NFL inspiration [Newsletter]
Another international break is underway and if we are being honest, the timing is perfect for AC Milan. The last few weeks have been rough for Stefano Pioli and his players, bar the PSG win, and time is needed to reflect on the issues that have been bugging them at the start of this season.
The serious injury struggles haven’t gone unnoticed, with 24 of them so far this season. A good majority have been muscular as well, and it’s clear that something is being done incorrectly. The speculation has been widespread in recent days and it remains to be seen what Pioli and his staff will conclude during this break.
Calciomercato.com cited an interesting study that was commissioned by the NFL, seeing as a lot of their players also suffer from muscular issues. With high-intensity sprints, which are 80-100% of the capacity, there is a significant risk of muscle injuries. Milan thus need to limit these to a reasonable degree, while investments also must be made to better understand individual recovery.
Potential personnel changes have been discussed, with above all athletic trainer Matteo Osti in the firing line. However, Pioli has opposed the idea, not keen on parting ways with any of his staff members. And it is heavily frowned upon for the club to intervene without the manager’s consent.
Whatever the solution is, it needs to be implemented fast. Because these injury struggles could be the death of Pioli’s reign at Milan, and he knows it. And as much as some of the fans want to see him gone, we need to consider what is best for the club until the end of the season. Missing out on a top-four finish can certainly not be considered that, even if it means a new manager arrives.
In many ways, the next week and a half could be described as the most important period of Milan’s season. Make it two actually, because the Rossoneri will take on Borussia Dortmund just three days after facing Fiorentina in the league, and the game against the Germans will decide a lot in terms of a Round of 16 ticket.
News bulletin
➤ AC Milan’s Primavera side bounced back from their defeat in the league last weekend with a strong performance and a 2-0 win against Lecce on Sunday. It was just the birthday present Ignazio Abate wanted, but he still expressed his rage at the team taking their foot off the gas.
➤ Staying on the topic of the youth team, there are reports suggesting Francesco Camarda could get his first senior call-up soon. Olivier Giroud is suspended for the next two games and Luka Jovic has been a disappointing signing so far, so a window could well have opened.
➤ The Milan Women were held to a 1-1 draw by Sassuolo at the weekend. Both goals came in the first six minutes at the PUMA House of Football: Bergamaschi with the opener, Beccari with the equaliser.
➤ Yacine Adli seems to have vanished from Pioli's plans again, but he has admitted that the Rossoneri are struggling at the moment and they have to keep on performing for the fans. Meanwhile, Ismael Bennacer also gave an enlightening interview regarding his recovery and European objectives.
➤ Rade Krunic has a contract with Milan until 2025 and talks have been ongoing for months over a renewal, but they have not really generated concrete progress and thus a potential sale is apparently being evaluated.
➤ There are a lot of stories swirling about the pursuit of a new striker. Jonathan David's drop in form might generate doubts or could bring him right into Milan's desirable region for investments, while Akor Adams of Montpellier and Serhou Guirassy of Stuttgart are being scouted.
In case you missed it
Make sure to check out the latest podcast episode, and our latest bonus podcast in which the lads discuss Milan’s UCL journey so far. We have also published quite a few bonus articles lately, including the latest loan watch. Are you interested in a paid subscription? Read all about it here.