Massimiliano Allegri still has one big call to make before Milan face Genoa tomorrow: who starts alongside Christopher Nkunku. Rafael Leao is suspended, Christian Pulisic is set to start despite still not being fully free of discomfort, and the No. 9 spot remains the problem that has followed Milan all season long.
According to Tuttosport via MilanNews, Niclas Füllkrug and Santiago Gimenez are the two candidates to lead the line, with Gimenez now said to be ahead after being tested in training yesterday. The reported preferred XI has Mike Maignan in goal, then De Winter, Matteo Gabbia and Strahinja Pavlovic, with Athekame, Youssouf Fofana, Samuele Ricci, Adrien Rabiot and Bartesaghi across midfield, and Gimenez plus Nkunku up front.
Nkunku gave Allegri a late glimpse of what he can offer against Atalanta. He came off the bench, won the penalty that he then converted, and also went close again when his effort clipped the crossbar after the goalkeeper got a slight touch. It was the kind of cameo that can change a manager’s thinking, even if it did not settle the wider debate over who should occupy the central role.
That debate has been running all season long, and it is why tomorrow’s team selection matters beyond one fixture. Milan have not locked down the position that normally sets the tone for the rest of the attack, and Allegri’s choices now have to work around Leao’s suspension and Pulisic’s fitness issue while still finding a pairing that can finish chances.
The selection picture points to a 3-5-2 shape, with Milan trying to balance control in midfield and enough threat in the final third. For Allegri, the question is no longer whether Nkunku will feature. It is which partner gives Milan the best chance to make the front line feel settled at last.
