GdS: ‘Milan-Bologna with wings’ – why the flanks will be decisive in the final | OneFootball

Almost everything positive in AC Milan’s season relies on winning the Coppa Italia now, but there is one region which could be decisive.

As the months have passed, the hopes of a good season have began to drop. However, this evening’s final allows Milan a chance to salvage themselves a little. Of course, the league remains an option for European qualification, but a season double would go a long way.

The game will be decided by those 22 on the pitch, but Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) states that there are a few players that could be pivotal to the game.

The Milan men

For the Rossoneri, there are few more important players than Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao. Both provide a different aesthetic, if you will, though their quality remains easily visible.

The American has been the league’s second best assister – only behind Romelu Lukaku – whilst also scoring 17 goals across all competitions – a phenomenal campaign, and a sign of strength where there has often been none this season.

For Leao, the numbers are just as exciting, even if there is still a lingering feeling that his campaign has not been his best – providing 22 contributions in all competitions, 16 of which have come in Serie A. Despite the frustrations that the Portuguese provides, at his brilliant best, the Diavolo are usually on the right side of a result, and this will be hoped for again this evening.

Centrally, there have clearly been issues for Milan. However, with this level of contribution from their wide men, the struggle has certainly not been as great.

Bologna’s protagonists

For the opposition, Riccardo Orsolini needs little introduction – after all, the Rossoneri have been courting him for some time now, so his qualities are well aware to the club. Stopping him though, well that is a different matter altogether.

Fifth in the scoring charts with 13 goals, the Italian has a sense of inevitability to him, and whilst defenders try to stop him, there is more difficulty than expected, even if his plan is known.

The winger ‘stopped Inter’ this season and he will look to ‘complete work on the Milanese’ this evening facing Strahinja Pavlovic, whose qualities are still rather hit and miss, unfortunately.

On the other flank, things are still difficult, thanks to Dan Ndoye – who, of course, has already scored against the Diavolo this season. Whilst his carry is not the same as Orsolini, he can still be a huge threat.

From the bench

Substitutions can, and probably will, change the game too, with Sergio Conceicao a genius with his bench. You can count several occasions where the Portuguese has looked behind him and changed whats in front of him in the process.

However, Italiano also has heaps of quality on his bench, which has potential to change the game.