news-engine

Despite playing as a wing-back for nearly all of last season, there might well be another role for Davide Bartesaghi under Ruben Amorim. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan’s incoming business is done barring any late opportunities. What that means is that the fans and pundits for another central defender will most likely be disappointed. Read SempreMilan ad-free and get access to exclusive news. Click here for a free trial! The owners’ intentions are quite clear: Amorim will be given a new playmaker, while the defensive line will remain as it is. In fact, if anything, it will be reduced in size. A change for Bartesaghi? Right now, the three-man midfield designed by the coach includes four starters: Mario Gila, Matteo Gabbia, Strahinja Pavlovic, and Koni De Winter. Then there’s a new signing who needs to gain experience and develop (Sankhoun Diawara). Fikayo Tomori will leave, while there is some mystery about Filippo Terracciano, who is more of a right-sided player anyway. Then there’s Bartesaghi, whom Amorim considers capable and suitable not only as a winger, but also as a left-sided centre-back. Last season, when Pervis Estupinan was injured in the fall, Allegri handed him a starting spot which he hasn’t let go of since. But Allegri plays a certain way, while Amorim plays arguably in a polar opposite way. The Portuguese demands his wing-backs have a strong attacking presence, explosiveness, ability to get inside the pitch, and quick runs. These characteristics are different from those of Davide, a player who is attentive but fairly measured in his playmaking. It’s no coincidence that Amorim has frozen the sale of Estupinan and, above all, that a talent like Diego Moreira has arrived at Milanello. Translation: if Estupinan ultimately stays where he is, Bartesaghi could well join Pavlovic as a LCB option.