Stat attack: Milan, why Niang is irreplaceable
The former Caen player and Dukes of Hazzard enthusiast has made a huge difference for the Rossoneri. Over the Diavolo's last 20 games, they've average a respectable 1.85 points per game. Without the -year-old, that falls down dramatically to 1.26.
With that 1.85 clip, the Rossoneri would score more than 70 points a season, essentially synonimous with Champions League football. It may not be a coincidence that Niang's ankle injury – courtesy of a car accident in which he wasn't driving – made the Rossoneri plummet, and arguably cost Coach Mihajlovic his job.
New manager Vincenzo Montella's attempts at replacing Niang with Jack Bonaventura haven't quite worked, either. Niang runs for 90 minutes, works hard in defence, and creates openings nobody else can. His fatigues may explain why he struggles under goal, but his strike from the penalty spot in the Rossoneri's 2-0 win against Lazio confirms what many of us have suspected since the turn of the year: Niang is a key player.
@marcodemi90, translated and adapted by @lorebetto
