GdS: Ten days, many doubts – Cardinale arrives as Amorim shapes team for opener vs. Torino
Gerry Cardinale will be at Milanello today, and there are a lot of things that the AC Milan owner must clarify during his visit.
La Gazzetta dello Sport write that ten days may seem like a long time, but they become too few when there’s less certainty than expected and more uncertainty than expected. Ten days separate Milan from their league debut, on Sunday the 23rd away against Torino.
Ruben Amorim is looking at the squad with a hint of anxiety. The group is still too large and, with the ‘right’ exits, is in need of reinforcements. This morning, Cardinale will be at Milanello to discuss the transfer window with his directors and Amorim.
The RedBird boss will also be in the stands in Turin for the league debut against Torino. He doesn’t yet know what kind of game Milan will face, though. Saturday’s friendly against Manchester United in Wroclaw will be crucial to determining that.
Between the posts
Mike Maignan won’t return from vacation until Sunday, a week before the trip to Piedmont. Will he start immediately? Much will depend on his physical condition.
He, like everyone else, worked out on vacation following the personalised plan sent by Amorim’s staff, but his fitness remains to be assessed. If his results are positive, he would start. Otherwise, Torriani will be given the spot, as Pietro Terracciano recently returned to training after an injury.
Mike, like Adrien Rabiot, is in the fans’ sights for the vacation extension requested and granted by the coach and club. Cardinale and Amorim will speak with both players face-to-face in the coming days to resolve the matter.
Defence and midfield
Matteo Gabbia and Strahinja Pavlovic are certain of a spot in the back three, while Mario Gila’s condition remains to be assessed. The Spaniard returned to Milanello early from the tour to recover from a strained right rectus femoris, and he worked partially with his team-mates yesterday.
In midfield, the right side is a doubt. So far, Amorim has given Samuel Chukwueze confidence, testing him in this position to see if he can adapt. With Chukwueze on the pitch, Saelemaekers will play on the left. Otherwise, the Belgian will be on the right and Davide Bartesaghi or Pervis Estupinan on the left.
It’s easy to imagine Luka Modric starting in midfield, but who will be alongside him? Rabiot will have had just one week of training with his team-mates. With Youssouf Fofana out and Samuele Ricci so far sidelined by tonsillitis, the signs point to Ardon Jashari. Yunus Musah is the alternative.
Up front
Goncalo Ramos’s starting role is a given, while the two attacking midfielders are less certain. Christopher Nkunku expects to have a starting spot, so it’s a head-to-head between Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Rafael Leao for the other side.
They’re two very different profiles, but for Leao transfer market considerations must be taken into account. Loftus-Cheek started against Celtic, Inter and Chelsea.
As for Christian Pulisic, it is anticipated that he will return to training with the rest of the team again on Sunday after recovering from a hairline fracture, but he needs time to get back to 100%.
