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The big question mark going into AC Milan’s huge game against Roma on Sunday night concerns Alexis Saelemaekers’ condition.
As a reminder, Saelemaekers limped off during the closing stages of Sunday’s win over Lecce at San Siro clutching his adductor. Thankfully scans ruled out anything serious, and the typical ‘monitor day by day’ treatment was prescribed by the medical staff.
Some good news emerged on Friday: the wing-back returned to training with the rest of the squad and therefore his place in the matchday squad seems certain. Given Massimiliano Allegri likes to exercise caution (see Strahinja Pavlovic, among others) there’s a strong chance he will not start.
A lot at stake
What we feel certain about is that Saelemaekers will want to start, for a couple of big reasons. First of all, he holds the distinction of being the only player in the Milan squad to have started all 21 league games thus far in 2025-26.
This speaks volumes about his importance in Allegri’s system on that right flank, something that became apparent from the first few training sessions and preseason friendlies. Yet, there is more to it than just a personal streak.
For the Belgian, it would be a return to a familiar setting given that he spent last season out on loan with Roma. Saelemaekers headed to the capital on a season-long dry loan with Tammy Abraham coming the other way on the same terms.
His time with the Giallorossi was a tale of two halves. In the first part of the campaign he struggled along with the team, then he racked up seven goals and seven assists by the end of 2024-25, with Claudio Ranieri using him effectively as a wing-back.
Attempts to make it a permanent deal by Roma ultimately fell flat, because the incoming coach Allegri had already seen exactly what he wanted from a wing-back for his system at Milan. If he cannot face his old team, though, what are the alternative options?
Option 1: The natural fit
The man who arrived in the summer window to be Saelemaekers’ deputy on paper was Zachary Athekame, who joined from Young Boys with the label of being a talent for the future rather than a ready-made player.
So far, the Swiss defender has made 11 appearances off the bench – the most of any player along with Ruben Loftus-Cheek – but for a combined 95 minutes. So, he has been used sparingly, often to see out games or wind down the clock.
Athekame’s goal from range against Pisa late on remains his brightest moment. Could Allegri put a round peg in a round hole, giving him his first Serie A start? We will see on Sunday night, but that trust hasn’t been forthcoming so far.
Option 2: The adaptation
One solution we cannot rule out is the use of Ruben Loftus-Cheek as a wing-back. It is a role that he has already played this season, albeit during games rather than from minute one, though he did have quite a few starts for Chelsea at RWB.
It would be a different interpretation of the role without doubt. Saelemaekers is smaller in size and tricky, while Loftus-Cheek is bigger physically but isn’t as technical, like having another Davide Bartesaghi on the other flank. It feels like a large part of the consideration would be on the work the Englishman does in both phases.
Allegri must also reflect on the message it sends. If he were to play a player in theory out of position (RLC) over starting a natural in their role, then Athekame might have reason to feel agitated about his prospects of playing time that is important to develop.
Option 3: The overhaul
A slightly more radical scenario – but one to nonetheless be discussed – is a possible change in system. Allegri could move away from the three-man defence in order to swap to a system without wing-backs.
The 4-3-3 has been mentioned as a solution that the coach has been trying in training, and it would allow Niclas Füllkrug to potentially start between Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic. However, it doesn’t really answer the big question: who plays right-back?
One idea could be to play Athekame a bit further back on the right of a back four. The other could be Fikayo Tomori shifted wider, with Strahinja Pavlovic/Koni De Winter and Matteo Gabbia in the middle. Or, De Winter could be used at right-back as he has been a few times before with previous clubs.
Wider implications
The fact that there is a doubt about what might happen if Saelemaekers isn’t available leads to a reflection of sorts. For some context, the situation isn’t as unclear on the left side, where Pervis Estupinan – as mixed as his performances have been – is obviously the stand-in for Bartesaghi.
In recent weeks there have been reports suggesting that Milan are looking into potential right wing-back targets, with Marco Palestra mentioned and above all Brooke Norton-Cuffy. There is nothing advanced and such talks seems premature, though the fact the radar seems to be turned on speaks volumes.
If there isn’t enough faith in Athekame, a loan could be considered to get him some more regular minutes. On the flip side, just like for De Winter in recent games, a chance against Roma could be just what he needed to properly announce himself.
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