After the win achieved less than 48 hours ago in Como, Milan are required to turn the page immediately and focus on another far from straightforward commitment: Sunday evening’s home clash against Eusebio Di Francesco’s Lecce. The Salento side are not going through the best moment of their season, coming off three consecutive defeats against Parma, Inter and Roma, but for that very reason they represent a potentially dangerous opponent.
Paradoxically, the Giallorossi fall into the category of teams against whom Milan have struggled the most this season, especially when faced with deep, compact defensive blocks, a setup that Massimiliano Allegri himself often adopts. It is a script that has already caused problems for the Rossoneri and one that demands a very careful approach to the match.
The main selection doubts concern the attacking department. Rafael Leão’s condition is still not optimal, while Christian Pulisic did not even step onto the pitch in Como, a clear sign of cautious management following his recent physical issues. With limited alternatives available, the idea of an unfamiliar partnership featuring Nkunku and Füllkrug is gaining traction.
The German centre-forward appears to have settled quickly into the Rossoneri environment, immediately showing personality, a willingness to sacrifice, and a strong sense of attachment to the shirt. In Florence, for example, he delivered an excellent first half, providing two inviting balls for Pulisic and offering a performance full of intensity and physical presence. His second-half introduction against Como, despite clear pain in his foot, further confirmed a determined and hungry striker, capable of leading the line with personality and authority, something that neither Leão nor Giménez have consistently managed to do this season, even if the Portuguese winger’s numbers remain significant.
As for Nkunku, his improvement in recent weeks is clear: four goals and one assist in his latest appearances underline a steadily rising level of performance. After a complicated start, also due to being forced into a centre-forward role, the Frenchman now seems more comfortable within Allegri’s attacking structure. While he is not a striker built for playing with his back to goal or for holding up the ball, he is finding greater continuity and confidence.
In this context, Allegri is still searching for a true attacking identity, partly because of the constant physical setbacks that have prevented him from regularly fielding his best players. Nevertheless, with a Füllkrug in this form, it is hard to do without a profile capable of battling with defenders, bringing the team up the pitch and creating space for the wide players’ runs, writes Milan Press.
The upcoming matches, and in particular the clash with Lecce, will therefore be telling in understanding which tactical direction Allegri wants to give his Milan and which players he intends to rely on from the start, while reserving others as impact options to be used during the game.
