Send us a text

Davy & Chin Talk AC Milan is back in action — and so are the debates.

In this first podcast episode of the New Year, the boys dive deep into Milan’s summer mercato and ask the big question: Did Milan over-trim the squad and fail to fix key problems?

Davy believes the Rossoneri made a major mistake going into the season with Santiago Giménez as the only recognized striker, leaving the attack unbalanced. Chin agrees the striker situation was risky — but argues that trimming the squad was necessary given Milan’s reduced fixture list this season.

The conversation heats up as the duo breaks down Milan’s struggles against bottom-table teams, where 11 crucial points were dropped, with opposing views on what’s really to blame:

Is it the lack of a proper No. 9?

Are players like Leão and Nkunku misused outside the box?

Or is Max Allegri’s rigid and cautious 3-5-2 system killing creativity and flair?

The episode also covers Milan’s frustrating performances against Genoa and Fiorentina, where four points slipped away, before turning to the arrival of Niclas Füllkrug from West Ham — what he brings and whether he’s enough to change Milan’s fortunes.

The show wraps up with a preview of Milan’s upcoming away clash against Como and what Allegri’s men must do to avoid another costly slip.

And lastly, Chin disappoints Davy with his Scudetto prediction.

This is Davy & Chin Talk AC Milan.

Support the show

Send us a text

A derby decided by patience, structure, and one ruthless run into the box. We open with gratitude for 5,000 downloads, then dive straight into how Milan absorbed Inter’s early pressure, trusted the block, and leaned on Mike Maignan’s brilliance to keep the door open until Christian Pulisic slammed it shut. Allegri’s plan looked nothing like the frantic derbies of the past: compact lines, disciplined wingbacks, and selective pressure that turned emotion into control.

From there, we tackle the theme that now defines Milan’s season: big-game excellence vs small-game frustration. The 3-5-2 thrives when opponents want the ball, but against low blocks, the lack of a true No. 9 and limited creativity becomes the sticking point. We debate shape vs personnel, why a January striker is non-negotiable, and how a fit Pulisic-Leao pairing changes the geometry of every attack. Our midfield breakdown centers on role clarity—Modric’s composure, Rabiot’s positioning, and why Fofana should be a destroy-and-give operator instead of a do-everything box-to-box.

At the back, we examine Tomori’s recovery safety net, Gabbia’s positioning, and Pavlovic’s aggression, plus the emergence of Battezzaghi as a smart, disciplined wingback who reads wingers’ strong feet and wins small duels that matter. We also get into the spiky Tomori-on-the-ball debate, not to pick sides but to show how build-out choices shape chance quality. Then it’s the title race: why Roma look like a durable dark horse but lack big-game wins, what Napoli and Inter signal for the winter stretch, and why a one-game-per-week schedule magnifies chemistry and sharpness.

If you want tactics you can actually spot on the pitch, honest player assessments, and a clear view of where a title push lives or dies, this one’s for you. Subscribe, share with a fellow Milanista, and tell us: should Milan change shape against low blocks, or double down and sign a pure No. 9?

Support the show

Send us a text

San Siro felt warm again as Pioli returned to applause, but the glow faded fast once the football started telling the truth. We break down a nervy win over Fiorentina and a costly draw with Pisa to reveal a simple, stubborn reality: Milan controls games without turning that control into clean, repeatable chances. The biggest fault line runs through the No. 9—Leão’s two recent goals help, yet playing him centrally mutes the very chaos that makes him elite on the wing. Meanwhile, Santi Gimenez’s drought is now a tactical and psychological problem, not just a cold streak.

We get specific on profiles and partnerships. Leão thrives wide with space to burst; he struggles as a back-to-goal reference against compact blocks. Pairing him with a true striker or second forward (Nkunku deserves a start) restores width, penalty-box presence, and better spacing for late runners. Creativity remains thin without Pulisic and an often-absent Loftus-Cheek, and the midfield loses its balance when Rabiot sits: Modric can’t conduct if Fofana is forced to progress instead of protecting. Saelemaekers wins praise for availability and work rate—incremental growth matters—but the final third still needs a sharper edge.

We also look ahead. Atalanta in Bergamo is precisely the kind of match where selection clarity matters: choose profiles that create one more clean chance than the low block concedes. January should be precise, not busy—one efficient box striker who attacks crosses and second balls, and a versatile defender to protect wide-central channels. Overbuilding risks minutes crunch in a World Cup year; one backup per position is the sweet spot. Turn sterile dominance into sharp chances, and the table will move.

If you’re riding this title chase with us, tap follow, share the show with a fellow Milanista, and drop your take: start Leão wide with a true 9, or keep the experiment alive? Your call could be the difference between grit and glory.

Support the show

Send us a text

Turin gave us a clean sheet, a roar from Maignan, and a knot in the stomach about missed chances. We walked through that draw with Juventus from both angles—control and composure on one hand, a lack of bite on the other—and used it to ask bigger questions about how this Milan wins the matches that define a season.

