When AC Milan face Como on Wednesday night, there will be a few questions that need answering, and Massimiliano Allegri is currently left making decisions.
Considering the number of issues that Allegri has had to contend with this season, and the season that came before this, Milan sitting in second has to be considered a near miracle. Now, this week, he must find new answers.
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Another big game at San Siro, where his team will be supported by a full crowd, Allegri must make a number of key decisions with the hope of beating Como. Unfortunately, they are scattered across the pitch.
De Winter in defence?
It starts at the back, where it seems Koni De Winter is being considered for a return to the backline. The Belgian has been solid since the Supercoppa Italiana final, and it could be argued that his exit from the starting XI recently was a little harsh. Nevertheless, Allegri could already look to bring him back into the equation.
In terms of who he should come into the defence for, either of the wide defenders would immediately be brought forward, given that this is where the Belgian has often played. However, if anyone were to come out of the backline, it may be Matteo Gabbia’s chance for a rest.
Since the turn of the year, the Italian has played more than 630 minutes, playing the last six games in a row since returning from injury. As a result, it would make sense if De Winter’s push for a starting place offered him a chance to rest.
On that same note, though, we do not feel that there is a massive need for a change at the back, considering this is one of the biggest games of the current run. Instead, Gabbia – or someone else – should rest for the game against Parma or Cremonese, perhaps.
Saelemaekers’ return?
To us, this is the simplest question to answer. Should Alexis Saelemaekers return to the starting XI straight away? No.
Yes, the Belgian has been one of the best players for Allegri this season, and the Rossoneri do admittedly look a little worse off without him. However, he has only just returned to a group training setting.
Two or maybe three at a push sessions are not enough to then give a 60-minute game, if that. After all, his previous return (in the Roma game) only lasted 45 minutes.
Allegri has been really, really cautious with injuries this season, even when he has had little to no other answers on the bench. If Saelemaekers is rushed back, it could be a mistake waiting to happen.
With Zachary Athekame not leaving any questions to answer, is there a need to rush him back? We think not.
Rabiot’s replacement?
This is the big one, and for us, it is linked to the attacking picture. Ruben Loftus-Cheek has been starting as a sort of hybrid attacking midfielder slash striker idea, and it has worked so far. However, with Adrien Rabiot suspended, it may be time for him to move back into the midfield.
One of Rabiot’s biggest strengths is his presence, and it feels like this will, quite literally, be big against Como. Adding Ardon Jashari or Samuele Ricci to the midfield would give an advantage to Cesc Fabregas’ team defensively and offensively, so this is where the Englishman could be key.
Additionally, the former Chelsea man could still attack the box, like Rabiot does, if he were to play in that same role.
Admittedly, you do lose some of that defensive grit that the Frenchman provides, and that could push for one of the summer signings to come in.
In a game where Como are going to dominate the ball, they could also be crucial to progress the ball in rare chances where the Diavolo have a chance to break. This, to us, is a case of either, either, or. Any of the three would work, and it feels like each would provide their own benefits.
Though Loftus-Cheek is probably the most likely candidate, considering the front line now looks much better.
Picking the front two
This is another difficult one to decide for Allegri, and unfortunately, there is not really a right answer yet. Barring Santiago Gimenez, the Italian has a complete unit to pick from, and this will be the real test.
Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic are still coming back from injuries, but the American is fresher; he has been in group training since last week, and is vying to return to action after getting his first action last weekend.
As a result, it could be the American who provides the most appealing argument to start this game from the stars.
Then, a debate can be had about Niclas Fullkrug and Christopher Nkunku. That in itself can be debated, and it all depends on who starts from the previous two. If, as we suggested, it is Pulisic, it makes more sense for the German to start.
They combined quite well against Fiorentina, and this could be another chance to do so, albeit with the hope of them actually contributing to the scoresheet this time. Allegri has often used the old ‘little and large’ combination, and it could be more beneficial to do so again with Fullkrug here, rather than Nkunku.
SempreMilan’s Milan XI vs. Como (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Athekame, Fofana, Modric, LOFTUS-CHEEK, Bartesaghi; PULISIC, FULLKRUG.
That midfield with Fofana-Modric-RLC is a disaster waiting to happen
2/3 have been literally central to Milan being 2nd.
