The African Cup will not only cause a “massacre” in the median, but will also affect the defense, removing the Senegalese full-back from Milan. From Kalulu to Bakayoko and Krunic, the technician prepares the emergency set-up
“Sos” Africa Cup of Nations. AC Milan looks to January with the slate of the plans at hand and a bit of concern. Pioli will have to do a few more maneuvers and keep his fingers crossed, especially in the middle and on the left. Short recap: Bennacer, Kessie and Ballo-Touré will take part in the event with Algeria, Ivory Coast and Senegal. They will leave on January 3rd and will be out for at least a month. The Rossoneri will have the players counted in two key roles.
In the middle of
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In midfield, the story is well known. With Kessie and Bennacer out of the game, Pioli will have Tonali, Bakayoko and the wildcard Krunic, who has played in almost all roles (midfield, winger, attacking midfielder and second striker) up to now. If the former Brescia was one of the best and the Bosnian a reliable player, from “where you put him he is and defends himself”, the same cannot be said of the Frenchman, who arrived in the summer to make the fourth in midfield. In the three outings in which he played from the start he was always replaced after 45 ‘. Performance begs a question: Can Bakayoko prop up the median? So far he has proven no, unlike Krunic instead, who has proven reliable in several roles. This year he started as a midfielder in the first two outings in the league, 90 ‘against Sampdoria and Cagliari, all with Tonali. Successful African Cup trials: Milan won both. One of the market options is to anticipate Adli’s arrival as early as January. Difficult option though. The Frenchman is Petkovic’s key man in Bordeaux’s fight for salvation.
To the left
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Another serious problem. If in the median there is some alternative, behind on the left there is no. Theo’s only nature reserve is Ballo-Touré, which this year has often replaced him: 11 games between the league and the Champions League, six of these as a starter. The Frenchman, unlike the other early season, has missed a few more games between Covid, suspensions and a bit of influence (out against Napoli). Pioli cross your fingers and think. If Theo were to forfeit what could be the alternative? Certainly his compatriot Kalulu, one of the best backups of the season. Right-back in the role, also central, this year he played 4 times on the left in emergency situations, the last in the derby with Inter. The first feasible option is him. Much more secluded Calabria, which with Pioli also made the median (against Juve last year). The Rossoneri coach has already made it clear that a truly epochal emergency would be needed to see Davide on the left-handed. Finally, keep an eye on Spring. There are two left-backs available to Giunti: Milos Kerkez, an 18-year-old Hungarian, 19 games this season and a couple of goals in a friendly match with the first team in the summer, and Andrea Bozzolan, 17. Thirteen appearances for him. They could get at least some summons.
December 27, 2021 (change December 27, 2021 | 13:46)
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