It is the second season that AC Milan have been without Sandro Tonali, and there is still a hole left by his departure, even after two mercatos to replace him.
Throughout last season, Milan’s midfield was a constant topic of concern. There was a lack of balance, consistency, and depth. Of course, this was then worsened by the fact that each fuelled the other. A lack of balance meant there was no consistency in players, and a lack of depth meant that when injuries became an issue the lack of balance further worsened, and so on, and so on.
If Tonali was still present last year, he still likely would have faced repercussions for his betting activity, and the same issues would have been present if not more present due to the Tonali replacements not being at the club.
Last night, Italy faced France in the Nations League, and the Newcastle United midfielder was fantastic, he dominated the middle of the pitch, and he led by example. Effectively he was everything that the Rossoneri fell in love with.
As Calciomercato.com writes, the Diavolo of today ponders his absence, as a player and as a man. Tonali was a reference point on and off the pitch, and in their current state, Milan are in dire need of him.
Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leao could have stepped into the role left by Tonali, and whilst they might have at points last season, they have not shown the qualities that it is imagined the midfielder would so far this season.
Fonseca’s squad misses someone with a ‘sense of respect and total dedication’ that the boyhood Milan fan possesses, and last night was a reminder of what they are missing. A painful reminder.
