Stefano Pioli is considering deploying Franck Kessié ‘as a false 10’ against Napoli on Sunday night.
The Ivory Coast international could play as an attacking playmaker at the Stadio Maradona in a crucial match for the Serie A title. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Pioli may need to add physical strength to his midfield, given the creativity of Luciano Spalletti’s men in the middle of the park.
Kessié already played as a Trequartista in a 2-4 win against Empoli in December 2021 and during the last Milan derby in February. Despite Milan’s win against the Nerazzurri, Kessié’s performance was disappointing and one of the turning points of the game that led to Milan’s victory was when Brahim Diaz replaced the 25-year-old.
Nevertheless, Pioli is considering moving Kessié a little forward against Napoli with Ismael Bennacer and Sandro Tonali in centre midfield. The Italy international had missed the Coppa Italia derby on Tuesday due to a suspension. Both he and Bennacer are in good shape and Pioli is unwilling to leave one of them on the bench. One more reason why Kessié’s role could change on Sunday.
Kessie "falso 10" contro il Napoli, Pioli ci (ri)pensa: al "Maradona" con un Milan più robusto https://t.co/gESRvyyETS
— MilanNews.it (@MilanNewsit) March 3, 2022
STOP trying to fit square pegs into round holes, Pioli! We don’t have a round peg to slot in there because in the winter we didn’t pull the trigger on any round pegs. Now Pioli is trying to pull a Meryl Streep and improvise… SMH! We’re stuck with the Diaz/Krunic fiasco until the summer.
Normally I would support anyone playing instead of Diaz, but Kessié has not really been playing for us this season. Most of the time he walks around because his mind and his legs are already elsewhere. He finally played better football against Inter in the coppa though, it has to be said.
I definitely wouldn’t leave Tonali and Bennacer on the bench though, Bennacer was fantastic last game, and we already know Krunic is obviously not the answer, so it’s either Diaz or Kessié I guess.
I would’ve like to see Saelemaekers tested there, but maybe this match is not the time for such experiments.
I wonder why Mr. Pioli not put Rebic as false 10, he definitely can hold the balls and distribute it to the front..