As La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) reports, there are plenty of reasons why Allegri ticks the boxes of what Milan are looking for. He is Italian, he knows the league well, he has been at the club before and he is a winner with a desire for revenge.
If he were to return to Milan 11 years after leaving, the foundation of his tactical blueprint would remain defensive solidity and counter-attacks. For Allegri, results count above all and the Milan fans think like him: the priority is to return to the top, there will be time for the show after.
Allegri focuses on the physicality of his central defenders, which then makes them decisive in the organisation of his structure. The trio of Barzagli, Bonucci and Chiellini show this, as do Danilo and Gatti from his more recent spell.
If the best form of attack is the defence, who could be the new ‘bombers’ of the Rossoneri rearguard? Strahinja Pavlovic could finally be considered a defensive pillar, because of his strength and aggression, after a first season of bedding in.
It could also change the fate of Malick Thiaw who is good with the ball at his feet and can therefore help in the build-up phase. Following a difficult campaign spent mostly as a reserve, he could end up atop the hierarchy.
In the middle, while waiting to decipher Tijjani Reijnders’ future, Youssouf Fofana seems an obvious player to build around. His physicality, ball recovery and work rate going forward and back are a fit for Allegri.
With the French midfielders Allegri has a certain feeling: from Pogba to Matuidi to the last great Juventus version of Rabiot. The defence and midfield, according to Max’s indications, would still need to be strengthened with new additions.
Rafael Leao is the player who stands out in attack. The explosiveness and the speed he gives on the break would become deadly in Max’s tactical approach, but the usual question weighs on Rafa.
Would he also be able to participate in the defensive phase? Allegri is a coach with the right experience to answer the question with a yes, but with Leao nothing can be taken for granted.
From this point of view, Christian Pulisic offers many more guarantees, adaptable to many roles and more inclined to help the team in case of difficulty. Certainly, unlike Vlahovic, Allegri should make Gimenez an internationally renowned scorer again.
Santi needs a coach who enhances his characteristics, with a development that helps him in the deep sprints as well as in the wall game. The investment of last January must be enhanced: Gimenez is an old-fashioned striker, who only needs a few chances to be decisive.
