A sigh of relief after holding one’s breath, that’s likely how things felt around Milanello after the news of the knock Adrien Rabiot took while on international duty with France. This morning, newspapers have reported that the blow to Rabiot’s knee during training with the French national team caused a few hours of concern in the Milan camp.
The Rossoneri midfielder reassured everyone about his condition. Positive updates also emerged from France, to the point that Rabiot was on the bench last night in the match against Colombia. Didier Deschamps himself had explained that the Milan player did not train with the rest of the squad in the final session before the game; instead, as a precaution, he followed an individual programme with the national team’s fitness staff, as pointed out via Milan News.
Adrien Rabiot had already played the full match in the win against Brazil, and he was expected to rest against Colombia. In agreement with Milan, the decision was made to manage the physical issue carefully, especially with the league set to resume and the upcoming clash against Napoli in mind. That is the main objective, and it could hardly be otherwise.
All attention is naturally focused on the big Easter Monday fixture: the Frenchman’s presence in midfield is crucial to Milan’s system, and the numbers highlight just how significant his impact is. With Rabiot on the pitch, Milan average 2.4 points per game; without him, that average drops by a full point to just 1.4.
Of course, there is more to it than statistics, even if they do matter, because points ultimately shape the standings. Still, it’s clear there is a Milan with Rabiot and a Milan without him. His runs into the box, his forward surges, and the tactical solutions he provides are all difficult to replicate. Allegri hopes to have him available at the Maradona, for what promises to be a fascinating battle with McTominay. Milan need their maverick, in what could well be the defining match of the entire season.
