GdS: The key differences in how Milan play with Brahim Diaz at No.10 vs. Calhanoglu | OneFootball

Brahim Diaz was decisive in AC Milan’s win over Spezia yesterday afternoon, and the name of Hakan Calhanoglu has now become an afterthought to many.

La Gazzetta dello Sport (via MilanNews) have published a comparison between the current Milan number 10 – Brahim Diaz – and his predecessor Hakan Calhanoglu. The paper remarks that there has been a clear break from the past, both from a sentimental point of view but also a tactical one.

This is because Stefano Pioli – as he has admitted several times – is now playing with a pure trequartista rather than with a playmaker who also doubles up as a midfielder as it was when Calhanoglu was there.

Compared to the Turk, who offers a bit more from a defensive coverage point of view, Brahim plays closer to the opposition box and this is why we have begun to see him in places where he can create and score goals, and ultimately influence the outcome of even the closest games.

READ MORE: Magnificent Maldini and brilliant Brahim – All the key stats from Milan’s win over Spezia