After Friday’s irritating 2-2 draw towards bottom-placed Pisa, Milan finds itself in pressing want of redemption because it prepares to go to Atalanta on Tuesday night time. It was an evening the place Massimiliano Allegri’s males seemed in management, solely to give up their benefit and depend on a dramatic late equalizer to keep away from an embarrassing defeat. This upcoming midweek journey to Bergamo comes at a vital time for the Rossoneri, who’re battling to remain inside touching distance of Serie A pacesetter Napoli. Christian Pulisic, Luka Modric, and Santiago Gimenez all dominate pre-match discussions for various causes — one recovering, one main, and one below scrutiny.
The absence of Pulisic, Milan’s attacking heartbeat this season, stays a serious blow. Allegri has confirmed that his American talisman is not going to function till at the least the sport towards Parma. In his pre-match press convention, the coach admitted, “Completely not towards Roma. We hope to have him on the bench towards Parma.”
With a number of attacking choices unavailable, the massive query stays — will Allegri belief expertise and aptitude to reignite Milan’s rhythm, or keep loyal to the under-fire starters who’ve but to persuade?
It’s been a season of resilience and improvisation for Milan. Accidents to key gamers have pressured the skilled tactician to discipline makeshift lineups, testing the bounds of his squad depth. Alongside Pulisic, Adrien Rabiot, Ardon Jashari, and Pervis Estupinan stay sidelined, although there’s lastly a glimmer of excellent information: Ruben Loftus-Cheek is again in full coaching and anticipated to make the bench.
The accidents have pressured the Italian coach to rely closely on his defensive core and veteran leaders. Mike Maignan continues because the immovable presence in aim, whereas Matteo Gabbia and Strahinja Pavlovic retain their locations within the again three. Nonetheless, Fikayo Tomori is predicted to return to the beginning lineup after being rested.
Will Modric and Gimenez function?
Milan’s midfield is predicted to stay unchanged, with Luka Modric, Youssouf Fofana, and Samuele Ricci dictating the play. Modric’s expertise has introduced stability and intelligence to the workforce, although the Croatian maestro’s presence additionally raises questions in regards to the membership’s tempo — can he nonetheless management a high-intensity Serie A battle towards Atalanta’s urgent?
The actual intrigue lies in assault. Santiago Gimenez, as soon as heralded as Milan’s long-term reply up entrance, is going through a defining stretch. After a string of muted performances, the Mexican striker is operating out of possibilities. His partnership with Rafael Leao will probably be examined once more, however followers are starting to develop stressed.
As reported by Sky Italia, “It could possibly be a remaining likelihood for Santiago Gimenez up entrance, given there was a good bit of criticism of the Mexican just lately.” Whether or not Allegri decides to stick with him or rotate may rely upon tactical wants — and maybe the coach’s rising impatience.
Luka Modric of AC Milan celebrates after scoring
The buildup to Tuesday’s conflict has been dominated by hypothesis over Allegri’s tactical gamble. Many count on him to “maintain issues largely the identical,” thus whispers round Milanello counsel that Luka Modric and Santiago Gimenez may nonetheless be handed key roles.
Atalanta vs. Milan: Projected lineups
Atalanta projected XI (3-4-3): Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Hien, Kossounou; Bellanova, Ederson, De Roon, Zalewski; De Ketelaere, Krstovic, Lookman.
Milan projected XI (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Fofana, Modric, Ricci, Bartesaghi; Gimenez, Leao.