Maybe don’t mistake your tastes for facts .
I reckon he’ll try and keep as close to his preferred starting 11 as possible so:
Tomori over De Winter
If Saelemaekers is fit he’ll return.
If Pulisic is fit he’ll return possibly alongside Leao if fit.
Ricci will likely replace Rabiot.
“Adding Ardon Jashari or Samuele Ricci to the midfield would give an advantage to Cesc Fabregas’ team defensively and offensively, so this is where the Englishman could be key.”
…i think it’s the other way around. having rcl playing midfield will give como bigger advantage in both phase. of course ruben has been helpful as pseudo striker, but jashari and ricci is a better option for midfielder role.
I could see Pulisic and RLC starting up top. Leao is clearly not fit and I wouldn’t expect him to be suddenly fit since last week. He looks like a 3 weeks to a month away from being 100%. I don’t see RLC in the mid for a game against a team that presses like Como. He isn’t technically good enough to withstand that press. MAYBE Allegri could use him there to bust up Como’s play but I think Allegri would assume RLC could do more damage up top with the type of goals he’s been scoring. We’d assume Como would get most of the ball and then on a break RLC can be useful in the box.
It’s amazing the different takes….
One of RLC’s biggest strengths is his technical and physical ability to withstand the pressure.
Newly every time the ball is played into feet he either lays it off, turns or wins a free kick.
That’s why he’s also worked well upfront.
It really does feel like people are watching different games sometimes (or myths become people’s realities).
I’ve noticed that you are invariably a huge RLC fan and have been for years. Do you see any weaknesses in his game, or is he the perfect player in your eyes?
I wouldn’t say I am a huge fan.
Sometimes on here I am having to defend players so I might need to focus on the positives.
He has certain characteristics that I think are useful – his physical strength, technical ability and movement.
He’s been off for the last few years (but so have most of the players until this season).
I would like to see him given a consistent run in the team with no injuries and I think he could provide an interesting option.
The thing about Ruben is he is actually a very talent footballer, but he is a shy person, lack aggression and awareness but when he is on and ready to fight he is very useful
I think you and I may be speaking of different types of pressure. He’s physical but only in running forward and he can withstand physical attacks with his back turned. Como don’t apply that type of pressure. Against a full team press like Como uses, he doesn’t have the vision and awareness to unlock a defense or maintain possession. Ricci is about 10x better than him at that and RLC gives a lot in the box as a striker. RLC goes missing for 90% of the match against those types of teams, he’s useless. So I agree with you, upfront, he can body, he can turn, he can lay off a ball but NOT in midfield. How many good (not even great) performances this year has RLC put in from the midfield? I can’t remember any.
Jashari should replace Rabiot. I think Jashari is good defensively and could if given mandate be used more in offene. He has good feet and shooting. But mainly i think he fits because of his strength.
Cometh the hour, cometh the man
It’d be interesting to see him.
My preference is for Jashari to come in and show what he can do.
Maignan
Koni Gabbia Pavlo
Athekame Ricci Jashari Modric Bart
Puli Fullkrug
Perfect selection actually, but allegri won’t see this instead he prefers fofana playing rubbish in there
💯
Plus he’s 100x the passer Ricci & RLC are (combined).
RLC is not mobile enough to sit in the midfield and esp given the opponent is Como. But his size and physicality can be useful in this case, assuming he knows how to use it. I figure Allegri will keep him as an aux striker. Hopefully Jashari starts, probably the most likely candidate to replace Rabiot. Alongside him would probably be Fofana and Modric
” But his size and physicality can be useful in this case, assuming he knows how to use it. ”
But when has he (last) done that? Against PSG a few seasons ago? He’s looks like a 15-year-old kid when he’s pushed aside in the midfield in most matches. He should grow a pair and start using the body he’s given.
Facts!
It’s my biggest pet peeve with him
If he does that I’m solidly in the bandwagon for him but as of now nah
In the match vs Como the formation and the squad can be: AC Milan /3-4-3/: Maignan /c/; De Winter, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Athekame, Modric, Ricci, Bartesaghi; Loftus-Cheek, Füllkrug, Pulisic
Let RLC keep doing what he’s doing while it lasts. Move him up front for Fullkrug and bring in Ricci.