Ex-Brazil and Real Madrid striker Ronaldo has heaped praise on 24-year-old Barcelona superstar Neymar.

The 39-year-old, who also played for Barcelona and Inter Milan, said his compatriot reminded him of himself.

“I like Neymar a lot. He is a bit like me,” he told Calciomercato (via Goal.com). “He had some difficulties in getting used to his new environment at first, but I knew that he was going to succeed.”

Ronaldo anticipates Neymar to be the successor to five-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi at Camp Nou.

“Can he be Messi‘s heir? Yes, he has everything he needs to become as strong as him.”

Ronaldo also spoke about the fortunes of his old club Madrid, who are now managed by his former team-mate Zinedine Zidane.

“Everybody knows that Zizou is a great friend,” he said. “I really hope that he will have a great career as a coach too. He’s the best player with whom I have ever played with. We had a lot of fun on the pitch.”

He’s expecting big things from Los Blancos under the legendary Frenchman.

“Could this be Real Madrid’s year? Yes, they must focus on the Champions League, they have everything to succeed,” he insisted. “Winning at Roma was very important for Zidane.”

The La Liga giants are both in action this weekend, with Barcelona travelling to Las Palmas on Saturday afternoon and Real Madrid visiting Malaga on Sunday.

[Goal.com]

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Mario Balotelli will reportedly never play for Liverpool again, as Reds manager Jurgen Klopp is said to have no interest in reintegrating the forward into his squad.

Continue for updates.

Balotelli’s Liverpool Career Reportedly Over

Friday, Feb. 19

Former manager Brendan Rodgers sent the Italian out on loan to AC Milan this season, and it seems as though Balotelli’s chances of playing regular football at Anfield are no better under the German, with James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo reporting that his career on Merseyside is finished:

A lucrative move to the Chinese Super League is a serious possibility for Balotelli with clubs in the Far East having already enquired about securing a deal for the 25-year-old. There has also been interest from Turkey with Liverpool hopeful of recouping most of the £16million they paid Milan for his signature in August 2014.

Pearce added that Klopp is “not interested in taking on a striker who is ill suited to the kind of high-intensity football the Reds boss is looking to install.”

Andy Hunter of the Guardian also claimed Balotelli’s agent, Mino Raiola, is already seeking out clubs in China and Turkey regarding a possible move next season.

While Balotelli scored just one Premier League goal in his first season at Liverpool and has been injured for much of his loan term with the Rossoneri, a fine player is in there somewhere. But with his Liverpool career set to end in the summer, the Italian will face a fourth sale from an elite European club, having already been moved on by Inter Milan, Manchester City and AC Milan.

The future once looked bright for the unique footballer, but it seems inevitable that he will fall short of the standards many expected him to reach.

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A collection of Manchester United’s senior players have reportedly lost faith in manager Louis van Gaal and want the club to appoint Jose Mourinho, whose agent, Jorge Mendes, is said to have been contacted by Old Trafford officials.

While the Dutchman remains “well liked,” Ed Aarons and Jamie Jackson of the Guardian reported that in the wake of the team’s shock 2-1 loss to FC Midtjylland in the Europa League on Thursday, an “influential faction” of the squad has lost confidence.

“Although there is a recognition those on the field must take their share of responsibility for uneven form—Thursday’s loss followed the 2-1 reverse at Sunderland on Saturday—Mourinho is seen as the man who can return the club to winning ways,” Aarons and Jackson noted.

Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News reported United have been in touch with Mendes, with concerns over reports linking Mourinho to the Inter Milan job: “M.E.N. Sport understands United touched base with Mendes to ascertain whether Mourinho is seriously considering a return to management at Internazionale.”

Aarons and Jackson reported that executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward “continues to deliberate over whether to sack Van Gaal,” although he is “conscious” Mourinho is likely to get offers from elsewhere while he remains a free agent. Indeed, Luckhurst noted the Portuguese will not “wait forever” for the job.

As we can see here, courtesy of BT Sport Football, although the Red Devils were abject for long spells against the Danish outfit, Van Gaal bemoaned poor fortune post-match:

United will play Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup on Monday, when they will be seeking to salvage something from what has been a disappointing campaign; they’re fifth in the Premier League—six points behind local rivals Manchester City, who occupy fourth—and now also face a fight to make it into the last 16 of the Europa League.

