Ante Rebic may currently be Milan’s best option when it comes to choosing a centre-forward, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
The paper (via PianetaMilan) takes a look at some of the concerns that have arisen in Milan’s last three league wins against Atalanta, Hellas Verona and Bologna, starting with the obvious one which is the six goals conceded by the defence who are suffering from a lot of rotation. Then there is the lack of control in midfield at times, as Sandro Tonali has not really been joined by the best version of Franck Kessié yet.
However, La Gazzetta remarks that in the final third Milan have slowed down and are no longer unpredictable despite the 10 goals scored in the last three wins. With the real Zlatan Ibrahimović it would be a different story but he is quite far off being 100%, as is Olivier Giroud who is less involved than the Swede anyway when it comes to build-up play.
The best performances Milan have produced so far, as per the newspaper, have been with Rebic as the striker. The Croatian is more of a natural winger but his horizontal movements have helped enhance Rafael Leão’s cuts from the left and his clever movement has wreaked havoc.
Pietro Pellegri is an option we haven’t really seen yet as he too has struggled for fitness, so it will be up to Pioli when all four options are at full fitness to decide how he wants his side to play.
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Rebic/Leao on the LW is the best option going forward if you have 3 true options at the CF position until another injury crisis strikes. The drop from Leao/Rebic to Maldini, Krunic, or ????? playing the LW is too great to depend on either Leao playing a full 90 and not having a drop of talent.
Create the position battle with Leao/Rebic to make that position better and bring in another striker in January if needed.
This is kind of a dumb article as it doesn’t take into account the fact that Brahim Diaz has been out the last few games and he is the creative playmaker that starts everything for Milan. They have no real backup for him so when he is out the creativity will suffer. Rebic is not a CF.
I agree with this; I’m not sure Ibra coming back to start is good for the team – Rebic’s workrate was key in the early games for allowing the team to sustain a high press on the opposition and win the ball back high up the pitch – he might not be a grade A finisher but he fit the style for a pressing team; there’s a reason Liverpool and Man City don’t use a big target forward in their systems.
The 3 more traditional CFs will all struggle to do this consistently, but should be employed when playing against an opposition sitting deep as they’re ideal for giving an aerial option and operating in a tight space, which is where Rebic struggles.
Rebic isn’t perfect when it comes to CF but operating from the wings is far better likewise our present sensation Leão
If both are used in the flanks with an inbox striker like Belotti (next season) milan attack will be dangerous to face but for now both Ibrahimovic and Giroud are good if in the best fitness
Rebic is in the best form of his life if injury stops but he’s better from the flank than cf