AC Milan will be aiming to get their first silverware since the Scudetto on Monday, and what better way to do it than against Inter?
The Supercoppa Italiana presents a mouthwatering final, given it is a Derby della Madonnina, and whilst that comes with a lot of risk, the reward would be substantial. At present, Milan are experiencing a trophy drought, and with almost 10 years of waiting for Supercoppa success, the game against the Nerazzurri is a fantastic chance.
Sergio Conceicao, according to Milan News‘ report, will start with the system that won his side the game against Juventus – the 4-4-2.
In defence, there will be no changes. Mike Maignan will start in goal, Emerson Royal and Theo Hernandez will be on the flanks, whilst Fikayo Tomori and Malick Thiaw will lead the defence centrally.
Youssouf Fofana and Tijjani Reijnders remain the midfield pair, and there is a possibility that Yunus Musah could join them centrally, should the game require it. The American will, originally, start out wide for the Diavolo, and on the opposing flank, it will be Alex Jimenez, with Rafael Leao still absent, despite training.
Christian Pulisic is expected to sit behind Alvaro Morata, but the system is certainly more of a 4-4-2 than a 4-2-3-1, that much is certain.
Gabbia should easily start over tomori, Emerson should nit be playing at all, and musah makes sense over bennacer as he’s clearly not up to speed yet
Gabbia is out with the flu. Emerson is the best choice ATM until Leao comes into the attack for Jimenez.
I’m so annoyed of this emerson bs every comment. I’m not defending him and he’s not good but guess what. He’s the best rb we have right now. What has Calabria done? He’s been poor for two seasons now always caught out of position while emerson at least makes interceptions, tackles, stays in position and stats show it.
Emerson is poorer. Calabria has a goal and almost got an assist to his name. Emerson was brought because he was supposed to be more offensive minded than Calabria, yet his last goal goes back to august 2023 and his last assist goes back to august 2022. When we attack he only knows how to pass laterally and backwards. His football IQ is abysmal.
Almost every good forward had a field day with him, Boniface had a highway on his side and to improve defensively, we had to use Musah as a RW ffs or ditch any offensive play whatsoever.
Statistically on the defensive side, the only thing he has on Calabria is aerial duels since he’s taller. He has a higher rate on some other factors last season since he also played as a CB but Calabria is better in almost every parameter.
I will never understand why he was brought.
Calabria worst season was still, by stats, better than Emersons best season.
Deal with it.
Calabria is much more reliable than Emerson. Neither of them contributed offensively but at least you can trust Calabria defensively.
I don’t think Emerson is bad defensively. He is dynamic and quite strong in duels. Of course he is sometime beaten by his opponent, but this happens to almost any wing back with few exceptions. The problem with Emerson is that he gives nothing with the ball, especially in the final third. He should just stay back and form a back 3, with Theo licensed to go.
“He is dynamic and quite strong in duels.”
Boniface doesn’t agree with you.
Or actually he might agree, since he’d like to face Emerson more often than not.
atleast calabria has a goal to his name what has emerson done absolutly nothing
ngl both are terrible i dont really mind who is playing really emerson is better defensivly calabria is better in the attack but calabria is just a bit better
This is really untrue. Calabria came back from a long injury and was rusty.
Calabria moves the ball intelligently.
Calabria ensures others are in position. (Like a captain don’t cha know)
I don’t think Emerson is Balo Toure or Orgi terrible but he is clearly lesser than Calabria except in pure athleticism.
I’d rather have a leader on the field who knows where to be, whose team knows where he will be.
I’d love for Emerson to be better than Calabria. It just isn’t happening l. Maybe it’s the Serie A adaptation tax or whatever but Emerson simply isn’t an upgrade (yet?)
Calbri
He’s not an upgrade but they have both been poor. Calabria was bad last year too. Either one inspires no confidence. Maybe they will do better but for now I don’t see much difference between them.
Time will tell, but I’m not sure of this 4-4-2 in the long run. We all know that he does poorly centrally and doesn’t defend, so where does he play when he comes back? Reijnders has had a fantastic first half of the season and seemed be breaking out when played as the attacking midfielder in the 4-2-3-1, but now he’s back to playing deeper where he’s less effective both defensively, as he’s not a defensive midfielder, and offensively because he’s not high enough on the pitch. I’m highly skeptical of the 4-4-2 with this group of players. It means we’ll be making a lot of changes this summer if Conceicao stays, if he doesn’t adapt to these players. It could mean sacrificing Reijnders for a more defensive midfielder and Leao for a more defensive winger.
