The packed schedule awaiting Milan will open the door to rotations in the starting eleven. Ruben Amorim has already come under criticism for not fielding a consistent starting line-up, but now the moment has arrived when he will genuinely need everyone in the squad. This is where Matteo Gabbia and Davide Bartesaghi come into the picture, as neither has played a leading role at the start of the season, albeit for different reasons.
Starting with Gabbia, it is worth pointing out that the latter part of his summer was affected by severe inflammation in his ankle, which prevented him from training properly and took several weeks to fully subside. Matteo required treatment and individual training sessions to finally overcome the problem, which had prevented him from training consistently.
The lengthy international break, however, proved beneficial for his complete recovery. The friendly against Padova allowed him to get some minutes into his legs and regain a feel for the pace of competitive football. His objective is to reclaim the starting place that had essentially been his since returning from his six-month spell at Villarreal.
Gabbia can play either as a centre-back in a back three or alongside another defender in a back four. It remains to be seen when and how Amorim will use him, although the coach will also find himself almost forced to bring Bartesaghi back into the fold.
Fresh from qualifying for the Under-21 European Championship with Silvio Baldini’s Italy side, the other product of the Vismara academy has struggled in the matches in which Amorim has started him. He too is driven by a strong competitive spirit and is eager to raise his performance level and earn more playing time.
This is also because Pervis Estupiñán will be reassessed upon his return to Milanello. The Ecuadorian is suffering from a mild strain of the medial collateral ligament in his left knee and will undergo further medical examinations to determine whether the diagnosis issued by the Ecuadorian federation is indeed accurate.
It is mainly a precautionary measure, but Estupiñán is likely to miss a few matches, meaning Bartesaghi could be called upon more regularly. Much will also depend on the tactical system Amorim chooses to use. In a three-man defence, for example, Diego Moreira could operate as the left wing-back, as relayed via Tuttosport.
The true figures behind Moreira’s transfer from Strasbourg have also emerged. Milan paid €51 million as a fixed fee, plus bonuses which, if fully activated, could take the total value of the deal to €67.8 million over the coming years.
Milan’s left flank, moreover, is the area most likely to undergo changes during matches, depending on Amorim’s tactical system. While Bartesaghi is pushing for more opportunities, also thanks to his ability to cover two different roles, Alphadjo Cissé is another player ready to demand more playing time if Milan line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Another factor is the injury suffered by AC Milan's Alexis Saelemaekers.
He is due to undergo ankle surgery next week and is expected to be sidelined for between two and four months, depending on the surgical technique used to remove and replace the screws and plate that were inserted in 2024.
Alexis himself addressed the situation in a post on social media:
"It is a difficult period, but I will face it with patience, determination and an even greater desire to get back to doing what I love. I want to sincerely thank all the fans, my teammates, the staff, my friends and everyone who has written to me over the past few days and made me feel their support and affection."
