Alvaro Morata has quickly made a mark at San Siro, and while expectations were high, he has exceeded them with his recent performances. The Spanish striker made an impressive entrance even before stepping on the pitch, stating during his presentation, “I want to bring the second star, I’m here to be a leader, and I promise to chase every ball.” Prior to the match, he added, “We will give everything for this shirt; I hope we celebrate with trophies at the end of the season.” His words struck a chord with fans, and although he didn’t score, his on-field contributions spoke volumes.
In the 45 minutes he was on the pitch under coach Paulo Fonseca, Morata showcased his trademark style of play. He was relentless in fighting for every ball, whether it was directed at him or loose. His movement was impressive as he often positioned himself between the lines, sometimes drifting to the left flank, which prevented defenders from marking him closely. His natural marker, Izzo, found it challenging to keep up with him.
Morata consistently sought out better-placed teammates to pass, embodying the role of a vital connector among his teammates. He floated between the left wing—where he enjoys playing—and the central attacking midfield. He drew defenders away to create space for his teammates, reminiscent of Olivier Giroud’s playstyle. His intelligent switches of play and efforts to initiate collective pressing were evident, demonstrating a willingness to put pressure on the Monza defenders, even taking hits in the process.
He attempted a spectacular goal from a cross by Calabria, trying an acrobatic shot that fell just short. Although the ball evaded him at the last moment, the crowd at Meazza appreciated his effort. He also tested the waters with a shot from the edge of the area but got a bit carried away with the idea of scoring a stunning goal, sending it over the bar. The fans still applauded his attempts.
As the match wore on, Morata, like the rest of the team, saw his influence diminish, highlighting how crucial he was to the team’s performance. At the end of the game, Morata reflected on the experience, saying, “It was all beautiful; everything went very well, and the atmosphere was fantastic. I have only trained twice with the team, but I feel good for the start of the season. We need to get our defensive work sorted out. I watched the pre-season games in America, and the quality is evident. Do we think we can compete for the title? Absolutely, this shirt demands it. Starting tomorrow, we have to go to Milanello and think about what we can achieve. Nobody wants to face Milan; we need to work even harder to reach our goals.”
Morata’s eagerness and determination are clear, setting a positive tone for the Milan squad as they aim for success this season.
