For as much as many people seem enamored with Allegri as a character, his character has already gotten him into trouble three times this season. More importantly, his struggles against newly promoted or lower table teams are well documented. Worse still, Hellas Verona have won their last two matches, so come into this match in good form. Add on the key injured players we have out, and it's enough to give you indigestion. Just in time for an early match, which Milan notoriously struggle with anyway. So even for those who appreciate Allegri's "personality," I doubt they are looking forward to this lunch with Allegri.
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| Honestly, my appetite is already spoiled when I see his face. |
Verona are in the relegation zone, in 18th place, having two wins, six draws, and seven losses this season. However, their two wins have come back to back coming into this one, so clearly, coach Paolo Zanetti's side are hitting their stride. Their first win was vs. Atalanta, then their last match was a 2-1 win over Fiorentina at the Franchi. For that match, Zanetti lined up a 3-5-2 with Montipò, Unai Núñez, Victor Nelsson, Bella-Kotchap; Belghali, Niasse, Al-Musrati, Bernède, Frese; Giovane, and Mosquera. For this match, though, both Belghali and Frese are suspended due to card accumulation. Also missing will be Unai Núñez and Akpa Akpro to injury.
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| Yes, Tomori, we all want to know why Allegri gets himself sent off so much. |
Allegri has recovered everyone but three key players: Santi Gimenez, who of course just had surgery last week; Gabbia, who is still out with his knee injury, and Rafa Leão, who, while having returned to training this week, apparently isn't quite up to speed, according to Allegri, so will not be called up for this one. It was reported that Cheveyo Balentien has also finally reportedly returned to training this week, so hopefully, we will see him on the bench once again as well. But that means we will likely see Nkunku pairing with Pulisic up front and De Winter in the back. And Nkunku and De Winter have not given us reason to hope lately.
Milan fans got a couple of Christmas gifts this week. The charade that was the Milan-Como match to be played in Perth was finally ended, and the match will be played at the San Siro, scheduled around the Winter Olympics somehow. With Milan out of all other competitions, that will be a bit easier now. The second was years in the making: Divock Origi finally terminated his contract with Milan by mutual consent. That's right, fashion icon and player that was nowhere to be found the past few years, but still collected ginormous wages is finally off our books. That is probably why Furlani allowed 32 year-old German striker Niklas Füllkrug to be given thorough medicals this week by Milan, and with permission from West Ham, to begin to train with Milan ahead of signing his contract when the transfer window opens on January 2nd.
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| Mourning Milan's loss of a fashion icon. |
During Allegri's press conferences, he feigns that all is well and downplays injuries and other issues. But once the whistle blows at kickoff, the players demonstrate what the reality really is, and it has not been pretty. I don't know if he thinks he is some kind of psychological Mourinho, "distracting the attention" away from the team with his antics during the matches and getting fines and suspensions, but no one is accusing him of being Mourinho. And the goals conceded, lack of concentration, and results are certainly all showing that things are not as great as he says they are.
Which is how I remember his press conferences being from his first stint at Milan, his version of the team was always very different than reality. So I guess for this one, buckle up, put on your rose colored glasses, and take something for nausea. Because based on reality, it is likely to be a very bumpy ride. Injuries, a lower table side, and the early match. The perfect recipe for disaster lunch with Allegri.
This post inspired by the music of Lush's "Ladykillers"
Reviewed by Elaine
on
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