GdS: Leao rediscovers key role as Allegri must field new attack against Fiorentina

As a result of multiple key injuries, AC Milan will resume their league campaign against Fiorentina with Rafael Leao at the core of everything. 

Today’s edition of Gazzetta dello Sport (see photo below) has taken a closer look at Milan’s starting eleven for the clash tomorrow. Considering that the likes of Adrien Rabiot and above all Christian Pulisic won’t be available, a leading role will once again fall to Leao.

Will the Milan fans finally get to see a confident Leao? Or will he fail to deliver fully once again? The match against Fiorentina will reveal the answer, though he would have to break a long negative streak to succeed: he hasn’t scored in the league for 511 days at San Siro.

The winger returned from his commitments with the Portuguese national team, as agreed beforehand, and he looked full of energy at Milanello. It’s an energy that he will have to use to fully succeed in the No.9 role, where he enjoyed some success in the pre-season.

A new-look attack

So, who will play alongside him up front? Christoper Nkunku hasn’t trained fully with the team due to a foot injury, but could potentially make the bench. Santiago Gimenez, meanwhile, returned healthy from international duty with Mexico and has looked bright in training.

That said, the most credible option to start alongside Leao is Ruben Loftus-Cheek, acting as a muscular attacking midfielder, which is a role he has already covered in the past. This also means that Gimenez would be an option to bring on during the game, if changes are needed.

Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

On the other hand, the above would leave the midfield exposed as Samuele Ricci would start alongside Luka Modric and Youssouf Fofana. Ardon Jashari and Adrien Rabiot are on the injury list, so there wouldn’t be any options to bring off the bench during the game.

In short, we are talking about a new-look attack that also puts everything on the line. Gimenez aside, it wouldn’t be possible for Allegri to make any significant changes during the game. It’s a clear negative, as the manager has done well with his substitutions so far this season.

Debut on the cards

Moving on to the defence, Mike Maignan returned as the only fit Frenchman from international duty. He will be protected by the usual three-man backline of Fikayo Tomori, Matteo Gabbia and Strahinja Pavlovic. The core foundation, as such, will stay the same.

Further up the pitch, Davide Bartesaghi will keep his spot on the left-hand side after impressing against Juventus, though it’s also due to Pervis Estupinan’s injury. On the opposite flank, Alexis Saelemaekers most likely won’t be risked, paving the way for Zachary Athekame.

The Swiss international would make his debut as a starter, boosted by the recent promotion from Switzerland’s U21 side to the senior team. While he has the support of the club, the reactions from the fans have been mixed so far. As such, tomorrow’s game could be a chance to show his quality.