Massimiliano Allegri and the AC Milan squad are continuing preparations for Sunday’s game against Atalanta, and changes are planned.
La Gazzetta dello Sport report that the main headline concerns the attack, where Rafael Leao is expected to be benched. Not only that, but in their double page spread the paper also stated that the management are expected to try and sell him this summer too.
Leao out and what else?
Leao’s possible benching isn’t the only change Allegri is considering ahead of the Atalanta game. He didn’t like the team he saw in Reggio Emilia, and in addition to a change in attitude since training, he’ll also alter the personnel.
The defensive rotation is forced given Fikayo Tomori is suspended: Koni De Winter will return to the starting line-up after his poor performance in the defeat to Udinese. He will be the only new addition at the back.
There will be a shake-up in midfield: Pervis Estupinan will be replaced by Davide Bartesaghi on the left flank, with the latter returning to the starting line-up after being benched on Sunday. For the Ecuadorian, it is yet another missed opportunity to reclaim his starting spot. On the right, Alexis Saelemaekers has the edge over Zachary Athekame
The three-man midfield will include Adrien Rabiot, who was below par against Sassuolo and is expected to lead the team towards redemption. Three players are in contention for the other two spaces: Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Youssouf Fofana and Samuele Ricci.
The Englishman’s physicality could prove useful, and he would play on the right. He hasn’t started since the February 22nd match against Parma, when he injured his jaw in a clash with goalkeeper Corvi.
With RLC on the pitch, Fofana would provide cover in front of the defence in Modric’s role, with less playmaking and more muscle. If the former Chelsea player starts as a substitute, the Frenchman will play as a mezzala, with space for Ricci as a regista.
The certainty seems to be that Ardon Jashari will be benched, although the club are not worried and will continue to bet on him for the future. Finally, up front, Santiago Gimenez should start for the first time since… Atalanta, away, earlier in the season.
GILA, AKE, RWB, GORETZKA, Bondo, Comotto, GRIMALDO, FW, DV, AS (backup SC), Camarda.
Exclude Bondo and 2 youngsters but these 8?
If we’re not able to get all of them (we would
even remain with some funds because there
would be a surplus, maybe even a significant
one, it depends), then nothing really matters, nothing is possible and nothing makes sense.
A lot of changes and more risk, but a lot of it is forced. I’m curious about the Rabiot-Fofana-RLC axis, with Fofana playing in front of the defense. He’s always claimed that this is his preferred position, and if he does well it could be a revelation for Allegri.
Meanwhile, Gimenez returns to the starting lineup, but who plays next to him if Leao is supposedly benched? I don’t think Allegri will bench Leao, but Pulisic is completely out of form and Nkunku has been a complete nothing. It almost has to be Leao.
pulisic is completely out of form. what form does Leao have?
Pulisic and Gimenez? Cool. I just hope I will be right.
Me too but it’s not gonna be worse than last weekend
Nope. It will be Leão. He’s Allegri guy. Does it really matter if the style of play is unchanged? I watched Bayern v PSG yesterday. The play is just so much faster, even on defense. Serie A is in danger of becoming the Farmer’s League as Brits like to call it.
Fofana as a ball recovering CDM is his best position, I know he has excellent movement but outside of that he does nothing for the attack. Keep him central to recover possession and disrupt counter attacks, allow the wingers to attack more (adding width) creating more space in the box for RLC/Ricci
He does nothing for the attack? What games are you watching?
Fulkrug v gimenez
I think Füllkrug has proven enough that he is absolutely useless.
Most of this Italian reporting is like a contrived Telenovela soap opera. This report contradicts earlier reports, so it feels made up most of the time. At any rate, with no offensive scheme, it’s like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.