All You Need Is Grinta: Gattuso’s Personality Key to Milan’s Recent Success

By: Paolo Mangone

The difference between success and failure maybe one’s approach to a challenge. In 14 games as Milan manager, Vincenzo Montella won 6 games, drawn 2 and lost 6 for a total of 20 points. His team scored 19 goals and conceded 18 for a goal difference of +1. Milan directors Marco Fassone and Massimiliano Mirabelli decided that a change was needed and replaced Montella with Milan Primavera manager Gennaro Gattuso. Since his appointment on November 27, 2017, Milan has played 11 games, in which they have won 6 of them, drawn 3 and lost 2 for a total of 21 points. His team scored 16 goals and conceded only 12 for a goal difference of +4. This means that Gattuso has collected 1 point more than Montella in 3 less games. Both managers played with 3 and 4-man defenses, dealt with the same set of players and the same uncertainty in the ownership situation: what can be the difference between the two managerial stints? Grinta. In calcio terms, grinta is used to describe the unbreakable will to succeed. This is what defined Gattuso’s playing career and there should be no shame in it describing his managerial career. His personality and managing style not seen since the days of his former international manager Giovanni Trapattoni, who was seen howling at his players on the sidelines and would be known for his entertaining press conferences. Before the Europa League Round of 32 first-leg, Gattuso stated that Ludogorets has been “in more European competitions than Milan” in the last six years. He was not wrong. Gattuso followed up on his humility with honesty when he criticized his team after winning 3-0 against Ludogorets: “I wouldn’t call it the perfect performance, as we could have played better, even it’s always difficult in Europe.” He is becoming a player’s coach: following Milan’s 1-0 win against Sampdoria, stated that “I have a great relationship with my players because I want to see if I can bring the best out in each one of them.” The Milan players are responding well to his style, in particular Leonardo Bonucci and Hakan Calhanoglu, who notably underperformed during Montella’s reign. Since Gattuso took over, Calhanoglu has made 8 appearances and has played 90 minutes in 5 of those appearances, scoring 1 goal and providing 1 assist in the process. Bonucci has captained the team to 3 straight clean sheets, which led to the center-back to say that Gattuso has “boosted our confidence.” Sometimes in life and in calcio, all you need is grinta.