"Milan's bench for the match at the New Balance Arena against Atalanta last night told a story, with respect to the players on it: Pittarella, Terracciano, De Winter, Odogu, Athekame, Loftus-Cheek and Nkunku. Just seven players and five of them outfield. Atalanta, meanwhile, had the following substitutes available: Rossi, Sportiello, Musah, Sulemana, Scamacca, Samardzicc, Bellanova, Djimsiti, Kolasinac, Obric, Brescianini, Zalewski, Maldini and Krstovic."
"The absences of Adrien Rabiot and Christian Pulisic are too much of a burden, as they lack two players who provide that extra something in terms of balance, quality and end product. With Rafael Leao starting despite a hip problem, the attack once again showed all of their current limitations. Igli Tare, speaking to DAZN before the match, defending the decision to go into the season with just 19 outfield players, stating: "It wasn't expected that six players would get injured during an international break.""
AC Milan entered the match with only seven substitutes, five of them outfield players, leaving minimal bench options. Atalanta named a much deeper set of substitutes, highlighting a contrast in squad depth. The absence of Adrien Rabiot and Christian Pulisic removed balance, quality and end product from Milan's lineup, while Rafael Leao started despite a hip problem. The squad was constructed with 19 outfield players, a number strained further by multiple injuries sustained during the international break. Limited depth in key areas and a struggling lone striker leave wins difficult until reinforcements and recoveries arrive.
Read at SempreMilan
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