AC Milan’s debacle against Bologna exposes the squad’s structural weaknesses: major transfer activity needed in January
Milan, too many absentees took their toll against Bologna: the squad is too thin in both numbers and quality
Milan's dress rehearsal for Saturday's derby ends in a heavy home defeat as they concede four goals. Mbangula emerges as the surprise star with a historic hat-trick. The injury list grows again when Tomori is forced off at the end of the first half. Amorim and his players drop to fifth, seven points behind the leading pair of city rivals Inter and Lazio. After the match, a large section of the crowd, apart from the Curva Sud, 'salute' their players with boos.
Small and poorly balanced squad
"I did not say we lost because of injuries. I think we lacked energy and, because we cannot make the same rotations, it is difficult for us to press constantly and play our football. When we stop playing our football, we suffer. And a manager who arrived two months ago cannot expect the whole team to play a different kind of football for 90 minutes, and that is something you should understand." Amorim won't use the absences as an excuse on Dazn, but he asks for patience. He showed little himself when he made the Diawara-Estupinan substitution and called for a five-man defensive line in the 60th minute. Milan invited their opponents into their own half and lost their bearings. They conceded two goals, with De Winter among those clearly at fault.
The second interpretation links back to the first: the squad lacks numbers and quality, and its balance is off. Without Saelemakers, Gabbia, Chukwueze, Rabiot, Gila and Moreira, Milan lacked the energy for their third match in six days. Many flagged that problem last summer. Now it needs a proper assessment.
Cardinale must step in in January
Bad luck has given Milan no respite, but Amorim and Cardinale must work out how and where to strengthen in January. This squad isn't strong enough to cope with both the league and the Europa League. The Portuguese manager asks his players to step outside their comfort zones and play in different positions, but that cannot cover the gaps for long. There are too few alternatives in several positions, and those available aren't up to standard. Time isn't on the club's side, but Milan must grit their teeth until the January transfer window, when the club's hierarchy are expected to act decisively and make at least 3 high-quality signings: a top-class defender, a midfielder with Musah's attributes and a genuine alternative to Ramos.
