Arsenal
AC Milan are three video games into their preseason marketing campaign, and the file up to now – no less than when it comes to outcomes – is constructive.
After an intra-squad pleasant at Milanello in opposition to the Futuro, the Milan squad left later that day for his or her tour of the Far East. It started with a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal wherein Bukayo Saka obtained the one objective, although Lorenzo Torriani was the hero within the symbolic penalty shootout that adopted.
That sport in Singapore was adopted by a cracker in Singapore, as Milan ran out 4-2 winners in opposition to the Premier League champions Liverpool. Then, a 9-0 drubbing of Perth Glory of their dwelling stadium adopted on Thursday to wrap issues up.
Whereas there are caveats to every sport the 270 minutes nonetheless allowed us to get a greater thought of which gamers have hit the bottom operating beneath Massimiliano Allegri, and who nonetheless wants to realize his belief. Beneath is our preseason inventory market, up to now.
📈 Rafael Leao
Many have been desirous to see how Allegri would use Leao, and whereas it is vitally early days the indicators are constructive. He performed principally as a striker in a entrance two and has been Milan’s important risk all through the video games.
His objective in opposition to Liverpool was a magnificence, and the second-half brace in opposition to Perth Glory received’t have damage. Hanging on the midway line able to spring into motion was the place he was often noticed, and the Portuguese’s position will probably be very fascinating to observe.
📈 Noah Okafor
The highest scorer in preseason in the meanwhile is just not the truth is Leao however his potential deputy in Okafor. His double in opposition to Liverpool in Hong Kong was a really constructive signal even when the second was considerably handed to him, and he adopted it up with a pair extra in Western Australia.
There at the moment are even some studies claiming that his red-hot begin have pressured the administration to pause and replicate about the way forward for the Swiss worldwide, amid curiosity from Bologna above all. The following two friendlies could possibly be decisive in that sense.
📈 Ruben Loftus-Cheek
By his personal admission, Loftus-Cheek had a torturous 2024-25 season as a result of accidents, which made it tough for him to realize any rhythm and subsequently any kind. Nonetheless, when Allegri got here in he made it clear how a lot he admires the Englishman.
Within the first three video games we’ve got seen precisely why: physicality, power, ball carrying and onerous work in each phases. He additionally obtained a objective in opposition to Liverpool with a trademark run into the field like beneath Stefano Pioli, and perhaps RLC couldn’t solely problem for a full-time beginning spot, however get again to that 2023-24 kind.
📈 Samuele Ricci
We don’t need to get too forward of ourselves, however Ricci already appears to be like precisely like what Milan wanted. He has sat in entrance of the defence in all three video games, performing as a filter out of possession and an assured base within the build-up play whereas on the ball.
In opposition to Liverpool he had 78 minutes performed, 38 touches, 26/28 passes accomplished (93%), 5/6 correct lengthy balls (83%) and a pair of/2 floor duels received (100%). That paints an image of what he’s about, and the rocket half-volley versus Perth was the cherry on the icing. Might he be the proper metronome? There’s Luka Modric to reach but, too…
📈 Lorenzo Torriani
That is extra for one sport that something, but it surely’s onerous to disclaim Torriani wasn’t the star of the present within the Arsenal fixture. In the long run his stat line learn as follows: 24 minutes performed, 5 saves, 10/10 (100%) correct passes, 5/5 (100%) correct lengthy balls and three penalties saved.
He was the hero of the shootout by holding the Gunners at bay, permitting Christian Comotto to attain the winner. After some spectacular cameos within the USA final preseason, the 20-year-old is exhibiting that he’s prepared for first group minutes, probably out on mortgage as issues stand.
📉 Youssouf Fofana
It feels harsh to pick ‘flops’ after a constructive tour, however Fofana didn’t actually do himself many favours. He wasn’t 100% match admittedly, although when he obtained a chance in opposition to Liverpool he appeared shaky on the ball, then in opposition to Perth the Frenchman was very sloppy in possession.
The midfielders will all need to struggle onerous for sport time this season with loads of choices already and probably one other (Ardon Jashari, Javi Guerra or one other identify) to come back, so everybody should be up for the struggle. Fofana ought to play extra in his pure box-to-box position, but he should present higher indicators.
📉 Matteo cage
Gabbia didn’t do something incorrect essentially, it’s extra a literal interpretation of his inventory dropping. Allegri named a three-man defence in every of the primary two video games and the Italian was behind Fikayo Tomori, Strahinja Pavlovic and Malick Thiaw.
Since coming back from Villarreal, Gabbia has been essentially the most constant and dependable Milan centre-back. It might really feel a disgrace for him to be bumped down the order, although if there’s something to be stated for a brand new coach, it’s that it provides everybody a clear slate.
Yunaus Musaah
Nothing new from the American in fact, who as soon as once more alternated the odd shiny second with one thing that was borderline sabotage. Within the Arsenal sport his fixed giveaways invited stress, and even within the Perth demolition he appeared means off it.
When Igli Tare introduced within the June press convention that the membership don’t see him as a part of the plans, it was most likely anticipated {that a} vacation spot would have been discovered by now. As a substitute, it feels just like the American is being dragged alongside for a journey that no one desires, so we hope for an answer.
📉 Davide Bartesaghi
Bartesaghi had an actual likelihood to show that he’s able to be the deputy left-back, after seemingly not being deemed ok prior to now couple of seasons. He didn’t actually seize the prospect, although.
He had two very powerful assignments in opposition to Saka and Mo Salah, however he did lose the previous for the one objective within the defeat to the Gunners, and wanted some help to try to comprise the latter. Removed from a catastrophe, and he did help Leao vs. Perth, but it wasn’t a giant step ahead both.
