There are beginnings of the season that look like a promise, and others that already take on the appearance of a revelation. Alphadjo Cissé is clearly experiencing the second category. At only 20 years old, the young Italian continues his meteoric rise under the colors of AC Milan and has just struck another big blow on the Genoa pitch (1-2). Holder this Sunday, the number 70 opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a precise strike at ground level, after excellent work from Christian Pulisic in recovery and a service from Adrien Rabiot. A new achievement which brings his total to eight goals in all competitions this season.
And his performance did not stop with this opening score. A few minutes later, the young Rossonero stood out again for his activity and his aggressiveness when he lost the ball. His pressing helped to put the Genoese defense under pressure, to the point of pushing Leo Østigård to make an error in his recovery. Gonçalo Ramos then recovered the ball before serving Christian Pulisic, who did not tremble to score Milan’s second goal in the 19th minute. An action that perfectly sums up what Cissé brings to this team: percussion, intensity and an involvement that goes far beyond his offensive role. However, this efficiency is not a mere flash in the pan. Before this meeting, Cissé already had seven goals in twelve appearances, divided between Serie A and the Europa League.
The new Milanese phenomenon no longer stops
His resounding hat-trick against RB Salzburg on October 15 had already made an impression. At 19 years and 358 days old, he became the youngest Italian to score a hat-trick in a major European competition. But beyond the figures, it is above all his profile that is intriguing. Able to move in the axis as well as on one side, he has remarkable quality of control, a precise strike and an ability to eliminate his opponent in small spaces. Ciro Polito, sporting director of Catanzaro, his former club, was particularly complimentary of him: “He has a lot of qualities. He has the quality of striking, ball control, first control. He has talent, and what he did didn’t happen by chance.”. Words that take on a particular resonance today.
In Milan, the emergence of Cissé now looks like a very good story. Having passed through Catanzaro before returning to the Rossoneri, the young attacking midfielder is transforming the opportunities offered by his coach into real sporting arguments. His eight goals in all competitions testify to his efficiency, while his investment in pressing demonstrates a maturity that is already interesting for his age. The most attractive perhaps remains this impression that he plays without complexes, with an almost insolent spontaneity, as if the big scenes did not impress him. At San Siro as well as far from his bases, Cissé is starting to make his way. And if AC Milan already has a new nugget, the young Italian seems determined not to miss his chance.