*we all know that Leao does poorly centrally
Or he plays Reminders behind the front man.
In my opinion, with Musah on the flank in 442 this midfield gets more solidity and balance. In offensive phase Musah will position himself more centrally next to Fofana and Reijnders will be granted more freedom to roam.
My prayer is to win the game by God grace
Musah is a good option off the bench. Use him in that roaming role that confuses teams. He likes to run, let him run. Dont change a horse into an eagle
It’s not an accident that the two most effective players on the squad are the two that cover the most ground…Pulisic and Reijnders…they aren’t horses, they are humans, playing a horse would definitely violate a rule…the modern player needs to be able to cover ground…Inter’s entire philosophy is based on players switching roles and roaming into open spaces. It’s incredibly effective to have players who can do this…If Pulisic, Reijnders, and Musah want to run (again, not horses, humans), maybe that’s good…or would you rather the players stand around?
I assume the animal thing relates to having strict positions, but that is not how tactics work anymore. Your LB needs to be comfortable in the midfield; your CB might find themselves making a run upfield. Everyone must defend and attack at a high level…otherwise you find yourself kicking it around for a while with no ideas like the first half against Juve.
442 seems a good choice with the current list of players available. Most of our wingers are injured and Pulisic has shown he can play anywhere. It’s a good way to use Musah and Jimenez.
I’d start Abraham over Morata though.
I would not be surprise to see Jimenez on the right on Di Marco. Musah-Reinjders-Fofana against the Inter 4 man midfleld. Pulisic hybrid position upfront. I expect more a 3-5-2 / 3-4-2-1
If Pulisic is behind Morata then it’s 4-4-1-1. This isn’t a traditional two centre forward system, Pulisic isn’t a center forward.
For me formation doesn’t matter for now based on the fact that conciecao just took over and will figure out how to make his 442 formation works for him. What matters at the moment is for us to to beat inter. Emerson might be poor but Calabria is poorer this season and that’s why Fonseca and conciecao is playing Emerson rather that Calabria. Let’s us be patient with Emerson as I believe his improving until alternative arrives. All I care is that these guys should sweat blood today and beat inter with whatever formation. Determation is the key. All I want to see today is a milan of second half against juve and with luck on outside, we will all smile.
Please start Calabria over Emerson. Neither contributes offensively but at least Calabria doesn’t make huge mistakes that lead to chances for the other team.
Based.
He sees performances for performances. Not old favorites. Bennacer has been in poor form for over a year.
His stats against Juventus speak different. But since he’s been out of action since summer, he’s probably being introduced back into action step by step.
Why does everyone hate on Emerson royal? He’s has been quite decent this season asides of the Juve game in the league he has not had any notably bad games. I’d take it a step further, he has been at Milan for half a season and what he has shown is that he is better than Calabrias almost decade at the club!!
If you’re seeing Emerson Royal as a better RB than Calabria then something is wrong with your TV. It may not be that he is miles ahead of him currently, but one actually plays and looks like a competent football player while the other usually doesn’t.
No in view Acmilan best adaptation is the 4-2-3-1 or the 4-4-2 system thanks to Sergio conceicao he can get the job done.
Emerson Royal is the worse right back since I started watch Milan in 1968… Those who took him to Milan should be kicked out! Having Belanova and Kalulu and sell them to buy Emerson is the worst decision by the management.
anyone who says emerson is better than calabria is a fool i can atleast rely on calabria that he can make a decent cross decent in the attack and to not make any defensive issues sure he ain’t the best but calabria has a goal and almost an assits if abraham would have finished better but what has emerson done allof his game is mediocre if he’s lucky or playing against a small opponent or terrible when against good forward calabria is much more reliable and should play till the end of the season i dont want to see royal at this club he ain’t worthy of the club
anyone who says emerson is better than calabria is a fool i can atleast rely on calabria that he can make a decent cross decent in the attack and to not make any defensive issues sure he ain’t the best but calabria has a goal and almost an assist if abraham would have finished better but what has emerson done allof his game is mediocre if he’s lucky or playing against a small opponent or terrible when against good forward calabria is much more reliable and should play till the end of the season i dont want to see royal at this club he ain’t worthy of the club