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Big test for impressive Tonali as Kessie set for Milan comeback

Sumeet Paul

AC Milan have registered consecutive wins to begin the new Serie A season, and Sandro Tonali has been a key factor in our positive start.

The Rossoneri saw off both Sampdoria and Cagliari prior to the international break, with Stefano Pioli’s side scoring five goals and conceding just one in those opening two encounters.

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As the players return to duty at Milanello this week, the focus will switch to Lazio on Sunday, as another win would certainly help continue to build momentum as we eye a Scudetto push this campaign.

Tonali has been particularly impressive in both those wins, and he also scored a superb free-kick last time out.

However, the 21-year-old will come under pressure this week, because as noted by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Franck Kessie is expected to return to the squad to face Lazio after recovering from injury, and that adds to the competition in that area of the pitch.

So, will Tonali be able to keep his place in Pioli’s starting XI?

Tonali must build on impressive start

Last season was a solid yet underwhelming year for Tonali, his first in a Milan shirt.

The young midfielder was seemingly trying to find his feet while also coping with the additional responsibility that rested on his shoulders, and while he did show moments of class, it was all a bit safe and inconsistent.

That in turn led to a struggle to really cement his place in the starting line-up, and the form and importance of the likes of Kessie and Ismael Bennacer undoubtedly made that harder for him.

Assuming that Pioli doesn’t tinker with his preferred system and sticks with the two-man pivot in front of the defence, Tonali is essentially in competition with that pair, and new signing Tiemoue Bakayoko, for two spots in the XI.

Milan have a busy fixture schedule this season and so there will certainly be rotation, but the way in which Tonali has started the campaign means he will bitterly disappointed if he loses his place in the side just as he appears to be stepping it up.

As seen in the stats in the tweet below, the Italian midfielder has started to assert himself more in games, showing more quality on the ball and a more combative side off it.

That has led to a bigger influence in our build-up play as well as breaking up the opposition’s attacks, and as seen with his free-kick against Cagliari, he’s certainly looking confident at this moment in time.

With that in mind, this is a big test coming up for Tonali in the coming weeks. The expectation is that given Kessie hasn’t had much full training in recent weeks and is lacking match fitness, he will be on the bench against Lazio and needs to build up his minutes to get back to his best.

That gives Tonali an opportunity coming off the international break to further solidify his place in the Milan midfield and really make a strong case to Pioli that he doesn’t deserve to be dropped. That level of competition should bring out the best in him and drive him on to improve further, and that will only be good news for both Tonali and Milan.

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