‘Game of pairs’ – Mazzara questions who will Allegri ‘partner’ with Leao

There are few guarantees with AC Milan at the moment. However, the situation with Rafael Leao is rather clear. 

After the summer, questions shroud Milan. It, unfortunately, is really difficult to assess where the Rossoneri are and who will be where. Several midfielders demand a place in the squad, whilst the forward line is interesting in itself.

This is exactly where the current focus is. The Diavolo need to work out a way to make Rafael Leao work, given that Massimiliano Allegri sees it as Leao and the rest. When the job became his, and even before it, the Portuguese was his focus.

Allegri’s headache

Now, then, there is a question to be answered, and Milan could see it done this weekend, hopefully. Of course, that question is who will make Leao tick and where? In his latest editorial for MilanNews, Pietro Mazzara has looked at things, trying to find an answer.

“Massimiliano Allegri, even during these days of rest for the few players remaining at Milanello, has continued to think about how to field his AC Milan. The transfer market is over, and he’ll have to work with these ingredients—these players—to find the right balance for his starting lineup. The big puzzle, at least on paper, is the attack.

“The switch to a 3-5-2 leaves only two shirts up for grabs, which in reality is one because Rafael Leao is and always will be Max’s starter. And here comes the “game of pairs”: who will partner Rafa as an attacking partner?

Photos: Paul Kane + Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

“The two players competing for the spot are Pulisic and Nkunku, with Santiago Gimenez starting further down the pecking order. Christian is one of the technical certainties of this team, Nkunku is the most important acquisition—financially—of AC Milan’s summer transfer window, and both legitimately aspire to a role alongside Leao.

“Nkunku is regaining his best form and made a great impression on Allegri during the first training sessions at Milanello. Heading into Bologna, depending on Pulisic’s return from his commitments with Team USA and the condition of his ankle (which already forced him to the bench in Lecce), it shouldn’t be surprising if Leao and Nkunku actually start.

“We’ll see, especially since the feeling is that sooner or later Milan could switch to a 4-3-3, which could then open up other scenarios.”