Ruben Loftus-Cheek Archives - The Cult of Calcio

How Milan Will Line Up with Fonseca on Their Bench

May 29, 2024 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Bologna, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Ligue 1, Monaco, Premier League, Serie A, Serie A 2024-2025, Tottenham, Transfer Market

It won’t be long before Milan formally appoints Paulo Fonseca, and the new coach should slightly tweak the tactics compared to recent years. Zlatan Ibrahimovic recently posted a picture with 4-3-3 on his social media accounts.

While Milan have yet to truly zero in on a new coach, their future roster is starting to take shape. Olivier Giroud has already announced his departure.

Milan Identify Multiple Cornerstones to Build Around

May 16, 2024 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Serie A 2024-2025, Transfer Market

While Milan have yet to truly zero in on a new coach, their future roster is starting to take shape. Olivier Giroud has announced his departure, and Simon Kjaer is on his way out as well. Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic will stay put.

Pioli starting Rafael Leao as a false-nine in the Milan Derby looked like a Hail Mary by a coach trying to prove he still has some aces up his sleeve.

Could a New Role Be in Store for Milan Star Leao?

April 26, 2024 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Stefano Pioli starting Rafael Leao as a false-nine in the Derby looked like a Hail Mary by a coach trying to prove he still has some aces up his sleeves in the twilight of his tenure. It didn’t work, as the Rossoneri were too toothless.

Rafael Leao has been shortlisted by PSG for the summer, when they might have to replace Kylian Mbappé. There’s a €175M release clause in his contract.

Milan Player Ratings vs Fiorentina: Supersonic Leao Stuns Viola

March 30, 2024 Marko Vrakela AC Milan, Fiorentina, Player Ratings, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

Milan picked up where they left off before the international break, claiming an enthralling 2-1 win at Fiorentina on Saturday night. Rossoneri enjoyed another phenomenal game on the road to temporarily close the gap on Serie A leaders Inter to 11 points.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek won’t be available for the next two games, but his injury isn’t too severe, and he should easily recover during the international break.

Milan Player Ratings vs Slavia Praha: Ruben Cheek-y Again

March 14, 2024 Marko Vrakela AC Milan, Europa League, Italian Football, Player Ratings, Serie A

Milan steamrolled to a 3-1 second-leg win against 10-man Slavia Praha to confirm progression into the Europa League quarter-finals as 7-3 aggregate winners. Stefano Pioli's side headed to Prague to protect a handsome 4-2 first-leg lead, but they went one better, putting the Czech Republic outfit to the sword.

Milan owner Cardinale promised sweeping changes to allow Milan to compete for the Scudetto. It’s easy to imagine Stefano Pioli will be the first to go.

Who Should Stay and Who Should Go as Milan Retool?

March 8, 2024 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Serie A, Tactical Trends, Transfer Market

Milan owner Gerry Cardinale has promised sweeping changes to allow Milan to compete for the Scudetto. It’s easy to imagine Stefano Pioli will be the first to go, especially should they persuade a big-ticket coach to replace him.

Milan Player Ratings vs Slavia Praha: Summer Signings Fly High

March 8, 2024 Marko Vrakela AC Milan, Europa League, International Football, Player Ratings, Serie A

Milan seized a numerical advantage to put Slavia Praha to the sword in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie, claiming an all-important 4-2 win at home. Stefano Pioli's side looked porous at the back again, yet their free-flowing frontlines lived up to the billing.

Milan Player Ratings vs Rennes: Ruben’s Cheek-y Display Too Hot to Handle

February 15, 2024 Marko Vrakela AC Milan, Europa League, Player Ratings, Serie A

Free-flowing Milan tore Rennes apart in a one-sided first leg of their Europa League knockout playoff tie at Stadio San Siro. Stefano Pioli's side went on a rampage to demolish the French outfit 3-0 and put one foot into the round of 16.

Preview: Frosinone vs Milan – Team News, Lineups & Prediction

February 3, 2024 Marko Vrakela AC Milan, Frosinone, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

Seeking amends for a heartbreaking 2-2 home draw against Bologna, Serie A top-four hopefuls Milan travel to Stadio Benito Stirpe to take on bottom-half Frosinone. Saturday's encounter in the Lazio region has all the makings of a must-win contest for the visiting side, whose Scudetto hopes are in tatters.

Milan Player Ratings vs Bologna: Ruben Magic Goes in Vain

January 27, 2024 Marko Vrakela AC Milan, Bologna, Player Ratings, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

Profligant Milan wasted a glorious opportunity to return to the Scudetto frame as Bologna fought back late to eke out a 2-2 draw at the San Siro. With Juventus held to a 1-1 stalemate against Lecce earlier on Saturday, Stefano Pioli's side could've reduced the gap to five points.

Milan are holding their breath ahead of the return leg versus Napoli, as Olivier Giroud couldn’t complete practice Sunday due to an Achilles tendon problem.

Milan Player Ratings vs Empoli: Dominant Rossoneri Conquer Castellani

January 7, 2024 Marko Vrakela AC Milan, Player Ratings, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

Milan kicked off their 2024 Serie A calendar with an emphatic 3-0 win against relegation-threatened Empoli at the Stadio Carlo Castellani. Stefano Pioli's side delivered an electrifying first-half performance to lay the groundwork for ending a four-game winless league run on the road.

Al-Hilal continue to court Rafael Leao, but it appears that nothing will come out of it, as the forward prefers staying at Milan.

Milan Star Set to Stay out for Borussia Dortmund Game

November 27, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Champions League, Italian Football, Serie A

After squeaking past Fiorentina, Milan have started preparing for the pivotal Champions League clash against Borussia Dortmund, where they’ll have to make do without Rafael Leao again. The star winger has remained sidelined in practice to open the week. There’s some hope he’ll return versus Frosinone during the weekend.

Tag: Ruben Loftus-Cheek