GdS: Allegri adds muscle to midfield as Milan have clear plan against Lecce

Max Allegri has highlighted the need for hard work in AC Milan’s upcoming clash against Lecce, though the lack of depth is making things complicated. 

As highlighted by Gazzetta dello Sport this morning, Allegri made it clear during his pre-match presser that there is “a desire for redemption” in the squad. One wouldn’t have expected anything else, following the defeat to Cremonese in the season opener.

Hard work is the only way

Tonight, a win is needed not only to get back on their feet but also to start running. To quote the head coach once more, they need to “run at least as fast as our opponents. We need to get on their level, only then can our technical qualities emerge”.

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Allegri is calling for a dirty, aggressive game, despite the presence of a Ballon d’Or winner, Luka Modric. The coach wants competitive determination and a provincial attitude, so that Milan can then leverage their quality and get the better of their opponents. Essentially everything that wasn’t seen in their debut.

As such, Allegri has decided to add more muscle to the midfield by fielding Yunus Musah, who in just a few hours, has gone from being an outcast and nearing a sale to becoming a starter again. A choice but also a necessity due to Christian Pulisic’s absence.

Indeed, Alexis Saelemaekers will move up the pitch and play alongside Santiago Gimenez in a completely improvised attack.

Lack of depth causes issues

As the newspaper continues, Pulisic has a minor injury so he should be on the bench, ready to come on if the game requires it. The only ‘proper’ attacking option on the bench is thus Samuel Chukwueze, who unlike Musah, will be on the bench and then leave (for Fulham, most likely).

“If we have a plan B in attack? We’ll manage somehow,” Allegri said with a smile during his presser. In the meantime, he’s putting a lot of faith in Gimenez: “Santi, at the moment, is the only striker we have available. I’ve known him for twenty days; he’s a good player, and we all expect a lot from him.”

The only area that doesn’t seem to change is the defence, even though it has been heavily criticised. Matteo Gabbia has the advantage over Koni De Winter, while Fikayo Tomori and Strahinja Pavlovic are keeping their spots as well.