Christopher Nkunku is the favourite to start alongside Rafael Leao for AC Milan in their game against Roma tonight, and there is a tactical reason for that.
The initial predicted starting elevens had Pulisic included up front, seeing as he’s been one of the Rossoneri’s best players this season. However, in his last two games, he has missed some pretty good chances and perhaps this has given Allegri some second thoughts.
Read SempreMilan ad-free and get access to exclusive news. Click here for a free trial!
On the other hand, there is no doubt that the American adds a lot of creativity and also makes life difficult for the defenders with his movement. That’s why it was still a bit surprising to see him, mentioned on the bench by the papers, but there seems to be a reason for it.
Como-style gameplan
According to today’s edition of Gazzetta dello Sport (see photo below), Allegri wants a gameplan that is similar to the one we saw against Como. In other words, we can expect Roma to see a lot of the ball in this game and therefore, when given the chance, Milan need to be ready on the counter.
Subsequently, Leao will have to drift wide a bit more to run at the defence with his trademark runs, which is exactly what we saw with the assist for Adrien Rabiot against Como. With the No.10 drifting wide, Allegri feels that a reference point is needed in attack.
Therefore, instead of Pulisic who’s usually quite fluid with his movement, the manager wants Nkunku who can act as a more traditional striker. The Frenchman’s position should allow Leao, Rabiot and Bartesaghi to do what they do best on the left-hand side.
Having said all of the above, it’s obvious that Pulisic will be ready to make a contribution off the bench. Seeing as he’s been very useful as a super sub before, perhaps this is just what he needs to get his shooting abilities back in full.
Nkunku can do everything but act more as a traditional striker. The guy gets pushed over easier that anyone I’ve ever watched played so this makes no sense at all
Couldn’t agree more. Füllkrug would make more sense
They had to give Nkunku charity goals to get him going. The story a couple weeks ago shouldn’t have been about Pulisic missing three shots with Füllkrug, it should have been how potentially well they work together. My prediction is they’ll need both Füllkrug and Pulisic to save this one in the second half if Pulisic doesn’t start.
” My prediction is they’ll need both Füllkrug and Pulisic to save this one in the second half if Pulisic doesn’t start.”
💯. I would bet my house on the fact that we’ll need both of them to salvage what is possible. I’m afraid they’ll be subbed on way too late though.
And Leao+Nkunku? MIA the whole match. Go ahead, prove me wrong!!! 🤷♂️
Feels like Pulisic gets benched if he misses a chance, just like he got benched for the Como game and didn’t play a second in that game. Como dominated that game so I’m not sure it’s smart to revert back to that “tactical” mess. I know Milan won because of Mike and Rabiot being perfect but I would call that a fluke versus a good strategy.
Exactly. Imagine if Como had better luck and Rabiot hadn’t played his best match of the season. Would have been an embarrassing result…
Yes, but maybe that’s the plan. Play on the counter to start, put Fullkrug and Pulisic in to give a boost if and when needed. I agree Nkunku isn’t a no9 by any stretch, but he works better when there’s space available and should be better in a counter attacking role.
I’m playing Devil’s Advocate a bit there…
Perfect a guy who can’t sprint, and a guy who has never scored a goal for Milan in transition.
Exactly. What could possibly go wrong??? 🤦♂️
Pulisic may want to be loaned out in order to get more playing time to become fit for the world cup?
Why would you bench your top scorer and top
play maker in such a important game.
Maybe because he has refused to sign a new contract??
He’s not signing a new contract because he doesn’t really fit in Allegri’s system. People say just look at the goals he scored. These are more scrapy goals. He likes playing wide and cutting in or crossing. The wingbacks are taking that space on the field. And with only one front position open, he is going to to sit more often then not. Would be wise to sell him, but they’ll make him push to leave so they won’t be the bad guys. That’s why this game with signing a new contract is playing out. Saying “Supersub”= he’s gone after the WC. He’s not going to tolerate that at this point in his career. Nor, should he. And yes, I’ve believed that this was how this was going to play out as soon as they hired Allegri who will never start a game playing a 4-3-3. Just a well supported belief,
Then why can’t Allegri play 433?
What a joke!
When a striker misfires, you field him more often so he can regain his form. That’s how Nkunku has been finding his groove back, like Stella.
If the reason for Puli’s bench start is the same, then I’d expect him to play more as we know he’s a clutch player.
Tough spot for Puli. If he comes off the bench and scores in the clutch, it conforms to Allegri he’s but a super-sub chess-piece. If Milan wins without CP it confirms to Allegri he was right not to play him. If Milan loses it means CP didn’t create enough to win when he finally came in for20 minutes.
we’ll see how this goes. If Leao isn’t fit why not start Fullkrug?
433 is the best Batersegy,Pablovich,Gabia Saelmakers
Rabiot,Modrich,Ricci
Leo,Nkunku/Fullkrug, Pulisic