Week 17: Verona – Milan

A tie versus Genoa at home on a night of 125th birthday celebrations highlighted the crisis the team is in. The absentees in the celebrations, notably Maldini, added to the frustrations and anger of fans and Curva Sud. All in all Fonseca and up the team has turned the fans against the current ownership. Rumours of Elliott retaking over the team naturally appeared and were ofcourse denied.

On the pitch Fonseca opted for some youth and leaving Theo on the bench. The game didn’t provide much to reassure fans. Liberali showed glimpses but at 17 it is impossible to fully judge a player with little senior experience. Jimenez showcased his talents as well but his future is as much in Milan’s hands as it is in Real Madrid’s.

Word is Fonseca will perhaps keep the same lineup for the trip to Verona. Injuries are of course forcing his hand and the list is not getting smaller this week and into the new year. Add to that Morata is ill and won’t even be on the bench for this trip. Expect to see Maignan, Emerson Royal, Thiaw, Gabbia and Jimenez again. Theo staying on the bench again seems somewhat risky and perplexing but Fonseca did the same with Leao weeks earlier, and it is very debatable if anything was achieved. Fofana, Reijnders, Chukwueze, Leao and Abraham will play further up but as Loftus-Cheek, Pulisic, Musah, Okafor are out it remains to be seen who the 11th player will be.

On the good news front reports indicate the likes of Pulisic, Reijnders and Maignan will sign extensions and will perhaps be joined by the aforementioned Theo.

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