With Mourinho available and seemingly willing to take on the job, many are surprised the Dutchman remains at Old Trafford.

As we can see here, courtesy of the Manchester Evening News’ United Twitter feed, the local press feel as though the time is right for the club to ax Van Gaal:

The fans are fed up with the moribund football, the results are suffering and it seems as though key figures in the dressing room have finally given up on him, too. Regardless of whether Mourinho comes in now or at the end of the season, the time is right for Van Gaal to make way.

The prospect of working under the Portuguese is something that the players will understandably be keen on, given his track record of success and forming affinities with footballers. Whether he’s the right man in the long term is up for debate, but for the time being, Mourinho could give this illustrious football club the jolt it needs to compete at the top again.

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Without much debate: England is an attractive footballing destination. Possessing a passionate sporting culture, monetary advantage and traditional powerhouses—some comprising the world’s most popular domestic sporting competition—English clubs, namely those in the Premier League, are coveted entities.

Most would argue, however, about where Europe’s best football is played.

With France, Germany and Italy just behind, the usual argument boils down to England vs. Spain. The former is tenacious, while the latter is technical. One’s preference can sway them in either direction, but, viewed from the purist’s eyes—wanting to see Pele’s “beautiful game” enacted on a weekly, gamely basis—Spain is the likely choice.

Examining the rosters of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and several “lesser” institutions, one can find scores of Earth’s greatest active footballers in the Iberian Peninsula’s biggest league. With massive playing talent invariably comes massive managerial talent. A list would be too extensive, and while certainly not unique to Spain, some of the best tactical minds have graced Spanish touchlines.

Despite having the world’s best technical football and the globe’s two largest sports franchises (Real Madrid and Barcelona), a trend is presently occurring: Huge names aren’t going there, or are linked with leaving. Merely using Spain as the ultimate example, this trend is not limited to Spanish football.

Where are they going appears the next logical question, but it doesn’t matter where they go, at first, what matters is where they eventually arrive—not a riddle, promise. 

Take Pep Guardiola for instance. The Spanish manager left Barcelona in 2012, arguably in the midst of their greatest generation, to explore the proverbial greener grass. Is there more greener grass than what exists at the Camp Nou? Probably not, but Guardiola wanted to challenge himself elsewhere.

He chose Germany. Taking control of Jupp Heynckes’ 2012/13 treble-winning Bayern Munich side, the then-42-year-old has proceeded to win three domestic trophies—with another league title looking imminent this season.

Success, though, was not enough to keep Guardiola at the Allianz Arena; he and Bayern announced last December their three-year contract would not be renewed. Two months later, Guardiola revealed he was Manchester City manager, starting from 2016/17.

The now-45-year-old’s primary rival at Barcelona was Real Madrid’s Jose Mourinho. Following silverware-laden stints at FC Porto, Chelsea and Inter Milan, the Portuguese found himself at the world’s most valuable club, as suggested by Forbes‘ Kurt Badenhausen.

Contending with Barca’s juggernaut, Mourinho won two domestic trophies as Madrid boss and reached three consecutive Champions League semi-finals, in three seasons, but left the Santiago Bernabeu—returning to Chelsea. At Stamford Bridge, he created success (lifting 2014/15 Premier League and League Cup), yet the club sacked released him during a horrid 2015/16 campaign.

1. Jurgen Klopp
2. Arsene Wenger
3. Pep Guardiola
4. Jose Mourinho
5. Pochettino
6. Maybe Diego Simeone too.#BPL Managers Next Season😱😳

— Jack (@J4CK_97) February 16, 2016 

Able to go anywhere on the planet (except maybe Barcelona and/or Arsenal) to manage, Mourinho—as documented by the Telegraph—told an interviewer: “At this moment I don’t have a job, and I don’t know where football will take me, because in football you never know. But, for sure for sure, as a family, our home will still be England.”

A proponent of English football, enjoying the intensity and match-to-match competitiveness (especially when compared to Spain and Italy), Mourinho and Manchester United have been incessantly linked since his west London departure. The Daily Mail‘s Dominic King offers the former Blues boss is “on the brink of” replacing Louis van Gaal come season’s end, but, as he said, “in football you never know.”

