Milan – Como Serie A Week 24
Milan needed a Modric moment of magic to avoid what looked like yet more points dropped against lowly teams. Beating Pisa 2-1 and getting the three points what mattered most but the game felt like a case of Allegri and Milan not learning past lessons. The so called dull, defensive tactics that are now attached to Allegri’s name are of course not really needed against teams that are markedly less talented than Milan.
Como present a different challenge. The team is riding high or perhaps overachieving under rich ownership and Cesc Fabregas. The team fell to Milan just last month but outplayed Milan for long periods of the match.
Milan is mostly healthy now or at least almost all players are available if not 100% fit. Gimenez remains out but Saelemaekers is back in training. It remains to be seen if Athekame retains his spot, the Swiss player provided a cross assist for Loftus-Cheeks’ opener at Pisa. Rabiot who somehow managed to receive a second yellow at Pisa will miss this match. It is like that Fofana and Ricci get starts. Modric is defying age and should be a starter. Bartesaghi at left midfield is pretty much set. Up front Leao and Pulisic seem well below 100% fit but could be ready for this match. Loftus-Cheek, Nkunku and Fullkrug provide cover. Maignan, Tomori, Gabbia and Pavlovic are likely to be preferred if ready and healthy.
Refereeing controversy was in full force not only in Tuscany but in Inter’s 3-2 win over Juventus at the San Siro. Pierre Kalulu was sent off after receiving a second yellow that has been near universally judged as an error. Alessandro Bastoni was derided for simulation in the same incident where Kalulu made minimum of contacts with the Italian defender. Refereeing and VAR continue to be sources of contention.
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