AC Milan are in one of their most difficult moments since Stefano Pioli took over as head coach of the club, and while the trust in him remains there is the acknowledgement that things must change.
As Corriere della Sera (via MilanNews) are reporting this morning, Milan’s ‘anti-crisis plan’ must start from the solution to the injury emergency. There have been 25 different injuries in three months, of which 18 are of a muscular nature.
The focus is on workloads in training and also the management of playing time in matches. The latest injury was that of Malick Thiaw, who will have to remain in the pits for around two and a half months (probable return in mid-February).
This is not the first serious physical problem in Milan’s defence which already has Pierre Kalulu and Marco Pellegrino out (the former until March), as well as Simon Kjaer and even Mattia Caldara. For this reason, it will be necessary to intervene in the January window, but until then Jan-Carlo Simic will be promoted from the Primavera.
Lloyd Kelly of Bournemouth and Jakub Kiwior of Arsenal are the two names that currently stand out above all in Geoffrey Moncada’s search for a centre-back. The Englishman has a deal expiring in June 2024, while the Poland international could leave on loan.
Attention must also be paid to potential movements in attack, another department that needs new additions given that there is no real alternative to Olivier Giroud. The dream is still Jonathan David of Lille, but Akor Adams of Montpellier remains a valid option.