The injuries that prove a point: Amorim left scrambling as Milan suffer first blows

FolioPitch.com – 06 October 2026 | AC Milan‘s season has been thrown into turmoil by a fresh wave of injuries, and the timing could hardly be worse. The injuries that prove a point Amorim left scrambling as Milan suffer first blows have exposed the squad’s lack of depth in key areas, forcing the Portuguese coach to rethink his plans for a brutal October schedule. With seven games in 21 days on the horizon, Milan’s already thin squad is now stretched to its limits, and the Rossoneri are paying the price for a summer of incomplete recruitment.

The latest blows come in quick succession. Alexis Saelemaekers, a versatile Belgian who had been earmarked for a starting role, sprained his ankle in training. Initial hopes that he would return for the Sassuolo clash were dashed when the club confirmed that the ankle had ‘lost stability’. Surgery is likely, and fears that he could be out until 2027 have been confirmed. For a player who badly injured the same ankle two years ago, it is a cruel twist of fate. Saelemaekers covers four roles across Amorim’s two preferred formations, making his absence a substantial loss.

Then there is Pervis Estupinan. The Ecuadorian left-back, not always a first choice but highly useful to Amorim with nearly 300 minutes already under his belt, appeared to suffer a knee issue. While Marcelo Gallardo described the problem as minor, further tests are needed. If Estupinan is sidelined, Milan are left with just one natural left-back in Davide Bartesaghi, plus makeshift options in Strahinja Pavlovic and Diego Moreira. The lack of a natural left wing-back was a concern identified in the summer, and now it has become a full-blown crisis.

Finally, Strahinja Pavlovic showed signs of fatigue, limping off for Serbia before being benched against Germany. He did play 90 minutes against the Netherlands, easing some fears, but his condition remains a worry. These injuries, combined with existing fitness doubts over Christian Pulisic and Alphadjo Cisse, leave Amorim with precious few reliable options in attacking midfield and defence.

The injuries that prove a point Amorim left scrambling as Milan suffer first blows are not merely bad luck; they are the consequence of poor planning. As the image of the two systems shows, Milan are now missing several key players across both formations. Saelemaekers alone covers four roles, and his absence leaves gaping holes. In attacking midfield, Amorim must rely on Moreira, Pulisic, and Cisse, none of whom are at full fitness. In defence, the shortage of natural full-backs is alarming. These issues were not unknown in the summer, yet the club failed to address them adequately.

The summer transfer window was largely praised, but the flaws are now glaring. Milan wanted a central defender, with late moves for Goncalo Inacio and links to Endrick, but nothing materialised. The need for a versatile wing-back and another attacking midfielder was clear, yet the club did not deliver. Now, the management’s lack of foresight is being used as a stick to beat them with. Competent free agents exist, but most come with significant risks. Dani Carvajal has missed 80 games in two seasons; Oleksandr Zinchenko and Raphael Guerreiro have their own injury histories. In central defence, Francesco Acerbi, Sergio Ramos, and Adam Webster are available, but signing them would mean huge wages for short-term fixes. In attacking midfield, Jadon Sancho, Wilfried Zaha, and Ante Rebic are options, but none are ideal.

Milan are treading water until January, and the January window already looked important; now it is essential. Gerry Cardinale has shown willingness to invest and learn from mistakes, but this is a lesson that must be heeded. The injuries that prove a point Amorim left scrambling as Milan suffer first blows should serve as a wake-up call. The squad is not deep enough to compete on multiple fronts, and the consequences are already being felt. Amorim must now pivot, finding makeshift solutions and hoping that his remaining players can stay fit. The next few weeks will test Milan’s resilience and the coach’s ingenuity.

In conclusion, Milan’s injury crisis is a self-inflicted wound that could derail their season. The injuries that prove a point Amorim left scrambling as Milan suffer first blows have exposed the club’s failure to strengthen adequately in the summer. With a punishing schedule ahead, Amorim has little room for error. The Rossoneri must learn from this and ensure that future windows are used more wisely. Otherwise, the same mistakes will continue to haunt them.