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The damage to Christian Pulisic has left AC Milan trying to find options at a vital juncture within the season. Medical assessments have confirmed a low-grade lesion within the soleus muscle of his proper calf, ruling the American winger out for the rest of 2024. With eight objectives and 6 assists in 20 appearances throughout all competitions this season, Pulisic’s absence leaves a big void in Milan’s assault as they push for a top-eight end within the Champions League and goal for home success.
The American sustained the damage throughout a 2-1 loss in opposition to Atalanta, a blow that forces Milan to confront the truth of over-reliance on their star attacker. Issues had been raised earlier within the season about his heavy workload, with critics warning that Milan lacked viable options to rotate successfully. Now, head coach Paulo Fonseca should navigate a troublesome schedule with out one in every of his most influential gamers.
The timing of the damage compounds the problem. As famous by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Fonseca had solely not too long ago discovered a balanced lineup that includes Yunus Musah on the best flank, Pulisic working centrally, and Rafael Leao on the left. This equilibrium will now need to be recalibrated, beginning with upcoming fixtures in opposition to Crvena Zvezda, Genoa, and Verona.
Tactical choices for changing Pulisic
Fonseca has three important tactical choices to compensate for Pulisic’s absence. Every comes with its personal strengths and challenges:
Ruben Loftus-Cheek in attacking function
The only resolution is to fit Ruben Loftus-Cheek into Pulisic’s function, sustaining the present system. This modification was examined in the course of the Atalanta sport when Pulisic needed to be substituted. Nevertheless, Loftus-Cheek and Pulisic are vastly completely different gamers.
Pulisic thrives as a inventive pressure, able to accelerating play and making decisive contributions in entrance of aim. Loftus-Cheek, in distinction, is extra bodily however lacks the identical means to alter tempo or constantly discover the again of the web. In line with La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Englishman’s latest dip in type and an obvious disaster of confidence make it unsure whether or not he can shoulder this duty.
Shift to 4-3-3 with Samuel Chukwueze
Another choice entails deploying Samuel Chukwueze with no consideration winger in a 4-3-3 formation. This setup would function Chukwueze and Leão as extensive gamers, supported by a midfield trio of Musah, Youssouf Fofana, and Tijjani Reijnders. Whereas this formation would inject unpredictability and physicality into Milan’s assault, it raises considerations about sustaining defensive stability.
Chukwueze, who has been underutilized this season, gives uncooked tempo and directness however will want time to combine absolutely into the beginning lineup. Followers have already expressed frustration at his restricted minutes, significantly in the course of the latest conflict with Juventus, the place his late introduction offered little impression.
Two-striker system with Noah Okafor
Probably the most adventurous different would see Milan undertake a two-striker formation, with Noah Okafor or one other pure ahead partnering Alvarto Morata in a 4-4-2. This method would sacrifice some width for extra presence within the field, an asset in opposition to groups more likely to defend deep.
Okafor has performed sparingly this season, amassing lower than 500 minutes, however this technique might maximize his contributions. Nevertheless, the group’s general stability and defensive stability might be compromised, particularly with fewer pure extensive gamers to trace again.
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