Milan midfielder Mathieu Flamini will most probably feature in the clash against Lazio.
Milan have been boosted by the news that midfielder Mathieu Flamini will be available for the mid-week clash against Lazio.
The Frenchman makes his return just in time, as Milan's midfield lies decimated by injuries.
Massimo Ambrosini is the latest injured midfielder, and he joins Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso, Rodney Strasser, and Clarence Seedorf. Furthermore, Mark van Bommel's red card against Catania means that he will serve a one-match ban.
Reports suggest that Massimiliano Allegri will once again use Thiago Silva in midfield, meaning that Mario Yepes and Daniele Bonera will form the central defensive partnership.
New signing Urby Emanuelson and youngster Merkel could also slot in next to Thiago Silva and Flamini.
Milan have done admirably despite the absence of so many key players. They are still at the top of Serie A by four points, and they have collected seven points in their last three games.
Flamini was enjoying good form a couple of months ago, but his injury came right before the winter break. This is a prime opportunity for the 26-year-old Frenchman to cement his place in the starting line-up.
Thiago Silva as a possible partner
If Allegri had a strong alternative to Thiago Silva in the center of defence, he could have used the Brazilian in midfield for a few games. However, with Alessandro Nesta out, the coach is not yet ready to experiment with Daniele Bonera and Mario Yepes for too long, even if the latter has been impressive in the role.
It will be interesting to see how Flamini and Thiago Silva work together. The intriguing thing--and perhaps frustrating for Allegri--is that Thiago Silva and Flamini together could represent the best option for the midfield area even when everyone is healthy. They are both young players who have the pace and tenacity to keep possession.
However, given that Milan are still not adequately covered in defence, he will restore Thiago Silva to a defensive role when the currently injured players return.
Flamini is in his third season at Milan, but he has generally found it difficult to integrate in the team. However, he is the exact kind of player Milan need in midfield because is a direct midfielder who is almost indefatigable. With Gattuso and Ambrosini both the wrong side of 30, and with their pace and stamina decreasing, Flamini could play in the midfield role for many seasons to come.
This season, under Allegri, Flamini has finally flourished, and Milan fans are finally starting to understand why he was so vaunted at Arsenal.
With the Champions League also a couple of weeks away, Flamini's return is a huge relief for Milan.
The Frenchman makes his return just in time, as Milan's midfield lies decimated by injuries.
Massimo Ambrosini is the latest injured midfielder, and he joins Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso, Rodney Strasser, and Clarence Seedorf. Furthermore, Mark van Bommel's red card against Catania means that he will serve a one-match ban.
Reports suggest that Massimiliano Allegri will once again use Thiago Silva in midfield, meaning that Mario Yepes and Daniele Bonera will form the central defensive partnership.
New signing Urby Emanuelson and youngster Merkel could also slot in next to Thiago Silva and Flamini.
Milan have done admirably despite the absence of so many key players. They are still at the top of Serie A by four points, and they have collected seven points in their last three games.
Flamini was enjoying good form a couple of months ago, but his injury came right before the winter break. This is a prime opportunity for the 26-year-old Frenchman to cement his place in the starting line-up.
Thiago Silva as a possible partner
If Allegri had a strong alternative to Thiago Silva in the center of defence, he could have used the Brazilian in midfield for a few games. However, with Alessandro Nesta out, the coach is not yet ready to experiment with Daniele Bonera and Mario Yepes for too long, even if the latter has been impressive in the role.
It will be interesting to see how Flamini and Thiago Silva work together. The intriguing thing--and perhaps frustrating for Allegri--is that Thiago Silva and Flamini together could represent the best option for the midfield area even when everyone is healthy. They are both young players who have the pace and tenacity to keep possession.
However, given that Milan are still not adequately covered in defence, he will restore Thiago Silva to a defensive role when the currently injured players return.
Flamini is in his third season at Milan, but he has generally found it difficult to integrate in the team. However, he is the exact kind of player Milan need in midfield because is a direct midfielder who is almost indefatigable. With Gattuso and Ambrosini both the wrong side of 30, and with their pace and stamina decreasing, Flamini could play in the midfield role for many seasons to come.
This season, under Allegri, Flamini has finally flourished, and Milan fans are finally starting to understand why he was so vaunted at Arsenal.
With the Champions League also a couple of weeks away, Flamini's return is a huge relief for Milan.
