Fofana protects, but at the same time accompanies. Unique figure in this Milan and, in general, quite rare figure for those who govern the middle lands.
super given
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The winning pass to Reijnders of Verona is yet another embroidery in a sumptuous season, where – when necessary – the delicacy of his feet transforms him into a cross between director and attacking midfielder, because Youssouf has no problems if he has to advance a few meter the range of action. Now, between the championship and the Champions League we have reached five assists, one better than the other, a figure that allows him to be the Devil's most prolific advisor of the season together with Pulisic. The figure is quite sensational especially in light of the timing: those five assists all came in the last eight games. Out of the ordinary media. The action of Verona's goal is ultimately the best that Milan can offer at the moment: Fofana plus Reijnders, the players present, the essentials, the attackers added when the real attackers are missing (lately, too often). Who looks after Youssouf most affectionately? Three times he set the table for Leao (Cagliari, Slovan, Red Star), twice for Reijnders (Empoli, Verona). Various art samples, with a clear and obvious tendency towards verticalisation. Let's review it, starting from Rafa's goals: in Cagliari, a deep left foot of about 25 metres.
In Bratislava, he was right-footed from about ten meters to cut off four opponents.
With Red Star he threw thirty meters to go over the entire Serbian scaffolding (the only time, of the five, in which he raised the ball).
As for the assistance to Reijnders: against Empoli the most banal gesture, a support in midfield which Mister T then transformed into a solitary winning run.
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And in Verona, a grass-like filter like a pure number 10. Complete repertoire.
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