Brahim, the move is right. Skeptics silenced and now Milan and Real …

The unbridled run after the goal was a dedication: to his coach. Which Brahim Diaz ran to embrace drunk with joy. In this photo there is the victory of both. That of the reservist hero for one night, but perhaps the hero of Champions. And that of the coach who had the courage to play a surprise card that turned out to be a winner. In these cases there are no half measures: if you get it right, if a phenomenon; if you get it wrong, you’ll find yourself on shovelfuls of manure.

Confidence

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Diaz was the move that broke the cards in Pirlo’s hand. The move that up to the middle of the first half had made the Rossoneri people grumble – and a lot -. Already on the eve of the comments on the possible choice of Pioli had not been tender. Incomprehensible to some, presumptuous to others, simply wrong across the board for most. And the first few minutes of the match seemed to have proved the party of skeptics right: bad protection of the ball, vain search for a starting point, dribbling gone to bad ends. Too light, too evanescent. Then the number 21 lit up. Probably with that dry shot, nice even if central, which warmed his feet and Szczesny’s gloves. It gave him courage. And from there on, Brahim was another. “I am very grateful to the coach for the fact that he believes in me, I always try to do my best to repay his trust,” he said before the match. Classic words of circumstance, which, however, read after the game take on meaning. They smell like an oracle.

Milan-Madrid axis

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Pioli gave him carte blanche. A little ‘next to Ibra in a rather fluid 4-4-2, a little’ on the trocar. On the whole trocar. Central, but often also on the right and sometimes on the left. Looking for that light, that space between the lines that creates confusion in the opponent’s defensive phase and widens the shirts. He had not played a starter since March 21 in Florence, and also scored at the Franchi. His seasonal haul, including cups, is 6 goals and 2 assists. Not bad for someone who basically starts from the second row. There are many appearances, it’s true: 36. But the one as a starter is half. Brahim never complained. He knows well that this is a useful year for him to grow, while still finding a space that he would have seen in Madrid with binoculars. Yes, because the Casa Blanca is still his home. The Spanish under-21 has arrived on loan, with the pact between Milan and Real to re-discuss the matter at the end of the season. This performance will serve to strengthen him in the eyes of both clubs, and then next season we will see. Maybe the clubs could repeat the loan formula, why not. Meanwhile, Brahim is enjoying the best evening since he has been in Milan. A wonderful goal, at Del Piero against the team with which Del Piero reigned. It resulted in the penalty. He pulled, got into every possible hole. And in the end it made a party of skeptics change their mind, which at this point no longer exists.