AC Milan is grappling with significant injury woes as the team approaches pivotal matches, including the upcoming Supercoppa Italiana. Head coach Paulo Fonseca has confirmed multiple absences of key players, raising concerns just as the winter fixtures heat up.
Recent reports indicate Yunus Musah's 2024 season has ended prematurely due to a serious calf injury. This means he will miss Milan's last two games of the year against Hellas Verona and Roma. The injuries do not stop there: Noah Okafor has also been sidelined after tests revealed he suffered a first-degree lesion of the soleus muscle in his right calf, leaving him out for approximately one month. With seven players unavailable, Fonseca is left to scramble for solutions.
Missing the squad against Hellas Verona on December 18 are Alessandro Florenzi, Ismael Bennacer, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Christian Pulisic, Luka Jovic, Musah, and Okafor. This substantial list of absentees presents significant challenges not only for the game on Friday but also raises alarms for the much-anticipated match against Roma on December 29 and the Supercoppa Italiana semi-final against Juventus set for January 3, 2025, which will take place in Saudi Arabia.
Looking at the possibilities for recovery, there is hope for the returns of Loftus-Cheek, Pulisic, Bennacer, and Jovic for either the clash against Roma or the Supercoppa. Fonseca has emphasized caution, stating they will not be rushed back. "Having the American back would be massive for our attack," Fonseca noted, expressing optimism about Pulisic's potential return.
Several players broke the news of their difficulties. For example, Loftus-Cheek is struggling with a right bicep femoris injury, and Musah's calf injury has proved to be serious. Coach Fonseca's strategic planning has now shifted to compensate for these injuries and focus on which players can return for the all-important fixtures.
Alvaro Morata's condition is slightly more straightforward; he is sidelined due to tonsillitis but is expected back shortly. Meanwhile, Florenzi's situation remains dire as he is still recovering from knee ligament surgery performed last summer. The timeline for his return seems indefinite. On the other hand, Pulisic, who sustained his injury during the first half of the game against Atalanta, will undergo another examination early next week to assess his recovery progress.
While some players are expected back for the Roma match, the Supercoppa remains less certain. The upcoming fixtures come with increasing pressure to perform and bring home silverware. Milan fans have their fingers crossed for the team as they struggle to field their best lineup.
The ambitions of AC Milan are not just to maintain their storied reputation but also to secure victory against strong opponents like Juventus. With the Supercoppa being one of the first trophies available for the season, the absence of several key players could spell doom for Milan's title aspirations. For Fonseca, who only recently took over as head coach, this injury crisis presents additional pressure to perform and secure immediate results.
Looking beyond the Supercoppa, the club must navigate these injuries carefully. With the Serie A title race also heating up, every match counts, and the hope is to have enough of their main stars back to contend effectively.
The upcoming period will test the resilience of the squad. The depth of the lineup will be challenged, and the coaching staff must be prepared to adapt to any last-minute changes leading up to the fixtures. The fans can only wait and see how this injury-ridden period will impact their beloved team.
