Rotation on the cards [Newsletter]
The game against Newcastle wasn’t what AC Milan had hoped for, even if they completely dominated the affair from start to finish. They will have to leave the draw behind them quickly, though, with Verona up next on Saturday and then Cagliari on Wednesday next week. For these games, some rotation is expected.
Performance-wise, the Rossoneri bounced back from the disappointing derby against Inter but they just lacked the final touch against Newcastle to clinch all three points. It’s frustrating, but these things happen from time to time and Stefano Pioli will have to take the positives from the game with him.
Verona are up next, as stated, and that game is scheduled for 15:00 CEST on Saturday. Milan thus don’t have time to rest and one would expect Pioli to make some rotation to the XI for the upcoming clashes. After all, Giorgio Furlani and Geoffrey Moncada signed ten players this summer so that he would be able to.
Mike Maignan and Ruben Loftus-Cheek both left the game against Newcastle with minor injuries and should be rested. The goalkeeper had tests yesterday and they ruled out an injury, which is a relief for Milan, while the Englishman just suffered from some cramp. Marco Sportiello and Yunus Musah are ready, therefore.
Samuel Chukwueze looked very bright in his first start and was taken off just as he was gathering steam, probably because Pioli wanted the Yunus Musah-Christian Pulisic partnership on the right flank. It remains to be seen if the Nigerian or the American will get the chance against Verona. Whoever starts will be benched against Cagliari.
Then, it goes without saying that Pioli could do with resting Rade Krunic, Olivier Giroud and Rafael Leao. The latter was surprisingly poor against Newcastle and could use the time on the bench, with Noah Okafor eager to show his qualities after a good cameo off the bench against Roma.
In short, there are quite a few positions that the manager could rotate across the next two games, which only makes sense given the tight schedule. The rotation will inevitably test the foundations of the ‘new Milan’ and the tactics, but the new signings have all looked promising and the fans are right to be optimistic.
News bulletin
➤ Milan Women faced Roma in their season opener and although they came back from 2-0 to 2-2, they lost the game 4-2 in the end. Roma are the reigning champions and the task, as expected, proved to be too difficult for Maurizio Ganz’s players.
➤ Milan’s Primavera side continued their fantastic start to the season with a 2-0 win away at Sassuolo, and the starlet Francesco Camarda got his first goal for the team. Ignazio Abate’s men followed it up with a 4-0 trashing of Newcastle in the UEFA Youth League and Camarda bagged a lovely brace.
➤ Milan had a scout at Benfica against Red Bull Salzburg on Wednesday night. Geoffrey Moncada wanted a closer look at two players including a Portuguese defender, and a striker who is the son of a former Milan centre-back.
➤ It was an emotional night for Sandro Tonali as he returned to Milan as an opponent for the first time since his summer exit. He was touched by the reception he got, and his comments after the game certainly didn't close the door to a return.
➤ Rafael Leao has been criticised for his performance and missed chance against Newcastle, and it has emerged that he did not want to accept the MVP award that he was given by UEFA.
➤ The Milan management have the future of Francesco Camarda on their agenda. He is attracting interest from Borussia Dortmund and other clubs given his record-breaking exploits, so a new contract is being pondered.
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