Pioli, the gifts arrive: Milan, Dalot is here and Kabak likes it

Diogo Dalot is in a hurry and will be in Milan today. But also watch out for Oznan Kabak. The Rossoneri sprint is enriched by two other young candidates: the twenty-one-year-old Portuguese defender from Manchester United and the twenty-one-year-old Turkish central defender Schalke 04. Qualification in the Europa League raises the budget, but it does not change the policy of the Rossoneri club: it does spend only in case of opportunity.

And the arrival of Diogo Dalot on loan is proof of this; a dry loan, without special expenses. But with the concrete perspective that this experience will allow the defender who grew up in Porto to find the space that he has struggled to find in the last two seasons in Manchester. Last night there was a strong acceleration. And actually, both are within acceptable technical rates for the property. Dalot, Leao’s teammate in the Portuguese U21, has been in the sights of Roma in recent weeks, but at the last corner the Rossoneri were ahead. Diogo plays on the right, but can also unhook on the left if necessary. And the interest in him goes hand in hand with the negotiations for the departure of Laxalt, for which an interest from Sevilla is reported. In Stefano Pioli’s plans, both Dalot and Calabria could be useful in the eventual replacement of Hernández. And in any case, this would expand the external battery.

Mobile center

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And we come to the chapter of the plant. Contacts with Bologna for the Japanese Tomiyasu did not lead to positive conclusions. There is no air of rapprochement between the 25 million requested by the emilians and the 15 proposed by via Aldo Rossi. This is how the name of the Turkish Kabak and the Serbian Nastasic is always kept, which Schalke 04 could also convert on loan. Those were the days when he was about to free himself from Stuttgart with a clause of 11 million euros. Now, however, Schalke are struggling with cash and open at deep discounts. Can’t rule out a flashback for him. This is one of the options on the table, which confirms that the Milan management “committee” is in permanent meeting for this final transfer. Taking nothing for granted, there is an intention to test all of them to get the job done. But without crazy expenses, which are not contemplated in current philosophy.

Strange night

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These market movements come after the most exciting night in Europe. The longest sentence in the world? Literature subject. The longest penalty shootout in the world? It looks like 62, thrown in a game in Asia. In other latitudes, the 32 of the England-Netherlands U21 in 2007 and the 18 most recent ones needed to solve the 2014 Italian Super Cup against Juve in advantage of Napoli. Milan means winning streaks and the memory always goes there, in 2003, to the staring and astonished gaze of Shevchenko waiting to shoot to get her hands on the Champions League. However, qualifying for the group stage of the Europa League in the thick rain of Vila do Conde leaves concrete and very unromantic traces. Milan has eliminated Rio Ave, who had wasted several match points, is in possession of a few million that perhaps they will reinvest and perhaps not, and Pioli, who until now had managed to cover the gaps tactically, will have to find solutions that are not. they can come from the market. Pioli is a practical man. Without Ibrahimovic, Milan had more than one problem in attack. Starting next week, swabs, done every 4-5 days, could also bring good news, but the result is not certain. It is easier to determine the return from Romagnoli, which should be available after the stop. The fact is that the fascinating and surreal Portugal match exposed the weaknesses of the young Milan. That without Zlatan, and with the defenders numbered, it seemed long and understandably leggy. Beyond Pioli’s surprising choice, with the preference given to Daniel Maldini as center forward, the limited number of variations remains. Milan has bet a lot since last year on Rafael Leao, the twenty-one-year-old Portuguese who is also highly valued in his country from a technical point of view, but continues to show gaps that are difficult to fill in a few days. Milan would need precision and wisdom even without Ibra. Another young man has arrived, Hauge. The department, they tell Milan, is complete and the priorities are different.

Rigor and flexibility

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So far Pioli has stood out for his tactical acumen, the calm he transmits to the group and the ability to remedy emergencies. He reached the 18th game in a row without defeat and little is not, taking into account that such a streak was lacking since Ancelotti’s time and that there were many unexpected events involved. The championship calendar has helped, but it is still the sign of a continuity that may not have produced many flashes in recent weeks, but that is fine for Milan, the Europa League groups reached (“They are balanced groups”, Pioli said) and a chance to appear in the derby after stopping at the top of the standings, winning with Spezia tomorrow at San Siro. They are all components that help the team from a psychological point of view: as long as they have to do without Ibrahimovic and Romagnoli, Milan will need other important support. The market closes early. To carry out an ambitious project, something will be needed. Not only do we have to save the idea of ​​Pioli, but in general that of a young and fresh Milan that has so far moved us.