Simon Kjaer: the lock of Milan that did not triumph at Sevilla

The football world, like life is full of variables and unknowns and the formula for success sometimes appears when you least expect it. Or else, Ask Simon Kjaer when Sevilla sent Atalanta on loan in September 2019 and those from Bergamo returned it to Sánchez Pizjuán four months later. In the DEA he started as a starter, but would end up losing his step, to the point of not playing any minute from October 30, beyond an oasis in the Champions League against Dinamo Zagreb (he played 90 minutes).

Back in the south of Spain, without the confidence of Sevilla, a new opportunity opened on his horizon: a new loan, this time to Milan. In San Siro he fell on his feet and the arrival of Stefano Pioli has made him indisputable and irreplaceable. In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport explains the reason for this rebirth: “My story is simple, I need to have confidence: I have always responded when they have given me continuity”. And in the whole rossonero has it.

“When I think that there are tactical aspects that can change for the better, he listens to me,” says the Dane regarding his coach. “In the end, it is he who decides, but there is a dialogue. He is the perfect coach for me,” he says. In addition, he also feels the support of higher spheres: “Maldini and Massara brought me to have a voice in the dressing room and help the youngest. I arrived at a difficult time (…). Now we are the opposite … “.

That The change in trend has returned a historic one like Milan to the heights that it had not reached for a long time. The presence of a eternal Ibrahimovic picks up most of the spotlights, but the role of the Calhanoglu, Brahim, Saelekemaers, Theo, Donnaruma or Kjaer himself is just as important. This young and choral Milan bears the signature of the architect to whom the ex-Sevilla artist dedicates so many flowers: Stefano Pioli.

The Italian coach has delivered the commands from the rear to a Simon Kjaer who, despite adding 31 springs, is living a second youth. So far, he has started every game and is the player with the most minutes on the team. From Seville he left through the back door, in Atalanta he did not find his place, but now it is the strongman of the Serie A leader's defense. The international centenary with Denmark may have finally found a home in which to put down football roots.