At Stamford Bridge: Replacing the club’s best-ever manager is proving convoluted. The names on Roman Abramovich’s alleged wish list are extensive. Massimiliano Allegri, Antonio Conte and Jorge Sampaoli are a few of the potential candidates, as penned by Telegraph‘s Matt Law, but the stand-out name is Diego Simeone.

Atletico Madrid’s fiery gaffer won La Liga in 2013/14 (against rather substantial odds) and was a corner-kick clearance away from potentially winning the Champions League. The 45-year-old’s stock is higher than ever, and with offers all but arrived, one wonders—like Mourinho and Guardiola—whether England’s beckoning is too appealing to discard.

Proving his worth at Atletico—his one league title might as well be seven—should Chelsea be the next chapter in Simeone’s managerial career? Only he could answer, but it seems the next logical step to test English waters. If a club with the resources of Chelsea come knocking, as seen with Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool (albeit the German was unemployed), saying “pass” at that opportunity cannot be straightforward. 

Having the best football does not necessarily equate to having the most competitive or challenging league. Players might choose clubs on particular styles, environments, wages or any number of factors, but managers should take a more investigative approach.

Where are the world’s best going, and should I go as well?

Will my owner/president/chairman assist me to win trophies?

Which club and country gives me the best platform to grow?

Where the best football is being played is personal preference, but where the best managers are headed, or already reside, is evident: The Premier League.

It is not for the weather nor the food; it is for the competitive nature of English football, the resources to compete and the lure of managing (both for and against) many of the most prestigious and/or domineering clubs in world football.

Follow @danieltiluk

*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase where not noted.

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Tottenham Hotspur‘s Europa League campaign resumes on Thursday when they travel to face Fiorentina in the first leg of their round-of-32 tie. 

La Viola are opposition that Spurs know well, having been knocked out by them at the same stage in last year’s tournament. Fiorentina progressed to the semi-final but were thrashed 5-0 on aggregate by eventual winners Sevilla. 

This tie may prove a frustrating distraction for both teams as they are enjoying promising domestic campaigns. Fiorentina hold Serie A’s final Champions League place, while Tottenham are second in the Premier League. 

Vincenzo Montella, the architect of Spurs’ defeat last season, has moved on and Paulo Sousa has taken the reins. The Portuguese has a mixed reputation in England after some less-than-fruitful managerial spells, but he has his team performing at a solid level and Mauricio Pochettino must be wary. 

Form Lines 

Fiorentina

Fiorentina 2-1 Inter Milan

Bologna 1-1 Fiorentina

Fiorentina 2-1 Carpi

Genoa 0-0 Fiorentina

Fiorentina 2-0 Torino

Tottenham 

Manchester City 1-2 Spurs

Spurs 1-0 Watford

Norwich City 0-3 Spurs

Colchester United 1-4 Spurs

Crystal Palace 1-3 Spurs

Team News 

Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has been ruled out with a shoulder injury and joins Jan Vertonghen and Clinton Njie on the sidelines, according to the club’s official website. 

In more positive news, youngsters Josh Onomah and Cameron Carter-Vickers (both 18) are with the squad. 

Sousa is yet to confirm any changes to his lineup but hinted at some rotation, saying “it’s possible, also for strategic reasons since this is a two-legged tie.”

Predicted Formations 

Fiorentina have switched between a back three and back four across this season but went with a 4-3-2-1 in their latest fixture, the 2-1 victory over Inter Milan. 

Fiorentina 

Goalkeeper: Tatarusanu

Defence: Alonso, Astori, Tomovic, Roncaglia

Midfield: Tello, Valero, Vecino, Badelj, Blaszczykowski

Attack: Kalinic

Spurs

Goalkeeper: Vorm

Defence: Trippier, Wimmer, Alderweireld, Davies

Midfield: Lamela, Bentaleb, Carroll, Onomah, Chadli

Attack: Kane

Player to Watch 

Every positive Fiorentina move flows through Borja Valero. The midfielder is the creative heart of Sousa’s team, and he will make the difference against Tottenham. 

Sousa protects Valero with physical midfielders on either side and gives the Spaniard the freedom to drift around and cause chaos. 

He has six assists and 53 chances created in the season so far, per Squawka.com. If Spurs can stop Valero, they are well on their way to victory. 

