Massimo Ambrosini believes that Youssouf Fofana could have a big impact at AC Milan, while he also suggested that the double pivot that started the game against Torino cannot work.
Milan were ultimately left having to scrap for a draw against Paolo Vanoli’s side, having found themselves two goals down with less than 10 minutes to go at San Siro on Saturday night.
All the enthusiasm generated in preseason faded away quickly after Malick Thiaw’s comical own-goal in the first half and then Duvan Zapata’s unmarked header in the second half.
However, in the end the substitutes Alvaro Morata – who is now injured for at least three weeks – and Noah Okafor pulled off a rescue mission to ensure that Paulo Fonseca did not begin his official tenure with a bad defeat.
Ambrosini was able to watch Fonseca’s first competitive Milan game up close on Saturday given he was working for DAZN as a pundit, and he shared his thoughts on what he saw during an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Did the Bennacer and Loftus-Cheek pivot convince you?
“Not much. The Englishman especially seems limited in the two in front of the defence. Personally I prefer Loftus as an attacking midfielder, where he uses his physicality to make himself dangerous and has excellent timing of his penetrating runs.”
Many have criticised the choice to use Christian Pulisic behind the first striker because it may unbalance the team. Do you agree?
“I don’t agree. Pulisic is a quality and attacking player, but also selfless in his running and with Torino he worked hard also in the defensive phase.
“I believe that in theory Milan can afford the American as an attacking midfielder, but it is clear that the right collective attitude is needed. When we talk about balance, however, it is never a question of individuals, but of the team.”
Fonseca complained about the lack of pressure when Torino first got the ball. Do Milan, especially in attack, have the players to press as the coach wants?
“It’s not a question of characteristics, but of mental predisposition. Then, as a former midfielder, I can say that sometimes the strikers don’t even need to make any special runs.
“Just positioning themselves with their bodies in a certain way, closing off the passing lanes for opposing defenders, helped me a lot to understand how to react in turn. The defensive work of the strikers starts from these details.”
There are those who even see Tijjani Reijnders as an attacking midfielder…
“I prefer Loftus-Cheek in that position, if I have to say. I like the Dutchman better in a three-man midfield.”
On Saturday Milan officially announced the signing of Fofana. What can the Frenchman bring to Fonseca?
“He’s a good addition, because he’s good at reading the trajectories of the opponent’s passes and he knows how to occupy spaces well. When you play with a two-man midfield, the midfielders are asked to cover a lot of ground and he knows how to do it, he has the legs to do it. Yes, I think he can definitely help Milan.”
Your former team-mate Ibrahimovic has confirmed the Rossoneri’s interest in Manu Koné, while Bennacer could leave. How would Milan change?
“It would be a move in line with the intention of building a team with a more international vocation, in the way of understanding football. With more pace and intensity, so to speak.”
Bennacer, however, has more regista-like skills due to his characteristics…
“Maybe yes, but it doesn’t seem to me that Milan want to use a classic regista in the role, at least from what I’ve got.”
Fonseca also had words of praise for Musah, can he also play as a midfielder?
“I think so. He’s clearly better suited to carrying the ball than to building, but he’s young and he’s strong.”
If Reijnders is more of a mezzala, how do you see Milan with a 4-3-3?
“Good. I’m sure it will be an option, both from the start and during the match: Reijnders with Fofana and Loftus-Cheek, not bad eh.”