Yesterday afternoon in Wroclaw, Amorim’s Milan took to the pitch to face Manchester United in their final summer friendly before the start of the league season. After the heavy defeat suffered against Chelsea in their previous match, the Rossoneri had the task of providing encouraging signs and proving that the defeat had merely been a setback. After just one minute, United immediately scored to make it 1-0, and things seemed to be heading in the wrong direction. However, as the match developed, Amorim’s side took control of the game and turned the result around twice, eventually securing a 4-2 victory.
Despite several regular starters still being unavailable, the 11 players selected from the beginning showed that they are all working in the same direction, share the same footballing ideas and are trying to develop matches in a specific way. Clearly, there is still a huge amount of work to do, with too many defensive errors, particularly individual mistakes, as well as some team situations that need to be corrected to avoid being vulnerable in their own half. However, the coach’s influence is beginning to become visible.
Before the match, during the week, Amorim and Cardinale met in person to take stock of the transfer market, identifying the players who could leave and those who would remain part of the squad for next season. In addition to the names already identified in recent weeks (Estupinan, Terracciano and Gimenez), the players deemed surplus to requirements following the meeting were Odogu, Tomori and Fofana, who are considered outside Milan’s project and therefore free to find another solution. Then, somewhat surprisingly, there was also Christopher Nkunku.
Looking at what has emerged, it is clear that Cardinale will have to make moves in the transfer market to compensate for the exclusion of the aforementioned players from the project.
A centre-back will certainly be needed to replace Tomori and immediately become part of the defensive rotation. The department would then be complete with Gila, Gabbia, Pavlovic, De Winter, Diawara and the new signing.
A left-sided player will also be needed if Estupinian is sold, although that departure may not necessarily happen at this stage.
The midfield could potentially remain as it is, with Jashari being given the opportunity to develop, Modric and Rabiot confirmed, and Musah and Ricci perfectly capable of completing the options in the department.
There should be no changes up front, with Gonçalo Ramos set to be backed up by young Camarda as his first alternative.
In the attacking midfield positions, the situation is as follows: Pulisic is one of the two undisputed starters, while Leao could be the other. However, Milan will hope until the very last moment to sell the player and generate a substantial fee.
Then there is Loftus-Cheek, who is highly appreciated by Amorim, Cissé, a young player who could also be given plenty of playing time during the season, and Saelemaekers, who, by the Portuguese coach’s own admission, will be used in this position.
At this point, in terms of numbers, the department could be considered complete. However, the feeling is that an important attacking midfielder still needs to arrive to perfect the squad.
Source: Milannews.it