We get candid about Rafael Leão: the movement is back, the threat is real, but the finishes have to land. In a 3-5-2, the margins are thin; your forwards must be ruthless and your off-ball work relentless. We break down what that means for Leão’s role, what Giménez still offers with pressing shape. 

Midfield minutes matter now. Modrić can still run a game at 40, but we talk about protecting his legs, creating a clear pathway for Ríči, and keeping Fofana’s engine central to the press. We also tackle the Maignan contract straight on: elite shot-stopper, distribution that starts attacks, timing that swings results—this is a spine decision you want settled early. With Saelemaekers out, we examine the right flank, where Athakame’s defensive stability needs help from patterns, not isolation, to generate better chances.

Then it’s Fiorentina. Pioli returns under pressure, which makes this one tricky, but the plan is simple: keep the defensive platform intact, flip play quickly to their weak side, and get Pulisic and the striker on the end of clean looks. We share our predicted approaches up top and the in-game tweak that can tilt tight matches.

If you’re tracking AC Milan tactics, Allegri’s rotation philosophy, Leão’s development, Maignan’s future, and the Serie A title race, this is a deep, no-fluff breakdown. Listen, subscribe, and drop a review—what’s your XI for Fiorentina, and who should start up front?

Support the show

Send us a text

One goal in three minutes can rewrite a week’s worth of doubt. We break down how Milan seized control against Napoli with a crisp transition, a disciplined midfield triangle, and a back line that finally looks like a unit. Christian Pulisic stands out for his decision speed and relentless box arrivals, while Luka Modrić—yes, at 40—quietly conducts the match by dictating tempo, closing lanes, and telling everyone where to stand. Add Rabiot’s engine and Fofana’s late runs, and the 3-5-2 feels less like an experiment and more like muscle memory.

We also go deep on the details that decide big games: how an early lead feeds Allegri’s “keep it simple” plan, why Napoli kept getting pushed wide, and what changed once the left flank started closing space on Politano. The penalty and red card? We dissect the sequence without losing the larger point—organized suffering wins titles. Through it all, Maignan’s presence reduces chaos, and the back three’s consistency keeps the box calm.

Up front, the conversation turns pragmatic. Leão’s return adds gravity even as he plays his way to full sharpness, while Santi Giménez’s work rate meets the non-negotiables but raises questions about his finishing. We talk striker profiles, January needs, and how to preserve Modrić’s legs without losing the blueprint. Depth is solid in midfield, thinner at wingback, and promising at center-back if young profiles are developed in the right roles.

This is a turning-point performance that raises the ceiling: clearer identity, smarter transitions, cleaner game states, and two match-winners who tilt defences. We close by eyeing Juventus with a simple mandate—own the middle, manage loads, and trust the structure. If you felt the belief grow, you’re not alone. Subscribe, share with a fellow Milanista, and drop your Juve prediction in the comments.

Support the show

Send us a text

Milan's victory over Bologna offers a glimpse into Allegri's vision for the Rossoneri—pragmatic, defensively sound, and ruthlessly efficient. The narrow 1-0 win at San Siro exemplifies a philosophical shift that prioritizes results over entertainment, raising questions about the balance between winning and developing an exciting brand of football.

At the heart of Milan's approach sits a robust midfield trio of 40-year-old Luka Modric flanked by the physical presence of Adrien Rabiot and Youssouf Fofana. This controversial selection has proven effective at nullifying opposition attacks—Bologna failed to register a single shot on target—but comes at the cost of creative spark. The immediate integration of Rabiot while young talents like Samuel Ricci warm the bench, has divided fan opinion, highlighting the tension between immediate results and long-term development.

Defensively, Milan shows promising signs with Matteo Gabbia emerging as a surprise leader alongside Strahinja Pavlović and Fikayo Tomori. When called upon, young Koni De Winter demonstrated remarkable composure, suggesting depth in defensive options. However, Mike Maignan's recurring calf injury continues a worrying pattern that raises questions about his long-term reliability between the posts. Looking ahead, Rafael Leão's impending return presents an intriguing tactical puzzle for Allegri—how will he accommodate Milan's most talented attackers without compromising the defensive solidity that has become his trademark? As Serie A takes shape with Napoli impressing and Inter struggling, Milan's pragmatic approach may prove the foundation for a surprise title challenge if they can maintain consistency while gradually introducing more attacking flair. Join us next time as we analyze Milan's approach against Udinese and continue tracking the Rossoneri's evolution under Allegri's second tenure.

Support the show

Send us a text

The sweet taste of victory returns to AC Milan as Allegri's men secure a 2-0 win against Lecce in their second Serie A fixture of the season. After a disappointing opening match defeat, the Rossoneri have bounced back with a performance that, while not spectacular, showcases the pragmatic approach that may define this new era.

We explore the tactical choices shaping Milan's identity under Allegri, especially his controversial midfield selections that favour physicality over creativity. The ongoing reliance on Modric, Fofana, and Loftus-Cheek raises questions about how young talents will find their role in this system. With Rabiot's arrival, the midfield puzzle becomes even more intriguing – will Allegri's preference for strong, defensively reliable players pay off as the season unfolds?

