AC Milan began preparing for the derby against Inter on Tuesday, but today things will dial up with all internationals returning.
As Tuttosport (via MilanNews) report this morning, Mike Maignan, Matteo Gabbia and Samuele Ricci returned to Milanello 24 hours earlier than expected, while all the other Rossoneri players who were on international duty during this break are expected back today.
The biggest news yesterday was undoubtedly Adrien Rabiot’s return to full training after a few weeks out, while Santiago Gimenez continued to train separately and remains a doubt with his ankle issue.
Rabiot back = only one doubt
The French midfielder has fully recovered from the muscle injury he suffered while playing for France, which kept him out for a month. Not only will he be in Allegri’s squad for Sunday, he will also start in midfield alongside Luka Modric and Youssouf Fofana.
The rest of the line-up is practically complete: Maignan in goal, then Fikayo Tomori, Matteo Gabbia and Strahinja Pavlovic in defence; Alexis Saelemaekers at right wing-back, plus the duo of Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao getting a first league start.
Allegri’s only doubt is on the left flank, where Davide Bartesaghi and Pervis Estupinan are competing for the starting spot. The Italian will return to training after his commitments with Italy U21s, while the Ecuadorian remained at Milanello over the break to get back to 100% after an ankle injury.
Want to lose use Estupido, want to try to win pick the other.
Honestly I wanted to watch Estupido playing a bit more though. its such fun hah 😀
no need to insult players dude. He got a few bad/average games and suddenly he’s the worst. He’s solid, nothing special, defense first guy. Not the best, not the worst. Also, and more importantly, I’m very happy Bartesaghi has stepped up big time. Competition is good and perhaps this is what Estupinian needs to step up his game. At the same time, I also acknowledge that Bartesaghi is very very very young and he will have his ups and downs. He is currenly on a high (and as such we should use him) but i wont be surprised if he makes a few mistakes. It is how it is. Hopefully, if he plays against inter and makes a mistake, people like you wont crucify him the way you are doing it to Estupinian.
you are such a child…grow up
Rabiot alongside Fofana and Modric? Excuse me? Anyone who watched the Virtus Entella friendly will agree that it is time to bench Fofana, and play Rabiot in his position. Looking for goals from that position? Look no further, Rabiot scored 10 goals in a more advanced role in Marseille. What are we waiting for.
yea, but Fofana somehow plays a lot better when Rabiot is on. I’m with you though, i’d do Ricci, Modric, Rabiot. If we need more going forward, throw in RLC. Not sure if Jashari is ready for some minutes.
you based that on a meaningless friendly? Well Ricci came in to replace the injured Rabiot, so it may be that Ricci makes way for him? The Fofana-Modric-Rabiot combo took Milan to the top of the league…and dominated their opponents along the way. And Fofana was playing well…Allegri may very well stick with that formula.
No estupinan please
It’s Allegri, so he will play Fofana and Estupinan.
We’ll go a couple of goals down and he’ll bring on Ricci and Bartesaghi
Fofana looked decent when playing with Rabiot and Modric though, but at this time ill try Rabiot – Modric – Ricci.
It’s incredible that anyone watching both Bartesaghi’s and Ricci’s performances would put them ahead. Ricci is usually anonymous and average at best, and Bartesaghi cannot defend. Good to have everyone back from injury though, so Allegri has more options.
Milan has a good squad overall and it doesn’t matter who plays/starts imo.
So Fofana is starting again? He’s proving to be a problem in both penalty boxes.
Yes, then drop Leao and you will have the Milan you prefer to see. The team won’t play better, but you’ll be pleased.
Fofana may eventually lose his place, but as of the start of the season Allegri’s intended starting midfield has always been Rabiot-Modric-Fofana. He likes his experienced players. If Fofana keeps on underperforming even while with Rabiot and Modric, then he might lose minutes to Ricci, RLC or Jashari. Since Allegri likes his veterans, my bet is that RLC is most likely the “next man up” if Fofana gets benched.
I agree with you. Milan were dominating with the Fofana-Modric-Rabiot combo. Ricci comes in for Rabiot and suddenly results change and the fingers are pointed at Fofana. Despite Ricci being rather medicore in each match, especially Roma. Ricci RLC or Jashari gives Allegri solid options that can be changed mid-match.
Bartesaghi alllll the way. Estupinan is estupido
So you prefer players who can’t defend vs players who can? Got it!
El Stupido is ridiculous in defence((
Tare, wake up, bastагd! You brought us this piece of shіt El Stupido for 18 mln 🤡