With the controversy put to rest even among the Rossoneri fans following what happened last night in Inter–Juventus, it’s time to refocus and think solely about the team and the next fixture, which can be described with any adjective except “easy.” On Wednesday the 18th at 8:45 p.m., Cesc Fàbregas’ Como will arrive. They will not only be eager to prove that their footballing philosophy is conceptually superior to that of Max Allegri, especially after the post-match comments from the first leg, but they also come off a home defeat to Fiorentina.
As if that weren’t enough (because the Rossoneri often seem to enjoy making life difficult for themselves, as seen in Pisa) the coach will have to do without his “thoroughbred,” indeed his stallion, Adrien Rabiot. Following the booking he picked up last matchday, compounded by a second yellow for dissent, the Frenchman, already on a caution, must miss Wednesday’s clash. It’s a heavy and significant absence, but as has happened many times before with other players, it will not be an obstacle big enough to halt the team’s spirit.
Allegri knows how to lighten the mood, even in delicate moments:
Returning to that last point, this certainly won’t stop 'Commander Allegri', whose greatest strength is his ability to turn necessity into virtue. Proof of this came in his post-match remarks after Pisa–Milan. When asked about the importance of Rabiot’s absence for Wednesday night, Max responded with a smile: “All the better, he needs a rest.” No complaints, no protests about a booking that remains questionable given the minimal nature of the foul, but rather a joke to defuse tension and keep problems or difficulties away from Milanello.
Of course, he knows better than anyone how much this absence weighs on the team. It will be Rabiot, Allegri’s “footballing son” and the match-winner of the first leg with a stunning brace, watching the game from the San Siro directors’ box.
Ricci, Loftus-Cheek, and Jashari: what will Allegri decide?
On the pitch, a solution must be found to replace the Frenchman in midfield. There are at least three possible options. The first (and most likely) points to Samuele Ricci. A player who often goes under the radar, yet whenever he steps onto the field, whether at San Siro or elsewhere, he brings reliability, personality, and initiative. His assist to Luka Modrić in Pisa went largely unnoticed: while on the ground, he laid the ball off brilliantly, allowing Luka to go one-on-one with the goalkeeper and finish with his trademark outside-of-the-boot strike. Therefore, this seems the most probable choice for Max Allegri to complete the midfield line alongside Modrić and Fofana.
Another option could be Loftus-Cheek, explains Milan News. In fact, the Englishman is highly regarded by the coach, although in the first half against Pisa he was repeatedly urged to be more active in the attacking phase. Banking on physicality, Allegri could decide to drop him deeper into midfield, which is his natural role, and field one of Leão or Pulisic as a second striker.
Finally, the third option, certainly not to be underestimated, though less likely, is Ardon Jashari. The Swiss player, tried several times in a deeper playmaking role rather than as a box-to-box midfielder, could also interpret this position effectively. Nothing can be ruled out.
