GdS: Milan looking for ‘final starter’ – how Bartesaghi has shaken the system

Davide Bartesaghi was kept in the summer, with Massimiliano Allegri believing that he has a role to play at AC Milan. 

There is a pretty established team at Milan, and most players know if they are a starter or a rotational option. However, that is not the case in one area. Interestingly, it comes where solidity is pretty much a given around them.

Battle of two

As Gazzetta dello Sport write, the Rossoneri are deciding on their ‘final starter’, and it could be either Bartesaghi or Pervis Estupinan. After a pretty difficult month with injuries, Allegri will now have a new trouble deciding who will start.

Estupinan, who arrived in the summer, has been nursing an ankle injury, so he has been unavailable. In that time, Bartesaghi has impressed a lot, especially given that he is so young. But both offer different qualities.

Photo by AC Milan

The Italian is strong with the ball at his feet and helps in all phases of play, especially at the back, where he makes more progressive passes per game. However, the former Brighton defender is a tad strong, his passes are more accurate, and he makes more progressive balls per game.

Bartesaghi, a player who takes fewer risks, still ends up with a better shot-creating action output, though, even if it is only marginal. Defensively, the two are quite even, a story across the board, really.

Both have pros and cons, so Allegri will decide between them based on more than the stats.