AC Milan expect Sandro Tonali to show his quality during Sunday’s game against Roma as he is preferred over Soualiho Meite.
This morning’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport (via MilanNews) writes that Meite will not be in the line-up to face Roma in the crucial game at the Olimpico tonight, as the Frenchman disappointed against Red Star on Thursday night.
Instead, Stefano Pioli will again rely on Tonali. It will be up to the former Brescia star to support Franck Kessié in the double pivot with Ismael Bennacer currently out injured, meaning it is another big opportunity for the Italian to demonstrate his growth.
The paper adds that it will be far from a ‘free shot’ for Tonali, as Milan expects a demonstration of quality from the 20-year-old, especially in such a big game and against an opponent with which the Rossoneri are in a battle to secure a spot in the top four.
The speed of which we’ve needed Tonali to become a top talent is awful to have to put on somebody. He hasn’t done amazing but he definitely hasn’t crumbled either, and he has gotten better which says a lot about his character. Hopefully he continues the upward progression and doesn’t pay any mind to the critics/media, etc. He’s doing more than well enough for a 20 year old with a lot of weight and expectation on his shoulders. He’s performing better already that guys like Kessie did for their first few years and now all of he sudden Kessie has found form this year, so I think we need to be patient fans, appreciate that he Tonali has actually already been decent and shown improvement and we need to be here to support his development and not hinder it. Guy loves this club, and is one of our few Italians which we have pathetically gone away from since our glory days of old, he has the heart to become a future Milan legend if developed right, he loves the team, be patient.
Couldn’t have said it much better. Agreed completely.