Summary of Rossoneri Performances for their National Teams in the Post-Season

As of tonight, all current AC Milan players have completed their international obligations of the post-season. Here's a summary of the Rossoneri representing their national teams:

Alessandro Plizzari - U-20 World Cup

Plizzari had a breakout display at the U-20 World Cup in Poland. The 19-year old Milaninsti was astounding throughout the tournament and turned heads with his incredible command and maturity that played a monumental role in Italy’s deep run. Plizzari kept two clean sheets in five games at the tournament by making some acrobatic saves and by holding his ground well. Moreover, he showed his nerves of steel when he saved two penalties against Ecuador and Mali to win Italy key games. Italy managed to finish 4th in the tournament.

Matteo Gabbia - U-20 World Cup

Gabbia spent the last season on loan at Lucchese but has returned to Milan now. He was a key fixture for Italy in the U-20 World Cup at Centre-back. Gabbia swapped between a back-three and back-four and was a huge part of Italy’s impressive defensive record. He showed good anticipation and reading of the game to hold down the starting spot. Gabbia also got to lead the team as the Captain in the 3rd place play-off game in the absence of Andrea Pinamonti. He was a leader for the team.

Patrick Cutrone - U-21 Euros

Cutrone played in each of the three games for Italy’s U-21 at the Euros. He came on as a substitute in the first game against Spain (eventual winners) and immediately had an impact on the game with some great hold up play to earn a key pass to Fiorentina’s Federico Chiesa setting up a goal. Cutrone started the next two games and managed to score a stunning header to break his 6-month duck. Italy failed to exit their group coming in second.

Ricardo Rodriguez - UEFA Nations League

Ricardo Rodriguez had two games in the UEFA Nations League, a semi-final encounter with Portugal and a 3rd place play-off game. Rodriguez has consistently performed well for his national team and looked clean defensively as a left centre-back in a back-three. Rodriguez scored from the penalty spot against Portugal but the Swiss lost the game 3-1. Against England, Rodriguez played as a left midfielder in a 3-4-2-1 and tussled with Alexander-Arnold all game. Switzerland finished 4th.

Franck Kessie - Africa Cup of Nations

Kessie had an amazing showing in Egypt at the AfCON. Kessie gave an interview showing his determination to win silverware for his country and he contributed to the cause immensely. Cote d’ Ivoire had mixed performances throughout and managed to get to the quarter finals before losing to Algeria 4-3 on penalties. Kessie was commanding and creative in his role as a defensive midfielder in a 4-2-3-1. He provided three assists in a single game against Namibia and converted his penalty in the shoot-out with Algeria. Much to my surprise as a Milan fan, he was brilliantly nuanced in his passing and needs to bring that form back to Italy.

Diego Laxalt - Copa America

Laxalt had a bright start to his Copa America campaign with a good performance in Uruguay’s 4-0 demolition of Ecuador in their opening game. Laxalt was a great support in the attacking phase of the game with piercing overlaps and he was steady in defence too. However, in Uruguay’s second game against Japan, Laxalt pulled his hamstring in the 25th minute when he allowed Miyoshi to accelerate past him and to score at the near post. Laxalt’s campaign ended in game two but Uruguay managed to get to the Quarter Finals where they lost to Peru on penalties.

Lucas Paqueta - Copa America

Lucas Paqueta was the only Milan player to bag some silverware in the post-season. Paqueta was part of a resurgent Brazilian side that took the Copa America by storm winning their 9th title. Paqueta was unable to break into the starting XI given the focus on wingers in Tite’s system. Paqueta only got 5 minutes of playing time in a 0-0 draw with Paraguay. His highlight from the tournament was beating a drum in the dressing room as the squad celebrated knocking out Messi and Argentina in the Semi-Final. Nevertheless, Paqueta adds his first international trophy to his cabinet.