"The Ecuadorian was billed as a replacement for Theo Hernandez when he joined Milan from Brighton last summer, lumbered with unreasonable comparison from the start. Hernandez, at his best, was one of the most effective attacking full-backs on the planet. Estupinan, at 28, is yet to put himself in that conversation, but the hope was that he could offer some of the same directness and ability to get up and down the left flank."
"After a mixed start, Estupinan sustained an ankle injury in October. Davide Bartesaghi replaced him in the side. Born in Lombardy to a Milan-supporting father, and developed in the club's academy, the 20-year-old had a compelling narrative and performances to match. Estupinan's opportunities were fewer on his return, and he has not always grasped them as he might like."
"It did not look that way on Sunday as he ran through on goal, controlling Youssouf Fofana's through-ball with his first touch before crushing a left-footed shot into the near top corner. The culmination of a wonderfully-constructed team move that began as they so often do from the feet of Luka Modric."
Pervis Estupinan, signed as a replacement for Theo Hernandez, faced challenging expectations in his first season at Milan. After an ankle injury in October limited his opportunities, he struggled to reclaim his position, with critics questioning his adequacy following a poor performance against Fiorentina in January. However, Estupinan delivered a crucial moment by scoring the derby winner against Inter, controlling a through-ball from Youssouf Fofana and finishing with a left-footed shot into the top corner. The goal culminated a well-constructed team move initiated by Luka Modric from deep positions, showcasing Milan's attacking coordination and providing Estupinan redemption after his difficult campaign.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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