Question marks are being asked about Youssouf Fofana’s place in the team after a disastrous night against Roma on Sunday.
As MilanNews recall, the match at San Siro a couple of nights ago almost became the ‘Fofana game’ for all the wrong reasons. The midfielder has become a constant presence in the side under Massimiliano Allegri, but he almost certainly tested his patience.
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Early in the second half, Fofana missed a huge opportunity to make it 2-0 when he spurned a brilliant cut-back, firing wide with the goal gaping. In the closing stages, he gave away a dangerous free-kick and then a penalty for handball that risked costing two huge points.
Nearly costly
Beyond the blunder that led to the penalty, the two missed chances are equally serious. One was an assist from Bartesaghi, who brilliantly found the No.19 with a powerful first-time cross, and the second – after the penalty – was thwarted by Svilar.
Allegri emphasised this post-match: “I’ve coached many teams with a centre-forward and many without one, the important thing is to fill the penalty area. Fofana could have scored goals, but he didn’t, and we’ll get there. Even without a center forward, we’ll fill the penalty area somehow.”
The coach wanted to see the glass half full: it’s true that the former Monaco man manages to get into dangerous positions well, but then lacks the finishing touch, whether it’s a shot or a pass. He’s also unlucky, because he could have had more assists, like for Rafael Leao in the draw with Pisa.
At the start of the campaign, Allegri said that Fofana and Loftus-Cheek must be able to provide 15 goals combined as a duo, the same number that Tijjani Reijnders got last season. Youssouf runs a lot for the team and helps maintain a certain balance, but is prone to moments of madness.
Instinct suggests that Allegri will continue to rely on the Frenchman, because he latches on to ‘loyalists’ wherever he goes. However, the likes of Ardon Jashari, Samuele Ricci and Ruben Loftus-Cheek – in addition to Adrien Rabiot after his recovery – are knocking on the door.
That night Fofana has channeled his inner Musah.
That would be an improvement. At least Musah could do something special from time to time, but this untalented bum couldn’t even in his dreams.
Naaah, let’s not get carried away. Even Fofana on his worst day is far more useful than The Headless Chicken.
It would have been better for Milan to play without Fofana. He did to make Milan loose against Roma .😠😠😠
I was surprised that until now you saw that Fofana is poor. He doesn’t even know how to pass creatively. Is better to sale him & keep Musah there. I pray when Jashari is fit to play in his position
Fofana isn’t there for his creativity. He is the strongest man ik the squad next to Leao, and he has the boss the midfield. The physical side of the game is important to dominate, and Fofana adds that both defendively and offensively. Ricci is talented, but he doesn’t dominate due to his smaller frame. We will see with Jashari, but I suspect that will be the same issue. Neither of them can truly play a Mezzala, but Fofana can do that job. If we want more creativity in that position, RLC is the best alternative, as he can still impose himself physically on the game.
Fofana is too unintelligent to continue playing in that role.
Liken him to Barella, and you realize he is world’s apart.
He doesn’t give any key passes, loses possession more often than not, zero dribbles, limited duels won, cannot give a headed pass, and above all cannot score goals.
Imagine Barella or Rendjers or Tonali in this current
Milan midfield.
WE WILL HAVE EVERY DANGEROUS BITE.
For me, after Rabiot’s return, it must be Jashari (first) or Ricci in that Fofana position.
Genuine question – is there a chance the free kick was going in? Didn’t look like a bad angle to me.
50/50. One angle showed it might have but that angle didn’t show how far MM16 was.
At least it was goal-bound! 😀 But saveable? I dunno…
Fofana should learn from Pavlovic how to make good passing and scoring
Lmao 🤣
Seriously, Pavlovic is better than Fofana in those aspects.
Let Fofana be the CB and Pavlovic our CDM. Problem solved
Fofana needs a break. Problem is, by the time he regains his form he may be dethroned from the starting lineup with Ricci in hi current form and Jashari coming back soon. We know Modric and Rabiot aren’t going anywhere.
OK, experts cut the crying. LOL. Fofana is excellent and has superior skill all-round. It’s just his finishing, which he must be working on but some things you just can’t really work on too much. Finishing is also an instinct thing.
Allegri will stick with the starting midfield that has put Milan amongst the league leaders. Fofana-Modric-Rabiot. Allegri isn’t stupid.
I think fofana is complete package, than ricci or even jashari. Just minus goal scoring.