Sky journalist Peppe Di Stefano has revealed exactly how Massimiliano Allegri approached the post-Udinese de-brief at Milanello.
Milan needed to bounce back from the Easter Monday defeat against Napoli by beating Udinese, but what followed on Saturday at San Siro was nothing short of a nightmare. Having pivoted to using a 4-3-3, Allegri’s side were dismantled by a very effecting counter-attacking display.
Naturally, what has followed is talk from the media that the coach will reduce it to a one-game experiment and will revert to playing with a three-man defence. That is what is expected on Sunday when the Rossoneri take on Hellas Verona, a side almost certain to be relegated.
Allegri’s work begins
Speaking to Sky (via MilanNews) from the training ground, Di Stefano recounted what Allegri said to the team yesterday at Milanello after the most damaging defeat of the season.
“Allegri downplayed every type of incident. He didn’t speak to Leao, nor to any other player, he didn’t speak to any individual player. He had given two consecutive days off, that is, Sunday and Monday, but he decided to split them, giving rest on Sunday and Wednesday,” he said.
“Today [yesterday] he wanted to see the team, he met them in the dressing room. He arrived early in the morning at the training centre in Carnago. Speaking to the team, he didn’t raise his voice, but he said that they need to go back to doing things the way they were before.
“In Verona, Milan will return to a 3-5-2, there’s no doubt about that. He then told the players that they need to go back to doing things with attention to the smallest details, the same attention they had until 10 days ago. There’s no need to change, just go back to doing what they know how to do.
“Allegri then showed the team videos of what went wrong in Saturday’s match against Udinese, without however pointing the finger at anyone, not even Leao. Also because, if I may say so, I’m convinced the Portuguese will start on Sunday in Verona.
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“If we listen again to Allegri’s words, it’s as if he defended not only Leao, but also the decision to start him as a centre-forward. For the Livorno native, Leao was more convincing as a centre-forward than as a winger.
“If Milan return to a 3-5-2, I’m convinced we’ll see Pulisic or Nkunku paired with Leao. So I’m not saying he’s downplayed the situation, but Allegri wanted to meet the team in true Allegri style.”
Leao’s never responded to jeering off with a stronger performance in the following game. Bench him. Play Puli and Nkunku/Santi.
Nkunku/Santi ???no way better to call up Sardo-Ossola-Sardo
One of the two to alternate with Pulisic.
Even on his current form, one of Leao’s farts is a better footballer than Nkunku.
But yes, it’s not working for him and the system that suits him doesn’t suit this side, so I say Santi and Pulisic. But Pulisic has to play the link-man role and we just need to park Santi in the box.