#ac-milan

#ac-milan

Theo Hernandez has given his stamp of approval for Davide Bartesaghi, who has become the unexpected heir to the Frenchman on the left-hand side of AC Milan's formation. When Hernandez left Milan in the summer, joining the Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal, many wondered how the Rossoneri would be able to replace the Frenchman. Indeed, the discussion quickly shifted from finding a player of the same calibre to finding just a decent left-back.

No, I don't think so. The difference isn't that Gimenez was there the last month. And we scored even when Leao wasn't there. It's not about missing players. We need to regain the compactness and solidity that we have lost a bit in recent games. We were a bit light defensively tonight. We had chances and weren't able to score. We need to do better, and we have to stay calm. It's disappointing because we could have been fighting for a trophy, but we have to stay calm because we're doing well in the league and we have to get back to doing well.

We're very pleased with the success of this event. Having a full stadium is incredibly rewarding, demonstrating that this globalisation effort is bearing fruit. We even met locals wearing Napoli and Milan caps, which is proof that this initiative is bearing fruit.

there's a real possibility that Luka Modric will start on the bench, with Ardon Jashari likely replacing him in the starting eleven. It is nothing to worry about regarding the Croatian, and is simply to allow him to catch his breath given the minutes accumulated. Another possible change is on the left side with Pervis Estupinian coming in for Davide Bartesaghi. That would be a bolder call given that the Italian scored a brace and was the best player on the pitch against Sassuolo a few days ago.

AC Milan are not only thinking about strengthening the attack, with Mario Gila of Lazio also a target in view of January. As Calciomercato.com confirm, Milan are working to sign a new striker in the winter mercato and it appears increasingly likely that it will be Niclas Fullkrug from West Ham that arrives. Alongside the reinforcement up front, sporting director Igli Tare is also working on new signings for the defence.

I feel very, very good and the injury is a thing of the past. I've worked hard in training over the last two months and haven't had any problems. Not even in the friendly match during the international break [against Entella] or in the Coppa Italia against Lazio. My leg isn't bothering me anymore and I'm happy about that.

Dusan Vlahovic is one of the most interesting names for AC Milan as we approach another mercato. However, the Serbian may not be as close as is being made out. There has been a lot said about Vlahovic in recent months, and with him not arriving at Milan in the summer, it is understandable why. He is still at an impasse with Juventus, and until that is solved, he will remain available next month.

Someone without these issues is Pulisic, who has established himself as one of the best forwards in Europe this season, if he had not already. The American is among the top scorers on the continent, and he hopes to carry this form to the Middle East. Last time around, he scored a penalty to equalise against Juventus, before doing the same against Inter, before Tammy Abraham grabbed a winner. Now, he wants to repeat that story.

Heading into the January transfer window, there are still a few unknowns when it comes to the business that AC Milan will do, and what the coach wants. As La Gazzetta dello Sport write, if it were up to the fans then the winter mercato would be a shopping spree. The Scudetto is within reach so a striker, a defender, a wing-back and maybe other roles should be strengthened to eliminate the team's flaws and have a perfect second half of the season.

AC Milan got the renewal of Alexis Saelemaekers signed and sealed, but now there are three more that they want to try and agree. A goalkeeper who saves, a playmaker who creates and a forward who scores: it certainly sounds like a good recipe. As Corriere dello Sport (via Tribuna) report this morning, Milan are looking to secure those roles by renewing Mike Maignan, Luka Modric and Christian Pulisic.

The referee on the pitch did well to assess the incident and then those in the VAR room did well to not call it out," he said (via MilanNews). "From the images you can clearly see that Pavlovic continues his run in a linear fashion, while the Sassuolo player doesn't try to protect the ball, but extends his leg to make contact with the opponent. Therefore, it was the correct decision not to award the penalty.