Real Madrid: Brahim Diaz continues to dazzle with AC Milan
By Ben Sundock
Brahim Diaz was never given regular minutes with Real Madrid after he moved over from Manchester City in 2019, but in just a couple of months on loan with AC Milan, he is showing the quality fans have been waiting for.
Brahim Diaz just needed playing time to show off his skill. At Real Madrid, the Spanish international played in just 21 competitive fixtures in nearly two years and tallied two goals.
Since he moved over to Italy and AC Milan in September, Brahim has scored three goals in nine appearances – including two in the Europa League – and four total.
Maundering down the left-flank and working closely with Zlatan Ibrahimović has done wonder’s for Diaz’s development and Real Madrid has to be pleased with what they are seeing already.
“He is like an older brother,” Diaz said of Zlatan after scoring in the 3-0 win in the Europa League over Sparta Prague on Thursday night. Ibra assisted Brahim on the opening goal of the match to cap off a brilliant give-and-go move. “He is close to me, he gives me advice. There is a good feeling between us and I am happy for this.”
Though the sample size is small right now, the most telling statistic that proves Brahim is thriving is his expected goals (xG).
In 15 La Liga matches with Real Madrid in 441 minutes, Diaz managed an xG of 1.0 total! In three matches with Milan and in 172 minutes, his xG sits at 1.4 and he has already equaled his goalscoring output with Los Blancos.
And while his goalscoring has been phenomenal, solely based on the eye test, Brahim is dominating and is exuding confidence. That can be chalked up to the fact he was not playing consistently at Real Madrid. Based on the way AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli has used him and worked him into the lineup, Zidane should be taking detailed notes!
Real Madrid has a plethora of wingers in their current squad and many fans and media pundits have not considered Brahim a viable option in the future.
If he can keep up this form he has shown as of late, he could earn himself a spot in the first-team for the 2021/2022 season!
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