AC Milan fans got a look at what Youssouf Fofana can bring during his stint off the bench in the defeat to Parma, and there was hope that his first start could come against Lazio.
La Gazzetta dello Sport write how in Paulo Fonseca’s mind Fofana is the starter in the midfield double pivot together with Tijjani Reijnder, when everyone is fully fit. However, he has only been training for a week and is far from 100%.
In fact, at the moment he has a maximum of 45 minutes in is legs and if the game were played today, he would not be in the starting XI. Fonseca obviously hopes that the week will bring positive news regarding his condition, because the Frenchman should fundamental in this Milan.
Youssouf is not just a defensive midfielder but rather he is a complete player, who in the last season at Monaco was the player with the most dribbles, the most passes, the most chances created, the most tackles and the most duels.
Milan’s idea is that he brings balance, supports the four attacking players, recovers the ball and plays it: in the last season he recovered 7.2 balls per game. For reference, Ismael Bennacer and Tijjani Reijnders averages under 4, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Yunus Musah even lower.
The first match in Parma said something about his role in Milan but it is not particularly significant. Fofana remained to protect the defence but it was clear he was not even close to his best condition, with the team also chasing the game.
The break will be important for him. Before arriving at Milan he trained a lot on his own and the team would benefit from remaining to improve his condition. Much will depend on what Didier Deschamps decides because tomorrow it will be time for the official call-ups.
The first predictions say that Youssouf will be there, with Adrien Rabiot – reportedly a Milan target – absent. Les Blues will play Italy and Belgium, not exactly two easy games, so the Rossoneri might have to do without their new midfield man.