Everything is now ready for the Milan derby. A derby that AC Milan will approach on two different fronts. The first concerns the match itself. The second offers the chance to prevent Inter from effectively sealing the league title in the most important game of the season. But what choices might Massimiliano Allegri make?
Defense and midfield:
The newspaper Corriere dello Sport highlights the situation, once again pointing out that Milan’s defensive options are limited. Matteo Gabbia is out. Yesterday he was at Milanello to begin post-surgery therapy after an operation to resolve an inguinal hernia problem.
In front of Mike Maignan, the defensive trio will consist of Fikayo Tomori, Koni De Winter, and Strahinja Pavlović.
There is also the question of Davide Bartesaghi. If the fullback is not even called up, Allegri would only have Odogu available among the defenders on the bench. On the opposite flank from Pervis Estupiñán will be Alexis Saelemaekers, one of four Milan players currently one yellow card away from suspension. The other two will also start: Youssouf Fofana as the right-sided mezzala, ahead of Samuele Ricci, and Adrien Rabiot as the left-sided mezzala. Completing the midfield, of course, will be Luka Modrić, who will play his second Milan derby of his career after the ones he experienced between London and Madrid.
What about AC Milan's attack?
In attack, Allegri has several options, with Rafael Leão, Christian Pulisic, Niclas Füllkrug, and Christopher Nkunku available. Four players competing for two spots. The likely choice is the Portuguese and the American, the same starting pair from the first derby and from the last two matches against Parma Calcio 1913 and U.S. Cremonese.
Allegri does not want to give the opposing defense clear reference points. Leão will move across the entire attacking line, while the hope is that Pulisic, 'Captain America', can rediscover his form in the most important match of the season. If necessary, the Livorno-born coach can strengthen the attack with the introduction of a penalty-box striker like Füllkrug or with another second striker such as Nkunku.
