Sky journalist Manuele Baiocchini has given an update from Milanello regarding the injury situation that AC Milan are battling as well as offering some data on the team’s recent struggles.
With Rafael Leao and Davide Calabria having gone off during the 2-2 draw against Lecce, Milan are now up to 24 different injuries suffered this season which is well ahead of their rivals Inter and Juventus.
The Portuguese has suffered from a low-grade right hamstring injury, which puts him in doubt for the huge Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund on November 28, while Calabria is expected back.
Speaking live from Casa Milan for Sky, Baiocchini took stock of the injury situation, focusing in particular on Leao’s problem and revealing what Stefano Pioli’s hope is, with his comments relayed by Radio Rossonera.
“The break is providential for Milan. Consider that nine players went to the national team, there should have been 12 but then Leao and Calabria got hurt and Thiaw is about to become a father and didn’t respond to the call from the German national team,” he said.
“This means that in these days Milanello will be practically full, with those receiving treatments and therapies. This morning there were in fact many players, including those undergoing rehabilitation and those looking to get into better shape.
“Some will recover in the break like Kjaer, Calabria himself for whom it is only a flexor edema, and Pulisic. The big question mark is Leao, who will not be there against Fiorentina but hopes to return at least against Borussia Dortmund. What is certain is that Pioli would like it 100% but it probably won’t be 100%, given the first degree injury suffered against Lecce.
“Then there is a whole series of players who will return in some time. From second goalkeeper Sportiello in December to Bennacer at the beginning of 2024, these absences do not make Pioli’s job easy in any way.
“I’ll close by saying two facts: from break to break Milan are the second worst team in the league, behind only Verona, with two points amassed in four games. On top of this, Milan has a physical problem because of the last 8 goals conceded, 7 have come in the second half. Evidently it’s a team that collapses in the second 45 minutes.”
It’s the sign of a team that is physically too tired and simply can’t play in the way it is supposed to play.