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When AC Milan face Como on Wednesday night, there will be a few questions that need answering, and Massimiliano Allegri is currently left making decisions.
Considering the number of issues that Allegri has had to contend with this season, and the season that came before this, Milan sitting in second has to be considered a near miracle. Now, this week, he must find new answers.
Another big game at San Siro, where his team will be supported by a full crowd, Allegri must make a number of key decisions with the hope of beating Como. Unfortunately, they are scattered across the pitch.
De Winter in defence?
It starts at the back, where it seems Koni De Winter is being considered for a return to the backline. The Belgian has been solid since the Supercoppa Italiana final, and it could be argued that his exit from the starting XI recently was a little harsh.
Nevertheless, Allegri could already look to bring him back into the equation.
In terms of who he should come into the defence for, either of the wide defenders would immediately be brought forward, given that this is where the Belgian has often played. However, if anyone were to come out of the backline, it may be Matteo Gabbia’s chance for a rest.
Since the turn of the year, the Italian has played more than 630 minutes, playing the last six games in a row since returning from injury. As a result, it would make sense if De Winter’s push for a starting place offered him a chance to rest.
On that same note, though, we do not feel that there is a massive need for a change at the back, considering this is one of the biggest games of the current run. Instead, Gabbia – or someone else – should rest for the game against Parma or Cremonese, perhaps.
Saelemaekers’ return?
To us, this is the simplest question to answer. Should Alexis Saelemaekers return to the starting XI straight away? No.
Yes, the Belgian has been one of the best players for Allegri this season, and the Rossoneri do admittedly look a little worse off without him. However, he has only just returned to a group training setting.
Two or maybe three at a push sessions are not enough to then give a 60-minute game, if that. After all, his previous return (in the Roma game) only lasted 45 minutes.
Allegri has been really, really cautious with injuries this season, even when he has had little to no other answers on the bench. If Saelemaekers is rushed back, it could be a mistake waiting to happen. With Zachary Athekame not leaving any questions to answer, is there a need to rush him back?
We think not.
Rabiot’s replacement?
This is the big one, and for us, it is linked to the attacking picture. Ruben Loftus-Cheek has been starting as a sort of hybrid attacking midfielder slash striker idea, and it has worked so far. However, with Adrien Rabiot suspended, it may be time for him to move back into the midfield.
One of Rabiot’s biggest strengths is his presence, and it feels like this will, quite literally, be big against Como. Adding Ardon Jashari or Samuele Ricci to the midfield would give an advantage to Cesc Fabregas’ team defensively and offensively, so this is where the Englishman could be key.
Additionally, the former Chelsea man could still attack the box, like Rabiot does, if he were to play in that same role.
Admittedly, you do lose some of that defensive grit that the Frenchman provides, and that could push for one of the summer signings to come in.
In a game where Como are going to dominate the ball, they could also be crucial to progress the ball in rare chances where the Diavolo have a chance to break. This, to us, is a case of either, either, or. Any of the three would work, and it feels like each would provide their own benefits.
Though Loftus-Cheek is probably the most likely candidate, considering the front line now looks much better.
Picking the front two
This is another difficult one to decide for Allegri, and unfortunately, there is not really a right answer yet. Barring Santiago Gimenez, the Italian has a complete unit to pick from, and this will be the real test.
Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic are still coming back from injuries, but the American is fresher; he has been in group training since last week, and is vying to return to action after getting his first action last weekend.
As a result, it could be the American who provides the most appealing argument to start this game from the stars.
Then, a debate can be had about Niclas Fullkrug and Christopher Nkunku. That in itself can be debated, and it all depends on who starts from the previous two. If, as we suggested, it is Pulisic, it makes more sense for the German to start.
They combined quite well against Fiorentina, and this could be another chance to do so, albeit with the hope of them actually contributing to the scoresheet this time. Allegri has often used the old ‘little and large’ combination, and it could be more beneficial to do so again with Fullkrug here, rather than Nkunku.
SempreMilan’s Milan XI vs. Como (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Athekame, Fofana, Modric, LOFTUS-CHEEK, Bartesaghi; PULISIC, FULLKRUG.
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