AC Milan’s defensive record was their strength in the Scudetto winning season, but it has become an area of concern early in the new campaign.
Tuttosport (via MilanNews) recall that Milan have conceded 20 goals conceded this season in just 16 games across all competitions, including 13 in 12 league matches, something that should lead to an examination in view of the games after the World Cup break.
The paper have looked into some of the reasons why the Rossoneri do not look as tight at the back starting with the injury problems that the team have had in the rearguard. With Calabria and Florenzi out until 2023 and Dest still adapting, Kalulu has moved to the right side, effectively meaning that Tomori, Gabbia and Kjaer have rotated as the centre-back pairing.
That means there has not been much continuity in the back four that Milan have been able to field, and it extends to a back five given that goalkeeper Mike Maignan has been missing and he is not only a technically extraordinary goalkeeper but also a real leader of the back line.
While waiting to recover all the injured players, all that can be done is to try and work on restricting the opponents that Milan face starting with Red Bull Salzburg, which will be a crucial match in a sporting and a financial sense given a win or draw will result in qualification for the Champions League last 16.
The return of Simon Kjaer to the starting line-up for the game against the Austrian champions will be key, given that his leadership and experience was sorely lacking in the defeat against Torino.
