1 week ago
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After drawing 2-2 with newly promoted Pisa, AC Milan are once again looking at themselves in the mirror. However, Rafael Leao is a positive.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) report, the penalty awarded for De Winter’s outstretched arm and the Nerazzurri’s second goal in a move where a foul on Gabbia remains suspected brings the goals conceded tally to six, four against teams just returning to the top flight.
With Allegri, however, the defence will never be the problem, which in fact offers a much more pronounced sense of solidity than in the past: the limitations remain in the attacking area. And this time, it’s not because Allegri’s team isn’t producing chances.
The problem is hitting the target: Christian Pulisic did it with extraordinary ease – six goals in eight games across league and the cup. While Leao has begun to find the target even from outside the area, the problem remains Gimenez and Nkunku.
Attack jammed
In 80% of Serie A matches, Allegri has had to do without half of his starting attack: Leao missed the first four games due to injury, came on a couple of times to regain his rhythm, and started the last two.
Pulisic was sidelined after an injury on international duty, hurting the coach and the club, which disapproved of the Captain America’s management. He missed Fiorentina and Pisa, and will also miss Atalanta, and who knows what happens next.
These unfortunate events could have favoured the competition: Gimenez and Nkunku. Santi has started seven of eight league matches (the eighth as a substitute against Fiorentina, in which he remained among the reserves for strategic reasons, as Max lacked a backup striker).
Initially, he was recognised for his selflessness, his participation in team play, and the movements with which he kept opposing defenders busy, allowing his penalty-box partner (Pulisic) to shine. But the centre-forward role also demands goals, and we haven’t seen any from Santi so far.
Not only does he not finish chances, two nights ago against Pisa he didn’t even have a shot on target: a step back from his previous matches. Gimenez’s only goal came against Lecce in the Coppa Italia against Lecce.
The big money man
The same applies to Nkunku: he scored against Lecce in the cup, but remains dry in the league. A red inflatable balloon was pulled from his shorts, and the celebrations began for the Rossoneri’s first (and so far last) goal.
His league contribution is influenced by the fact he has amassed just 63 minutes spread across four quick appearances. First, his sub-par form due to lack of preparation, then the knock to the foot suffered with the national team, which kept him out of the match against Fiorentina.
Modest assessments for this transfer hit: he cost €37m plus bonuses to sign Chelsea. Speaking of which, the transfer market: January could bring new goals.
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