A Leao in this form deserves a high-level partner. In recent games, with Pulisic sidelined, the role has rotated among Gimenez, Nkunku, and Saelemaekers, who was adapted as a second striker due to multiple absences. Decent, but not great. At Parma, Captain America will likely return. Despite being out since the last international break, he remains Milan’s top scorer this season.
Milan's summer plan
The Pulisic-Leao partnership was the first one tested by Massimiliano Allegri in pre-season friendlies, with Rafa as a center forward. Allegri hasn’t ruled that setup out, even if in the last matches Gimenez and then Nkunku were used as number nine. With the American’s return, Pulisic’s condition will need to be checked after more than two weeks out before allowing the reunion with Rafa. Strange sequence of events: early in the season Leao went down with a calf injury in the Coppa Italia against Bari, then once he recovered, Pulisic was sidelined. Allegri and Milan fans are waiting to have both stars available at once. In the coach’s mind, they are the starting duo. Despite barely playing together, only a few minutes between the Napoli and Juventus matches, they are clearly the most productive in Milan’s attack: ten of the team’s fifteen Serie A goals have come from either one scoring or assisting. Seeing them together again excites the whole Milan camp.
The trident
At Milanello, Allegri and his staff have been studying a more attacking setup featuring Nkunku, Pulisic, and Leao on the pitch together. For now, it’s considered too risky to start with, but a possible in-game option, especially when chasing a result. Allegri’s staff is working on how to balance this "trident of wonders." For example, who would play as the striker? Probably Nkunku ("He’s played as a center forward in 72% of his career matches," sporting director Igli Tare noted before kickoff against Roma), giving Leao and Pulisic more space to run into. The French forward improved during the Roma game after a slow start. If Pulisic isn’t fully fit, Nkunku will almost certainly partner Leao at the Tardini against Parma. Their understanding still needs work, but in terms of ball control, Nkunku has provided more reliability than Gimenez.
'Il Bebote' and the others
Then there’s the Mexican forward, currently out with an ankle issue that could also rule him out for Saturday’s match in Parma. Gimenez is Milan’s only true center forward and the attacker with the most Serie A minutes so far, 627, due to injuries to others in the department. Yet, his goal tally remains zero. He has worked hard for teammates but without much efficiency and has struggled badly in front of goal. The injury came during a difficult spell and might serve as a mental reset. Once everyone is fit, his chances will drop. Loftus-Cheek and Saelemaekers remain emergency striker options.
