The reckoning at AC Milan has arrived. After days in which boardroom matters and statements from overseas had almost overshadowed events on the pitch, the match against Genoa now carries enormous weight for the Rossoneri’s future. It will be anything but an easy game for Massimiliano Allegri’s men, who are being called upon to react during a difficult period both physically and mentally, made worse by several suspensions.
Nkunku leads the attack in Genoa
After the strong performance at San Siro against Atalanta, highlighted by a shot off the crossbar, a penalty won and then converted, Christopher Nkunku is preparing to lead the Rossoneri attack once again. The suspensions of Rafael Leão and Alexis Saelemaekers have opened the door to another start for the former Chelsea player, who is now expected to build on his recent performances, as relayed via Milan Press.
It remains to be seen what Allegri’s tactical choice will be. The manager is considering whether to pair Nkunku with a second striker, either Giménez or Füllkrug, or whether to rely on a front three by also including Christian Pulisic. Until now, Allegri had persisted with the Leão–Pulisic partnership, though without finding the attacking consistency that had been expected, especially in the second half of the season, when both players’ performances dropped significantly.
Despite a season far below expectations, Nkunku has still managed 6 goals, four of them from penalties, along with 3 assists. Those numbers are not enough to justify the summer investment, but today the Nigerian remains one of the few options capable of sparking an attack that has often appeared predictable and lacking incisiveness.
Throughout the season, the impression has been that Allegri never placed complete trust in the player, partly because Nkunku had not been considered an absolute priority in the manager’s original plans. Certain comments made by Allegri himself at the start of the season had already hinted at a degree of distance between the coaching staff and the club hierarchy regarding transfer-market strategies.
Now, however, there is no more room for analysis or excuses. With two matches remaining in the league season, concrete answers are needed. Nkunku faces the most important opportunity of his season: to lead Milan towards European qualification and, at least in part, change the judgement on what has so far been a disappointing campaign for both him and the entire Rossoneri squad.
