AC Milan got back to winning ways on Saturday night against Frosinone, but there are still question marks about whether the team have fully dug themselves out of a difficult recent period.
Calciomercato.com asks the question: have Milan really recovered? The 3-1 victory at San Siro against Frosinone restored confidence and calm to the group squad, which had emerged significantly deflated by the Champions League defeat against Borussia Dortmund.
Now there are nine days ahead which for Stefano Pioli will be equally decisive not only for the desperate attempt to reach the round of 16 of the Champions League, but also for the continuation of the league season.
We will find out if Milan are truly healed first on Saturday 9 December at when they Atalanta at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo in a sort of new cycle that closes after Pioli’s began with a 5-0 defeat there early in his tenure.
It is a tough match at a place which has always been difficult and where everyone struggles, which will be followed only four days later by the do-or-die match against Newcastle United, which will establish whether Milan keep going in the UCL, move into the Europa League or crash out of Europe entirely.
Good news could come from the treatment room, given a new MRI scan is expected for Rafael Leao tomorrow (Tuesday 5 December). There is a Milan with Leao and a different and less effective one without him, having him or not in these two matches will be more decisive than ever.
The medical tests will verify the stage of recovery from the injury to the femoral biceps of the right thigh, and the feeling is positive that he could play a part against Atalanta then start against Newcastle.