The star of Tottenham’s Europa League campaign so far has been Erik Lamela. The Argentinian scored five goals in the group stages and seems to thrive in lower-paced European football. 

Many of his best performances and greatest individual moments have come in this tournament. 

Having been omitted from the starting lineup against Manchester City on Sunday, it seems a certainty that Lamela will start in Florence. He more than earned a recall with his match-winning appearance from the substitutes’ bench at the Etihad Stadium. 

Key Battle 

Tottenham have the fourth-highest rate of possession in the Premier League this season, according to WhoScored.com. They held 54 percent of the ball in their away win over Manchester City. 

No team in Serie A controls the ball like Fiorentina. They hold 59.8 percent on average. 

Both Pochettino and Sousa have been willing to tweak their approach this season but controlling the game by controlling the ball is a strategy that both seek to exploit. 

The key battle in this match will be who is capable of winning the midfield battle and dominate possession. 

If Spurs opt to rest their key midfielders—Eric Dier and Mousa Dembele—in the first leg, they will likely have trouble retaining their usual high rate of ball control. 

Per Mark Bryans of the Press Association (via the Daily Mail), Sousa revealed his intent to dominate the ball, saying, “…with our style we can have more possession.”

Whichever team wins this battle will force their opponent into an unfamiliar situation and take a huge advantage. 

Live Stream, TV Info

UK: 6 p.m. GMT, BT Sport Europe

USA: 1 p.m. ET, Fox Soccer Plus 

Odds

Strikers Nikola Kalinic and Harry Kane are both short-priced at 5/1 to open the scoring in this fixture, but neither is guaranteed to start and so offer little real value. 

With both sides battling for possession in midfield, this match is likely to start slowly. With that in mind, backing a draw at half-time and a Tottenham win at full-time is available at 6/1. That’s a great value bet in a match that Spurs should be good enough to win.

Odds courtesy of Oddschecker.

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Paris Saint-Germain star forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic has hinted he is ready to try his hand at the Premier League, with Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal touted as possible destinations for the veteran.

That’s according to MailOnline’s Sami Mokbel and Matt Barlow, who suggest while he’s likely to move to a Miami franchise headed up by former PSG team-mate David Beckham in 2017, a 12-month move to England is tempting him.

“Is the Premier League something I fancy?” said the 34-year-old after he scored against the Blues in midweek in the Champions League, per Mokbel and Barlow. “Let’s just say I’m in shape”

There’s no disputing that. As we can see here, courtesy of Squawka Football, the Sweden international has been banging the goals in lately:

Ibrahimovic’s contract with PSG is due to expire at the end of this season, leading to plenty of discussion over his future.

According to Dave Kidd of the Daily Mirror, United is a possible destination, with Jose Mourinho, who worked with Ibrahimovic at Inter Milan, tipped to replace under-fire boss Louis van Gaal. “The two men remain close, regularly exchanging text messages,” he writes of the PSG man and his former boss.

Kidd also writes that Mourinho was looking at bringing the firebrand forward to Stamford Bridge before he was axed by the club earlier this season.

Despite his advancing years, Ibrahimovic still remains a force on the field. Here is a reminder of some of his best moments from this campaign:

The Premier League has always looked well-tailored for the player too. Not only does he have the big personality to cope in such a high-pressure environment, but also his physicality will enable him to thrive up front, while his supreme technical skill far surpasses that of so many forwards defenders have to deal with in the division.

A new challenge may also keep Ibrahimovic motivated and performing to an elite level a little longer yet. Throughout his career he’s moved between clubs on a regular basis, and the goals have flowed in the Netherlands, Spain, Italy and now France. If he were to up sticks for England, there’s little to suggest that trend would end.

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Liverpool return to Europa League action on Thursday night, taking on Bundesliga strugglers FC Augsburg in the first leg of their round-of-32 tie at the WWK Arena.

This clash marks the first time Jurgen Klopp has taken on German opposition since his move away from Borussia Dortmund last summer, and it provides the 48-year-old with the opportunity to gain a significant advantage in his quest for European glory this season.

Standing in the Reds’ way, however, are an Augsburg side who, despite enduring muted form in the Bundesliga in 2015/16, are on an upward trajectory under the impressive Markus Weinzierl.

