3 Things To Learn From AFC Bournemouth's Domination Over AC Milan

As predicted, Justin Kluivert returned to the starting XI for the first time since Cherries 2-1 win over Real Sociedad on September 18. Despite injury issues since he joined the club, the Dutchman has seemed to always maintain a consistent level of performance, and yesterday he showed that.

Kluivert didn't just confidently slot home a penalty, he looked lively and was a nuisance for the AC Milan defence for all of the 62 minutes that he played for. If there was ever a stat to show the level that the 27 year old is playing at, it would be that in his last 3 starts, he has scored in every single one of them.

With Junior Kroupi set to return to the Matchday squad for the trip to Manchester United on Sunday, Cherries attacking options look to be stronger than ever when you look at the form that Evanilson, Kluivert and Marcus Tavernier are all in. 

A good indicator of a team that is thriving and is set to compete to a high standards across the board is how well they deal with set backs. Whether that is key injuries, a manager being sacked or a heavy defeat. In the span of just 2 days, the injury of Alex Scott was confirmed and AFCB lost 5-1 away at Chelsea, with many fans contemplating whether the Marco Rose experiment was going to work or not.

Since then, AFC Bournemouth have scored 8 goals in 3 games, and have not conceded a single goal. This has evidently resulted in 3 wins on the bounce, and a much better feel good factor around the club.

Rotation has seemed much better, with Julio Soler, Bafode Diakite and Michele Di Gregorio all getting starts in the last week. Work load will be much more spread out, and if that can happen when the level of the performances stay at a high level, that shows you have a capable squad and a well prepared manager. Michele Di Gregorio is yet to concede a goal playing for AFCB, and that shows he is a brilliant option to have as backup to Djordje Petrovic!

On a similar note to the rotation of players and backup players performing well when getting the chance, key players were managed to a T last night.

Tyler Adams, Marcus Tavernier, Evanilson and Justin Kluivert all played around 65 minutes, with Rayan, Christie and Cook all resting on the bench. This should mean that the intensity and quality across the pitch should be there more than ever on Sunday, and there is no reason why Cherries cannot go to Old Trafford with a spring in their step and come away with another big 3 points.

Last night was history in so many ways, so now is time for the team to kick on and make themselves an unstoppable force just like last season!