In Italy, the figure of the coach-manager has never really been fully embraced, at least, not officially, but there are some managers who come close. Massimiliano Allegri, whether because of his résumé or his experience, is one of the most fitting examples. He takes an active role in transfer dynamics, naturally leaving the final word to the club. Max, moreover, returned to AC Milan in the summer of the great revolution: handfuls of players leaving and just as many arriving. Now, with the season approaching its final stretch, it’s possible to start taking stock of the squad. On the eve of the Cremonese match, the Rossoneri coach said:
"The club has done a good job both in terms of departures and arrivals. We work together every day with the management, there’s a shared understanding of the objectives, and the club is vigilant. There are still ten days left, but I’m very happy with all the players I have at my disposal."
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A question of lines:
One could think he had little choice but to say that, of course, but in the meantime, while waiting to finalize the striker, Milan has gone on to fill all the key positions they wanted to address (whether the chosen names are the right ones, only time will tell). The question now is: is the Rossoneri squad really complete, or is there still something to fix? More the latter than the former. The main reference is the defense and the scenario oscillating between a back four (which Milanello continues to confirm as the ultimate tactical destination) and a back three. At present, there are four natural center-backs, a sufficient number if only two are used on the pitch (and without midweek European commitments, as well). The coverage becomes tighter if three are needed.
True, Bartesaghi is also available and can play on the left side of the center, but the strong impression is that another high-quality defender is still missing, someone experienced, ready to contribute immediately. As Allegri emphasized, whether the defense plays with three or four at the back is more a matter of personnel than system. Broadly speaking, based on Milan’s performances in this first month and a half of the season, it’s reasonable to think that we’ll rarely see a true back four. Allegri, a coach meticulous about defensive organization, will have to work with a unit still surrounded by questions, as was evident from the disastrous debut against Cremonese.
On the wings:
Another area that could use attention is the left side of attack. Of course, this also depends on the system: in a 3-5-2, the problem is minimal, if it exists at all. But with a 4-3-3, Okafor’s departure leaves a gap. This could be filled by Jimenez, perhaps even Saelemaekers, but a broader calculation of the squad is necessary: with Harder, the roster would reach 23 players (including three goalkeepers), which is exactly the number Allegri and Tare envisioned at the start of the season, but also a number that leaves little margin for injuries. If, as might happen, Chukwueze also departs, then bringing in a new winger would become essential, as pointed out by La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Milan are working on final touches to reshape the squad. The last defeat against Cremonese, in the Serie A opener, should be a warning call. Allegri, on the other hand, is not too worried:
"It’s never easy; the first game is always complicated, and fitness isn’t optimal," he said to DAZN "These are matches where you shouldn’t concede goals, but unfortunately we did. We got back into the game, and in the second half we had potential chances to score, which we didn’t convert, and then we conceded this goal knowing they are strong at crossing and good at closing down in the box. We need to work on these situations. As I always say, we can’t concede two goals per game"
In the press conference after the 1-2 loss against Cremonese at the San Siro stadium, head coach Massimiliano Allegri also shared his thoughts by saying the following:
"We had to expect this kind of match: Cremonese is a tough team that doesn’t let you play, and it was the first game of the season. Tonight, as will be the case in the next 37 matches, we needed to raise our sense of danger. Otherwise, we are a team that can lose to anyone. We need to increase our aggressiveness both offensively and defensively by being aware of the danger. We knew Cremonese was strong on crosses, and conceding two goals like that is purely a matter of perception of danger."
