The AC Milan latest 2-2 draw overshadowed what could and should have been Davide Bartesaghi’s day, as he scored an impressive brace against Sassuolo. Why does this go unnoticed? Because the squad’s clear weaknesses showed up again.
Is Milan Missing Key Reinforcements This Season?
Massimiliano Allegri has a team that is technically and numerically incomplete, and Milan paid the price again yesterday. When a coach has to push a midfielder, in this case Loftus-Cheek, to play as a striker because the bench is empty, it shows a serious problem that needs to be addressed from the very start of the transfer window if the club wants to remain at the top of the table.
The 2-2 draw against Sassuolo does not erase the positives. Several elements offer a base for Allegri’s project. Work remains, yet progress exists. The squad shows intent and hunger ahead of the Super Cup semi-final against Napoli. Supporters following the team closely, including those looking into sports betting on Betiton, see clear signs of ambition and purpose.
If the club wants to compete for the title, the management must sign a physical striker, regardless of Santiago Gimenez’s future. Having five forwards for two spots is not a problem, it increases competition in training and allows the coach to consider tactical variations. In the era of five substitutions, you could even use all five forwards in a final push. A squad built on balance is not functional for the title fight, which is this team’s goal, and it needs reinforcement. The illusion of a short, compact squad collapsed yesterday, and the win in Turin showed it again: if Leao gets injured and Pulisic is at 50%, you can still hope to win. If you remove Pulisic for Ricci to sit back and try to hold 20-25 minutes to protect a 2-1 lead, it does not always work. Seeing Sassuolo use six forwards caused a pang of envy.
Milan Needs a Striker and Central Defender to Stay Competitive
Beyond the striker, with Niclas Fullkrug still a valid and feasible option, Milan also needs a central defender. The hope is that Gabbia is not seriously injured, but yesterday De Winter also failed to give positive signs, and he bears part of the blame for Sassuolo’s 2-2 goal. The first four months of the season showed that injuries hit Milan, and Allegri cannot always work miracles, especially since Milan Futuro does not provide options in the areas of emergency. The coach’s choices show this: apart from calling Sala to fill numbers, he only promoted Castiello once, and even then to lengthen the squad list.
Milan Aims to Secure Maignan and Saelemaekers Contracts Soon:
Against Sassuolo, Mike Maignan made saves, but the focus is on his contract. Mike has signalled openness, thanks largely to careful work by head coach Massimiliano Allegri and Igli Tare, with AC Milan ready to make him the highest-paid player in the squad alongside Rafael Leao. The decision is now his, and he has about 30-40 days to make a final choice. Third-party factors, such as his agent Jonathan Kebe, could influence him, similar to how the late Raiola handled Gianluigi Donnarumma five years ago. AC Milan’s management wants a final answer by the end of January to start concrete plans for his replacement, as relayed via Milan News.
Among contracts expiring in 2027, Alexis Saelemaekers’ renewal should enter the final phase in the coming weeks. Talks between the club and his agent have been ongoing, and a new agreement should be finalised at the start of 2026.