The transfer window has caused significant shifts in the Milan squad, with several surprising outs, including Musah moving to Atalanta. We examine how these changes mirror the realities of a squad without Champions League football and the personal goals of players seeking regular minutes before the World Cup. Defensively, concerns persist despite new signings, with Tomori remaining the team's most reliable option at the back. Looking ahead to Bologna after the international break, we anticipate another tough match that will test Milan's new pragmatism against a team that beat them in last season's Coppa Italia final. Meanwhile, across the city, Inter's unexpected loss to Udinese adds another interesting layer to a Serie A campaign where the usual powerhouses show early vulnerabilities.

Will Allegri's focus on results over style lead Milan back to glory? Subscribe and follow for more insights as the season unfolds.

Support the show

Send us a text

Max Allegri's return to the Milan bench has started with an unwelcome surprise as the Rossoneri fell 2-1 to relegation candidates Cremonese at a packed San Siro. This defeat immediately exposes vulnerabilities that plagued Milan throughout the previous campaign – specifically, an inability to convert chances against defensive opponents and a fragile mentality that seems to persist despite the coaching change.

The 3-5-2 formation employed by Allegri raises significant tactical questions. With a midfield trio of Fofana, Loftus-Cheek, and 40-year-old Modric, Milan lacked the creativity and progressive passing needed to break down Cremonese's organized defence. Despite generating 24 shots, the quality of chances remained poor, with only six finding the target and an xG of just 1.88. Most concerning was seeing veteran Modric emerge as Milan's standout performer, suggesting deeper issues within the squad.

Without the injured Rafael Leão, Milan's attack appeared one-dimensional and predictable. Santiago Gimenez struggled as a lone striker, often isolated and unable to create space for himself against physical defenders. Pulisic and Saelemaekers, while industrious, couldn't provide the spark of unpredictability needed to unlock a stubborn defence. The search for a clinical striker continues to be urgent, with names like Haaland being discussed as potential solutions to Milan's finishing problems.

Defensively, the back three of Tomori, Gabbia, and Pavlovic failed to provide the solidity expected from an Allegri team. The absence of a commanding center-back comfortable in possession further complicated Milan's build-up play. With rivals securing opening weekend victories, Milan already find themselves playing catch-up in what promises to be a competitive Serie A season.

Friday's match against Lecce now takes on added importance as Allegri searches for the right balance and formation to get his team back on track. Will he persist with the 3-5-2 or return to the 4-2-3-1 that served Milan well in recent seasons? The potential return of Leão could provide a much-needed spark, but fundamental questions about midfield balance and defensive organization remain. Join us as we continue to follow Milan's journey under Allegri's second tenure.

Support the show

Send us a text

The triumphant return of Massimiliano Allegri to AC Milan has sparked renewed hope for a Rossoneri renaissance after last season's disappointments. Having missed Champions League qualification and struggling with managerial instability in 2024-25, Milan has restructured with purpose – appointing Tari as sporting director and welcoming back the coach who once led them to Serie A glory.

Allegri's tactical transformation is already evident. The implementation of a 3-5-2 formation has repositioned Rafael Leão as a central striker rather than a left winger, while new signing Estupiñán replaces the departed Theo Hernández. The midfield has undergone a complete overhaul following Tijani Reijnders' move to Manchester City, with Samuel Ricci emerging as a revelation alongside new arrivals Luka Modrić and Jashari.

Perhaps Milan's greatest advantage this season? The absence of European football. Playing just once weekly provides Allegri with valuable training time to instill his tactical vision and maintain player freshness throughout the campaign. This single-competition focus proved successful for Napoli's Scudetto run last season, and many believe Milan could follow a similar path.

The arrival of veteran Luka Modrić transcends his on-field contributions, bringing a championship mentality to Milanello and becoming an immediate reference point for younger players. As Co-host Chin notes, " A mini God, whether Modrić plays or doesn't play, the fact that he's at Milan is exactly the kind of mentality Milan players need."

With Napoli strengthening under Conte, Inter transitioning to a new coach, and Juventus rebuilding, the Serie A title race appears wide open. Milan's disciplined structure, talented squad, and Allegri's winning mentality position them as legitimate contenders. Can the Rossoneri reclaim their place at the summit of Italian football? Time will tell.

Support the show

Send us a text

AC Milan's dramatic fall from Scudetto contenders to 9th place has left fans questioning the club's direction and management decisions. We analyze what went wrong and whether there's any hope left for this season.

• Milan's current crisis under Sergio Conceição, with four losses in their last six games
• Comparison between Fonseca and Conceição, with neither coach seemingly able to establish a consistent playing style
• The puzzling absence of Fikayo Tomori from the starting lineup despite his importance to Milan's defensive stability
• How management decisions, including firing Paolo Maldini, derailed a promising long-term project
• Milan's best hope now lies in winning the Coppa Italia against Inter to salvage European qualification
• The need for leadership on the pitch, as Milan players appear to lack fighting spirit and mentality
• Looking ahead to a potential rebuild around younger talents like Reijnders and Fofana

After the Coppa Italia semifinal against Inter, we'll be back to analyze whether Milan can pull off an upset and keep their season alive.

Support the show