Milan, revolution in defense: Romagnoli the only survivor

AC Milan have undergone a total transformation this summer with the defensive unit suffering the most changes.

In just two months AC Milan’s duo, Massimiliano Mirabelli and Marco Fassone have almost completely re-established the rossoneri’s defensive division. After Nesta and Thiago Silva left the club, defense had become the main weakness of AC Milan.

Few elements to keep, among them in the starting eleven there should be only Alessio Romagnoli. Gabriel Paletta, last year, was the player to partner more the former Roma. His departure, for weeks in this parts, is considered to be a sure thing. On him there is strong interest from Torino. The defender, according to the latest transfer rumors, should be included as a technical counterpart to lower the demands of Torino’s president Urbano Cairo for striker Andrea Belotti (read here). But beware of interest from Fiorentina that have expressed their desire to sign the centre back.

Among the last year players who will fight for a place with the new arrivals, Luca Antonelli is the first of the list. The left back last season did not play much because of a serious injury but yesterday, against Borussia Dortmund, he showed great desire with continuous offensive insertions in support of Hakan Calhanoglu. Ricardo Rodriguez is warned. Manager Montella, on the other hand, is sure that the “rivalry” between the two players will only do well to the technical and tactical improvement of both.

Less clear is the situation on the right flank. Ignazio Abate, unlike many rossoneri fans, will not be happy to free his place to Andrea Conti, just as Davide Calabria will not want to be a simple spectator. It is not to be ruled out that one of the two will leave Milan. Calabria has great potential and it may be best to loan him in order to accumulate more playing time and experience.

Alessio Romagnoli
Alessio Romagnoli

At the end of this incredible summer transfer window, it will be the field to talk. In the last season there were talks about many changes in the defensive unit that the new ownership would carry out but the revolutionary choices made by the new management have surpassed even the most optimistic promises.