Gennaro Gattuso expects a “difficult” test for Milan against Cagliari and has advice for Gonzalo Higuain, Mattia Caldara and Tiemoue Bakayoko.
It kicks off on Sunday at 19.30 UK time (18.30 GMT), click here for a match preview.
“We are playing against a very difficult opponent in a very difficult arena,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
Gennaro Gattuso expects a “difficult” test for Milan against Cagliari and has advice for Gonzalo Higuain, Mattia Caldara and Tiemoue Bakayoko.
It kicks off on Sunday at 19.30 UK time (18.30 GMT), click here for a match preview.
“We are playing against a very difficult opponent in a very difficult arena,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
“They can cause us a lot of problems, so we must improve the things that we still don’t do to our best. It takes time to try out new tactics and players, and if you don’t test them out in training, it becomes improvisation on the field.
“Leonardo Pavoletti is one of the best in Serie A when it comes to headers, so we mustn’t give them the opportunity to put crosses in. We’ve got to soak up the pressure when the situation calls for it.”
Patrick Cutrone is out of action after spraining his ankle in Italy’s Under-21 win over Albania, while Gonzalo Higuain is seeking his first goal for the club.
“We could play with a False 9 too, I am not worried. We made choices on the transfer market to fit in also with Financial Fair Play. Higuain allows the wingers to come in and take part in the attack.
“In last week’s friendly, Higuain looked like the angriest man in the world. When he struggles to score goals, he becomes really irritated and that shows what a champion he really is. He’s a player who is giving his all and sends an important signal to his teammates.”
Gattuso again seems likely to bench summer signing Mattia Caldara, even though Roberto Mancini started him for Italy against Portugal in the Nations League.
“I make my decisions based on what I see in training. The tactical movements have to be perfect in order to play the way I want. You in the media are in fact hurting Caldara, as you can’t destroy a player after one game. He is coming from a very different level and it’s not right to throw him in the garbage dispenser. The club has faith in Caldara and I have no problem giving him time to develop.”
Milan also have some issues in midfield with Lucas Biglia and ex-Chelsea man Tiemoue Bakayoko.
“When it comes to Biglia’s role we have Jose Mauri and Andrea Bertolacci. I think it’ll take a while to get Bakayoko up to speed as a playmaker. When you come from a completely different league, you need to learn the cross-field passing, to double up on marking and not to just chase the ball. If you’re not organised, the whole team can struggle.
“He can do it with some hard work, although he needs to learn Italian faster, as it’s not helping him in the locker room.”
Milan squad for Cagliari: A Donnarumma, G Donnarumma, Reina; Abate, Calabria, Caldara, Laxalt, Musacchio, Rodriguez, Romagnoli, Zapata; Bakayoko, Bertolacci, Biglia, Bonaventura, Kessie, Mauri; Borini, Calhanoglu, Castillejo, Higuain, Suso, Tsadjout