The end of 2023 was not kind to AC Milan’s defensive department in terms of injuries, and at a crucial point in the season Stefano Pioli has once again been left scrambling for options.
This morning’s edition of Tuttosport (via MilanNews) recalls how from November onwards Milan have suffered injury blow after injury blow to the three main centre-backs Fikayo Tomori, Pierre Kalulu and Malick Thiaw, while Simon Kjaer was never in great condition in the first part of the season.
Today, not only due to injuries but also due to a suspension, an emergency situation has arisen again among the Rossoneri rearguard ranks, two days before the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final first leg against Roma.
A huge absence
Against Roma on Thursday evening, Tomori is one of the certain absentees from the match. The yellow card he received in the second leg of the round of 16 against Slavia Praha saw him reach the threshold and receive a one-game ban.
It was no coincidence that with Tomori’s return Milan’s defensive performance improved. In the last six matches, from after Monza onwards, Milan either did not concede a goal or conceded only one.
It was a good improvement compared to to the autumn-winter period when the average of goals conceded was two per game.
In the ten rounds of Serie A action in which Tomori was absent, four matches ended with at least two goals conceded. Among these were also the five in the derby, highlighting his importance.
A worrying doubt
If Tomori’s absence could weigh heavily, the same can be said of Thiaw’s which would force Stefano Pioli’s hand a bit when it comes to choosing the team for Thursday.
The German, on the eve of the win over Lecce, was the victim of plantar fasciitis which is inflammation of the foot. The problem kept him out of the match on Saturday and he trained alone yesterday.
Between today and tomorrow it will be clear whether the discomfort will be overcome and Thiaw will at least be able to be used from the bench.
Meanwhile, Kalulu is out with a ligament issue which means for Pioli the only certain pair available is Matteo Gabbia and Simon Kjaer, with the Dane also coming from a physically challenging period.
On the bench, with the exception of Thiaw who remains in doubt as mentioned, there will be no Jan-Carlo Simic who is not on the UEFA squad list. The only solution will be Davide Bartesaghi or possibly Clinton Nsiala.
