AC Milan must bounce back from consecutive defeats by beating Hellas Verona on Sunday, or a Champions League spot is in grave danger.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport report, Massimiliano Allegri had his entire squad at his disposal on Monday at Milanello, with no absences. It’s happened rarely this season, but AC Milan can finally say they’re at full strength. Therefore, in Verona on Sunday, the coach will have plenty of choice.
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A one-game experiment
A return to the 3-5-2 formation is practically a given, following the debacle against Udinese with the 4-3-3. Keep an eye on the defence: Fikayo Tomori – who was out last Saturday – is jostling for a place in the starting eleven, while this week Allegri will evaluate the condition of Matteo Gabbia.
He returned to the bench against the Zebrre after more than a month’s absence. The central defender, who of course came through the youth sector, could return to the starting XI. Strahinja Pavlovic is certain of his spot, so it could be a Koni De Winter vs. Tomori battle for the right CB spot.
The statistic regarding Gabbia is curious: in Milan’s seven defeats this season (five in the league, one in the Coppa Italia, and one in the Supercoppa Italiana), the Rossoneri defender has only appeared once, in the 2-1 defeat against Cremonese on matchday one. Just a coincidence?
In midfield, Youssouf Fofana is certain to return to the starting line-up, having only come on during the match against Udinese after suffering a feverish attack the day before. The real doubts for this one lie in the attacking department.
Rafael Leao – who was jeered off on Saturday – isn’t at his best. Christian Pulisic hasn’t scored in 2026, Santiago Gimenez is lagging behind in fitness, while Christopher Nkunku and Niclas Füllkrug are struggling too. Who should he choose? Allegri will make his decision based on training.
The statistic regarding Gabbia is curious: in Milan’s seven defeats this season (five in the league, one in the Coppa Italia, and one in the Supercoppa Italiana), the Rossoneri defender has only appeared once, in the 2-1 defeat against Cremonese on matchday one. Just a coincidence?
Yes it’s just a coincidence. The Parma game would have been the same result given the referees stole points from us with an illegal goal gifted to Parma.
The Lazio loss would have been the same since it was Pavlovic and Estupinan who messed up.
The Napoli goal MIGHT have been avoided if he was the one in the middle rather than De Winter, but Bartesaghi was more at fault than anything for not marking Politano.
Udinese… nobody was going to be effective in a formation that they haven’t played in over a year, the formation which had this club in 9th place before Conceicao decided to change to a 3atb.