The coach must revive those who have struggled so far and then make choices. Tomori and Calabria also in play. And the goal against Inter relaunches Abraham
Milan this week is the city of the sun, an ideal place where everyone gets along and everyone rejoices in each other’s success. If you ask in Portugal, however, they will tell you that Conceiçao is a man of strong choices and strong choices predict unhappy players. It’s logical that this is the case, a coach tests his men and makes choices: some become fixed points, others are postponed, rejected, used in special situations. The first big step has been taken: Milan is confident and the Theo-Leao couple is the great symbol. The next step is to relaunch the players who lost a round under Fonseca.
Loftus
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Ruben Loftus-Cheek is the most interesting case. With Pioli it was devastating at times, with Fonseca always hesitant. He often seemed soft, he simply played badly. In Conceicao’s 4-3-3 he would be fine, as long as he regains strength, physical impact and goals. Sergio appreciates him and sent him an important message: he sent him onto the pitch at the decisive moment and Milan, with RLC, won the match. Good signal, but not enough.
Pavlovic
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Strahinja Pavlovic is the last of the defenders at the moment. Fourth out of four, without discussion. A situation too bad to be true. Pavlovic showed all his limits in Italy (attention, reading, feet), but Milan will play many matches, the competition is not impossible and Conceicao cannot fail to like his physicality. If we consider that Tomori and Thiaw did not make a good impression on Inter’s two goals, we can safely say: Pavlovic, paired with Thiaw or better yet with Gabbia, can lend a hand to this team.
Calabria
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The discussion with Davide Calabria is more complex. Calabria was a starter throughout Pioli’s management but for months he wasn’t as happy as yesterday. He only played a few minutes in the end, but it is significant that Conceiçao chose him with the game in balance and penalties on the horizon. Davide is not a penalty taker, he didn’t come in for that. Evidently the new coach trusts the old captain or simply wanted to give him an opportunity. David raised the cup during the Saudi night. Its renewal today is at a standstill. Tomorrow, who knows.
Abraham
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In attack we would have to talk about three players. One is Chukwueze, who however is injured and therefore travels on a separate track. The second is Noah Okafor, who is currently suspended between the transfer market and the field. He could leave and then the Conceiçao chapter would close for him in a few days. If he stayed, there would be a conversation to be had. Due to his talent, Okafor could fit into a team like Milan, perhaps as an alternative to Leao, but the risk is that he never improves enough. The third name is then the most interesting. Tammy Abraham was launched by Fonseca in the championship derby and then put back on the bench, with clear disappointment with his performance. Riad’s goal could change his life. Conceiçao likes physical attackers, history tells us, and his teams often use two strikers. Tommy has a great chance to go beyond the deadline of his loan from Roma.
Tomori
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His good friend Fikayo Tomori is an example for him. Fik was the first to be re-evaluated by Conceiçao, who put his transfer to Juve in the freezer and sent him onto the pitch twice in place of Gabbia, the best of the centre-backs this season. Tomori performed great against Juve and less well against Inter, always paired with Thiaw, confirming the ups and downs of recent months. Logic says he will stay and play but calm down: the market is long and Giuntoli knows how to be insistent. These days at Milan a week is worth five months. Imagine how much five months can be worth.
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