A lot of the talk surrounding AC Milan at the moment concerns a potential striker signing, and Mauro Icardi is the latest name to be linked. As we approach the January transfer window, it seems apparent that the management are at work to strengthen the attacking department. They are looking for a goal scorer to help Massimiliano Allegri's Scudetto push, given the struggles of Christopher Nkunku and Santiago Gimenez.
The gates of Milanello welcomed the squad back into training on Wednesday, while they also welcomed a special guest too. As a photo posted on the club's official account shows, Franck Ribery was at the training complex. The former France international - who played for Marseille, Bayern Munich, Fiorentina, and Salernitana among others - visited Milanello. He had the opportunity to meet several Milan players, including his compatriot Mike Maignan.
The AC Milan squad were back in training on Wednesday at Milanello, and news has arrived on some of the injured players. After the day off yesterday granted by Massimiliano Allegri following the victory away against Torino, the players returned to work today at Milanello to prepare for the match at San Siro on Sunday 14th against newly-promoted Sassuolo. The Neroverdi will not be an easy opponent for Milan even disregarding their previous status as a bogey side.
I put that record at risk today (laughs). It's good that the coach will return, I'm a bit fed up of this... I think Torino were expecting us to really prove ourselves in the first half and instead, we were a bit lazy. Instead of pushing wide, we went central. Then, a penalty and a counter-attack... but you have to praise this team for never giving up.
This time, it's exciting campus prospect Adin Ličina, who is having quite the season thus far, with 2 goals and 6 assists in 20 appearances in all competitions for FC Bayern II. A right winger by trade, the versatile attacker has also played as an attacking midfielder and a left winger at times, showcasing his versatility across the front line.
Milan tasted defeat for just the second time this season as they lost 1-0 Lazio on Thursday in the Coppa Italia, in the round of 16 phase. They remain 12 games unbeaten in the league, but have won just once in their last dozen away league games against Torino. Christian Pulisic has been battling a fever, but he travelled to meet up with the squad on Monday after recovering overnight and has made the bench.
From very early on in his second stint at AC Milan, Massimiliano Allegri asked for goals from his midfielders. So far, he isn't getting them. As Calciomercato.com report, before tonight's match against Torino, Milan have scored 19 total league goals. Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao - with five goals each - have produced more than 50% of the Rossoneri's attacking output. Allegri has been clear: the contribution must also increase from other players, especially the midfield.
After a summer spent with an uncertain fate as several midfielders arrived, Musah headed to Atalanta on a €4m loan with €25m option to buy. Yet, the USA international is struggling to find playing time, and the change of head coach does not appear to have transformed his fortunes. Musah has played just six league games (145 minutes in total, 90 of which were for Milan against Lecce). He has four Champions League appearances, and one in the Coppa Italia. Excluding the 114 minutes he played under Massimiliano Allegri, he has only played 200 minutes this season.
The Curva Sud have hit out at Torino for their ticket pricing ahead of tonight's game, also accusing AC Milan of being complicit. The AC Milan ultras have been in the headlines quite a bit in recent weeks. There was the protest about ticket prices for the Juventus away game, the authority-defying display during the derby and their criticism of the club's hierarchy over their silence.
AC Milan are looking for a central defender in view of the January window, and two Sassuolo stars are reportedly on their list. If Milan want to fight for the Scudetto until the end, they need some reinforcements in January because the squad is too small. In this first half of the season already, there have been injuries that have seen the already thin depth quickly evaporated.
AC Milan head coach Massimiliano Allegri has made his decision regarding the team that will take to the field against Torino. Milan come into the game having had their 13-game unbeaten run across all competitions ended by Lazio on Thursday in the Coppa Italia. They take a 12-game league streak to Torino, but they have won just one of their last 12 games at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino.
The weight of Milan's attack in the first half of the season has been entirely on the shoulders of Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic, who have each scored five goals. Massimiliano Allegri and his staff are trying to find alternatives, such as using Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the front two. Milan also have two other forwards in Santiago Gimenez and Christopher Nkunku, but as things stand, their contribution to the cause is very close to zero.
