After a defensively poor game against Cremonese, AC Milan could see a change made to the backline this weekend.
There were a few criticisms to make from Saturday’s game, though the biggest regarded Milan’s inability to get a job done against a team that had just been promoted. Considering the aims, it should have been a good start point. Instead, it was a chance for things to overflow.
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Last season, the same errors were shown again and again, and in the first game, this was again the case, frustratingly. After the game, San Siro let their thoughts known, a new face maybe, but the same Rossoneri.
A first change
Now, Gazzetta dello Sport, as seen below, write that Massimiliano Allegri could reshape the backline a little. Already, he has seen enough, and with his defence-first mindset, this could be the first area to be shuffled.
So, Koni De Winter could be brought in. The summer recruit spent the first game on the bench, but with positive training performances, he could well be given a starting spot against Lecce this weekend. If he were to take a spot, it would be that of Matteo Gabbia’s.
A good reader of the game, the former Genoa man ‘must add’ determination to the backline, especially with the star of the future, Francesco Camarda, hoping to show that he is ready to fulfil destiny eventually.
Funny when Fikayo “the constant whiner” Tomori and Strahinja “always out of position” Pavlović were far worse than Gabbia. Must be because he’s Italian.
Isn’t Allegri Italian?
All 3 CBs are bad. He won’t go wrong benching any of them.
Yes but Italians are the ones denying other Italians.
Serie A is run by Italians, and they are destroying Italian football.
But in Allegri’s defence, he did develop some young Italians so I have some faith in him.
But I fear for Gabbia. He’s always held to completely different standards to the other CBs.
Among top scorers under Allegri are centre backs on free kicks and Pavlovic and Tomori are better at that, I think it’s the reason. We the Milan fans were already a laughing stock for Inter fans and now Juventus fans can’t stop joking about us because they know what it is to suffer Allegri’s horrible football.
My prediction is that Allegri will rely on Pavlovic as some kind of a poor man’s Chiellini. A fighting left footed defender who will often help the attack either directly, like vs Cremonese, or by opening up additional spaces for the wingers and the midfielders. However, De Winter should be more suited for Tomori’s role and Gabbia is probably the least culpable for the chronic defensive issues among the three.
The key against Lecce will be the midfield balance. Ricci should enter the starting 11 ASAP, with Modric occupying Zombie – Cheek’s place and Fofana receiving a second chance simply because of last season and the rather optimistic perspective that maybe Allegri still hasn’t learned how to get the best ouf of him, but is nearing that point nonetheless. Everyone’s praising Jashari, but he looks very raw to me, kind of reminds me of Brahim Diaz’s first games.
Honestly speaking, Gabbian Fafana and loftus check are all useless.
You spell their names horribly, but you are right 😀
That won’t help when you still have Pavlovic starting. If Gabbia was the backup ok, but Pavlovic in the first eleven is a joke. I have been writing it for long and will keep doing it until 2 bad legs is out of Milan. He trips over himself or the ball, makes 2 mistakes every single game, it is embarrassing to watch. Not a Milan level player, he can’t learn not to be clumsy. I was praying he would be sold but God has a good sense of humour.
The second Mach your formation is 4-3-2-1 then play in maigna, Athekames, gabbia, Koni de wentar, Alex Geminis, Ricci, modrich, jachiri , palusic, rapa Leo, Satiago jaminees I hopely get it
For anyone that isn’t blind, it’s clear to have De Winter in place of Tomori, and Ricci in place of Fofana. Make these changes and you’ll have a completely different game.
Maignan
DeWinter Gabbia Tomori
Salamaekers Fofana Ricci Modric Estupinan
Pulisic Leao
RLC for Fofana and I’ve no idea what to do with the LWB – maybe Jiménez.
To think that was once Theo….
All three CB’s that started last game are bench level players, let’s be honest. Given our players, I’d start Gabbia, one of Tomori/Pavlo and DeWinter.
If it’s all three do you think it might be the system?
The fact that the team completely lacks any identity, has no captain, and a midfield that lacks complimentary skils and any kind of defensive cover, doesn’t exactly give the CBs or anyone else much to work with,
When LOTS of players KEEP failing surely you stop questioning ALL of the players?
Or they could just keep churning through players.
It is Pavlovic for me. For the size, i am actually surprised how weak he is on the ground duels and every time i see him with the ball on his foot on our half, he reminds me of Bambi on the ice
That makes me nervous every time.
Him on the football field looks like a cow dancing ballet.
I’d like to see De Winter , but not with Gabbia. Seeing as Leao might be out of this match again Pavlovic is sadly our best scoring option after Pulisic. Who else is going to score? Not Saleamakers. Not Fofana. Not Giminez.
🍿🍿🍿🍿
If you play 352 again is another loss, that’s for sure. Unless you play ea h player in their natural positions before you see the best in them, this is for sure
Pavlovic should be told never to dribble the ball within 50 yards of the goal.
It’s more honourable to play De Winter and Pavlovic. Someone should help me tell that clueless Allegri not to play 3-5-2 again. Milan is never a club of 3-5-2 since from inception.
De Winter is better a choice. Gabbia out.
No surprises there.