AC Milan finds itself in a defensive quandary just days before embarking on its pre-season tour to Asia and Australia. The squad is notably short on dedicated full-backs, a situation arising from recent departures and a transfer market that, while active behind the scenes, has yet to yield the necessary reinforcements.
This predicament falls squarely on the shoulders of coach Massimiliano Allegri, known for his pragmatic approach and willingness to adapt players to fill tactical voids. With crucial pre-season friendlies against Arsenal and Liverpool looming, Allegri isn`t waiting for market magic. Instead, he`s exploring internal, and arguably inventive, solutions using the players currently available at Milanello.
Allegri`s Tactical Improvisation
Allegri`s history is peppered with instances of successfully repurposing players – remember how he adjusted the roles of Pirlo, Pjanic, Cuadrado, or even the versatile Mandzukic? Now, his “tactical fantasy” is being applied to the defensive flanks. While club officials Furlani and Tare are actively negotiating for new full-backs, the clock is ticking towards departure, forcing Allegri to prepare alternative plans.
Unexpected Faces on the Flanks
Two players, not typically associated with deep defensive roles, are reportedly being evaluated for temporary full-back duty: Alexis Saelemaekers and Tommaso Pobega.
Right-Back: Alexis Saelemaekers. The Belgian winger, whose permanence at Milan was explicitly requested by Allegri upon his return from loan, is being considered for the right-back position. Saelemaekers had a productive season away from Milan, contributing 7 goals and 7 assists – his best statistical output in Italy. Beyond the numbers, his high work rate, tactical intelligence, and ability to operate on either flank, in more advanced or withdrawn positions, make him a plausible candidate for a makeshift defensive role. It`s a move that capitalizes on his energy and willingness to cover ground.
Left-Back: Tommaso Pobega. This is perhaps where Allegri`s improvisation takes a slightly more… intriguing turn. The left-footed midfielder, primarily known for his tenacity in the engine room, is being tested on the left defensive flank. The precedent? He briefly played as a left-back for Milan under Stefano Pioli during a friendly against Arsenal in Dubai back in 2022. While the report suggests he handled the task “well enough” then, deploying a player not renowned for searing pace in a position exposed to quick wingers might raise an eyebrow or two among observers. Pobega`s future at Milan remains uncertain, with Bologna reportedly interested in a loan-with-option deal, but for the tour, he is apparently a necessary piece in Allegri`s puzzle.
The Transfer Market Stalemate
These tactical workarounds highlight the urgency of Milan`s situation in the transfer market. Signing two new full-backs remains a top priority. On the right, bids for Guélà Doué have been rejected, with Strasbourg holding out for more, though Milan might attempt another approach before shifting focus to Pubill of Almeria. Finding a high-quality left-back for less than €20 million is proving particularly challenging. Top targets like Cambiaso and Udogie are seemingly out of reach, leaving Girona`s Gutierrez as a potential option among a pool of players being offered to the club following the collapse of other deals.
Furlani, Tare, and Allegri are reportedly navigating this phase cautiously, unwilling to make a hasty, incorrect signing. But time is running short with the tour imminent and the start of the season not far behind.
Conclusion
For now, Milan`s defensive flanks in pre-season will depend on Allegri`s creative adjustments. Saelemaekers and Pobega might gain unexpected game time in unfamiliar roles, a direct consequence of the current squad composition and the pace of transfer negotiations. These temporary fixes will cover the immediate need for the tour. The real task for the club leadership remains to secure the dedicated defensive reinforcements required for a competitive season. Until then, Milan`s backline relies on the coach`s ingenuity – a familiar, if somewhat precarious, state of affairs.