Weinzierl has led Augsburg to 15th, eighth and fifth in the German top flight over the past three seasons, securing Europa League football for the first time in the club’s history with a remarkable campaign in 2014/15.

Taking to Twitter on Tuesday, Augsburg described this clash as “the biggest game in [Augsburg] history,” but can Klopp‘s Liverpool spoil the party in Bavaria?

Date: Thursday, 18 February

Time: 8.05 p.m. GMT / 3.05 p.m. ET

Venue: WWK Arena, Augsburg

TV Info: BT Sport Europe (U.K. only) / Fox Sports 2 (U.S only)

Live Stream: BT Sport Player (U.K only) / FOX Soccer 2Go (U.S only)

Form Lines (Last 5 Games)

Augsburg: W-D-D-L-L

Liverpool: D-L-D-L-W

Team News

Weinzierl is forced to prepare for his side’s “biggest” clash in history without one of his most important players, as 31-year-old defensive midfielder Daniel Baier is struggling with an ankle injury.

Klopp highlighted Baier as “one of the best players in the Bundesliga” on Tuesday, as relayed by the Liverpool Echo‘s James Pearce.

“Usually one of the best players in the Bundesliga is their playmaker Daniel Baier, who plays No. 6 or No. 8,” he said. “But he is injured for our game which is a big problem for them.”

Centre-back Jeong-Ho Hong and Piotr Trochowski, formerly of Bayern Munich, Hamburg SV and Sevilla, are both unlikely to feature due to muscle problems, while Jan Moravek should also be out of contention after suffering concussion.

Jan-Ingwer Callsen-Bracker, Marco Schuster and Raphael Framberger are all out with long-term injuries.

Meanwhile, Klopp is without a number of first-team regulars, as his squad continue to battle persistent injury issues.

Martin Skrtel, Joe Gomez, Danny Ings and Jordan Rossiter are all long-term absentees, but joining this quartet are Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren, who remain on the sidelines after missing Sunday’s 6-0 win away to Aston Villa.

Klopp explained Lallana‘s absence to reporters including the club’s official website on Tuesday, saying he had “no chance” of featuring due to a calf problem. Lucas Leiva, however, is set to return.

Lucas could come into Klopp‘s midfield selection and can also provide cover at centre-back, with Pearce confirming that Lovren had not travelled to Augsburg due to a family illness.

Adam Bogdan, Jon Flanagan and Kevin Stewart are among those unavailable after being left out of Klopp‘s 25-man squad for the Europa League.

Predicted Lineups

Despite Baier‘s absence, Augsburg are likely to line up in the 4-2-3-1 formation that saw them defend so valiantly in the first half of their 3-1 defeat to Bayern Munich last time out.

This should see first-choice goalkeeper Marwin Hitz take his position between the sticks, behind a back four of captain Paul Verhaegh, Christoph Janker, Ragnar Klavan and one of Philipp Max and Kostas Stafylidis at left-back.

Dominik Kohr and Jeffrey Gouweleeuw should form the base of Augsburg’s five-man midfield, behind attacking midfielders Caiuby, Koo Ja-Cheol and Alexander Esswein—though ex-Dortmund forward Ji Dong-Won will be hoping to feature.

Raul Bobadilla is a certainty to lead the line as Augsburg’s lone striker.

Without a fixture this coming weekend after crashing out of the FA Cup, Klopp can afford to field his strongest lineup at the WWK Arena, as he looks to put the tie to bed early—with one eye on the League Cup final at the end of the month.

This should see Simon Mignolet continue in goal, behind Nathaniel Clyne, Kolo Toure, Mamadou Sakho and Alberto Moreno.

Meanwhile, in midfield, Jordan Henderson and Emre Can should mirror the roles of Kohr and Gouweleeuw, in what could be a 4-2-3-1 formation, supporting Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and James Milner.

Daniel Sturridge is expected to be involved again, and Klopp could look to risk the No. 15 from the start on Thursday night, after an exceptional display up front against Aston Villa.

Likely Augsburg XI: Hitz; Verhaegh, Janker, Klavan, Stafylidis; Kohr, Gouweleeuw; Esswein, Koo, Caiuby; Bobadilla.

