Stefano Pioli is hoping to get the best version of Theo Hernandez back as the defender has struggled somewhat so far in 2023, a report claims.
La Gazzetta dello Sport (via PianetaMilan) have dedicated a section to Theo Hernandez, starting with the obvious premise that he is one of the strongest players in the Rossoneri team and can legitimately aspire to be the best in the world in his role, such is his talent.
However, since coming back from the World Cup the Frenchman just hasn’t looked right. He hasn’t been on his usual lung-busting runs, he has struggled at time defensively, and that has nullified potentially the most intriguing tactical weapon that Milan have.
If the No.19 does not create superiority with his acceleration from the left towards the centre of the pitch, Pioli’s team loses much of its unpredictability because of the chaos it causes and the space it opens up for other players.
Against Lecce, Pioli replaced him at the interval. Not for the own-goal with which he gave the home side the lead but more for the inadequate performance, and it must be said that with Sergiño Dest in his place Milan looked better and engineered a comeback from 2-0 down.
The Supercoppa Italiana beckons on Wednesday where Theo Hernández and Denzel Dumfries will renew hostilities. The battle of the derby in February 2022 saw Theo sent off, and the pair went at it in the league meeting this season too.
Milan’s current difficulties are a matter of mind rather than tactics according to Pioli, and that probably applies to Theo too. The sooner he clicks back into gear the sooner other aspects of Milan’s game could also begin to show recovery.
