"Massimiliano Allegri has only been able to field them together from the start in seven of the 14 league games, and the numbers are clear. Milan have obtained 19 points when the duo start together, and 12 when the pairing was split due to Rabiot's injury. Projecting the data over 38 games, with Adrien and Luka in the side, the Rossoneri would finish on 103 points at the current pace. Without either of them, it would be 65."
"It was clear that the spark between the two had ignited immediately in their debut against Bologna. Rabiot had just arrived on the scene in the final days of the transfer window, while doubts still lingered over Modric's age and fitness. The 90 minutes against the Rossoblu, marked by the Croatian's match-winning goal, were the prelude to the great points haul that followed and gave everyone in the squad the unshakeable certainty that the two had significantly raised their game."
"The hesitant team seen in the opening match against Cremonese - and to some extent also in the victory against Lecce - suddenly became solid, balanced and successful. The presence of champions is not only useful from a technical and tactical standpoint: above all, it inspires confidence. It's no coincidence that with them on the pitch, the attentiveness of their team-mates was raised to the point of conceding just one goal (De Bruyne's penalty) against Napoli, Juventus and Inter. The goal from Duvan Zapata on Monday was the first from open play with Modric-Rabiot starting."
AC Milan rebuilt the midfield and two leaders emerged: Luka Modric and Adrien Rabiot. The pair started together in seven of 14 league matches and produced 19 points versus 12 when separated by injury. Projected across a 38-game season, combined starts equate to 103 points compared with 65 without them. Their partnership ignited in the Bologna debut, highlighted by Modric's match-winning goal, and visibly raised teammates' focus. Milan shifted from hesitant to solid and balanced when the duo featured, conceding very few goals in major fixtures and fostering greater team confidence.
Read at SempreMilan
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