For Massimiliano Allegri, it seems like there are very few decisions left to make ahead of the derby. However, we think AC Milan may need to look at the situation.
Ahead of the Derby della Madonnina, many reports have suggested that the team is all but decided. In fact, it would not be a surprise if we could already list the starting XI. After all, as we know, Massimiliano Allegri has his starters.
However, there are a few areas that could need some further attention. Looking at this weekend’s game, there is not really any room for errors. If Milan win, they effectively seal a place in the Scudetto race – barring any major errors – and if they don’t, they have a five-point gap to fill.
It is probably worth mentioning that these views are quite common across the supporter base. Whilst it may not be the decision Allegri makes, we feel the chances are running out.
Right now, there are three real ‘concerns’, if you will, for us in the Milan team. Two are more pressing than the other, but we’d be lying if we said that it was a doubt-free situation.
Photo by Giuseppe Cottini/AC Milan via Getty ImagesEstupinan’s disappointment
At left-back, it seems like Davide Bartesaghi will start this game, and it is the right decision. With Pervis Estupinan, you get more experience, but it doesn’t really feel that way. There are far too many small errors in the Ecuadorian’s game, and he doesn’t seem completely ready for a game like this.
Since arriving in the summer, he has had some good moments, of course. However, in his past two games – the one against Parma and the friendly against Virtus Entella – he has made poor decisions against, with respect, lesser teams.
Against Inter, those mistakes cannot happen at the frequency that he makes them. Of course, when lineups come out, this could be a complete non-issue. After all, he is not expected to start. However, the fact that it is not a guarantee with the youngster yet is questionable in itself.
The Fofana Paradox
Youssouf Fofana is a confusing player. That is the best way to sum him up. The Frenchman is very competent in some capacities, but there are some elements to his game that take away from his popularity.
He is a nice box-crashing midfielder, and he has a pretty decent range of passing. However, he is also very flawed, to put it nicely. Whilst he makes nice runs into the box, his finishing has been really poor this season.
Then, outside of that, his commitment levels can also be questioned at times. There have been a few occasions this season where he has failed to give that extra 10% to track a man back, which has proven costly.
Against Virtus last Friday, he gave away an easy goal, and his effort to stop it was poor too. Fofana is talented, and that is where the frustration lies. Maybe it is in mentality, maybe it is work ethic – however, given his minutes last year, it seems difficult to pin it on this – either way, there must be a solution.
So, this weekend, we feel it may be best to start Samuele Ricci. The Italian would, in our view, be better suited for the nod over Ruben Loftus-Cheek, just as he offers slightly more balance.
Adrien Rabiot, it seems, will be tasked with being the aggressor of the midfield going forward, and adding the Englishman may be committing. So, as a late sub, he could make the difference. Ricci, then, could offer that nice mix. Another anchor, another progressive option. Exactly what could be needed this weekend.
Photos: Marco Luzzani + Giuseppe Cottini/AC Milan via Getty ImagesPu-Leao
Not a doubt, necessarily, but a worry perhaps. The idea of Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao together is a fantastic one. However, there have been many great ideas in history, and whether they work is another thing entirely.
Working off a striker, both have excelled. However, neither has really been the striker, and where they both work well is where the other is an unknown. Neither is really the hold-up player. Instead, they are the dynamic one, who drives into space.
Of course, where Santiago Gimenez has helped both has been the ability to make space, and both should be more than able to do that. Whether they will be able to manage the Inter backline for the key moments, though, is something in itself.
This isn’t really a doubt, but more of a, how will it go. On the other side, if they do not link how Allegri hopes, the need for a striker will only increase. There are, perhaps, positives to a good and less good performance.
Our XI for Inter-Milan (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Ricci, Modric, Rabiot, Bartesaghi; Leao, Pulisic.