Massimiliano Allegri’s return to AC Milan marks the beginning of a new era, and his first priority is to fix the defensive department.
Milan’s rearguard has been one of the most fragile among the big teams in Serie A, as the 43 goals conceded in the league last season shows. Only Lazio among the top eight conceded more (49), while the Scudetto winners Napoli conceded 16 less than the Rossoneri.
As MilanNews writes, there are various mitigating circumstances such as frequent injuries, the lack of a true leader and the low reliability of some reserve options which amplified the difficulties. Thus, a tough task awaits Allegri.
From his first day of work at Milanello – which he will bring forward to give as much time as possible – the former Juventus coach is expected to work on the solidity of the rearguard. Some old-fashioned coaching will be needed to raise the level of the current options, but there will be incomings too.
Names such as Malick Thiaw, Fikayo Tomori and/or Theo Hernandez have all been strongly linked with exits and would bring in funds for signings. This will allow the Rossoneri coach to ‘build a brand new defence’, made up of players specifically wanted by him.
In terms of centre-backs it seems that Allegri would want a real anchoring presence, a physical but composed defender. The most popular names at the moment are those of Jaka Bijol of Udinese and Mario Gila of Lazio.
However, Allegri has also shown that he can develop young talents too, and that is why Parma’s Giovanni Leoni has ‘bewitched’ the Livorno-born coach, to the point of becoming the first name on the coach’s wish list.
