Lucas Paqueta: Giampaolo’s next step

After Milan-Brescia, Marco Giampaolo’s number one priority should be to transform Lucas Paqueta into a trequartista.

Yesterday, against Brescia, winning was the most important thing and Giampaolo’s side delivered. Despite a narrow victory, AC Milan totally dominated the match but the Rossoneri strikers wasted a lot of chances in front of the goal. Coach Giampaolo surprised everyone by leaving both Paqueta and Piatek on the bench but the result is on his side.

However, both players are clearly superior compared to their replacements in Milan-Brescia and should regain their regular starter status very soon. The international break will offer Paqueta and Piatek time to train more under Giampaolo. Something very necessary especially for the Brazilian who was not part of the summer preparations because he was busy with his national team winning the Copa America.

During this time, the coach should definitely work to use Lucas Paqueta as trequartista. This is an idea that the fans want to see implemented for quite some time. Gennaro Gattuso refused to please the fans but Marco Giampaolo should not take the same path. He did very well to experiment with Calhanoglu as regista in front of the defence. It was indeed a failure but we are now sure that Hakan can only play as central midfielder or winger.

That’s why shouldn’t waste energies to wonder if Paqueta can or can’t play as attacking midfielder. The Brazilian is gifted with great technical skills, possesses game vision and his dribbling is second to no one in Serie A. Not to mention his ability to shoot from outside the box as highlighted yesterday against Brescia. Only the post stopped his thunderbolt. Rather than Kaka, the 21-year-old is more similar to Rui Costa but much faster in his movements.

Piatek also performs much better with Paqueta by his side. Lucas would be much lethal behind the strikers and he would certainly waste less chances that Samu Castillejo who is obviously struggling in that position. The former Flamengo was a true attacking force while in Brazil, it’s up to Giampaolo to help him succeed in Italy too.

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