No need to beat around the bush: in the big match between Milan and Juventus, scheduled for Saturday, October 23, at 6 PM at San Siro, the Rossoneri are under pressure to win.
This is how La Gazzetta dello Sport begins its analysis this morning, emphasising how crucial it is for Fonseca not to lose further ground to the Bianconeri or to the top of the table in general. To achieve this, the Rossoneri might need to present itself in a new guise.
Milan must get the three points against Thiago Motta's Juventus
As La Gazzetta dello Sport writes today, the three points are the only option for the red and black faithful this weekend.
Fonseca's team is currently sitting in seventh place, six points behind sixth-placed Juventus, seven points away from fourth place, which is tied with second, and eight points off the top, occupied by Napoli. It’s true that Milan has one game in hand compared to its rivals, but while this would close the points gap, it wouldn’t change their position in the standings.
For this reason, failing to win could effectively eliminate Milan from the Scudetto race (and not just that) by mid-November. That said, Fonseca’s side has consistently performed well in high-pressure situations and marquee matchups this season, especially in the derby and in Madrid.
Fonseca's Milan towards a tactical shift?
Fonseca will have his full squad available only tomorrow. That gives him two days to prepare for the challenge and devise a strategy to disrupt Thiago Motta’s plans.
In this regard, Milan might be looking to reshape itself to provide more protection for the defense, the team’s true Achilles’ heel. The big question lies in the tactical setup: La Gazzetta suggests a potential switch to a 4-3-3.
If this happens, behind the attacking trio of Pulisic-Morata-Leão, Loftus-Cheek could return to the lineup, joining Fofana and Reijnders in midfield with the aim of providing greater coverage.
Alternatively, Loftus-Cheek could also feature in the existing 4-2-3-1 formation, playing as an attacking midfielder with Pulisic shifting wide.
It’s a decision the Rossoneri coach can only finalise tomorrow, once the entire squad is assembled. In defense, Tomori seems assured of a starting spot, while Thiaw and Gabbia are vying to partner him at the back.
