Di Canio: Milan aren’t getting the best out of Bennacer

Ismael Bennacer of Algeria

Thursday Oct 03, 2019. 17:00

According to Italian football legend Paolo Di Canio, AC Milan’s lack of tactical organisation means they are not getting the best out of Algerian star Ismael Bennacer.

The 21-year-old joined the Rossoneri on the back of an excellent display for his national team at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, where he was the player of the tournament as the Fennec Foxes claimed their second continental title.

However, Bennacer has been unable to reproduce that form for Milan, and this past weekend his struggles hit a new low when he conceded two penalties in the club’s 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Fiorentina in Serie A.

Di Canio, though, believes that a lack of organisation and discipline in midfield leaves Bennacer with too much work to do, and argues that the Algerian should be given greater playmaking responsibilities by coach Marco Giampaolo.

“With [Franck] Kessie and [Hakan] Calhanoglu running in all directions, Bennacer often finds himself alone and has to cover too much perimeter,” explained Di Canio.

“Instead he should be assigned two bodyguards [defensive midfielders] and be allowed to lead the team and the game properly.

“He is the driving force and the brain of the team, there is currently no organisation and he suffers a lot.”

Bennacer will look to redeem himself this weekend when Milan face Genoa away on Saturday night.