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Massimiliano Allegri has already decided the front two that will start against Pisa on Friday night: Rafael Leao and Santiago Gimenez.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below), the coach will rely on the attacking duo that turned Sunday’s match against Fiorentina around in the second half. If Milan are now looking down on everyone in the table, and have a chance to go four points clear (temporarily), it is thanks to them.
Gimenez earned the penalty that put Milan ahead, while Leao levelled things with a lovely solo goal before converting his penalty. The Mexican and the Portuguese will be the ones to launch the assault on Pisa, but this time together from the start.
Allegri has Nkunku back after the toe problem he suffered with France and he will be on the bench, ready to come on if needed. At this time, however, it’s inevitable to focus on the two strikers who provided the momentum against Fiorentina.
They were tested on Wednesday in tactical drills and, barring any surprises, will get the nod against Pisa. Leao won’t have to play centre-forward and will have more freedom to roam across the entire attack, as he did against Fiorentina, when he was decisive.
A game of pairs
Next week, Christian Pulisic will undergo an MRI scan to check the right thigh hamstring he injured in the United States match played on the 14th in Commerce City, Colorado.
For now, there’s no open discussion about the possibility of him accelerating his recovery time (returning after the break), but there’s hope that the ‘low-grade’ injury will allow him to be available in Parma on November 8th.
At least until then, however, it will be up to the other three players to find the goals needed to keep the Rossoneri at the top. Tomorrow night, Gimenez will look for his first Serie A goal of the season despite having played seven games, and Leao will aim to follow up after a positive first league start.
Transformation
Allegri was and still is convinced that Leao can transform into a centre-forward. The match against Fiorentina showed that he struggles playing with his back to goal and that he performs best when starting a few metres further back, attacking the opponent’s penalty area at pace.
At Milanello, however, they consider his attitude in the first half – when he pressed and sacrificed himself – to be correct. He will never be a classic No.9 and will always struggle in tight games, when opponents defend with a low block.
Against Napoli and Juventus, his sub-par physical condition didn’t help him, but his movement on the second missed chance at the Allianz Stadium was spot on. After his brace against Fiorentina the mistakes in Turin have been forgiven, so now the feeling is he can play alongside Pulisic or Nkunku, who are more second strikers.
A duck to break
The Mexican, however, is still searching for his first Serie A goal. On Sunday he found a way to be decisive, unsettling Pioli’s defence with his movement and ball-covering skills to propel the team forward.
It’s undeniable that with Santiago on the pitch, Milan performed better because the former Feyenoord player forced Pablo Mari to work hard, pulling him away from the box. Aside from the decisive incident, the controversial penalty he won was worth the three points.
Since the beginning of his time with the Diavolo, Gimenez has had a low scoring rate (seven goals in 28 appearances), but Allegri considers him essential for the job he does and has always used him so far.
Tomorrow, Max will start him again and hopes he can break through. This will help them fly to a four-point lead over the chasing pack and continue to dream of more than just Champions League qualification.
English (US) ·