Week 20: Milan – Cagliari, On Conceicao And The Second Half

Sergio Conceicao was hired after Fonseca was sacked in less than professional manner, such that Ibra had to apologize for the manner of his dismissal with news leaking before the now former coach knew. Character and reputation wise the two coaches are different and it has showed already. Conceicao was the tough, hard to play against player and his coaching – on pitch (and training) – demands are harder than most modern coaches. New strict training, locker room rules have already been handed down. The coach opened his Milan account steering Milan to a SuperCoppa win in Saudi Arabia and this quick trophy has enhanced his ability to put in the rules and, hopefully, move the team forward.

The team is way behind Napoli for the top spot in the Serie A and even a Champions League spot is a hard reach. A busy January continues with Serie A and champions League games. As Milan history shows eighteenth placed Cagliari won’t be an easy three points. It is hoped that Leao and Theo will be revitalized for this second half of season. The coach mostly known for a 4-4-2 formation has claimed that formations don’t matter much and he may continue with a 4-2-3-1 for now. January market action, with a center forward like Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United, expected may change the coach’s thinking. Okafor is on the verge of an exit on loan to Leipzig, freeing such spot.

Maignan was handed the captaincy for a game in Saudi Arabia and the goalkeeper will of course be the starting goalie when healthy. Calabria or Emerson Royal will likely alternate in right back. Thiaw and Tomori look to be the preferred center back pairing. Gabbia being the odd man out would be surprising if his recent form is anything to go by. Theo will be the left back and as mentioned his desire and form will go a long way to dictate the second half of the season.

While the team might retain something like a 4-2-3-1 changes are predicted for this game at least. Musah and Fofana would be the pivots and the front four will feature a more advanced Reijnders with Pulisic and Leao behind Morata. Loftus-Cheek and Chukwueze’s returns from injury later in the month might mean that the front four change is only temporary.

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