GdS: Rebic to be Pioli’s man in times of emergency again after encouraging preseason | OneFootball

AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli will once again rely on Ante Rebic going into the new season as he hopes to bounce back following a difficult campaign.

La Gazzetta dello Sport writes how even though there is no doubt about the fact that the Croatian prefers playing on the left, he will be called upon to play the role of striker too, as he is an additional tactical option for Pioli.

Rebic does things that the other centre-forwards do not do as well: attacking the spaces (even out wide) and stretching the line in a way that Ibrahimovic and Giroud cannot imitate. His pre-season was very comforting as he scored against Wolfsberger and twice against Vicenza but above all showed a very encouraging physical condition and a desire for redemption.

Udinese will visit the San Siro on Saturday to kick off the new season, and Pioli is short of centre-forward options given that Ibrahimovic will return to action in 2023 and Origi is not yet fully recovered after the muscle injury he sustained in May.

Giroud will likely be the starter, but the fatigue that kept the Frenchman out of the friendly match against Vicenza shows that he too must be handled carefully. Losing him for a few weeks would be serious, but Rebic is on hand ready to give his all wherever Pioli asks him to play.

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