Giampaolo, last call. The Rossoneri coach returns to where his career exploded, albeit with other colors, with the risk that it could implode, at the hands of those who, ironically, had to suffer him for six derbies, collecting four defeats and only two draws. It's only been a few months, but it feels like forever.
In fact, the "Maestro" of Sampdoria has not managed to repeat himself so far in Milan, where the promised good game has practically never been seen and the results, which is even more important, not even. And so tonight's match against Genoa (20.45 pm) becomes decisive, for him and for the team, including the management that manages it. Should it go badly, in fact, it is possible, not to mention probable, that the "silent" part of Via Aldo Rossi (Gazidis, but also Boban) opts for a change that Maldini does not like, with all the consequences of the case.
In any case, the one who risks the most is certainly Giampaolo, aware that only a victory would give him the time he so badly needs. “You don't have to think about me but about us, it's an important match for Milan, individual interests don't count for anything – glossed over the coach. – After four defeats in six games it's normal that everything is black, but even in this case you need to have balance, I don't think it's time to make definitive judgements. I know that the team has ample room for improvement, especially from a mental point of view, we have to learn to do certain things in a certain way." Time, patience and trust, here is the recipe for overcoming the crisis. The problem is that, at the moment, all three seem to have failed, as evidenced by the defeat against Fiorentina, which went down in history for the mass abandonment of fans (curve included) from San Siro.
Only a victory could appease spirits a little and guarantee Giampaolo at least a breathable atmosphere. “It's a situation that no one expected, but now we're in it and we have to find a way out of it – the coach reiterated. – Defeats affect the morale of football players, whoever thinks they don't give a damn is wrong. We analyzed our mistakes, we confronted each other and implemented all the necessary strategies to overcome the difficult moment". Which, barring sensational twists, foresee the definitive return to 4-3-3, with some changes compared to last Sunday. In defense, in front of Donnarumma, the big news is Duarte, making his debut from the first minute in place of the suspended Musacchio, who will act in tandem with Romagnoli together with full-backs Calabria and Hernandez. In midfield probable return of Biglia with Kessié and Calhanoglu (slightly favorite in the run-off with Paquetà), while in attack the trident Suso-Piatek-Leao will be confirmed.
“It's an important match for ourselves, because we want to make up for it, but without thinking about the past – Andreazzoli's speech. – “To carry out a project you need self-sacrifice, work and balance, you don't need to get caught up in euphoria and negativity…”. Here too we are faced with a bench at risk, saved more by Gattuso's refusal (Preziosi had already chosen him on Monday but he said no) than by real trust in his work. In any case, the former Empoli player still has a chance to play and he will do so with a 3-5-2 formation that will see Radu in goal, Romero, Zapata and Criscito in defence, Ghiglione, Schone, Radovanovic, Lerager and Pajac in the midfield, Kouamé and Pinamonti in attack.
