Mario Gila's position against Celtic in Saturday afternoon's friendly was no coincidence. Ruben Amorim deployed the new signing as the right-sided centre-back, adjusting the indications from the first training sessions, when it had appeared that the Spaniard was destined to operate as the central figure in Milan's back three. Rather than a contradiction, however, the decision was linked to the presence of Samuel Chukwueze as the right wing-back: an attacking solution that also requires greater protection behind him.
This new version of Samuel Chukwueze can offer pace, one-on-one ability and runs in behind, but as a wing-back he still needs to improve his defensive coverage, positioning and ability to manage the ball under pressure - responsibilities he has rarely had to perform throughout his career, as pointed out via Milannews.it.
Amorim therefore positioned Gila on the right side of the back three against Celtic to take advantage of his pace, aggression and ability to defend in open spaces, qualities he demonstrated on several occasions.
When Chukwueze is not playing, however, the Spaniard can also be used in the centre of defence, as Amorim hinted from the very first day of pre-season. The key issue, though, remains unchanged: if Gila has to shift wide to provide balance on the flank, Milan still lack a starting centre-back capable of consistently organising and commanding the defensive line.
To complete his defence, Amorim does not simply need another physically dominant defender.
The Portuguese coach is looking for a centre-back who is comfortable receiving the ball under pressure, can break the opposition's first line through ball carrying, and find midfielders and attacking midfielders with incisive vertical passes. In essence, the AC Milan coach wants a deep-lying playmaker disguised as a centre-back.
The clearest example is Gonçalo Inácio, who flourished under Amorim during their time together at Sporting. Other technically suitable profiles include Antonio Silva, who is on the verge of becoming a Bournemouth player, and Jorrel Hato, the quick and versatile Ajax academy graduate who now plays for Chelsea.
Milan must therefore find the ideal central pillar to partner Gila and Strahinja Pavlović, because their first outing of the season has already delivered a verdict that cannot be ignored: Amorim's defence is still incomplete.
