AC Milan are entering a crucial and hectic run of games ahead of the break for the World Cup and Stefano Pioli is slowly getting key men back.
Tuttosport (via PianetaMilan) talks about how Milan are facing seven big matches across Serie A (against Monza, Torino, Spezia, Cremonese and Fiorentina) and two decisive ones in the Champions League group stages (against Dinamo Zagreb and RB Salzburg).
Given the condensed nature of the fixture list and the magnitude of the games on both fronts, Pioli will need everyone’s contribution. So far he has not been able to call upon that, because the squad have again suffered too many injuries and the late inclusion of new signings complicated preparations.
The game against Hellas Verona looked like a potential turning point. Even though Sandro Tonali was the match winner, Yacine Adli made his first start which will be useful for his growth and Malick Thiaw marked his debut with two vital blocks.
Divock Origi and Ante Rebić will certainly play more now they are back near full fitness as Olivier Giroud and Rafael Leão have carried the attack for virtually two months without much of a brea at all.
In midfield, Tommaso Pobega will continue to gain confidence while summer addition Aster Vranckx should start playing more often. Mike Maignan, Simon Kjær and Charles De Ketelaere are ready to return from their respective muscle problems.
Then it is a case of waiting for the longer-term absentees, namely Davide Calabria, Alessandro Florenzi, Alexis Saelemaekers and Zlatan Ibrahimović, all of whom will be back in early 2023.
