Towards Cagliari-Milan: Davide Calabria instead of Abate
AC Milan start the second half of the season with an away match against relegation contenders Cagliari.
Sky: Davide Calabria instead of Abate
There have been many formation tests that Gennaro Gattuso has implemented during the course of the week at Milanello, but the line up of today’s training could be the definitive one. The coach – according to Sky Sport – preferred Davide Calabria to Ignazio Abate on the right flank, while the rest of the formation should be that of the past few hours with Bonucci, Romagnoli and Rodriguez, Kessie, Biglia, Bonaventura, Suso, Kalinic and Calhanoglu.
Sky: Rodriguez, Kessie and Calhanoglu out
According to reports from Sky Sport, during today’s training at Milanello, Rino Gattuso has tried this type of formation for the upcoming match against Cagliari: Donnarumma, Abate, Bonucci, Romagnoli, Antonelli, Locatelli, Biglia, Bonaventura, Suso, Andre Silva, Cutrone. Against the Sardinian club, Ricardo Rodriguez, Kessie and Calhanoglu all the three could sit on the bench. Between tomorrow and Sunday we will understand if it is just experiments or if the Milan coach has decided to make some important changes in training.
Gazzetta: Three formation doubts for Gattuso
The anti-Cagliari formation is practically done reports La Gazzetta dello Sport but coach Gattuso still needs to solve a couple of doubts regarding the starting lineup: in defense Ignazio Abate has returned after the recent muscular problems and fights with young Davide Calabria for the right-back position. In midfield Lucas Biglia is undermining the place of former captain Riccardo Montolivo, who yesterday celebrated his 33 birthday. Finally, the usual dualism in attack: Nikola Kalinic asks for space from the first minute in the middle of the trident, but Andre Silva is the strongest candidate to lead the attack. More behind Patrick Cutrone, the 20 year old striker, on whom Gattuso can count even while the game in progress without risking to burn him.
Tuttosport: Lucas Biglia returns to the center of Milan project
As Tuttosport points out, Gattuso sees the progress of Lucas Biglia every day in training and believes the Argentine could improve more by playing continuously. Being used constantly can also help him regain trust, which is essential. As a regista he has to give rhythm and verticality to the attacking maneuver. The former Lazio has a very high percentage of successful passes, or 90.6%. But for the most part they are short, not long passages. Rino wants more verticality on his part in the development of actions. The ability of Lucas to find solutions and changes of play is important for Milan.
Gazzetta: Gattuso wants to re-launch Calhanoglu
As reported this morning by La Gazzetta dello Sport Gattuso has great expectations towards him: Rino sees him as one of the protagonists of his Milan in the second part of the season. The goal of the AC Milan coach is to bring him in perfect conditions within a month and make him a regular starter of the red and blacks. On Sunday against Cagliari, Calhanoglu will again be the owner of the Rossoneri’s left wing in the attacking trio, hoping that he will show further signs of growth, above all from an athletic point of view.
Cagliari-Milan, 4 years without a victory in Sardinia
AC Milan will play Cagliari away on Sunday for the second round of Serie A second half of the season. In the league, the Rossoneri have not won in the Sardinian home since 26 January 2014, when they triumphed 2-1 thanks to goals by Mario Balotelli and Giampaolo Pazzini. This year AC Milan won the home match at the beginning of the season 2-1 with a goal from Cutrone and a free kick from Suso.
Sky: Andre Silva from the start
According to recent reports from Sky Sport, during today’s training on Milanello’s pitch, coach Gennaro Gattuso tried Andre Silva in attack alongside Suso and Calhanoglu, while Lucas Biglia was in front of the defense. Apparently Rino is not fully convinced by Patrick Cutrone and Nikola Kalinic and wants to give another chance from the start to the Portuguese striker.