GdS: Derby on the mind – Amorim’s selection dilemma for Bologna with Inter looming

Ruben Amorim may be facing his most difficult week in charge of AC Milan currently, and he will be faced with making some key decisions.

October has been brutal, but Milan are not done yet. They’ve had 16 days since the return from the international break and played five times, with two more games to go. Everyone knew it was going to be brutal and it’s showing.

Now, it’s a case of balancing minutes and Amorim has a significant challenge ahead of him, with a huge game against Inter on the horizon.

Amorim faces derby dilemmas

In this morning’s edition of Gazzetta dello Sport, as seen below, the matter of this week’s fixtures has been studied. They’ve survived October so far, but the pressure isn’t off, with four more games to go until the international break.

It’s been a case of rationing minutes for Amorim, and against Bologna, it will be no different. However, some players will be forced to work overtime.

In defence, Mike Maignan, Koni De Winter and Strahinja Pavlovic are all expected to play in both games this week. Unfortunately, the ‘unavailability’ of the youth team players means he cannot rotate those two.

Fikayo Tomori will also be present against Bologna, with Mario Gila hopefully returning. With Pervis Estupinan, it’s likely to be the same case; he could play in both games, but he’s likely to be given the nod against Bologna.

Ardon Jashari and Yunus Musah will be the midfield partnership, with some key injuries in the area. Of course, this will also allow Luka Modric to get some much-needed rest ahead of the derby.

In attack, the puzzle is no simpler. Diego Moreira is not a guarantee for the derby, so Alphadjo Cisse, Omari Hutchinson, Davide Bartesaghi and Goncalo Ramos will have to balance the minutes between them. With Christian Pulisic expected to be rested for the derby, too.

After all, they will need to work this week, but they cannot be overworked.