The final training session took place at Milanello today ahead of the Sunday trip to Roma, and some news emerged about the team.
The countdown continues to tomorrow night’s big match between Roma and Milan, which will be played at the Stadio Olimpico at 20:45 CET. It could well be a game that defines how the rest of the season goes, given how tight it is at the top.
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Predicted AC Milan XI vs. Roma
As Sky (via MilanNews) report, Massimiliano Allegri confirmed that Alexis Saelemaekers will be available from the start, having recovered from a muscle injury. There are three major changes to the line-up one for each department.
In defence, Strahija Pavlovic is back after a head injury, but he’s not yet 100% fit. That is why Koni De Winter is likely to remain in the side on the left side of the three-man defence alongside Matteo Gabbia and Fikayo Tomori.
In midfield, Samuele Ricci is expected to get the nod, having made excellent impressions in recent games. He leads the three-way battle with Youssouf Fofana and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
In attack, Christopher Nkunku appears to be the favorite to support Rafael Leao, to the detriment of Christian Pulisic who will start on the bench.
Predicted Milan XI (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, De Winter; Saelemaekers, Ricci, Modric, Rabiot, Bartesaghi; Nkunku, Leao.
I’d like to see FullKrug start.
With whoever is most fit beside him.
Agree!
I think it’s tactical. Allegri wants Fullkrug to come in in the second half and take advantage of when the defense is tired and we are usually playing our best football. O doubt he’ll start much unless out of necessity or rotation.
I don’t understand why Leao is starting if he is unfit. Wouldn’t it make more sense to start Puli and Nkunku if they are both the healthiest and rest Leao for a week to see if he can fully recover?
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Pulisic and Fullkrug makes more sense or Nkunku and Fullkrug. I don’t understand it either because if Leao is not 100% then there’s no reason to risk him getting worse.
leao is the most unpredictable in the attacking movement as a striker at least then all of 3 of those and generally apart from pulisic the hardest to stop. also im guessing allegri is planning to substitute both knuku and leao for puli and krug so it makes sense in my eyes, as both of the ones that are starting generally dont play too well at 90 minutes
Another zero zero start. Nkuka doesn’t give us much. He missed a sitter like Pulisic last game although goalie made incredible saves. Leo’s doesn’t look right. Unless Puli is injured start. Füllkrug and Puli or try 3 up front.
I think Pulisic has gotten the message. Put in your transfer request in the summer.
Ricci will probably not start. Allegri seems to prefer Fofana or RLC.
So… Allegri is going for the 0-0 until 80mins again and hoping Puli & Füllkrug comes from the bench to the rescue. Nkunku & Leao will be MIA the whole match.
Pulisic and Leao makes no sense to me. It’s not working with them playing together. So far the best combination is Pulisic and Fullkrug.
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Ughhhh. This is ridiculous. 8 days of rest…play your best players. Let Laeo and Pulisic develop chemistry.
If you have been listening to Allegri all year this was coming, effusive praise for Nnkunku (really for no reason). And very little said about Pulisic.
Yeah he never says much about Pulisic. Talks non stop about Leao and Nkunku. Pulisic has been Milan’s best player for 3 years and they are coming off 8 days rest and playing an important match. I don’t blame him for not signing yet if this is what’s going to start happening. If healthy he should be starting every match. Maybe he isn’t healthy? But neither is Leao.
Pulisic should start. He’s the most consistent out of the 4 strikers despite his recent misses 1 v 1.
Pulisic and Leao need to get as many minutes as possible to build up an understanding.
What it looks like to me is Allegri’s tactic of combining player rotation, counter-attacking, and super subs to lure teams into a certain playing pattern, Allegri then analyzes that pattern in-game and makes adjustments if needed. He’ll put Puli on once Leao forces Roma to get comfortable in containing him (especially since Leao can’t sprint). Puli and Fullkrug could come on together, and that would force Roma to make adjustments before Milan scores. This way, Puli (who still has an injury btw) can rest and only play 15-20 minutes and STILL have a major impact on the game. When he plays a full 90, he is often the first or 2nd in distance covered in a game, he can’t keep doing that.
With Leao’s injury, I don’t think he can come on as a sub and have the same explosive impact. That’s why he starts and Pulisic doesn’t. If you’re resting one of them that is.
Interesting take.
Allegri recently: minutes don’t matter. being clinical in front of goal matters. CP has been leaving goals on the table. Hate to say it.
I didn’t realize Leao had been scoring lately….
It’s true Pulisic is subject to different standards. So that must be taken into account. It’ll always be that way for him in Milan. He has to score, and if he doesn’t, he better get assists. He hasn’t been getting those either. He doesn’t take corners anymore even though a number of goals once came from his corners. The guy has never gotten the benefit of the doubt. So he has to make goals, period ( if he wants to play). And he knows it. He’s not a politician. doesn’t curry favor. And he’s not a freak like Leao.
“It’s true Pulisic is subject to different standards. So that must be taken into account. It’ll always be that way for him in Milan. He has to score, and if he doesn’t, he better get assists. He hasn’t been getting those either.”
And Leao? At least Pulisic defends and participates in ALL the phases of the game (look at the distance covered). Leao? Oh right, he won the MVP half a decade ago so he’s off limits when it comes to criticism. 🤷♂️
Fofana on the bench 🙌
I understand Allegri choices. He want to play predominant in counterattack. He want speed and mobility. Personally I would choose Pulisic over Leao. If we will win we can speak about Milan as a principal competitor of Inter for scudetto
Let’s be honest if wasn’t American he would be a guaranteed starter. That’s all it is, hopefully he gets sold as he deserves better than how he’s been treated.
Same situation with Mckinnie at Juventus
Same situation? Pulisic is in the top-10 of Serie A players, while McKennie can’t even make it to the top-100. 🤷♂️
Puli has been playing in Europe for 10 years. Dortmund, Cheslea and Milan. In that time period, he has played for over 10 managers. He knows that as
an American playing in a foreign country, he will never be a favorite with any European coach. That is why he has not signed a contract extension. He will be gone after the World Cup.
Pulisic should leave after the end of the season. There is PLENTY of interest. Nobody for Milan has his involvements or is even close since he joined. Leao is a laughable lazy waste.
Pulisic is by far their best player, and should play as much as he holds up. He should always take corners and pks as well.
I don’t know what their record is when he doesn’t start, but it can’t be good….