GdS: Bottom of the pecking order – Amorim’s management raises difficult Camarda questions

One of the points of discussion connected to AC Milan at the moment is the management of Francesco Camarda.

La Gazzetta dello Sport write that Christian Comotto’s debut at Bournemouth means that Ruben Amorim has now used the entire squad at his disposal with the exception of Valeri Vladimirov, who is still considered more of a resource for Milan Futuro.

This statistic confirms his extensive use of rotation, but it also doesn’t tell the whole story. There are players who, despite having already played, have had to settle for just a handful of minutes thus far. One of those is Camarda, who has just 69 minutes to his name.

A complicated path

Amorim has 24 outfield players at his disposal, three of whom are out with long-term injuries and Vladimirov, who as mentioned is more of a shuttle player. This brings the squad down to 20 players for two competitions and a packed schedule.

Yet, Camarda doesn’t seem to have convinced Amorim yet. He appears to be the last choice in the coach’s attacking hierarchy. He’s even slipped behind the ‘false 9s’ even though he is a natural centre-forward.

After Bournemouth, Amorim explained it: “Why Cisse and not Camarda? I analyzed the structure and the defensive style of their central defenders, and I believe Cisse has the best qualities to break them down. Moreover, he’s already played this role in the Under-21s, so for me, he’s the right choice for this specific match.”

Goncalo Ramos, before missing Bournemouth, had logged 744 minutes of the 810 available. Yet, this is a Milan team that’s perpetually on a rollercoaster, with an inconsistent attack. Gonçalo himself, in his minutes, has racked up three goals (one from a penalty) and one assist.

Ahead of Udine, it’s still unclear who will be at the centre of the attack. The Portuguese has recovered from a calf problem and is a candidate for a starting spot again, but it’s not out of the question that the coach will err on the side of caution and give Camarda a chance.

This scenario, however, would change the situation only slightly. Fundamentally, the club need to think honestly about one of their top talents. Is 69 minutes in ten games the right path for someone like Francesco after his equally questionable run at Lecce last season?

The squad has been deliberately kept short precisely to allow the younger players to gain space, as per Amorim’s exact words. There’s plenty of games left, but the question is a poignant one: if Camarda is not playing now, when will he?