As reported by Tuttosport this morning, both Charles De Ketelaere and Ante Rebic played their last game as starters against Sassuolo. That performance is not easily forgotten, especially the first half in which the Belgian playmaker was substituted without much praise. However, taboos are meant to be shattered, and every game has its own unique story and brings a new opportunity to shine. In this sense, head coach Stefano Pioli needs to bring out the best in both of his players, who come from very different contexts: the young talent who has yet to express himself and a veteran who has been plagued by physical problems in the last year and a half and is seeking some continuity.
With the recovery of Ismael Bennacer, Davide Calabria, and Alessandro Florenzi, the coach finally has everyone at his disposal, so the gaffer will be trying to make the most of all his resources, starting from tomorrow evening’s game when the Rossoneri lock horns with La Viola in Florence.
In tomorrow’s game against Fiorentina, Charles De Ketelaere could replace Spanish loanee of Real Madrid Brahim Diaz, who has in fact returned to be the starting lineup on merit after the last good performances. The former Manchester City player could be rested in view of the trip to London, and the young Belgian is ready to play his cards on the attacking midfield line.
With Rafael Leao disqualified, the natural substitute of the Portuguese, Ante Rebic, is a candidate for the starting shirt. Neither of the two has played from the start with the new line-up drawn by Pioli from February onwards, but that matters little. The Croatian forward of AC Milan will operate on the left but a little closer to the central area of the pitch, and De Ketelaere will occupy the areas just behind the center-forward and act as a link with the midfield.
