In the early part of the season, Massimiliano Allegri has rarely been able to field what he would consider to be his first-choice line-up.
As Corriere dello Sport (via MilanPress) report this morning, Milan could have a very high ceiling, but a number of injuries have not allowed Allegri to deploy his true vision for the team. Yet, without European competition, the idea of keeping a small squad seemed justified in the club’s eyes.
With Adrien Rabiot expected back in full training from Tuesday and Santiago Gimenez potentially recovering for Sunday’s derby against Inter, it will soon be time to see Milan ‘just as they were designed this summer’.
Key absences
Some of the most influential players are also among those who have spent the least time on the pitch. Christian Pulisic – Serie A’s third-highest scorer – has played just 344 minutes, despite scoring four goals in seven games.
Rabiot has played 360 minutes across four appearances, in which Milan have collected a Scudetto-worthy average of 10 points from 12 available, missing out only on a victory against Juventus. Of the three, the most used is Rafael Leao, with 451 minutes in seven games and the same number of goals as Pulisic.
It’s crazy to think that these three – despite being the most impactful in terms of numbers and mentality – are among the least used by the coach, precisely because of their physical issues since the start of the season.
Behind them in the ranking of Milan’s least used players are David Odogu, Ardon Jashari, Zachary Athekame, Christopher Nkunku and Koni De Winter. The derby can and must be the great opportunity to see the best players all together, and perhaps cultivate the title dream.
Lets be honest, there is no design, there never has been under Redbird.
Was it by design we have 3 “second strikers” and 1 striker (who cant score) ?
Was it by design that Jashari broke his leg and Rabiot got in a fist fight?
Was it by design that Allegri see’s Modric/Ricci/Jashari as all playing in front of the defence ?
Was it by design we sold to good wingbacks and bought 2 poor fullbacks in the first season we play with wingbacks?
Was it by Design we have 4 centre backs and play a 3 CB system ?
It was All Designs !! To make this team, Not competitive, Not making any sense, Disturbing between Coach and players (two captains eft),
Hey Gerry said the competition that milan has is from EPL lmao
problem this season was actually caused by allegri. at first allegri wanted to play 4-3-3 which he communicated and the transfer was going towards 4-3-3 only for him to change to 3-5-2 eventually durin preseason.if 3-5-2 was d prefered formation from start,we had no reason letting theo leave.he wud have really excelled in this formation where he will be free to go much forward with his pace and skills.asides that,we dont need much striker for a 3-5-2 system.just good forwards and we got that in leao and puli.though i still think nkunku will come around soon
Theo H??? With his terrible catastrophic mistakes? No more comments. Will just Leave it here
Theo and Tijani were sold when he cane through the door, he wanted to keep both. The club wanted the money.
This is great news!!