Luca Antonelli Form Leaves Question Mark over Mattia De Sciglio Future at Milan

As Mattia De Sciglio returned to the AC Milan lineup, with months of rehab on his heel finally over and done with, he had another problem. His spot in the team was gone. There was another left-back in town.

Luca Antonelli has started the past 10 games for the Rossoneri in that position. He was acquired in January, back when De Sciglio was out with the aforementioned injury. De Sciglio feared that his season had ended, so Milan had to go out and get Antonelli as a reinforcement.

Instead, he's become the undisputed starter. Antonelli arrived from Genoa and instantly made an impact, scoring in his debut against Juventus. Then he consolidated his position on the left flank with solid performances. 

Nothing about his game is flashy; he is responsible with the ball, he can push forward and make necessary crosses, and he can defend. It was enough for Italy coach Antonio Conte to start him in the latest Euro qualifier. 

Antonelli kept his spot for the Milan derby. Ironically enough, it was the derby that launched De Sciglio's career in 2012, and here he was in 2015 on the bench. 

"When I get back on the field—hopefully soon—I want to redeem myself and get back to playing good football that I know I can," De Sciglio told Sky Sport Italia (h/t Forza Italian Football).

It's been two years since the Italian showed the kind of form that drew attention to him. He was called the new Paolo Maldini. He was the future, a player well beyond his years. 

The performances up to his injury showed a different truth. De Sciglio could not produce a cross of any substance. He lost possession easily and committed fouls in response.

He just didn't look comfortable on the left side anymore. There has to be something to that. After all, he is naturally right-footed and previously played at left-back out of necessity, and it's common to see De Sciglio defer a shot or move inside-out to get the ball onto his right boot.

Antonio Calanni/Associated Press

Perhaps it is time to move on from Ignazio Abate, whose contract expires in the summer, and deploy the 22-year-old De Sciglio at right-back. 

Abate himself has largely coasted through the past few seasons. He put up four assists in the first four Serie A games of the season—his most promising stretch in a long while—but then reverted to mediocrity. Abate lacks consistency, and his speed is no longer a threat. When an ageing Javier Zanetti beats you in a foot race, it's not so good.

De Sciglio would replace Abate without a problem, and on that side, he could relaunch his career. The crosses and the runs may be more effective. 

If Milan cannot find a place for De Sciglio, they risk losing him. Barcelona and Real Madrid both appear to have interest in the player, with Real manager Carlo Ancelotti being a longtime admirer, according to Spanish newspaper Sport (h/t Football Italia).

Selling De Sciglio would mean the end of yet another young prospect for the Rossoneri.