In recent seasons, AC Milan have relied on two players to perform and it has been no different this year. Indeed, everything has come from Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic.
It is not just Milan who are reliant on certain players. Even then, there could be debates about other players coming into the fold at San Siro this season. Perhaps you could look at Luka Modric, Alexis Saelemaekers or Adrien Rabiot.
However, those three have been available for most of the year, including the bad results recently. Who haven’t or at least at their best, are Leao and Pulisic.
Milan’s issue
In the first half of the season, the stars shone brighter than they perhaps had before. Both had fantastic records and if one of them was not 100%, the other would be fine. Unfortunately, they have both been below 100% recently.
As MilanNews writes, they are both recovering from their respective physical issues and they are suffering goalscoring droughts as well.
It proves a problem exists, that the Rossoneri are reliant on them to be at their best. There are high hopes placed on both, understandably so. However, when they do not meet them, there is no one there to regularly step up.
In recent years, Pulisic would step up when Leao couldn’t. Now, when neither can, there is no alternate. A worrying problem.
What makes it like this now?
Is it since Kunku was imported..
loll. smh
Fullkrug no better than Camarda,
Nkunku no better than Colombo,
Estu no better than Futuro/ Primavera,
that’s fact
💯
Leao hasn’t been on any consistent form for two years.
It’s definitely more that Milan have relied on pulisic being on form.
Games were he’s looked like he’s about to die after having the flu and still comes on and scores the winner.
Would never see leao do that lol.
Parents shouldn’t have favourites.
It’s been a pretty disappointing season for both despite their goals and contributions, and the club does seriously need to look at what to do this summer.
The one thing we all agree on is the need for a striker.
If the club signs a striker then this will impact Leao and Pulisic (and everyone else as new signings do).
The only way they will play consistently is if Allegri switches to a front three.
This might be a good thing.
In a 433 Milan would definitely not need to sign a CB (as they already have 4 plus Odogu and Bartesaghi can cover.
It would also return Leao and Pulisic to their preferred positions.
However the club has had a lot of success with 352 (see the league table) and a large reason for Leao and Pulisic’s struggles this season has been their injuries (as well as some crucial missed chances).
The club needs to have a good look at both players’ physical condition and decide whether or not they can maintain consistent health for a full season.
If not, then the disruption caused by injuries is far too destabilising.
But….any new signings need to also stay fit.
Milan has a bad history of injuries that goes for more than 20 years. Player turnover probably has played a big part (imagine a trainer working with new race horses every 5 mins).
The injury situation at Milan has long been unacceptable and (after player turnover) the biggest thing holding the club back.
This needs to be sorted once and for all.