Likely Liverpool XI: Mignolet; Clyne, Toure, Sakho, Moreno; Henderson, Can; Milner, Firmino, Coutinho; Sturridge.

Players to Watch

Raul Bobadilla

Previewing his side’s trip to Augsburg, Klopp earmarked Bobadilla as one of Weinzierl‘s key players, having experienced the striker’s powerful brand of attacking football following his move to the Bundesliga in 2013.

“[Augsburg] have players with big potential and have one of the most physical strikers in Europe in Raul Bobadilla, who you need a navigation system to drive around!” he said. “He is a real worker and difficult to defend.”

Bobadilla has scored six goals in five Europa League appearances so far this season, and will be desperate to add to his tally against Liverpool—Klopp‘s centre-backs will need to be on their toes throughout.

Philippe Coutinho

Restored to the starting lineup for the past two Liverpool outings following his recovery from hamstring injury, Coutinho returned to top form with a phenomenal creative display against a hapless Villa on Sunday afternoon.

Dictating play from the first whistle, the Brazilian shone in a supporting role, drifting in from the left flank, threading dangerous balls through the Villa back line and driving towards the penalty area with force.

Coutinho is seemingly more effective when deployed behind the dynamic Sturridge, reverting to his creative role rather than attempting to beat the goalkeeper from 25 yards whenever in possession.

Expect Coutinho to be in inspired form against Augsburg, and the former Inter Milan man could be key to Liverpool securing victory in the first leg.

Key Battle

James Milner vs. Kostas Stafylidis

While Coutinho, Firmino and Sturridge grabbed the headlines following Liverpool’s victory at Villa Park, equally important was Milner who, deployed on the right-hand side of the attacking midfield, performed with typical industry.

If he keeps his place in the starting lineup on Thursday night, a resurgent Milner could come up against an inexperienced left-back in Stafylidis.

The Greece international spent the 2014/15 campaign on loan with Championship battlers Fulham, and the 22-year-old’s fledgling defensive nous will be tested by the canny Milner at the WWK Arena.

Odds

Augsburg: 3/1

Liverpool: 23/20

Draw: 33/13

Odds via Oddschecker and correct at time of writing.

Statistics via Transfermarkt.co.uk.

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This season, AC Milan have gone from mid-table makeweights to contenders for European football. Sinisa Mihajlovic is thus in the process of helping the club turn an important corner in its history. Helping him do that is his elegant trequartista, Giacomo Bonaventura.

Bonaventura is perhaps one of the finest accidental transfers of modern times. The day he put to pen to paper and became a Milan player was a frenzied emotional rollercoaster, full of twists and turns.

He began 1 September, 2014—the last day of the transfer window—as an Atalanta player. By that afternoon, he almost became an Inter Milan player, but a complication in the deal meant Bonaventura looked set to remain in Bergamo for the time being. Then the Rossoneri came calling.

“I will be honest, I was happy that after four years at Atalanta I was going to a big club at last,” Bonaventura told Guerin Sportivo (h/t Football Italia) of Milan’s move for him.

“At 20:30 (Atalanta director general Pierpaolo) Marino stopped me…and said he’d received a phone call from Adriano Galliani, so we were heading to Milan headquarters.” Bonaventura went from almost laughing to crying tears of joy when signing on the dotted line.

His arrival was fairly inconspicuous, despite the eventful manner in which the deal was sealed. He was already 25 years old and, while he had appeared for Italy in a friendly, he was no star.

Bonaventura was also joining Milan at a time of flux. The club had finished eighth the season before and, under the inexperienced Filippo Inzaghi, would finish 10th in his first campaign. He played well but it wasn’t until this term that he broke out.

Indeed in 2015-16, Bonaventura has gone from being a handy player to Milan’s most important asset.

He is one of several individuals to deserve praise for the way they have performed this season. The likes of Alex and Juraj Kucka have played above themselves, while Keisuke Honda is finally living up to his billing. Youngsters such as 16-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and 21-year-old forward M’Baye Niang have also broken into the starting lineup with mature displays.

However none of those players have made quite so notable an improvement as Bonaventura.

This term, the 26-year-old attacking midfielder has set up seven league goals and scored five of his own. Thus, despite only having moved beyond the halfway mark of the campaign within the last month or so, he has already contributed to more goals than in any of his previous seasons as a professional player.

