Week 13: Milan – Juventus
Milan’s inconsistent season was best illustrated when the Rossoneri managed only a 3-3 tie away to Cagliari days after beating Real Madrid 3-1 away. Defensive woes as a unit and individual mistakes were again on show. Players like Pavlovic and Royal have shown glaring lapses and others like Tomori and Thiaw have struggled as well. Gabbia, in the few games he has played, has shown greater promise and passion for the cause. The center back is part of a dwindling number of home grown players on the team and if he continues to shine this season might serve as a notice to management. The Futuro must attempt to develop younger players ‘in house’ better and faster.
Juventus lie six points ahead of Milan, albeit having a played one more game. Those six points are worth only one place ahead however. Only late November or not seventh place is not where Milan needs to be and not jump starting the season, again, now risks losing the season altogether.
It is hoped Leao’s upswing in form continues as the Portuguese is a desperately needed threat. The same can be said for Theo. Calabria looks to remain on the bench, and is likely to depart in the summer as a free agent. Emerson Royal will start and has not impressed and indeed few expected his signing to be of any note. Thiaw and Gabbia look to start in the center of defense with Theo on the left. Fofana and Reijnders should be the pivots, although there is little evidence that the latter is at his best there. Chukwueze, Pulisic and Leao should start behind Morata. Pulisic who is undoubtedly the player of the season so far is not 100% however. Overall it looks like Milan has survived the latest international break unscathed.
Pierre Kalulu is set to face his old team for the first since a widely criticized move away form the San Siro. For once Milan does not have a bigger injury list as its opponent. Bremer is out for the season and Dusan Vlahovic is set to miss this match as are Arkadiusz Milik, Douglas Luiz and Nico Gonzalez.
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