Milan in trouble without Rabiot as Allegri lacks a Plan B

Allegri summed up Milan’s deserved defeat at the Olimpico by noting the team conceded more counter-attacks in the first half than in the entire league campaign. The Rossoneri laboured for balance without Adrien Rabiot, and Zaccagni and Isaksen, aided by Dele Bashiru and Taylor, were able to tear apart a defence that missed the midfield filter, Modric aside.

Rabiot’s influence is clear in the numbers: with him in the starting line-up Milan averaged 2.35 points per game, while that figure falls to 1.62 without him. He had appeared in 20 matches with 14 wins and one defeat (at home to Parma), scored four away goals — including the brace that decided Como — and supplied four assists, yet missed eight matches prior to Lazio, in which Milan managed only four draws and a loss to Cremonese.

When Rabiot was absent Allegri tried Samuele Ricci and then Jashari, neither of whom provided the required balance.

milan, allegri, rabiot, olimpico, rossoneri, counter attacks, midfield, modric, samuele ricci, jashari