Milan, with such a small squad list, especially one further reduced by injuries, cannot aim too high. Unless the management decides to make new signings in January.
Three clues
Fiorentina, Pisa, and Atalanta were not random performances: without Adrien Rabiot and Christian Pulisic, injured while on international duty to Milan’s detriment, the Rossoneri lost much of their potential.
This is unsurprising given the importance of these two players in the Milan squad and how decisive they were in the first matches of the season. Their physical setbacks were compounded by Pervis Estupinan (last match played against Napoli on September 28) and the temporary absences of Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Christopher Nkunku, as well as long-term absentee Ardon Jashari, writes Milan News today. In practice, Massimiliano Allegri has lacked a numerically and qualitatively adequate squad for three matches: three changes against Fiorentina, two against Pisa, three (one in added time) in Bergamo. The starters have been stretched across consecutive matches. It is difficult to maintain high performance levels with such limited rotation, and consequently difficult to sustain a points-per-game average that allows for big ambitions.
How to solve it?
The most urgent solution is the one Allegri suggested after yesterday’s match: grit the teeth for another ten days, hoping for Estupinan's return against Roma and Pulisic’s against Parma. Then, in January, especially if Milan is still in contention for the Scudetto, management should spend to reinforce the squad numerically and qualitatively. Without European competitions, a large squad is not necessary, but injuries are often unpredictable, and prevention is better than cure.
