For the crucial clash between Milan and Bologna, Massimiliano Allegri is relying on an exceptional midfield, simultaneously deploying Adrien Rabiot, Luka Modric, Youssouf Fofana, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek. The Englishman moves forward to support the attackers, while the newly arrived player from Marseille starts immediately. The only uncertainty remains in defense, with a tight competition between De Winter and Pavlovic.
Adrien Rabiot during AC Milan training session. (Photo by AC Milan/AC Milan via Getty Images)
Massimiliano Allegri is placing all his hopes on the potential of his stellar midfield. With Rafael Leao still sidelined – and set to miss Saturday`s match in Udine, with a return anticipated on the 28th at San Siro against Napoli – the Livorno-born coach has decided to field four of his top talents in the middle of the park. Among them is the debut of Adrien Rabiot, who arrived at Milanello on Thursday morning and will start immediately. Milan will face a Bologna side that defeated them in the Coppa Italia final on May 14th, eliminating the Rossoneri from European competitions. At Milanello and its surroundings, among the veteran players, there is a strong desire for revenge. However, Allegri, more than recalling the 2024-25 season, is focused on the championship opening defeat at the Meazza against Cremonese. “We need to redeem that setback,” the coach stated. “It won`t be easy, because we will face a team that has performed very well in recent years: thanks to the work of Sartori and Italiano, they are high up in the standings and will demand respect for their intensity and speed.” Compared to the matches against Cremonese and Lecce, new signings Rabiot, Nkunku, and Udogu will be on the field. “I am very pleased with the squad I have available. The club has done an excellent job, and we have a good balance of experienced and young players. All the new arrivals have raised the team`s level. Rabiot wants to score twelve goals? I`ll settle for eight… We all know the journey will be challenging, but the goal is to return to the Champions League next year. The squad has the right number of players to tackle this season: there are 19 outfield players plus the Under 23 youngsters. We are all set.”
Tactics and Line-ups
As mentioned, Leao is unavailable (“The soleus is a delicate muscle, and with an elongation or strain, caution is necessary”); Christian Pulisic, on the other hand, is not at 100% after his international commitments with the United States. The former Juventus coach prefers to keep him on the bench for the second half, seeing him as a “wildcard” capable of changing the course of the match if needed. Therefore, in midfield, Modric will be flanked by Fofana and Rabiot, with Loftus-Cheek playing as an attacking midfielder behind striker Gimenez. Gimenez, who scored a brace against Bologna in last May`s league match, desperately needs to find the back of the net to overcome a difficult start to the season and the transfer rumors that linked him away from Milanello. “Santi will have a great season,” Allegri predicted, clarifying about Nkunku: “He had two good weeks of work with us, after working separately with Chelsea during the summer. He has 25-30 minutes in his legs.” Too few to hope for a starting spot.
Meetings and Retreats
The team spent yesterday evening in retreat at Milanello, following their afternoon training session. At lunchtime, Allegri received visits from CEO Furlani and sporting director Tare, with whom he assessed the situation after the international break. The coach expects a strong restart from the team, which needs to improve particularly in defensive aspects: “What I really like is that we work well and want to improve. I feel a strong sense of responsibility towards the shirt, the club, and the fans from everyone. It will be crucial to maintain balance and find the right cohesion, as we have changed ten players. On this, however, I am very confident because I see the right willingness to sacrifice during the week. Would we have certainly reached the top four with Vlahovic? It`s impossible to say `with him you win or lose`: in football, there are too many variables. The important thing is to be good at managing the unexpected. Victories are never guaranteed. The only certainty is the work to be done.”
Tactical Doubts
Before the Milan-Bologna match, in the afternoon, Allegri`s horse, Mr. Darcy, will return to race at the Capannelle hippodrome. The Rossoneri coach will inquire about Mr. Darcy`s performance, but his thoughts are entirely on his team. This morning will see the final training session, focusing on set pieces: the only doubt to resolve is in defense, with Pavlovic favored over De Winter, although the latter has been tried in recent days. Allegri emphasizes the importance of substitutes: “In football, there used to be three substitutions, now there are five, and changes are crucial because in the last half hour they can determine the result.”
