1 week ago
52
AC Milan will remain in a state of emergency on Tuesday against Atalanta, due to the sheer number of injury players.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) report this morning, compared to the match against Pisa, Fikayo Tomori will once again start. He needed a rest on Friday after being used a lot in the first half of the season.
The bench could be slightly bigger, as there’s hope that one of Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Pervis Estupinan will be available. Both underwent individual training sessions yesterday, and their chances of recovery will be clearer this morning.
Who has the better chance? Definitely the English midfielder, who has no right thigh injury, but who didn’t feel the muscle was fully functional until Thursday. Estupinan’s left ankle, however, isn’t yet fully functional.
At the New Balance Arena, being able to exploit the former Chelsea player’s physicality during the match would be crucial. Just as important will be rediscovering the defensive mechanisms, where Tomori’s return to the starting lineup will see Allegri revert to the three-man defence he trusts.
De Winter hasn’t been dismissed by Allegri, but his integration into the Rossoneri clearly requires a little more time given the errors (on the penalty and, previously, in positioning) he made against Pisa.
A dilemma
Having said that the three-man defence will return to its ‘ideal’ form, Allegri can only consider one other change to the formation he deployed against Gilardino’s Nerazzurri: using Saelemaekers behind Leao, with Gimenez on the bench and Athekame starting on the right flank.
It’s a possibility the coach wants to consider, not only considering Santi’s disappointing performance against Pisa, but also considering the Mexican’s tactical utility in a match like the one in Bergamo, where Juric’s team’s pressing could force more long balls than usual.
With this in mind, it would be crucial to have a centre-forward whose ability to defend the ball is among his qualities to help the team push forward. So, will Gimenez and Leao go up front, or will Leao and Saelemaekers be given space?
Nkunku doesn’t have the fitness to start and is less suited than Leao to play as the No.9. Rafa is making a real sacrifice by playing there, and against Bari and Juventus he showed some interesting moves, even in a role that isn’t his own. When he has Pulisic by his side, he’ll do even better.
Pulisic back soon?
Speaking of Pulisic, his condition will be reevaluated in the coming days with an MRI scan on his right hamstring, where a low-grade tear was found after the friendly against the United States on October 14th.
Captain America confirmed to his entourage and teammates that he’s feeling better and wants to return before the break. He’s hoping to be on the bench in seven days against Roma.
This would be excellent news for Allegri, who will have to wait to have Adrien Rabiot back, as his muscle issue cannot be risked.
English (US) ·