AC Milan will return to Serie A action in two days when they face Bologna away from home, but Massimiliano Allegri has some selection headaches.
Milan will take to the field at the Stadio Renato dall’Ara on Tuesday at 20:45 CET to conclude the 23rd round of Serie A Enilive, hoping to keep the pressure up on the teams around them at the top of the league.
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Attack depleted
This is a match in which Massimiliano Allegri will have to contend with several certified absences. Sky (via MilanNews) report that – in addition to Santiago Gimenez – Alexis Saelemaekers will be out due to a worsening adductor problem and will be replaced by Zachary Athekame on the right side.
In addition to the Swiss, Allegri’s staff deployed Youssouf Fofana in midfield during today’s tests at Milanello, as reported by Peppe Di Stefano. However, problems could arise especially in attack, with Christian Pulisic missing from training and Rafael Leao also not fully fit.
The so far unused pairing of Christopher Nkunku and Ruben Loftus-Cheek was tried out today. There is still another session on the eve of the game, so Allegri will hope for some recoveries, but it does seem that the attack will be stretched again.
Jean-Philippe Mateta is expected to sign before tomorrow’s 20:00 CET deadline as he is undergoing a medical, though it is not certain if he will play a part in Bologna yet given the tight turnaround time.
Bro… lol and management want to sell Nkunku. Tbh we need mateta as well. None of our forwards are 100% fit. Mateta needs to come
In quick
19 first team players and we’re a walking hospital. 5 points behind Inter. Expect another mighty struggle against Bologna. People need to keep their feet on the ground. This season is about top 4 and it will be a good achievement all things considered.
And let’s talk about Saelemaekers. They forced him vs Roma and now he’s got a “worsening” abducted problem. What would have been better, to miss Salad for Roma, or to play Salad against Roma and then miss him for weeks? Isn’t the abductor the same thing that is bothering Leao? Leao hasn’t been right since getting injured in the first game of the season.
If this is a hodge podge attack might as well put a unit that can stabilize things a bit and keep Bologna’s back line honest in Fulkrug. Start 433.
So what happened to Fullkrug? I don’t understand why he’s not playing.
Same
Broken toe is limiting him
Mateta will be a major boost to the attack just in time too. I wonder if he will make it for this game.
————————Nkunku—Loftus-Cheek————————
Bartesaghi——–Rabiot—Modrić—Fofana——–Athekame
——————–Pavlović—–Gabbia—–Tomori——————-
If we play with this lineup for the next game, I wouldn’t be surprised if we have 0 shots on target and 0xG.
If we win somehow with this, we need to build a golden statue to the goalscorer and assist provider !!!!
Why do we have to play 3-5-2 against freaking Bologna??
We have the perfect squad for 4-3-3, and especially now with attackers out.
Fullkrug up top and lets gooo!!!
With 4-3-3 the defenders won’t play to their strength and you loose the width the wingbacks provide.
Milan are in 2nd place and undefeated in 21 matches all while playing 352.
Drawing matches that were/are winnable doesn’t keep you in the top4 though.
Fulkrug has a broken toe. I dont think he has a full game in him.
That headline gave me cold shivers.
Please no.
Getting Mateta asap if this is the alternative!
Why on earth not playing Fullkrug with Nkunku at front??? Fullkrug has been brilliant whenever he was on the pitch in the past few matches. You immediately see the difference when he was on: you have an anchor point in the box area, very energetic, can hold the ball and lay to 2nd striker or mid-fielders or score. His work rate is amazing even with a broken toe. Why? Why? Why? Also Modric has been brilliant but he is 40 and he needs rest. So why not rotate him with Ricci / Jashari more often??
Milian only has got serie a and even with these injuries. You have to question the medical team’s ability or the coach’s issue.