The first game of the season against Bologna is just around the corner, and AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli has some issues that must still be addressed.
La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) writes this morning that Milan have fewer certainties than almost all of their Scudetto rivals. The midfield is all new, the starting striker will soon be 37 years old and the defence is not secure anymore.
At the same time, they also has more growth potential than all the top sides in italy, because Chukwueze-Pulisic-Giroud-Leao-Okafor is a quintet capable of shaking up the league.
Pioli is suspended between defects and dreams. The first problem is that Milan conceded goals against everyone in their preseason friendlies excluding Lumezzane. Fikayo Tomori’s performance is the most evident detail: two mistakes in the United States, one against Monza.
The tactical adaptations are less evident but equally important. This season Pioli has slightly different defensive principles and with Rade Krunic the pivot of the 4-3-3, he is using a player there who has never been a natural regista and must drop deeper.
Just 11 days before the season begins with the trip to Bologna, there are tactical mechanisms to memorise, a physical condition to perfect and Davide Calabria to come back too.
Problem number two concerns the goals scored and let in by Milan in the summer friendlies. Against Real Madrid, Tomori netted from a corner and Romero with a screamer. Against Juve, another corner and a free kick. Against Barcelona, no goals. Against Monza, a penalty retaken.
Just one goal from open play to show, and none from nice build-up play. Olivier Giroud showed the classic flashes of a champion but was more an assist man than a target man, causing some to hypothesise that the Rossoneri need a different No.9.
Everything is suspended, waiting to see if Okafor can play there (he played out wide against Monza), if Lorenzo Colombo will stay, or even if the transfer window will lend a hand. Meanwhile, against ES Sahel (Saturday) and Novara (Sunday) it is time to score some goals.
One positive is that spirit that the squad seem to have, seen in the videos Samuel Chukwueze at the end of Monza-Milan and in his the press conference.
His smiles, Reijnders rejected Barcelona, Rafael Leao’s enthusiasm and Yunus Musah doing everything to come to Milan shows that there is a positive energy surrounding the club.
It is clear that it is not enough to get to the Scudetto, but the detail is more important than elsewhere: the dressing room of Napoli, Inter and Juventus – for better or for worse – has its own rules which are unlikely to change. Milan’s is a microcosm to be built.
Another positive note is that Reijnders seems to have adapted well, showing more than flashes of quality and now it seems he will be an undisputed starter for Milan from matchday one.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek is growing too. While still waiting to get back to 100%, he showed his physique and his willingness to get on the ball and make things happen.
Pioli has 11 days to work with the almost complete group, because the calendar has been anything but kind. He can insert Musah – who in his mind is almost a starter – and understand if Chukwueze is ready to lend a hand immediately.
Calabria will be back into the group and Leao will get back towards his best who is already doing well and can go up a notch.