Also, having had a hand in 12 goals combined, he has been directly involved in just under one-third of Milan’s total Serie A tally of 37.

According to WhoScored.com, Bonaventura has been Milan’s best player by quite a distance, garnering a 7.53 rating.

Meanwhile, Squawka.com rate him as the sixth-best midfielder in the country. In terms of attacking performance, their statistics state that only three other midfielders—Palermo’s Franco Vazquez, Atalanta’s Alejandro Gomez and Juventus’ Paul Pogba—have done more.

That Bonaventura has achieved these numbers in a tactical environment as unstable as Mihajlovic’s Milan makes them all the more remarkable.

When the Serbian coach first arrived at the club last summer, his intention was to implement a 4-3-1-2 system with a diamond midfield. This was a formation he had used to good effect with Sampdoria, though it was initially unclear how Bonaventura would fit into it.

After a dalliance with playing him in the hole behind the strikers, Mihajlovic settled on using his playmaker on the left of the midfield three. However, by October, this was an irrelevant concern as the coach made the first of two systemic changes.

Bringing in a 4-3-3 which became a 4-5-1 when out of possession, Mihajlovic fielded Bonaventura on the left wing. This allowed the player to cut inside onto his favoured right foot and link up with Carlos Bacca, who took up the lone striker berth.

At this point, the growing relationship between these two players became a real positive for Milan.

After setting up the team’s second goal in a 3-1 win over Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico last November, Bonaventura provided the third for Bacca with a beautifully weighted slide-rule pass that split open the opposition defence. The Colombian simply had to run onto the ball before rounding Federico Marchetti and tapping home.

That goal was a microcosm of their partnership. Bacca lingers on the shoulder of the last man; Bonaventura searches for him with accurate passes through the opposition defensive line.

The combination between these two players is the most productive in Serie A. Only Marek Hamsik and Lorenzo Insigne’s respective duets with Gonzalo Higuain can equal them, per WhoScored.

And since Mihajlovic brought in a 4-4-2 last December, the pair have continued to work in a similar way. Nominally, this system sees Bonaventura play on the left wing, though he tends to drift infield to dovetail with Bacca, who often plays as the left-sided striker.

In this sense, Bonaventura has been crucial to aiding Bacca in settling into Italian football.

The clinical striker joined Milan last summer as a marquee signing but took some time getting used to Mihajlovic’s tactics and Serie A defences. Bonaventura’s presence in the side ensured that, even when the team was lacking in spark, there was at least some creativity for Bacca to feast on.

Aside from supplying Bacca, Bonaventura’s all-round play has been impressive. A player with plenty of intelligence and awareness, his ability to find dangerous areas on the pitch make him a constant thorn for opponents.

He also possesses excellent vision to go along with his smooth technique and passing range, making him a devastating player when given space to exploit.

The nimble attacking midfielder has quietly become Milan’s silent leader, a figure respected within the team not necessarily for his voice, charisma or willingness to crack skulls, but for his impact and reliability.

He appears comfortable with his new role within the team dynamic, telling Premium Sport (h/t Football Italia):

I’m an important player. The supporters look at the attitude, the way one takes to the pitch, and that’s what I’m like.

But I’m not seeking admiration, I’m just trying to help the team. Being considered a leader is not important for me, I just want to give the right example to the team.

Bonaventura’s progression as a player is, evidently, not just down to his work on the training ground. He is growing as a person and, at a time when Milan lack true leadership throughout the squad, he should be considered for the captaincy in the future.

Riccardo Montolivo currently holds the armband but has not always convinced and isn’t necessarily guaranteed a starting place each week.

Giving the captaincy to Bonaventura would be apt. After all, if no-one can lead by talking, at least the Rossoneri would have appointed someone who can consistently lead by doing.

With UEFA Euro 2016 coming up this summer, Bonaventura’s form should see him comfortably make the 23-man cut for Antonio Conte’s Italy squad. He may even sneak ahead of the likes of Stephan El Shaarawy and Lorenzo Insigne to take the left-wing berth in Conte’s 4-3-3.

Yet, while international competition is perhaps what will take Bonaventura’s career to the next level in the eyes of the general public, the truth is that he is already there.

This season he has made the leap from good to great. Milan have a star amid their ranks.

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